Cummins 5.0 Tow Vehicle

[Mrjkq]

After some issues with our previous TV, we've upgraded to a new Nissan Titan/Cummins 5.0 Diesel. I now have to get my equalizer WDH adjusted as the truck receiver is 3" higher than the previous one, not having the tools or expertise I'll leave it to the professionals. I'm pulling a 25' Airstream so this should prove to be a great combination if not an overkill with its 12k lb + towing capacity & 15k lb payload.

[SpletKay06]

Im curious to heard what kind of fuel economy you get with that combo. Those trucks really grab my interest but I wish they had added an exhaust brake. Hopefully the aftermarket steps in and fixes that.

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by SpletKay06

Im curious to heard what kind of fuel economy you get with that combo. Those trucks really grab my interest but I wish they had added an exhaust brake. Hopefully the aftermarket steps in and fixes that.

The truck being new, I have no experience data on mpg. Exhaust brake was an issue for me also, so after some thought I decided to go with the tow mode down hill assist for two reasons. First, a six speed tranny will down shift more positively than my previous eight speed in 6 or 7% grade situations...Second, this truck has an Aisan (sp) HD transmission also used in the RAM 3500/Cummins combination. It's built for tough situations & big load hauling.

[NorCal Matt]

Congratulations! I'm also interested to hear your experience of it. What's your stickered payload? That was my major hesitation with the XD, but they weren't out yet and I had to pull the trigger on something!

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by NorCal Matt

Congratulations! I'm also interested to hear your experience of it. What's your stickered payload? That was my major hesitation with the XD, but they weren't out yet and I had to pull the trigger on something!

Payload (stickered) 1450 & change!

[Paul Zmann]

As a daily driver I'm getting approximately 17.5 MPG in to 21.0 MPG highway. I haven't towed anything with it yet. My payload is something like 1580 lbs, tow capacity for my truck is 11900 lbs. It definitely should work for a 25 foot without much problem. Some of the 30' with high tongue weights start taxing the payload capacity.

[n2916s]

The Titan XD SV I am looking at Tuesday stickers at 1708#. As my present 2004 Titan is just about to turn over 212000 miles, it seems like the right time...

[Toutsi 1957]

Originally Posted by Mrjkq

The truck being new, I have no experience data on mpg. Exhaust brake was an issue for me also, so after some thought I decided to go with the tow mode down hill assist for two reasons. First, a six speed tranny will down shift more positively than my previous eight speed in 6 or 7% grade situations...Second, this truck has an Aisan (sp) HD transmission also used in the RAM 3500/Cummins combination. It's built for tough situations & big load hauling.

I agree it is a good TV but just a little precision, the Aisan transmission is not the same as the one in the Ram Cummins.

[Toutsi 1957]

I bought in April a new GMC Denaly with Dynamax fully loaded in Canada for $76,000 CDN and check the price of a fully loaded Titan Titanium HD Diesel and the best negotiated price was offered to me at $79,000.00. The towing capacity of my Denaly is 13,500 pounds compare to 10,500 pounds for the Titan and the loading capacity of the Denaly is 2,547 pounds compare to 1,500 pounds. The Titan is not yet a true HD compare to the American and for towing a fifth wheel the American ar much better.

[VernDiesel]

Joe I frequently tow the western grades and their is a lot of value in the exhaust brake. The aftermarket should step up because people will buy their tune for it. My truck didn't come with one either and I bought a tune with a brake in part for that reason. My truck did come with a nice sliding trailer brake controller though. The trucks factory transmission brake working in concert with the exhaust brake controls speeds to about a 6,000 pound trailer on a 6 percent grade. Heavier than that I supplement with the trailer brake. Heaviest CVW I've did coming down a 5 percent grade has been a little over 15,000 pounds and it is so comforting knowing you can easily & safely control speed & given some room stop that load without even having to use your truck brakes. No reason the aftermarket shouldn't come out with one to do at least that with your truck.

My trucks GVWR is only 6,950 & its factory delivery weight was 5,501 so my payload like yours is only 1,450 pounds. But don't worry about that safety is in proper weight distribution. Weigh your setup & get your individual axle weights & TW acceptable and you will have a safe enjoyable tow. You already have a WDH to help with this so its just in taking to the scales & doing it.

Best thing is once you got it you won't normally have to go back to a scale unless your load changes dramatically. Oh & DOT etc is primarily only concerned with axle weights for safety so if your axles are balanced decently you won't be close their either.

Trying to short cut safety by having some "professional" set your truck & trailer up without a scale is what I would call a con and is worth what you paid for it which was likely nothing. Can you guess at some setups & come out ok with a big TV & a small TT.. Sure. But it's always wiser & usually in the end cheaper to do it right the first time.

[Av8rsmd]

On questions about tow capacity- I have been told it is not legal to exceed the tow capacity and in California you can be ticketed by CHP. It would seem to possibly put your insurance in question also in the event of an accident. So it may be important to not approach the maximums with your rig.

[RamRider]

Nice truck, enjoy! - and who cares about fuel economy when towing an airstream!

[Bruce B]

Nice truck!!!
We will be interested in hearing how it all works.
Bruce

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by RamRider

Nice truck, enjoy! - and who cares about fuel economy when towing an airstream!

Hopefully it won't be to bad. My former ecodiesel got 16.2 mpg on a cross country trip, I know I won't get that but I'll be happy with 14 mpg on the Titan. I keep my speed at 65 mph when towing so 14 is not unreasonable, time will tell.

[NorCal Matt]

Originally Posted by Paul Zmann

As a daily driver I'm getting approximately 17.5 MPG in to 21.0 MPG highway. I haven't towed anything with it yet. My payload is something like 1580 lbs, tow capacity for my truck is 11900 lbs. It definitely should work for a 25 foot without much problem. Some of the 30' with high tongue weights start taxing the payload capacity.

Thank you for real payload numbers. Not bad at all for a big diesel.

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by NorCal Matt

Thank you for real payload numbers. Not bad at all for a big diesel.

Every truck regardless of brand has a variance in advertised payload, it depends on many things like trim level, crew cab etc. The sticker on the truck, the one with the yellow highlights on the driver door jam is truck specific & what the truck can carry. My previous RAM 1500 ecodiesel advertised around 1100 lbs payload but the sticker had it at approx 850 lbs payload.........that was the true payload for my then truck.

[Paul Zmann]

Originally Posted by NorCal Matt

Thank you for real payload numbers. Not bad at all for a big diesel.

I just wanted to trucks payload number, I said 1580 lbs, it is actually 1598 lbs. I just wanted to correct my mistake.

[slowmover]

Take it to Cat Scale ASAP and weigh after topping off fuel and DEF. With driver is any gear that remains permanently in truck.

This will be your true "empty" or solo weight (truck won't ever be any lighter).

"Payload" is pretty much a marketing term. It's the axle/wheel maximums that are the payload determinant.

Either way you'll be able to see using genuine numbers.

FWIW, my 2004 Cummins Dodge 2WD manual trans weighed 7,240-lbs "empty" as above (includes a fiberglass cab height bed topper). Published ship weight was 6,860-lbs

My solo weight most days is 7,940-lbs. GVWR is 9000-lbs, but axle/wheel max is 10,750. Wouldn't concern me in the least to exceed the former. Or bump up over the latter.

At 212,000-miles my average fuel burn has been 21-mpg for all miles. About 50/50 town & country. 14-16 pulling this 35' Silver Streak. (South Central US).

I run the highway same speed solo or towing: 1,725-rpm/58-mph. Highs of 27-solo seen in best circumstance and never under 24 rain or shine, hot or cold, loaded or empty, crossing major cities, etc.

This is an early HPCR 5.9L Cummins rated 305HP/555TQ. Dead stock. Overpowered for any trailer of this type to ever hit the road.


1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

[Zcashio]

Very nice truck! I've been interested in these for quite some time. Love the black rims, have not seen that package yet anywhere near where I live. Please keep us posted on how it tows etc..

[VernDiesel]

Av8rsmd, Not sure if you meant me but I never exceeded my trucks 8,800 max tow. I tow commercially so I'm in State scales around the country & in Cali frequently. In fact I'm in Cali & just delivered a new 27' AS to Los Banos. DOT scales don't look at manufacturers max tow or payload they look at axle weights & CVWR.

You can max all the manufacturer numbers & be safe & reliable IF you have taken the time to do proper setup including weigh & distribute your axle loads & TW. A WDH & air bags make this easier & your tow safer. You can be way under any of the manufacturers numbers & have an unsafe set up. How? Tongue weight. Too little & you have a squirrelly trailer & an unsafe set up. Much like the lil Uhaul Mustang example vid that's on the forum.

230k miles on my truck well over half with some trailer in tow. Many combined loads at or near one "max" or another. Repairs $158 lift pump & a light switch. But like Slowmover I try not to abuse my equipment. Flat land towing is about all done at 65.