Z3 - Real world weight

[Jimmyjim]

Has anyone actually weighed a 2015 or newer Z3?

I am looking at a new tow vehicle.

Tige says 4500 lbs, plus 1200 or so for a trailer.

Are these realistic numbers?

Thanks.

[WakerideN]

yeah I think that is pretty accurate\realistic. maybe add a couple hundred more for gear ext....

[IDBoating]

Keep in mind that you really don't want to be "close" to the towing vehicle's max towing weight. If the max towing weight is 6000 pounds, your (4500 + 1200 =) 5700 is a bit too close for comfort... within 5% of the maximum! You want a nice comfortable safety margin.

[Jimmyjim]

Keep in mind that you really don't want to be "close" to the towing vehicle's max towing weight. If the max towing weight is 6000 pounds, your (4500 + 1200 =) 5700 is a bit too close for comfort... within 5% of the maximum! You want a nice comfortable safety margin.

Yeah, that's what I am working out.....

Looking at a new Lexus GX, rated to 6500 lbs.

May have to go with something larger, just don't care for larger SUV's.

[Ewok]

My RZ2, dry weight 4150, with a full tank of gas, cooler, anchor, tool box, and all the normal gear for a day on the water is 6,400 lbs as it sits on the trailer, weighed at a CAT scale disconnected from the tow vehicle.

I looked on the Lexus website and I couldn't tell if that tow rating is derived from the new SAE J2807 or the older non-standard ratings. I know Toyota rated their Tundra and Sequoia in 2010 with the new rating but I don't know about the Lexus fleet. Either way, you are right on the edge of the tow rating for that truck/boat combo. I love our sequoia, it's got a great turn radius and is easy to maneuver in tight parking lots, especially with the rear camera. Form the new rating the sequoia is at 7,200 lbs but I know it's safe and maintains good towing performance up to that 7200 lb rating. You can read about the standard here:

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/tow...-the-standard/

[chpthril]

Dont forget that tower, batteries and all the audio is also on top of dry.

[Bryan]

I may be a backwoods Arkansas boy... But I say if you can stop it, you can tow it
Electric brake conversion in your trailer and roll that Lexus... It's close enough

[Ewok]

Looks like the brochure states the tow weights are calculated with the SAE J2807 standard so you should be ok to tow the Z3, just watch the tongue weight, you'll also need a weight distributing hitch. Equalizer is a hitch manufacturer that is compatible with surge brakes.

http://www.lexus.com/documents/broch...X-Brochure.pdf

[007]

Add fuel alone and you are at 6,000 lbs.

Bigger motor usually = more weight + add on stereo gear as Mike said, anchor, vest, any water you didn't get out of the ballast, boards, etc. Not too hard bracket that 6,500 rating and you are not leaving any buffer in there. A lot of people like a 10% buffer on tow capacity. I tow with a 5.3 chevy avalanche. Tows like a dream on the innerstate, but you notice the boat is back there in the hills. It can work the motor, tranny and brakes. The Z3 is a lot of boat for a mid sized SUV, just sayin'.

[Jimmyjim]

Add fuel alone and you are at 6,000 lbs.

Bigger motor usually = more weight + add on stereo gear as Mike said, anchor, vest, any water you didn't get out of the ballast, boards, etc. Not too hard bracket that 6,500 rating and you are not leaving any buffer in there. A lot of people like a 10% buffer on tow capacity. I tow with a 5.3 chevy avalanche. Tows like a dream on the innerstate, but you notice the boat is back there in the hills. It can work the motor, tranny and brakes. The Z3 is a lot of boat for a mid sized SUV, just sayin'.

Yeah, I believe you are correct.

I currently have an R20, but have the upgrade bug.

The Z1 only saves a few hundred pounds......

[JohnnieMo]

Z3 - Real world weight

I've towed my Z1 at 7000lbs. I would not buy a truck that couldn't handle at least that.

If you load it right you won't need a WD hitch.


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[UNSTUCK]

What happens on that day when you forget to empty the ballast?......We've all done it.

[BLucas86]

I tow my '15 Z3 with a Mercedes Sprinter 3500 and it is rated at 6500lbs. It does fine at speed, but is definitely working hard on any ascents. Ended up picking up an F250 SD Power Stroke too, and prefer it over the Sprinter, when I have the option. I would get something at least rated for 7500lbs...

[all2matt]

My RZ2, dry weight 4150, with a full tank of gas, cooler, anchor, tool box, and all the normal gear for a day on the water is 6,400 lbs as it sits on the trailer, weighed at a CAT scale disconnected from the tow vehicle.

I looked on the Lexus website and I couldn't tell if that tow rating is derived from the new SAE J2807 or the older non-standard ratings. I know Toyota rated their Tundra and Sequoia in 2010 with the new rating but I don't know about the Lexus fleet. Either way, you are right on the edge of the tow rating for that truck/boat combo. I love our sequoia, it's got a great turn radius and is easy to maneuver in tight parking lots, especially with the rear camera. Form the new rating the sequoia is at 7,200 lbs but I know it's safe and maintains good towing performance up to that 7200 lb rating. You can read about the standard here:

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/tow...-the-standard/

so if Im reading that correctly then the max weights are figured under the worst possible conditions (100+ temp, 12% grade, AC on max) except for weight of vehicle passengers. So under the 99% likely-hood you'll never meet those extreme conditions and your vehicle plus boat at the listed max may in fact be that 10% buffer alot of people are worried about?

so unless you hitting the extremes towing at the limit (with WDH) is safe according to these standards?

[PaceWithGrace]

In my experience, it's not just about having the power to tow a trailer, it's also about having a heavy enough vehicle to track straight or corner safely (i.e., boat and trailer weigh more than vehicle) and stop properly (even given trailer brakes). You simply need a substantial tow vehicle. You don't want to max it out, ever. And what about having a strong enough vehicle to pull the boat up the launch ramp? Or worse, to have effective braking while going down the ramp (since surge brakes don't work in reverse)?

Note that you don't need as much power if you can drive slower (e.g., 45 instead of 60 on highway).

In my opinion, you should have a 25% buffer (using the actual weight of the boat from a commercial scale), to account for extras such as more people, full tanks of gas, leftover water in boat, etc.