The Lexus GX470 was introduced into Lexus’s lineup as a full-size SUV in 2003 and remained available through 2009. The GX470 was known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Lexus GX470?
The Lexus GX470 has a towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds depending on the year, if it is 2WD or 4WD, and if it has a tow package installed.
There’s a bit more to know about Lexus GX470 towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2009 Lexus GX470 Towing Capacity
The 2009 Lexus GX470 can tow 6,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Lexus GX470Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 6,500 lbs / 2,948 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Lexus GX470 being put to a real-world towing test:
Lexus GX470 Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Lexus GX470 Braked Tow Capacity: 6,500 lbs.
Lexus GX470 Unbraked Tow Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Lexus GX470 Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Lexus GX470 tow capacity.
Model Year
The GX470’s tow capability varied a bit by year and generation.
The first model year had a max towing capability of 5,000 pounds which increased to 6,500 pounds in later years.
Towing Package
For the majority of Lexus GX470 model years, you could only achieve the max towing of 8,500 to 9,100 pounds if you had a Trailer Towing package installed.
If you don’t have that trailer towing package installed, your GX470 was limited to towing up to 6,500 pounds.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Lexus GX470, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Lexus GX470 Engine Specs
There is only one engine option for the most recent generation Lexus GX470.
Lexus GX470 4.7L V8 Engine
The most recent Lexus GX470 engine was a 4.7 Liter V8 32-valve DOHC engine paired with an five-speed transmission.
This engine produced 263 horsepower and 323 lb.-ft of torque.
Lexus GX470 Tow Package Info
Does The Lexus GX470 Have A Tow Package?
Lexus offers a GX470 towing package called the Tow Prep Package which includes the following:
- Class III Hitch Receiver
- 7-Pin Wiring Harness
Additionally, all GX470 models came with a factory-installed transmission cooler.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Lexus GX470?
If you plan on towing anything with your Lexus GX470, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Lexus GX470 Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Lexus GX470 uses a Class 3 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Lexus GX470 trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight, 500 lbs. tongue weight, 5,500 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 550 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid Bonderite and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Lexus GX470 and Toyota 4Runner. Material-Carbon Steel
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your GX470:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Lexus GX470 Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Lexus GX470 trailer hitch installation:
Lexus GX470 Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your GX470, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Lexus GX470?
The Lexus GX470 is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide.
How Do I Know If My Lexus GX470 Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your GX470 to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your GX470.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2008 Lexus GX470 Towing Capacity
The 2008 Lexus GX470 can tow 6,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Lexus GX470Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 6,500 lbs / 2,948 kg |
2007 Lexus GX470 Towing Capacity
The 2007 Lexus GX470 can tow 6,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Lexus GX470Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 6,500 lbs / 2,948 kg |
2006 Lexus GX470 Towing Capacity
The 2006 Lexus GX470 can tow 6,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Lexus GX470Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 6,500 lbs / 2,948 kg |
2005 Lexus GX470 Towing Capacity
The 2005 Lexus GX470 can tow 6,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Lexus GX470Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 6,500 lbs / 2,948 kg |
2004 Lexus GX470 Towing Capacity
The 2004 Lexus GX470 can tow 5,000 pounds to 6,500 pounds depending on what type of hitch is being used.
A 2004 Lexus GX470 with a standard hitch can pull 5,000 pounds.
A 2004 Lexus GX470 with a weight distribution hitch can pull 6,500 pounds.
| Lexus GX470Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Hitch Type |
| All | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg | Standard |
| All | 6,500 lbs / 2,948 kg | Weight Distribution |
2003 Lexus GX470 Tow Capacity
The 2003 Lexus GX470 can tow 5,000 pounds across all trim levels.
| Lexus GX470Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
