The Lexus LX 470 is one of the most reliable SUVs and is highly rated by its users. It is known to provide a high towing capacity and we are going to find the exact numbers in this article. We’ll also discuss what exactly you can do with its towing capabilities.
The 2006 and 2007 models of the Lexus LX 470 have a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The older models also have a similar towing capacity but there was a significant decrease between 2003 to 2005 and these models have a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Although the 470 V8 4AT (235 HP) engine is in all the models, you can expect slight variations in the actual capacities and official numbers.
These numbers show that this car can provide a decent towing performance but there’s more to its towing capabilities. Below, we have identified the exact weights of several types of trailers and discussed if the Lexus LX 470 can tow heavy-duty trailers or if we have to look for other cars in its competition.
Maximum Towing Capacity By Year
Lexus provides exact towing figures for this car but also recommends you should be towing only in the case of an emergency. This car is not primarily built for towing purposes and the following table signifies this statement. We can see that between 1998 to 2007, there is no improvement in the towing capacity of this car. As the Lexus LX 470 has been discontinued since 2007, we cannot expect any further improvements in this regard.
| Year | Engine | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Note |
| 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 | 5,000 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2004 | All | 5,000 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2003 | All | 5,000 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2002 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2001 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 2000 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 1999 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
| 1998 | All | 6,500 | This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight. |
Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?
Trailers come in all shapes and sizes. It is important to have basic information regarding the weights of various types of trailers for safe towing purposes. Therefore, we have done 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 LX 470.
All models of the Lexus LX 470 SUV can tow most of the medium and large-sized trailers with a maximum weight limit of 6,500 pounds. However, you’ll have to be careful when these trailers are fully loaded with maximum payload.
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. For instance, a large flatbed trailer weighs 3,000 pounds when it’s empty but it can weigh up to 10,400 pounds which are beyond the towing capacity of The Lexus LX 470.
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight (lbs.) | Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.) | Can A Lexus LX 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 LX 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 LX 470.
- Jet Ski Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Motorcycle Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Teardrop Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is also within the limits of the Lexus LX 470.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- A-Frame Camper: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Pop-Up Camper: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Small Travel Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Tow Dolly: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Small Horse Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Car Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Large Flatbed Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 470.
- Large Boat Trailer: All Lexus LX 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 LX 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 LX 470. As the car was continued in 2007, we have mentioned the towing capacities of the 2009 models of these cars. The Lexus LX 470 has a higher towing capacity than all the cars in its competition including the 2007 BMW X5, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R Class, and the 2007 MAZDA CX-9. As the Lexus LX 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.) |
| 2007 BMW X5 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz R Class | 4,600 | 4,600 |
| 2007 MAZDA CX-9 | 3,500 | 3,500 |
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