Big surprise when I weighed my GL450 today
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
2014 GL450
Big surprise when I weighed my GL450 today
Hi,
I think some people here must have weighed their GL350/GL450/GL550, because there are quite some people tow trailers here.
I wanted to purchase a trailer, and did all the research online, and did all calculation/estimate on paper. As a last step before I order the trailer, I decided to weigh my 2012 GL450 first to make sure the curb weight is the same as the number I got from internet.
It turned out to be a big surprise to me. The number I got online is 5346lb (found this number from several different web sites, including edmunds.com). The result from CAT scale:
Steer Axle: 2800lb
Drive Axle: 2840lb
Total weight: 5640lb
300lb difference!
No one was sitting in the SUV (me neither), full tank of gas, two convertible car seats probably 40-50lb total, some small/light items total maybe 30-50lb.
My SUV doesn't have a lot of options: Premium 1 package, GPS, backup camera, running boards, roof racks, pretty much a lightly loaded GL.
For those who have weighed your GL350/450/550, what's the net weight (no passengers at all, and the car is pretty empty inside), how much does it weigh?
I am wondering if the CAT scale I used is accurate or not. At 5640lb, I can't really buy any trailer that suits my need.
Thank you very much!
I think some people here must have weighed their GL350/GL450/GL550, because there are quite some people tow trailers here.
I wanted to purchase a trailer, and did all the research online, and did all calculation/estimate on paper. As a last step before I order the trailer, I decided to weigh my 2012 GL450 first to make sure the curb weight is the same as the number I got from internet.
It turned out to be a big surprise to me. The number I got online is 5346lb (found this number from several different web sites, including edmunds.com). The result from CAT scale:
Steer Axle: 2800lb
Drive Axle: 2840lb
Total weight: 5640lb
300lb difference!
No one was sitting in the SUV (me neither), full tank of gas, two convertible car seats probably 40-50lb total, some small/light items total maybe 30-50lb.
My SUV doesn't have a lot of options: Premium 1 package, GPS, backup camera, running boards, roof racks, pretty much a lightly loaded GL.
For those who have weighed your GL350/450/550, what's the net weight (no passengers at all, and the car is pretty empty inside), how much does it weigh?
I am wondering if the CAT scale I used is accurate or not. At 5640lb, I can't really buy any trailer that suits my need.
Thank you very much!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
2014 GL450
Thanks for trying to help.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_weight. I also checked some other web sites, all says curb weight includes all necessary fluids, full tank of gas.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_weight. I also checked some other web sites, all says curb weight includes all necessary fluids, full tank of gas.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Thanks for googling. I know all about curb weight. But... Vehicle weight unless specified dry/ wet is always given dry as you can have variables in fluids that will fudge the number. Also for racing purposes my experience is I have weighted many cars- they all were heavier than listed. So maybe in theory you are correct. But on the scale it does not seem so. I know, doesn't make sense but I think it is a quirk either of the measurement or how the manufacturer comes up with curb weight. Who knows
Last edited by alx; Mar 25, 2016 at 04:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
2014 GL450
Hi, Alx:
Appreciate your knowledge.
Looks like the reality is different from what the internet tells me, and you are right. I weighed my GL450 again at a different CAT scale, the result is the same, so the listed curb weight must not include the fluids/gas as you suggested.
Why don't they change the definition of curb weight? I believe many would simply take that the internet says, but fortunately the difference doesn't matter for most of the people.
Anyway, my confusion is cleared now, although the result is a big surprise for me and I really don't like it, I have no choice but to accept it, and need to figure out what I need to do next.
Appreciate your knowledge.
Looks like the reality is different from what the internet tells me, and you are right. I weighed my GL450 again at a different CAT scale, the result is the same, so the listed curb weight must not include the fluids/gas as you suggested.
Why don't they change the definition of curb weight? I believe many would simply take that the internet says, but fortunately the difference doesn't matter for most of the people.
Anyway, my confusion is cleared now, although the result is a big surprise for me and I really don't like it, I have no choice but to accept it, and need to figure out what I need to do next.
Thanks for googling. I know all about curb weight. But... Vehicle weight unless specified dry/ wet is always given dry as you can have variables in fluids that will fudge the number. Also for racing purposes my experience is I have weighted many cars- they all were heavier than listed. So maybe in theory you are correct. But on the scale it does not seem so. I know, doesn't make sense but I think it is a quirk either of the measurement or how the manufacturer comes up with curb weight. Who knows
Last edited by deeperblue; Mar 25, 2016 at 11:13 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 595
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From: Boston area
2019 GLS450
I have limited experience but have seen that the weight listed for vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche vary from actual weight to a greater extent than a Toyota, Ford, or Honda due to the options. The weight listed is with how the vehicle is typically equipped. The latter 3 have standard trim packages, so 3 Sequoia Platinums on the dealer's lot will all be equipped the same and weigh the same as listed from Toyota. The former 3 manufacturers allow for a greater option choices. As an example, a BMW M3 with a manual transmission, carbon fiber roof, and the carbon/cloth seats will be a lot lighter than the M3 next to it with a glass sunroof, steel roof, power heated leather seats, and DCT transmission. Not sure what options you have but a GL450 w/ multi-contour seats, pano roof, trailer hitch, active curve, and on/off road pkg is going to weigh more than the dealer ordered 450 next to it w/ only P1 and 1 or 2 other items. And that dealer ordered one might be right on at the listed weight.
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Espoo, Finland
2012 GL 350
I don't understand what the weight of the vehicle has to do with what trailer you can use.
I tow a 24 foot box trailer with a race car in it. The trailer is 3200#, the race car is 2600# and I probably have 500# of crap in there (this is probably wishful thinking, I carry a full tool box, an air compressor, 8 wheels/tires, and 6 boxes of spare parts and other miscellaneous. The GL tows it like there's barely anything back there.
I tow a 24 foot box trailer with a race car in it. The trailer is 3200#, the race car is 2600# and I probably have 500# of crap in there (this is probably wishful thinking, I carry a full tool box, an air compressor, 8 wheels/tires, and 6 boxes of spare parts and other miscellaneous. The GL tows it like there's barely anything back there.
