Better or Worse Than Land Cruiser? 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail + Towing

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

Here is the towing test with the Land Cruiser: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5bHnWSVhsSFmZI

[@christopherscinta5207]

I’m just as interested in the truck you have on the trailer. Very cool.

[@uncalm]

Nice experience report! Thanks, Tim.

[@toddolson7273]

Good video!! My 24 RX Air Cond is excellent. Maybe there’s a defect with the particular GX you’ve got. For the vibration I think it may be a load balancing issue - my 3 cents.

[@ThomasR-s5g]

The Lexus GX cruise control usually works fine now if it's the Traffic Jam Assist feature your trying its optional equipment and the vehicle may not have it.

[@peiguy1982]

Is there a "most dangerous car review location" award for youtube journalists? 0:16: 10 feet from instant death here. At least the trooper had the courtesy to go to the left lane. Serious though Tim you should review in a different location than this. Not even paranoia from me here, just don't do it anymore.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

This is actually a pull off lane that’s not part of the interstate.

[@peiguy1982]

@@Pickuptrucktalk The paint won't stop the 3/4 ton doing 70 mph towing very well though. Anyways just a suggestion, lots of accidents in my area lately. Try to be safe.

[@Jaa2019]

Dude got balls filming there! Crazy dangerous

[@jasonjac123]

My tundra turns off lane tracing when a trailer is connected. Maybe something to do with that.

[@rostamr4096]

This is the exactl modle and trim I am getting...few more months...Good review by the way.

[@plaisbois951]

There's a trailer towing settings page in the settings where you add the weight of the trailer you are towing, you have to adjust. For the cooling, go to the climate menu and turn off the S flow option to cool the cabin faster.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

I know. I adjusted both.

[@plaisbois951]

@Pickuptrucktalk Hmmm, that's weird. I haven't had those issues in my 550. Even in 110-degree weather.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@plaisbois951 this was an early build model. I’ve had a handful of issues with all brands over the years. I didn’t make a massive deal about it in the video. Just pointed out my experience. The Land Cruiser was the same way. The Tundra, Tacoma and even this Prius I’m driving aren’t that way. Agreed not all of them have an S mode.

[@h0wdyh0lt0]

@@Pickuptrucktalk So discovered this after getting mine last weekend... You have to turn off the eco option in the settings for climate control. Made a HUGE difference on mine.

[@Kevin-xy3yr]

my ford expedition doesn't stay in tow/haul when you turn it off, keeping the trailer connected the entire time. Such as a gas station stop Stupid smart cars!

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

I’ve been in many trucks that automatically detect a trailer and keep it in tow haul. If the trailer is plugged in, why can’t the truck recognize it and prompt you for tow haul??

[@Cubis03]

Tim, would the vehicle vibration be reduced if you are towing with an equalizer hitch system? Certainly with a RV the equalizer stabilizes the towing. Can’t help you with the cruise control.

[@johnb-ke9xi]

I wonder if the vibration could be coming from the driveline, slight pinion angle change with the tongue weight? IDK! it shouldn't be vibrating like that though. does it feel like suspension?

[@nlken7175]

Can you turn on the rear camera while towing? My Friend's 2024 Tacoma can't which is stupid. I check my hookup while towing in my Silverado all the time to make sure things are good.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@nlken7175 Not that I’m aware of. Keep in mind, that was a NHTSA requirement to NOT turn on the camera for years due to distracted driving concerns. Only in the past several years have brands been able to offer this since they successfully argued it was safer to be able to see the load behind you versus any distracted driving concerns. Ford and GM started offering it in trucks and I think Ram either has started or will start with the 2025 refresh.

[@ironwillbowman6402]

Did you try both types of cruise control.?

[@WadeSmart]

I didnt notice it until I was on full screen but the rear passenger seat is really bouncing around at points.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

Like riding a bucking bull.

[@WadeSmart]

@@Pickuptrucktalk so - based on your driving both the HL and Lexus model, and other vehicles on that strip of road, tires-wheels-suspension setup-trailer pulling -combination of all - what do you think it is? Like you said in (both) videos, its hard to see it from the hood or looking at your position but def saw it in that rear seat the amount of bounce.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@WadeSmart I think it is shocking how poorly the Land Cruiser and Lexus GX did.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@chadclark5204 actually you don’t. I learned that lesson from Ford actually. They have a towing setup that measures tongue weight. Turns out MOST people don’t load a trailer correctly. You want most the weight over the tires to reduce sway and pushing too much down on the truck. Also, I had a weigh safe hitch that measured tongue weight. If you move the truck forward, you put too much weight on the tongue according to that hitch as well. Finally, my friend, who rode with me, has loaded trailers for years. He pointed out the same thing. That’s three sources with decades of experience.

[@brendanreary9142]

Tim, Would you still choose the GX550 over a Land Cruiser if you had to travel over 200 further miles to reach the nearest Lexus dealer for warranty and service support? That is my scenario and I am struggling with the decision. Have driven the Land Cruiser but haven’t had a chance to drive a GX550.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@brendanreary9142 That’s an interesting question. You are essentially wondering if the Lexus quality is superior to the Toyota quality. Lexus is built to a higher standard, however, you can get a lemon in both. People go with Lexus for the extra creature comforts, styling and the better service at a luxury dealer versus Toyota dealers. Not sure that helps. Things to consider.

[@06XTOR]

That doesn't help... He's asking what You would do if you were in his shoes! ​@@Pickuptrucktalk

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@06XTOR that’s impossible for me to conclude for me. It’s a gut feeling and he is the only one that can make it, all I can I provide is information.

[@Jay-me7gw]

If you intended to tow then I would say the 3.4L TTV6 and 10 speed transmission are worthwhile upgrades. The 2.4L hybrid in the LC might have the similar paper numbers, but it would only be able to provide burst while towing, not continuous 400+ ft-lbs

[@brendanreary9142]

@@Pickuptrucktalk Not exactly. Since both are produced in Japan at the Tahara factory or at Hamura for some of the LC250’s I expect quality and reliability to be essentially equal. I am specifically asking you if you consider the GX550 to be better enough day to day to outweigh the inconvenience of needing to drive 4-5 hours for service and warranty work for the GX550 at a Lexus dealer versus just under 1 hour to the nearest Toyota dealership. I’m not far from your area of operations, and there’s a near enough dealer in Rapid City, SD for Toyota. Closest Lexus dealer is in Denver, CO. From one adult man to another with a career, family obligations, limited free time etc: is the Lexus better enough than the Toyota to deal with burning an entire day traveling to and from a dealer to get service or warranty support? For the record I have no intention of regularly towing with either SUV. That is what my pickup truck is for.

[@rostamr4096]

I am surprise to see that there are no digital rear view mirror, I thought that was part of the Plus package

[@EthCepher]

Does the rack whistle or make excessive noise?

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@EthCepher Yup. Typical of all roof racks.

[@fltllc4136]

You are completely off about the sway bars 😂. It doesn’t have sway bar disconnects. It has KDSS 🤦‍♂️

[@JakePantyShields]

He’s not too bright lol

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

like it, I never trust factory tow ratings payload is not that great on loaded luxury wagons /s.u.v.

[@benblakeney7418]

So, it's not as good towing as a full-size pickup. That's really not surprising. What concerns me more is what you said about the AC not keeping up when it's 80 outside. That would be a no-go for where I live, where it's over 100 a lot of the summer. I need that AC to work.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

It was crazy. I kept turning it down lower and kicked up the fan speed. Definitely a fail IMO.

[@spaulagain]

Need to set to Max AC

[@johnpotter4210]

Yeah I think the review just didn’t know how to use the system. You can over ride the auto mode. And there is this stupid S flow mode which he probably had on that is supposed to just funnel the AC to only occupied seats. All it effectively does is make the system not work as well.

[@Dusdaddy]

@@johnpotter4210 Not a reviewer's fault. If you have to shut Auto mode off, it's a design fail. You should be able to get in, set a decent temp like 70 and just drive. No value in making it more complicated than that.

[@johnpotter4210]

@@Dusdaddy I guess, but if you own the car it’s easy to figure out how to use it.

[@Dusdaddy]

Sadly....this vehicle has more payload than my Ram Quad-cab w/Hemi.

[@wingman8447]

Thank you

[@ItsJSTNDAD]

Could be the trailer frame but then I'm not an expert in trailers. oh well something in the trailer is out of Wack.

[@superseries7007]

Trailer tires need to be balanced.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

That's what we keep thinking however TRD Jon had the same exact issue with his Land Cruiser with a much lighter trailer.

[@ItsJSTNDAD]

@@Pickuptrucktalk I would hook up a different trailer and see if this shaking issue continue. is good to know those problems. I'm looking to purchase one soon.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@ItsJSTNDAD check out TRDJon’s towing video coming out soon. He had the same issue with a different, and lighter, trailer.

[@2URLex]

Glad I don’t tow anything. Seems like too much of a pain.

[@noniespam]

I noticed 11 MPG displayed on the dash. Hmmmm, I think I want the 5.7 back. I get better than that with a Nissan Armada with the 5.6.

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

yeah but its a POS nissan

[@Monacheman-4x4]

@@juanshaftpatel7488 POS ? You can purchase a Nissan Titan Pro4X for about 30k less and have a NA V8 that can tow just as much and still have a pickup. Ill let you know in five years when and if I have any problems. But they do come with a 5yr 100k mile warranty which is far more than does the GX. My buddy had a 1987 Nissan 4x4 reg cab he kept for 15 years with no issues so not sure what you mean by POS .

[@noniespam]

@@Monacheman-4x4 well it’s his opinion, and he can have one but I’ll bet he’s not a mechanic or even did any research. Remember a lot of people get an opinion from a used vehicle they purchased once which you have NO idea how it was maintained. And probably didn’t have a mechanic check it out first. But it’s America and at this point (yet) you can still have your opinion even if you have no idea what you’re talking about. I take them with a grain of salt.

[@Monacheman-4x4]

@@noniespam Okay, I can agree with what you are saying. My point is he did not offer any explanation. I do own a 23 GX which I love with that NA V8 which was recommended to me by a senior Lexus tech who also said stay away from the 550 at this point.

[@noniespam]

@@Monacheman-4x4 agree 100%, I was already to purchase the 550 this fall even thouogh I know better not to buy a first year new model. (but it was a Lexus) But when the 3.5 TT had all those recalls I backed off and right now I'm glad I did.. Needed a second vehicle so I could'nt wait for a few years for them to get any bugs out so I went really old school, but with a decade or more of proving I went with the 2024 Armada. Watched a ton of reviews and research so I know what I was getting. Regardless you can still pull a lemon from the auto tree but the chances are so much less.. Have a great day and good talking with you...

[@doneB830]

9MPG ?..

[@Dtt4]

That’s why it not a Pick Up?

[@TitusChristopher-b7z]

Martin Jason Thomas Betty Jackson Margaret

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Really stupid to stop on the highway to film. You should be fined.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

Stop on the highway?? That’s not on the highway.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@@Pickuptrucktalk It looks like an off ramp to me... which is part of the highway.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@ it’s not. It’s a designated pull over area that’s used as a police weigh station. It’s literally designed as an area to pull off the road safely. There’s even an additional 5’ feet or more white line that separates it from the highway.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@ it’s not. It’s a designed pull off area for a weigh station for the police to use with an additional several feet white stripe pushing it further away from the highway.