The Lexus GX 470 was one of the most cost-effective luxury SUVs especially as compared to other Lexus cars. It was discontinued back in 2009 but still, to this day, it holds its value because of its tremendous value. If you are someone who owns this car and looking to know its towing capabilities, this article is going to be quite informative for you.
All Lexus GX 470 models have a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. This car was offered in only one engine configuration which is 470 V8 5AT (235 HP). This is the official towing capacity highlighted by Lexus. Thus, unlike other cars, it is highly unlikely that you find any variations in the towing capabilities of this car between later and older models.
So far we have mentioned the maximum towing capacity of the Lexus GX 470, let’s discuss in detail what you can tow with this car. Following are various tables and details that provide you an analysis of the towing capacity of this car in relevance with several trailer types. We’ll also analyze its competition so let’s get started.
Maximum Towing Capacity By Year
The Lexus GX 470 was briefly introduced between 2003 and 2009. The following table mentions the towing capacities of several models of this car over the years. We can notice that there is no difference in the numbers. Although Lexus provides official towing stats for this car, they also inform the possible danger that may be caused by heavy-duty towing.
| Year | Engine | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Note |
| 2009 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2008 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2007 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2006 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2005 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2004 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2003 | All | 5,000 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?
It is extremely important that you know the weight of the trailer that you are looking to tow with your car. We have done an extensive research to identify the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity of the Lexus GX 470.
All models of the Lexus GX 470 SUV can tow most of the medium and large-sized trailers with a maximum weight limit of 6,500 pounds. Keep in mind that some trailers exceed this towing limit when they are fully loaded with maximum payload capacity. In such a case, you’ll not be able to tow a trailer with this car.
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight (lbs.) | Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.) | Can A Lexus GX 470 Tow It? |
| Canoe / Kayak Trailer | 200 | 400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Jet Ski Trailer | 300 | 1,800 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Motorcycle Trailer | 500 | 2,400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Teardrop Trailer | 1,700 | 2,400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Small Open Utility Trailer | 700 | 2,500 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| A-Frame Camper | 1,700 | 2,900 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Small Enclosed Utility Trailer | 1,000 | 3,200 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Fishing Boat Trailer | 600 | 3,300 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Pop Up Camper | 2,300 | 3,400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Small Travel Trailer | 2,800 | 3,600 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Tow Dolly | 600 | 4,000 | Yes, it can tow both empty and loaded trailers of this type. |
| Large Enclosed Utility Trailer | 2,700 | 7,100 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Small Horse Trailer | 2,900 | 7,200 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Travel Trailer | 6,700 | 8,300 | No. |
| Car Trailer | 1,900 | 9,000 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Flatbed Trailer | 3,000 | 10,400 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Boat Trailer | 2,200 | 13,600 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Dump Trailer | 4,500 | 16,900 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Toy Hauler | 7,600 | 17,900 | No. |
| Large Livestock Trailer | 7,300 | 18,700 | No. |
| 5th Wheel Camper | 12,700 | 18,700 | No. |
| Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer | 7,200 | 23,200 | No. |
- Kayak: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average, an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pounds with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Jet Ski Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a jet ski trailer. On average, an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Motorcycle Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a motorcycle trailer. On average, an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Teardrop Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a teardrop trailer. On average, an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is also within the limits of the Lexus GX 470.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a small open utility trailer. On average, an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- A-Frame Camper: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow an a-frame camper. On average, an empty a-frame camper weighs 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow an empty small enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a fishing boat trailer. On average, an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Pop-Up Camper: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a pop-up camper. On average, an empty pop-up camper weighs 2,300 pounds. A loaded pop-up camper will weigh an average of 3,400 pounds with a maximum of 4,000 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Small Travel Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a small travel trailer. On average, an empty small travel trailer weighs 2,800 pounds. A loaded small travel trailer will weigh an average of 3,600 pounds with a maximum of 4,500 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Tow Dolly: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow a tow dolly. On average, an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 pounds which is within the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow an empty large enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty large enclosed utility trailer weighs 2,700 pounds. A loaded large enclosed utility trailer weighs an average of 7,100 pounds with a maximum of 10,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Small Horse Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow an empty small horse trailer. On average, an empty small horse trailer weighs 2,900 pounds. A loaded small horse trailer weighs an average of 7,200 pounds with a maximum of 8,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Car Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow an empty car trailer. On average, an empty car trailer weighs 1,900 pounds. A loaded car trailer weighs an average of 9,000 pounds with a maximum of 15,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Large Flatbed Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow an empty large flatbed trailer. On average, an empty large flatbed trailer weighs 3,000 pounds. A loaded large flatbed trailer weighs an average of 10,400 pounds with a maximum of 26,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Lexus GX 470.
- Large Boat Trailer: All Lexus GX 470 models will be able to tow an empty large boat trailer. On average, an empty large boat trailer weighs 2,200 pounds. A loaded large boat trailer weighs an average of 13,600 pounds with a maximum of 34,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Lexus GX 470.
How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?
The following table mentions the towing capacity of three cars that competed with the Lexus GX 470. As the car was continued in 2009, we have mentioned the towing capacities of the 2009 models of these cars. We can note that the Lexus GX 470 has a similar towing capacity as the 2009 BMW X5 which is 6,500 pounds. However, the 2009 Land Rover LR3 and the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL Class have higher towing capacities. As the Lexus GX 470 is no longer manufactured, we cannot expect any further improvements in this car.
| Year / Make / Model | Min. Towing Capacity (lbs.) | Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| 2009 BMW X5 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| 2009 Land Rover LR3 | 7,716 | 7,716 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL Class | 7,500 | 7,500 |
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