OK, so I thought I was done with this topic but imprecise information from the OP kept nagging at me so I sought out information on the OP's 2002 Lexus LX470 and discovered some discrepancies. :h
First, the OP says this is a 2002 model but my question was
which version,
as detailed here ... a 2nd generation 1998 - 2002 or a second generation 2002 - 2005? :h That's important as both HP and Torque ratings increased with subsequent 2002 to 2005 models. However, since the OP did tell us his particular version has a 4-speed transmission I'm going to
assume his is a 1998 - 2002 version as the 2002 - 2005 version was equipped with a 5-speed.
Secondly, an important detail the OP completely omitted is that his vehicle's axle ratio is a
very tow friendly 4.3 ... which in turn explains why an engine rated at just 230 HP but a very respectable 320 lb ft of torque can be rated to tow up to 6500 lbs ... now we know why!
Third, the OP said his vehicle's GVWR is 6500 lbs but this
2002 Lexus LX470 Specs Page says this vehicle's GVWR is actually 6860 lbs.
Fourth, this spec sheet confirms that this vehicle's curb weight is 5401 lbs, just what the OP claimed, but it's not clear this weight includes a full tank of gas, partial tank, or none. That's an important detail and one of the reasons the OP really needs to go weigh his vehicle with a full tank of gas so we know for a fact just how much it actually weighs. :R
OK, so with this new information plugged into the Towing Weight Calculator it indicates the OP's LX470 would be towing a Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS at a reasonable 85% of the vehicle's GCWR and 321 lbs under the vehicle's GVWR.
Considering this vehicle is equipped with a 4.3 axle ratio I see no reason this vehicle could not tow a 192RBS weighing in the range of 4600 lbs.Proof? Back in 2005 we went on a long 4-week trip through the US west to visit Yellowstone, The Black Hills, Colorado Rockies, etc. At the time I was towing a popup with a 4.0L Explorer but our friends were towing a 32' Starcraft travel trailer weighing ~ 6000 lbs loaded and ready to camp. With what? - a Toyota Sequoia, a 2002 model if I recall correctly, equipped with a similar 4.7 litre engine rated @ 240 HP and coupled to a 4.1 axle. 4 weeks, ~ 8000 km, flat terrain to mountain passes exceeding 12,000' ...
no issues at all. Here's are a few pics as proof.
In Nebraska
In The Black Hills
The devil is in the details! :p
