Towing caravan - fuel consumption?

[Stan]

G’day from Australia,

The GX550 is only just being released down under so info here is a bit light on.

Apologies if asked and answered, but can anyone assist with how towing a mid size (18’8”) full caravan is impacting on fuel consumption?

My current Landcruiser Prado (diesel) basically doubles fuel usage. Hoping GX does not do same???!!!

The small tank worries me in outback Australia where fuel stops can be a long distance. Not keen to carry petrol in cans (no long range tank here yet).

Cheers,

Stan

 

[rgsiii]

I own a 2022 Tundra that has an EPA rating of 23 mpg—2 mpg better than the GX550. I have driven a fair numbers of trailers with it. Going 70 mph with no trailer I get up to 21-22 mpg. I assume it has the same V35A engine as the you would get.

With an empty 20 foot livestock trailer, using my on board fuel monitor it gets about 12 mpg at 65-70 mph.

I recently have been towing a small 4 hole dog trailer many thousands of miles in the east and out west. At 55 MPH I get 18-20 MPG. At 70 MPH it dips to 15-16 and at Montana 85mph it is 12 mpg or less. The trailer is rated for 2,000 pounds max.

Using the same engine, it may give you an idea of what to expect. My Tundra uses regular fuel and has a 32 gallon fuel tank vs 20. It is not a hybrid.

I was considering buying a GX550. But on a long trip with a trailer, I would rather be driving than stopping to fill up. A larger fuel tank would be a plus.

 

[Stan]

I own a 2022 Tundra that has an EPA rating of 23 mpg—2 mpg better than the GX550. I have driven a fair numbers of trailers with it. Going 70 mph with no trailer I get up to 21-22 mpg. I assume it has the same V35A engine as the you would get.

With an empty 20 foot livestock trailer, using my on board fuel monitor it gets about 12 mpg at 65-70 mph.

I recently have been towing a small 4 hole dog trailer many thousands of miles in the east and out west. At 55 MPH I get 18-20 MPG. At 70 MPH it dips to 15-16 and at Montana 85mph it is 12 mpg or less. The trailer is rated for 2,000 pounds max.

Using the same engine, it may give you an idea of what to expect. My Tundra uses regular fuel and has a 32 gallon fuel tank vs 20. It is not a hybrid.

I was considering buying a GX550. But on a long trip with a trailer, I would rather be driving than stopping to fill up. A larger fuel tank would be a plus.

Thanks very much for the info, much appreciated.

I been forced to discount the GX550. Unfortunately Lexus could not assist with any info. The small tank rules it out as a suitable tow vehicle and after market tanks are probably unlikely anytime soon.

 

[nopantz]

I've been getting 12mpg towing a 20' RV / 5000+ pounds, vs 18mpg normally on premium. Tows great - can easily pass others without much effort.

First towing report: I-70/Berthoud Pass Colorado

While traffic was abysmal this weekend (3h30m for 100mi), the GX did great pulling a Coachmen Apex 208BHS (5000#+). Solid 'A' grading. I mainly used the manual transmission to keep the power ideal, but it never felt sluggish nor runaway on the downhills. I used mostly up to 6th gear and up to 7...

www.lexusgxforum.com

 

[GX550Key]

I've been getting 12mpg towing a 20' RV / 5000+ pounds, vs 18mpg normally on premium. Tows great - can easily pass others without much effort.

First towing report: I-70/Berthoud Pass Colorado

While traffic was abysmal this weekend (3h30m for 100mi), the GX did great pulling a Coachmen Apex 208BHS (5000#+). Solid 'A' grading. I mainly used the manual transmission to keep the power ideal, but it never felt sluggish nor runaway on the downhills. I used mostly up to 6th gear and up to 7...

www.lexusgxforum.com

So basically you are filling up every 200 miles? I guess the upside is that it is a cheap fillip due to tank size.

 

[nopantz]

About 220 before the light comes on. Not sure I can sit without stretching my legs for longer. Is the vehicle perfect? No, but I dont know of a better reliable off road SUV that can tow.

 

[GX550Key]

Oh, I agree fully.
Currently, I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel and it is a mileage King.
Reliability however makes it a less than a peasant.
I have a deposit on OT+ and hoping now after waiting since August 2023 it now comes as a 2025 model.
My research shows there isn't a better off road towing choice for me..

 

[Jrox]

When do you think a long range fuel tank will be available? The only thing I can see is the rear tyre moves from under the car to the rear in an extended rear bumper mounted unit on swing arms and the replacement tank extends into the rear wheel space. TJM does something similar for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 series here in Australia so I don’t see it will be too much longer for the same setup for the GX. See pic below.

 

[Jrox]

When do you think a long range fuel tank will be available? The only thing I can see is the rear tyre moves from under the car to the rear in an extended rear bumper mounted unit on swing arms and the replacement tank extends into the rear wheel space. TJM does something similar for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 series here in Australia so I don’t see it will be too much longer for the same setup for the GX. See pic below.

Just to add, the new Prado Altitude (Landcruiser 250 OT version here in Aus) has factory option of an auxiliary 30lt fuel tank in replacement of the tyre under the car plus the standard 80lt tank. This is almost identical to the GX 550 including the fuel tanks, built in the same factory on the same base platform so it should not be a stretch for Lexus to offer the same shortly.

 

[rgsiii]

A lot of stuff in Australia is different than in the US. IIRC there was a factory auxiliary tank for the 80 series LC in Australia. When I installed mine in the US,, had to get parts from there.
I might be a bit concerned about doing much with the fuel system due to the problems with the Tundra. If you had an issue, they could say it was due to YOU adding the fuel tank. My Tundra’s engine went out at 45,000 miles.

 

[GX550Key]

I might be a bit concerned about doing much with the fuel system due to the problems with the Tundra. If you had an issue, they could say it was due to YOU adding the fuel tank. My Tundra’s engine went out at 45,000 miles.

Trust Toyota is looking after you in that regard.

 

[rgsiii]

Trust Toyota is looking after you in that regard.

I have owned 7 Toyotas if you include Lexus’s. Up until my 22 Tundra I would have agreed with you. I have had an active recall that after a couple of years may have an available fix, seat panels that have broken four times that I had to pay for, an engine blowup and got a RAV4 as a replacement for a month. Calling Toyota customer support has been mind boggling awful.

My 1994 LC has almost 300,000 miles on it, my 2022 Tundra will be sold as soon as I get back home. Toyota in 2024 is not the same as it was in previous years