18' 8", 3000lbs. Would it struggle or be fine?

4 or 6

4.0 l, 6 cyl

I pull a 21' boat with a 4 runner with a 4.0 without any issues. Not as good as a V8, but I think it would be fine for a Z7

How often are you towing it? All the time or weekends only or 10-15 times a year? If I was towing all the time, I'd want more than that. If it was 10-15 times a year or less, I think you're fine. Anything in between is where it gets borderline IMHO.

10-15 times is about right with one or two long trips.

You should be fine. I tow an 18' Skeeter regularly 90 miles round trip with my 4.0L Tacoma. It pulls without any issues. It would be better if I had trailer brakes, but I always make sure to leave plenty of following distance.

My #1 concern had been the transmission since I don't have the auxiliary transmission cooler. I just performed a drain and fill of the transmission pan at 60k miles and it looked and smelled the same as the new fluid. That eased any concerns I had with the transmission. Also, its the same transmission in the previous generator V6 Tundras and some of the V8 Toyota SUVs so I think towing 3000 lbs shouldn't be as issue for it.

I have a Tacoma and tow a 19ft BassCat. No problem.

i used my 3.4 liter tacoma w/ 5 speed to tow a 18 ft tri hull Phantom II all the time. don't know what it weighed but it was heavy.

stopping was the issue but if you were on the highway it was good to go.

No V-8 but it would get the job done.

Becareful on steep ramps. The boat will cause the truck to skid backwards all the way down (been there, done that).

I have a 18' Ranger F&S and have no problems with my Tacoma. I have the tow package and the off road pkg.. Never used the locking diff on a ramp. I have towed this boat with a number of trucks mostly F150s and the Tacoma has done as well or better than most of them.

what would concern me would be the stopping in an emergency situation, id definately have brakes on the trailer

What he said. I pulled a Triton TR19/200 Merc with a V6 Tacoma Access Cab for a couple years, even cross country with it once. It does fine pulling...not a V8 but it gets the job done. The only concern is braking. Its not a huge problem but it definitely hindered stopping quickly. If you do it, just be sure and pay extra attention for idiots pulling out and no tailgating.