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Lexus RX350 Towing Capacity: Can It Tow A Trailer, Boat, Or Jet Ski?

Lexus RX350 Towing Capacity: Can It Tow A Trailer, Boat, Or Jet Ski?

The Lexus RX 350 has a fair number of positive reviews from its users. However, there are still many users who are skeptical about the towing capabilities of this car. It is a mid-size luxury SUV which makes it unsuitable for towing purposes but Lexus claims that this car can provide you a decent service in this regard. Let’s find out.

According to the official figures provided by Lexus, all models of this car “with a towing package” have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The models from 2007-2015 (without towing packages) can tow as much as 2000 pounds. The newer models from 2016-present (without towing packages) are not recommended for towing purposes.

Are 3,500 pounds towing capacity enough for your daily ventures? What are the average and exact weights of different types of trailers? Does the Lexus RX 350 have a higher towing capacity than its competitors? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions, so let’s get started.

Maximum Towing Capacity By Year

The following table is the evolution chart of the towing capacities of different models of the Lexus LX 350. These models have been produced since 2007. We can note that there hasn’t been any improvement in the towing capacity of this car and this will continue to be the case in the future. This is because Lexus has not shown any intentions regarding the improvements in the towing capabilities of this car.

YearTowing PackageTowing Capacity (lbs)Note
2021With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package This model is not recommended for towing.
2020With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package This model is not recommended for towing.
2019With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package This model is not recommended for towing.
2018With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package This model is not recommended for towing.
2017With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package This model is not recommended for towing.
2016With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package This model is not recommended for towing.
2015With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2014With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2013With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2012With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2011With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2010With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2009With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2008With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 
2007With a towing package3,500This towing capacity includes trailer weight plus cargo weight.
 Without a towing package2,000 

Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

Trailers come in a lot of shapes and sizes. Especially their weights, which are the most important figures for 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 RX 350. Adhering to these limits will ensure your RX 350 lasts longer.

All new and old models of the Lexus RX 350 with a towing package can tow small and medium-sized trailers with a maximum weight limit of 3,500 pounds. It can tow both empty and loaded trailers including Canoe/Kayak, Jet Ski, Teardrop, and Small Open Utility, and Motorcycle Trailers. You can also tow a few large-sized trailers when they are NOT loaded. 

Trailer TypeAverage Empty Weight (lbs.)Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.)Can A Lexus RX 350 (Wth a towing package) Tow It?[SK1]
Canoe / Kayak Trailer200400Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Jet Ski Trailer3001,800Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Motorcycle Trailer5002,400Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Teardrop Trailer1,7002,400Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Small Open Utility Trailer7002,500Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
A-Frame Camper1,7002,900Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Small Enclosed Utility Trailer1,0003,200Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Fishing Boat Trailer6003,300Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Pop Up Camper2,3003,400Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Small Travel Trailer2,8003,600Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Tow Dolly6004,000It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Large Enclosed Utility Trailer2,7007,100It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Small Horse Trailer2,9007,200It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Large Travel Trailer6,7008,300No.
Car Trailer1,9009,000It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Large Flatbed Trailer3,00010,400It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Large Boat Trailer2,20013,600It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Dump Trailer4,50016,900No.
Toy Hauler7,60017,900No.
Large Livestock Trailer7,30018,700No.
5th Wheel Camper12,70018,700No.
Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer7,20023,200No.
  • Kayak: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • Jet Ski Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • Motorcycle Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 which is within the range of the Lexus RX 350.
  • Teardrop Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds, outside of the limits of the  Lexus RX 350.
  • Small Open Utility Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • A-Frame Camper: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Lexus RX 350.
  • Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • Fishing Boat Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Lexus RX 350.
  • Pop-Up Camper: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Lexus RX 350.
  • Small Travel Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the  Lexus RX 350.
  • Tow Dolly: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Lexus RX 350.
  • Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • Small Horse Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • Car Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • Large Flatbed Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.
  • Large Boat Trailer: All Lexus RX 350 models with a towing package 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 RX 350.

How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?

The following table mentions the towing capacities of several cars that compete in the same category as the Lexus RX 350. Looking at the table we can see that the towing competition is widely spread between 2,000 pounds and 5,000 pounds. The 2020 Acura MDX has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds which is significantly higher than the Lexus RX 570. No other car in this competition has a greater towing capacity. When you’re done with this, if you’d like, we also have other articles about the towing capacity of the Lexus GX470, Lexus LX470, Lexus Lx570, and Lexus GX460.

Year / Make / ModelMin. Towing Capacity (lbs.)Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.)
2021 Cadillac XT53,5003,500
2021 Volvo XC603,5003,500
2020 Acura MDX5,0005,000
2020 Lincoln Nautilus2,0002,000

Closing Thoughts

In our exploration of the Lexus RX 350’s towing capabilities, we’ve established that while it may not be the top choice for heavy-duty towing tasks, it offers a commendable capacity, especially when equipped with a towing package. With a limit of 3,500 pounds for models with the towing package, it meets the needs of many typical towing requirements. However, without this package, newer models from 2016 onward aren’t recommended for towing. It’s essential to weigh your towing needs against the capabilities of the vehicle. Always be sure to check the weight of trailers and other towed items to ensure safety and longevity. In comparison to its rivals, the Lexus RX 350 stands its ground, but it’s crucial to consider all factors before making a towing decision.

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