2022 Lexus GX 460 pulling an Oliver Elite 2?

[Douglas-Stickler]

Good morning, 

I am very interested in purchasing an Oliver Elite 2, and I don't want to trade off my Lexus GX 460 to own one.  My tow capacity is 6500 pounds.  Bottom line:  I want to be safe so will using my Lexus GX 460 work in real life?    Thanks for your help in advance. Doug

[Steve Morris]

I wouldn’t. I’m towing with a 2021 200 Land Cruiser with the 5.7 V8, and it is just adequate. Merging is sometimes scary, and  Appalachian hills require my 8-speed to run in 4th often. 

Tongue weight can be 600 plus pounds, and I’m already at cargo capacity with two rows of seats removed. I don’t think the GX has my 1450 pound cargo capacity. 

Most will advise that you need a 3/4 or one ton diesel pickup, but a few of us pull with large body on frame SUVs. 

[Ollie-Haus]

Concur with @Steve Morris above. You will likely be running on the ragged edge of capacity, if your vehicle is properly equipped. On flat land with no wind and no possibility of any adverse conditions or emergency maneuvers it may “feel safe” and adequate, but you’ll soon learn that it’s marginal at best in most conditions and inadequate in some situations. Best advice is very well equipped 1/2 ton truck or better. For the price of a well equipped half ton you can get a 3/4 ton and pull the camper with ease and safety and everything else is a wash. 

[routlaw]

I wouldn't do it as others have stated. You will wear out that Lexus in no time not to mention the safety factor or lack of it. You also might be surprised at just how luxurious and nice to drive new trucks are these days.

[Rivernerd]

2 hours ago, Douglas-Stickler said:

My tow capacity is 6500 pounds. 

The real issue is payload capacity, which for a Lexus GX460 is 1,140 lbs.  The tongue weight of an Oliver Elite II with any gear at all will be around 600 lbs.  Add a passenger or two and some gear in your Lexus and you will exceed max payload.  I wouldn't do it.

[jd1923]

Welcome @Douglas-Stickler to The OTT Forum and we wish for you a new Oliver in your future!

2 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

The real issue is payload capacity...

This is correct and what @Steve Morris with his favorite Land Cruiser wrote "with the 5.7 V8, and it is just adequate" is also correct. The 200 platform, an LX or the Tundra would work, but sorry not the GX.

We have a wonderful '08 GX470. Three years ago, after purchase of our Oliver, I setup our GX with a REDARC brake controller thinking I could use it as our tow vehicle. When I got home after a test tow, first thing I said to my wife is "We need to buy a truck." She nodded in agreement.

Besides payload capacity or 4.6 vs. 5.7 towing power, there is another major issue.

The wheelbase on the GX/4Runner 120 platform is just too short! Any porpoising movement in Oliver creates a BAD pendulum effect on the short wheelbase of the GX. The Andersen WDH helps a little, but using it strains the suspension front to rear. It feels awkward and uncomfortable. After driving just a few miles on an in-town highway, I returned home and detached. There is no way in the world I would tow down the mountain where we live in our GX pulling an Oliver. 

Chris drives our GX every day. After I restored it, she lets me drive it on occasion. 🤣
Hope you can keep your GX and purchase a 2500 series truck like we did!