trailer Lexus GX460 2012 User Guide

359
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug- gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 × 150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. ( →P. 364)

364
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■Total load capacity:
Vehicles without rear height control air suspension
With third seats — 1315 lb. (595 kg)
Without third seats — 1525 lb. (690 kg)
Vehicles with rear height control air suspension 1280 lb. (580 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity:
With third seats — 7 occupants (Front 2, Rear 5)
Without third seats — 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■ Towing capacity: 6500 lb. (2948 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.

370
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying vehi-
cle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel consumption. For your safety and the safety of
others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure
that you are using appropriate towing equipment, that the towing equip-
ment has been installed correctly and used properly, and that you employ
the requisite driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected by trailer
stability, brake performance and setting, trailer brakes, the hitch and hitch
systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accor-
dance with your trailer’s characte ristics and operating conditions.
Lexus warranties do not apply to dama ge or malfunction caused by towing
a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as towing kits, etc.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Towing related terms■ GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
combination weight is the sum of
the total vehicle weight (including
the occupants, cargo and any
optional equipment installed on
the vehicle) and the weight of the
trailer being towed (including the
cargo in the trailer).
■ GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
vehicle weight. The gross vehicle
weight is the total weight of the
vehicle. When towing a trailer, it is
the sum of the vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment
installed on the vehicle) and the
tongue weight.

373
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)■
TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
trailer weight. The gross trailer
weight is the sum of the trailer
weight and the weight of the cargo
in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming base
vehicle with one driver, one front
passenger, towing package (if
available), hitch and hitch systems
(if required).
Additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the vehi-
cle will reduce the trailer weight
rating so as not to exceed GCWR,
GVWR and GAWR.
If the gross trailer weight exceeds
3000 lb. (1360 kg), it is recom-
mended to use a trailer with 2 or
more axles.
(With brakes)

374
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)■
Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for towing
a trailer without a trailer service
brake system.
■ To n g u e We i g h t
The load placed on the trailer hitch
ball. (→P. 3 76 )
(Without brakes)

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Weight limits● The gross trailer weight must never exceed 6500 lb. (2948 kg).
● The gross combination weight must never exceed 13100 lb. (5492
kg).
●The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indi-
cated on the Certification Label.
● The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated on the Certifi-
cation Label.
● If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service
brakes are required.
● If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control
device with sufficient capacity is required.
● If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distrib-
uting hitch with sufficient capacity is required.
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehi-
cle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the limits.
■ GCWR
*
13100 lb. (5492 kg)
■ TWR
*
6500 lb. (2948 kg)
■ Unbraked TWR
*
1000 lb. (453 kg)
*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE International
per SAE J2807.

376
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Tr a i l e r To n g u e We i g h t● A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types of
trailers or towing as described below.
● To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must be
loaded by referring to the following instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9 % to 11 %. (Tongue weight/Gross trailer weight × 100 =
9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front axle
to the same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the front
fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust weight
distributing hitch torque until front fender is returned to the same
height as before connection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight can be
measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station,
building supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

377
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
HitchTrailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Lexus recom-
mends the use of Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement
of your vehicle.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After
removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to pre-
vent entry of any substances into the vehicle.

378
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Selecting trailer ballUse the correct trailer ball for your application. Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler. Most couplers are stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut by at least
2 threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diam-
eter size.
Trailer classTypical trailer ball
size
IV2 5/16 in.
II and III2 in.
I1 7/8 in.