towing LEXUS LX570 2015 User Guide

3842-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) ■ Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for towing
a trailer without a trailer service
brake system.
■ Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer hitch
ball. (  P. 387)(Without brakes)

3862-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) GCWR, TWR, Unbraked TWR, Fift h wheel and Gooseneck towing
TWR
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gr oss combination weight, gross vehi-
cle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the limits.
■ GCWR
*13400 lb. (6078 kg)
■ TWR
*7000 lb. (3175 kg)
■ Unbraked TWR
*1000 lb. (454 kg)
* : This model meets the tow-vehicle traile ring requirement of SAE International
per SAE J2807.

3872-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) Trailer Tongue Weight
● 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%. (Tongu e weight/Gross trailer weight  100 =
9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
If using a weight distributing hitc h when towing, return the front axle
to the same weight as be fore the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be mea sured directly, measure the front
fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust weight
distributing hitch torque until front fender is return ed 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 sta-
tion, building supply company, tru cking company, junk yard, etc.

3882-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have diff erent 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 gros s 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 hitc h 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.
Removing hitch cover
Remove the clip.
Grasp the lower edge of the hitch
cover and raise the cover. When reattaching the cover,
reverse the steps listed.STEP 1
STEP 2

3902-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) Positions for towing hitch receiver
Hitch receiver pin hole position:
45.3 in. (1151 mm)
Connecting trailer lights
Use the wire harness stored in the
rear end under the vehicle body.
Please consult your dealer when
installing trailer li ghts, as incorrect
installation may cause damage to
the vehicle’s lights. Please take
care to comply with your state’s
laws when installing trailer lights.

3932-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to
avoid an accident, death or seriou s injury, keep the following in mind
when towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Lexus recommends that the vehicle- trailer speed limit is 65 mph (104
km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the posted
towing speed limit or the speed limi t for your trailer as set forth in your
trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Inst ability of the towing
vehicle-trailer combination (tra iler sway) increases as speed
increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of control.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and rever sing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you beco me accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle-trailer combination.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the le ft. Move your hand to the right to move the
trailer to the right. (T his is generally opposite to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone
guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased wh en towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jackknif-
ing and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery
surfaces.

3962-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) ■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met: ●
Ensure that your vehicle’s ti res are properly inflated. (  P. 895)●
Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommenda-
tion. ●
All trailer lights work as required by law. ●
All lights work each time you connect them. ●
The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer. ●
The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspensi on, or other possible causes.●
The trailer cargo is securely loaded. ●
The rear view mirrors conform to all appl icable federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do no t, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing pur-
poses. No matter which class of tow hitch applies,
for a more safe trailer hookup, the trailer ball
setup must be the proper height for the cou-
pler on the trailer.
Trailer ball
Coupler

3972-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) ■
AVS (adaptive variable suspension system)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in driveability. (  P. 331)■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as
an engine, transmission, diff erential or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that you
do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for ov er 500 miles (800 km), you can start tow-
ing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less
than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trai ler, and avoid full throttle acceleration.■
Maintenance ●
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Owner’s Gu ide”, “Warranty and Services Guide”,
“Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.) ●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.■
If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your ve hicle and trailer, causing instability.●
If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wh eel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize. (if enabled, Traile r Sway Control can also help to stabilize
the vehicle and trailer.)

3982-5. Driving information
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) ●
After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the sp eed at which trailer swaying occurred is
beyond the limit of your partic ular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing
vehicle-trailer increase s as speed increases.
CAUTION■
Trailer towing precautions ●
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with
the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so could cause
an accident resulting in death or seriou s injury. Vehicle stab ility and braking per-
formance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and performance, and the
hitch. Your vehicle will handle d ifferently when towing a trailer.●
Set the vehicle height to the “LO” mode and turn off the 4-Wheel AHC when
you connect a trailer, otherwise the vehicle height may change due to the auto-
matic leveling function, and you may catch part of your body in the vehicle, result-
ing in an accident. (  P. 320)

3992-5. Driving information
2
When driving
LX570_OM_OM60L96U_(U) CAUTION■
To avoid accident or injury ●
Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR. ●
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 distributing hitch
with sufficient capacity is required. ●
Adjust the tongue weight within the ap propriate range. Place heavier loads as
close to the trailer axle as possible. ●
Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the speed
limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is low-
est. Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery
surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you experience a vehicle-trailer instabil-
ity from reducing a certain speed, slow down and make sure you keep your vehi-
cle speed under the speed of whic h you experience the instability.●
Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns. ●
Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces. ●
Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue weight capacities. ●
Do not use cruise co ntrol when towing.●
Slow down and downshift before descendi ng steep or long downhill grades. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades. ●
Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long down hills. Before descend-
ing steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do not make sud-
den downshifts when descending steep or long downhill grades. Avoid holding
the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat and re sult in reduced braking efficiency.