Lexus NX 450 hybrid +

[jimmyg352]

Anyone towing with one?
A mate of mine has hit a dilemma….
He’s a recent convert to caravanning after having a MH & has bought a new caravan with a MTPLM of 1250kgs. He’s also bought (leased) a Lexus NX450 hybrid, after lots of research & checking on the Lexus website hitch stated that the vehicle had a towing capacity of 1500kgs.
Long story short & cue to having a tow bar fitted, the tow bar company told him that they could fit a TB but to just check the VIN plate on the car which he did. It says a towing capacity of just 1000kgs. He can’t check the V5 because the lease company has it but he has a printout of the specs & that also says a capacity of 1000kgs.
I’ve just looked on the Lexus website & it still says 1500kgs.
Can anyone clarify & I’ll pass it on. (He doesn’t do forums)
Thanks.

 

[Oscarmax]

The Toyota RAV4 is underpinnings of a Lexus 450+ 1500kg

 

[Beardy]

Different specs of the same model can have different towing capacities, mine can be 2100kg, 1900kg or 0kg (some specs weren't type approved so can't legally tow). I'll be happy to be corrected, but if it says 1000kg on the vin plate I believe that's what it can tow.

 

[ProfJohnL]

First of all, the towing limits for each model are prescribed on the weights data plate. These limits unique to each model, and you cannot assume they will be the same even if the design is sold under a different name. The layout of the plate is governed by EU and UK regulations so the sequence of values are defined

When you see most advertisements for cars, often the specifications given may be for the top model in a range. Its always wise for the buyer to check with the seller about any critical criteria such as towing capacity. By doing so the buyer has set one of the contacts material criteria, and if when the vehicle is delivered the towing capacity is not as agreed, the contract would be void as the goods have not met the description.

All vehicles sold within the EU and UK have to have a weights data plate which defines the mass and load limits for the vehicle. These plates all have the same format and the first limit on the data plate prescribes the GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) for solo vehicle. If the vehicle is type approved for towing the second value is the Gross Train Mass (GTM) for the tow vehicle and its trailer combined. If a car is not approved for towing the GTM limit will either be blank or zero.

The towbar fitted a vehicle must also be of an approved design for the model of car, and it should have data plate that informs you of the maximum braked tow load and the maximum static vertical nose load for the trailer.

GTM minus the GVM will give you the maximum mass of trailer you can tow when the tow vehicle is fully laden. Many car manufacturers will use this calculation to determine the maximum braked mass for the trailer, but some car manufacturers will allow the car to tow more than this figure, on the basis that any unused load capacity in the car, can be allocated to the trailer. Seek clarification about this variation from the vehicle manufacturer.

Under no circumstances can the total measured combined weight of car and trailer exceed the stated GTM figure.

It is exceedingly unlikely the data plate on the car will be wrong. The data plate is considered to be the gold standard for identifying the vehicle. however V5's have been known to be wrong, but it's rare. If you do think there is a discrepancy - you need to discuss any errors firstly with your seller, but also VOSA. This can be a long and tedious process.

 

[jimmyg352]

First of all, the towing limits for each model are prescribed on the weights data plate. These limits unique to each model, and you cannot assume they will be the same even if the design is sold under a different name. The layout of the plate is governed by EU and UK regulations so the sequence of values are defined

When you see most advertisements for cars, often the specifications given may be for the top model in a range. Its always wise for the buyer to check with the seller about any critical criteria such as towing capacity. By doing so the buyer has set one of the contacts material criteria, and if when the vehicle is delivered the towing capacity is not as agreed, the contract would be void as the goods have not met the description.

All vehicles sold within the EU and UK have to have a weights data plate which defines the mass and load limits for the vehicle. These plates all have the same format and the first limit on the data plate prescribes the GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) for solo vehicle. If the vehicle is type approved for towing the second value is the Gross Train Mass (GTM) for the tow vehicle and its trailer combined. If a car is not approved for towing the GTM limit will either be blank or zero.

The towbar fitted a vehicle must also be of an approved design for the model of car, and it should have data plate that informs you of the maximum braked tow load and the maximum static vertical nose load for the trailer.

GTM minus the GVM will give you the maximum mass of trailer you can tow when the tow vehicle is fully laden. Many car manufacturers will use this calculation to determine the maximum braked mass for the trailer, but some car manufacturers will allow the car to tow more than this figure, on the basis that any unused load capacity in the car, can be allocated to the trailer. Seek clarification about this variation from the vehicle manufacturer.

Under no circumstances can the total measured combined weight of car and trailer exceed the stated GTM figure.

It is exceedingly unlikely the data plate on the car will be wrong. The data plate is considered to be the gold standard for identifying the vehicle. however V5's have been known to be wrong, but it's rare. If you do think there is a discrepancy - you need to discuss any errors firstly with your seller, but also VOSA. This can be a long and tedious process.

Thanks Prof, I’ll certainly pass that on to Steve. I think he’s already in touch with Lexus & VOSA to see what’s what.

The only saving grace is that he has the use of his recently deceased father’s Evoque but he’d need to want to change the wiring as It’s on a 7 pin trailer plug. I know he doesn’t need to but he’d want to.

 

[Buckman]

We have the Lexus NX300 and its maximum towing capacity is 1500kg. We did look at the NX450 which has the same 2.5L engine as the NX300 and if I remember correctly the towing limit is 1500kg.

A word of warning is that it is recommended that due to the complexities of the Lexus wiring that Lexus install the towbar wiring or contact a fitter approved by Lexus. Expect to pay about £1000. I think the wiring is done in house, but not sure? Generally they are factory fitted. The kick sensor for the boot will not work if a towbar is fitted.

Apparently many towbar fitters have got it wrong with the wiring in the past which has led to complications plus it being a lease car. The warranty then becomes invalid.

 

[Buckman]

Just checked and the fitter is correct as it has a maximum towing weight of 1000kg. It was 1500kg for the earlier models. See here for specifications. https://www.lexus.co.uk/content/dam/lexus/nmsc/united-kingdom/brochure/nx.pdf

He has picked the wrong car to use to tow a caravan even though the engine is more than adequate. All in the name of saving the planet!

 

[Oscarmax]

We have the Lexus NX300 and its maximum towing capacity is 1500kg. We did look at the NX450 which has the same 2.5L engine as the NX300 and if I remember correctly the towing limit is 1500kg.

A word of warning is that it is recommended that due to the complexities of the Lexus wiring that Lexus install the towbar wiring or contact a fitter approved by Lexus. Expect to pay about £1000. I think the wiring is done in house, but not sure? Generally they are factory fitted. The kick sensor for the boot will not work if a towbar is fitted.

Apparently many towbar fitters have got it wrong with the wiring in the past which has led to complications plus it being a lease car. The warranty then becomes invalid.

My fixed towbar is aftermarket and unfortunately the kick sensor still works, the tethered cable often triggers it when I charging up.

 

[Oscarmax]

The latest Toyota RAV4 sports has been down graded from 1500 kg to 1400kg.

 

[Tobes]

Just checked and the fitter is correct as it has a maximum towing weight of 1000kg. It was 1500kg for the earlier models. See here for specifications. https://www.lexus.co.uk/content/dam/lexus/nmsc/united-kingdom/brochure/nx.pdf

He has picked the wrong car to use to tow a caravan even though the engine is more than adequate. All in the name of saving the planet!

Nothing to do with saving the planet - all to do with the vagaries of manufacturers not being completely clear when homologating for towing, and then not doing homework. Towing capacities go up and down across model ranges independent of "greenness"
Volvo V60 D6 2016 (PHEV) towing limit of 1800kg, V60 D2 (4 cylinder diesel 1.6) limit of 1300.

 

[otherclive]

The latest Toyota RAV4 sports has been down graded from 1500 kg to 1400kg.

Mines the previous RAV4 hybrid and the maximum towing load is 800 kg being the 2WD variant. 4WD is 1500kg, same engine but obviously different elements in the 4WD powertrain, like motors front and rear