Improving Ride Quality on a 2015 Lexus GX 460 Towing a Trailer on Rough Roads

Updated 02/18/2016 | Published 02/17/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Timbren Front Suspension Enhancement System

(612)

$269.36

Reese Weight Distribution System w/ Shank - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW

(50)

$660.72

Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System

(5914)

$269.36

Question:

hello, im driving 2015 Lexus GX 460 and towing travel trailer 6000 lb wieght aprox. the ride is usually smooth when its on good maintained freeways or roads, but when the condition of the road is not that good the ride become very unpleasant and it feels like my jaw will fall all the way to my toes. im using weight distribution hitch from pro series 1000 tongue weight rated and still the ride is not smooth when road condition is bad. do you think this part will help to smooth the ride? if so will it improve just by a bit or it will really make it smooth like other reviews indicate? is there any other suspension kits that i can consider to make my Lexuss suspension stiffer and stronger?

asked by: Alex

Expert Reply:

Using Timbren helper springs on your 2015 Lexus GX 460 will improve the ride quality on those rough roads. It may not completely eliminate everything but it will be a vast improvement. What is likely happening is the weight of the trailer is pulling down on the vehicle and compressing the factory suspension so that there isn't as much space for it to travel up and down. Hit a bump and it will bottom out sooner.

For front help springs I recommend # TTOFTAC4A and for the rear # TTORSEQ.

Another issue could be the weight distribution system you are using. When calculating tongue weight for use with weight distribution you need to add in the weight of anything carried behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. A 6,000 pound trailer could have a tongue weight of 600 to 900 pounds (10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight). If it is on the high end and you have items in the back of the GX behind the rear axle it could be exceeding the capacity of the 1,000 pound system you have.

The next step up would be a system rated for 1,200 pounds tongue weight such as # RP66542. I have included some links on weight distribution, determining tongue weight, and Timbren springs for you.

expert reply by: Michael H