towng with Lexus rx 350

[Stinger260]

Lexus has towing package with a gvwr of 3500 lbs. Boat is a 2002 procraft 201 with a 200 motor. Guessing that it not more than 3000 but don't have anyway to check for sure. If it is less than 3500 am I ok or just killing my daily driver?

thoughts?

[06 SB]

I would not do it. I would bet you are closer to 3750. The RX350 has a short wheelbase which hampers towing, a transmission not rated for it and neither is the frame.

I know plenty of folks on here think they need a 3/4 ton diesel to tow any bass boat. You do not. I have towed a Basscat Cougar with a Tacoma. It has a 6200 pound tow rating. I have towed since I began driving. First on the farm then on the roads. It is nice to have extra umph but it is not always needed.

[tcesni]

As someone who tows with a similar size vehicle with the same 3500 lb. capacity (Ford Edge) I agree with D6, I think your ProCraft will be very close to or over 3500 lbs. I wouldn’t do it unless it was for short distances on level terrain. My tin rigs come in around 2600-2700 lbs.

[davidsa]

my 18'6 Phoenix with 150hp and single axle was measured by a member with rear wheels only on a scale at 3540. Bigger boat, bigger motor, makes me believe 3700 is very possible if not likely.

My daughter has a RX350 and i have a toyota highlander so some experience. I'd have no issue towing with the RX350 for like 5 miles or rural roads like I do most days. Insterstate speeds and long distances; simple NO.

[99R93S]

I would suggest no. Can it do it, probably, even if it’s too heavy. Should you do it, no. It’s going to be hard on parts, hot transmission is not a happy transmission, just for 1. A very expensive 1 at that.

[ECobb91]

I’m a big proponent of thinking any midsized suv is fully capable of towing a bass boat. People on BBC tend to think you need a 3/4ton dually in order to tow safely. Whenever anyone says you need ATLEAST a 1/2ton pickup to tow an 18’ bass boat, you can dismiss them. In fact I’ve had a few people on here tell me I put everyone on the road at risk because I tow with a v6 Dodge Durango with 6,200lbs towing capacity.

that said, I agree with everyone above and wouldn’t tow a 20’ boat with a vehicle that only has 3500lb tow capacity. t. A good rule of thumb is you should stay below 80% of max tow capacity. So 80% is around 2800lbs. This is more along a 17.5’ bass boat trailered weight. That procraft is definitely above the rated capacity. For reference, my boat is 18.5’ and weighs about 3,500lbs on the trailer. My old 17.5ft nitro with a 115 was around 3,000lbs trailer weight.

Highlanders are rated at 5,000lbs and would be great tow vehicles for smaller boats. I’ve seen a. Few people pull 19’ boats with them. The RX350 is rated 3,500. I personally wouldn’t tow anything larger than a 17’ boat with a RX350.

[CJ1]

I guess I look at things a little different than most. What is the driver rated to tow? If the driver has extensive experience in towing that 3500lb rating is VERY useable. If not some people have issues driving the vehicle without a trailer. So EVERYTHING has to be considered. Some would be perfectly safe at 5000lbs and do no damage to the vehicle, others could destroy it with a feather. With a smaller vehicle like that, does your trailer have brakes? Are they electric? are they set and adjusted correctly? Ect,ect. I regularly tow over 9000lbs with my properly equipped 1/2 ton. Do I recommend others to do it? No. cj

[wmitch2]

Transmissions do not like under rated vehicles that tow over the weight limit !! AND, they aren't CHEAP to repair/replace !!

[Bullet[BS]]

You can take your rig over to a truck stop with scales and they will weigh it for you. You will just have to disconnect it drive off the scales, they will get the weight hook back up and go in and get your slip. When I did that my 96 Skeeter ZX202c 200 Yamaha weighed 4500 lbs, with a tournament load except fuel. So your rig weighs much more than you think. There's a Flying J & Travel All in your area one of them should have a scale.

One thing I would recommend is an external cooler for your transmission. Keeping your atf from overheating is key. We always used Hayden coolers in the shop.