Lexus GX470 or Toyota Sequoia

[Dmeru]

Hello everyone!

We are researching and planning to buy our first travel trailer soon! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time! I'm also buying a new SUV as my primary vehicle and it will be used to tow the trailer. I've narrowed down my choices to either the Lexus GX or the Toyota Sequoia. Both have pros and cons, but I like both and having a hard time deciding. The con to the Sequoia is the size being larger than the GX for parking in our garage and overall too much vehicle for daily use. It's just me and my husband plus our two dogs.

Still looking at trailers, but really like the Keystone Bullet 22 RBPR with a dry weight of 4600. The GX is rated to tow 6500 and the Sequoia 7200.

Would love to hear any thoughts from the experts here on which vehicle to select. Sorry for the long post and I'm looking forward to participating on this site. Thank you!

--Diane

[2012Coleman]

The Calculated tongue weight of your new TT is about 845 lbs. Before picking a tow vehicle, bone up on what payload is, and stop looking at tow capacity. Payload is going to be maxed before you reach tow capacity. Westend mentioned forum member MargaretB who bought a 2015 Tracer 230 and was adamant that the Sequoia could tow it. Here is a direct quote from this thread

MargaretB wrote:
The sequoia didn't have the payload capacity to handle the hitch and us. We couldn't have carried anything else in it at all. That, combined with another unrelated issue we learned about, caused us to get rid of it. Good strong vehicle, but the cargo capacity was ridiculously small.

Good luck

[RinconVTR]

I tow that amount with a 2010 Sequoia, the Lexus is just a higher end model of the Sequoia and both a die hard. Both are great towing machines.

[GaryWT]

Not sure if you bought yet but always go with the vehicle that can tow more and has a larger payload. You need to look at the loaded trailer weight and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer.

[gbw]

My one thought here. My wife drives a 470 and I love the vehicle. Its so much nicer to drive than my Ram. It will be a much nicer and quieter ride than the Sequoia. The Lexus is AWD as well. Sorry, the Canuck in my will let you conver yourselves - we get 12-13L/100km on the highway and ~16L/100km in town.

My only concern is the Automatic Air Ride rear suspension. I don't know how that would work with a WDH. If you loaded down the back of the lexus, it will fill with air to relevel itself. We don't haul with ours, that's the trucks job which would do it much better anyways.

Just a thought to look into.

Personally - as a driver Lexus >>>> Sequoia, no question. Pulling a trailer, I'd likely give the edge to the Sequoia.

[camp-n-family]

A recent Sequoia owner that tried towing a trailer at the maximum of the Sequoia's capacities ended up with a new truck.

Any one towing at the max capacity of their tv would be happier in a more capable vehicle. The Sequoia is more than sufficient for what they want to tow.

[westend]

While you're out vehicle shopping, you might want to stop at the Ford dealership and look at the new trucks. A recent Sequoia owner that tried towing a trailer at the maximum of the Sequoia's capacities ended up with a new truck.

[APT]

I find backing into the garage is easier than forward with our Suburban because of the backup radar sensors and camera. The camera also helps when hooking up the trailer. I highly recommend it for RV towing.

[Dmeru]

Thank you everyone! We went to the RV show yesterday and purchased the Keystone 22RBPR. Show prices were great and we had the opportunity to see many different TTs. This one fits our list of "wants" and we believe it's perfect for novices like us. Going to the Toyota dealership today to drive the Sequoia again and bring it home to see how it fits in the garage.

Picking the vehicle has been the hardest part! I appreciate all the advice.

[coolbreeze01]

Both are very nice vehicles. I don't care for the side opening tailgate on the Lexus.

I like the roll-down rear window and pull down tailgate on the Sequoia.

[camp-n-family]

I towed with a V8 4Runner which is the same platform the Lexus is based on. The T4R had a 7200lbs tow capacity. Trailer was 26' and around 6k loaded. Pulled ok but it was maxed out. Biggest issues were the short wheelbase, could make it a handful in the wind, and the hitch receiver maxed at 750lbs.

Based on that, I would go with the Sequoia. It is based on the Tundra platform and is a very capable tow vehicle. Loved mine, wish I still had it. The tt size you are looking at will be a good match if you're not loading it with 6 heavy passengers. As with any 1/2 ton based vehicle, you will be payload limited.

[Fresno_Tundra_D]

Both are nice SUV's but if I had to choose, I'd choose the Lexus. It has better fuel economy and is more luxurious. The 4.7 has enough power to handle the trailer you're looking at assuming you have a WDH. Also it would be easier to park being smaller. Being mostly a daily driver with occasional towing, I would definitely choose the Lexus!! Goodluck

[coolmom42]

Dmeru wrote:
Hello everyone!

We are researching and planning to buy our first travel trailer soon! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time! I'm also buying a new SUV as my primary vehicle and it will be used to tow the trailer. I've narrowed down my choices to either the Lexus GX or the Toyota Sequoia. Both have pros and cons, but I like both and having a hard time deciding. The con to the Sequoia is the size being larger than the GX for parking in our garage and overall too much vehicle for daily use. It's just me and my husband plus our two dogs.

Still looking at trailers, but really like the Keystone Bullet 22 RBPR with a dry weight of 4600. The GX is rated to tow 6500 and the Sequoia 7200.

Would love to hear any thoughts from the experts here on which vehicle to select. Sorry for the long post and I'm looking forward to participating on this site. Thank you!

--Diane

The Sequoia is a great match for that trailer. That's what I would go with. I drove a Sequoia for 3 years and loved it. You will get used to the size fast. It is also a very safe vehicle.

Have fun!
Another Diane

[coolmom42]

Dmeru wrote:
Hello everyone!

We are researching and planning to buy our first travel trailer soon! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time! I'm also buying a new SUV as my primary vehicle and it will be used to tow the trailer. I've narrowed down my choices to either the Lexus GX or the Toyota Sequoia. Both have pros and cons, but I like both and having a hard time deciding. The con to the Sequoia is the size being larger than the GX for parking in our garage and overall too much vehicle for daily use. It's just me and my husband plus our two dogs.

Still looking at trailers, but really like the Keystone Bullet 22 RBPR with a dry weight of 4600. The GX is rated to tow 6500 and the Sequoia 7200.

Would love to hear any thoughts from the experts here on which vehicle to select. Sorry for the long post and I'm looking forward to participating on this site. Thank you!

--Diane

The Sequoia is a great match for that trailer. That's what I would go with. I drove a Sequoia for 3 years and loved it. You will get used to the size fast. It is also a very safe vehicle.

I much preferred the Sequoia to a truck for a tow vehicle. It's easy to access your belongings from inside, and much more secure than a truck with a bed cover.

You will need a good weight distribution hitch like an Equalizer, to return weight to the front axle.

Have fun!
Another Diane

[IdaD]

If you're considering a Sequoia I'd recommend checking out short bed half ton crew cabs. They're cheaper and better tow vehicles and are just as good in the daily driver role. Put a canopy on it if you want the covered cargo area and you've got a two row full size SUV with more capability for less $$.