Trade up(?) from my Suburban to a Nissan Titan

[wingfoot321]

Originally Posted by Atokad

The Nissanusa website allows a comparison of three other trucks - Titan beats all up to full size. The Titan seems to have the power.

It looks like it comes down to weight and wheelbase.I would need to trade that and (the safety it offers) for what is an easier truck for city driving, and offers more luxury without going for a lot of mods...

If you look at the titan 150 crew cab, I see it as load carrying capacity & weight. Your trailer hitch weight, fiberglas bed cover, hitch ball, etc. will come to 1200 lbs against 1585 load capacity. 385 lbs before weight distribution to the front wheels is not a lot. The extra weight of my gm 2500 4x4 is about 700 lbs vs. the titan 150 4x4 with bed cover, gas, & hitch comparable.

Just a few thoughts, 5 speed transmission (bottom end power & top end mileage), 5yr/60,000 powertrain warranty, 17" wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes ( gm is going back to rear drums), 9200 tow capacity, & price beats gm & ford according to what I have read.

You have to buy a 2500 now to get gm's heavy transmission, steel drive shaft, & heavy rearend. I doubt that nissan has under engineered their drive train. Also, I have to worry that when the teflon starts wearing off of my gm pistons & they start to knock, I will lose $5000 resale unless I can find a gm diehard.

I have a gm 2500hd 4x4 6.0, a ford econ 150, & a 2001 camry in the driveway. I am only partial to what works. Frankly, the japanese trucks are coming faster than I thought they could but, that is gm & ford letting them do it.

[59toaster]

Originally Posted by Gened

Hold on guys. Don't put down the Titan until you're tried it. I'm pulling a 31 ft Classic with a Titan Crew Cab and it is great, even in the mountains. It has 378 lbs of torque at 3500 RPM and about 90% of that at 2500 RPM. I traded in a 6.8L F250 that couldn't match the Titan in power or gas mileage.
I'm not saying it is the greatest tow vehicle on the road, but it's not far behind.

Do you drive at 3500 RPM the whole time your towing? I doubt my Suburban has seen 3500 rpm more then 20 times in the year I have owned it. 378 lb fit is nice and all but its at a very high RPM. My 88 454 Suburban makes 385lbft of torque at 1600 RPM. I drive at 1600 rpm every time I start it. Nice flat torque cure up to 2500 RPM. I set the crusie on 65 and it's sitting right there in the torque band. Most normal grades I don't even loose 1.5 mph when I hit them.

It's a Great motor but when dealing with these sort of weights it's not where it needs to be. Yes it's best in class and that class is HALF TON. It's not best in class pulling against any of the big 3 diesels or 6.0 and above gas 3/4 ton. That truck is over rated for the weight they are listed.

[59toaster]

My big complaint with the Nissan is not the motor It's the platform and that rear axle. I bet it has a 4.10 and that's good but I also bet it's 8.5 inches or less and thats BAD. Nissan and Toyota are not affriad of putting in high gears. My toytoa 4Runner is 4.10 if it was a carb truck it would have had a 4.30. Nissan I owned was also 4.10. My Supra was 4.30. The japs will run motors at high RPM without a second throught. You statrt putting some weight in that figure and something has to give.

I think in short order we are going to hear about a lot of blown rear ends in Nissans that are trying to pull the kind of weights they claim they are capable of. Toyota is the same way. They don't make a axle anybigger ring gear then 8.4 in their normal vehciles. To get any bigger you have to go to their big trucks like the Hino.

At that point they will either build a bigger rear axle or they will back off those weght figures.

[Gened]

Originally Posted by 59toaster

Do you drive at 3500 RPM the whole time your towing? I doubt my Suburban has seen 3500 rpm more then 20 times in the year I have owned it. 378 lb fit is nice and all but its at a very high RPM. My 88 454 Suburban makes 385lbft of torque at 1600 RPM. I drive at 1600 rpm every time I start it. Nice flat torque cure up to 2500 RPM. I set the crusie on 65 and it's sitting right there in the torque band. Most normal grades I don't even loose 1.5 mph when I hit them.

It's a Great motor but when dealing with these sort of weights it's not where it needs to be. Yes it's best in class and that class is HALF TON. It's not best in class pulling against any of the big 3 diesels or 6.0 and above gas 3/4 ton. That truck is over rated for the weight they are listed.

Like I said before, I had a 6.8L F250 gas and it did not have the power that the Titan has. We can throw numbers all day, but the fact is, the Titan gets the job done with a 31 ft. If you compare the cost of the Titan to the the big 3 diesels or 6.0 and above gas, you'll see another big factor to consider. The Titan isn't my choice for a triple axle 34 footer loaded with the belongings of a 4-person family, but it sure will handle the average 28-31 ft better than others with engines close to it's size (5.4 Ford, 5.3 Chevy or 5.7 Dodge). Nuff said!

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by JBMcG

As long as dialogue still bouncing back and forth, there is a downside to having nice long frame and wheelbase for stability: Suburbans and Excursions and Avalanches are real difficult to maneuver in tight quarters, or to make U-Turns... Some have 4 wheel steering, though I'd be leery of that option, but regular truck will turn around in street width, while Suburban needs a few tries back and forth. With 34' of house in back and triple axles, There may be some tight corners in places that you just can't get into or out of... You'd have to be a lifetime member of the "Gimme a Pullthrough" campers club...

John McG

Gotta jump in here for a minute... As you all know, I tow a 34' with an Excursion V10. First, let me say that anyone who contemplates pulling ANY 34' Airstream with less than a 3/4 ton truck is asking for problems. I've said many times that my Excursion is, IMHO, the absolute MINIMUM necessary for towing a 34' trailer. BTW, the Excursion has one of the tightest turn radius' available in it's size. It's a pretty responsive truck.

I also have to say that I have yet to get into anywhere that I wasn't able to get out of; there are a couple of members here who have been pleasantly surprised at where the Behemoth has actually been. It may take a couple of minutes to get it where you want it, but it always goes there. The only problem is when the site is so short that it won't accommodate the trailer (but that's not a tow vehicle issue).

Roger

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

First, let me say that anyone who contemplates pulling ANY 34' Airstream with less than a 3/4 ton truck is asking for problems.

Roger

I fully agree and might even be so bold as to suggest anything at the 28' or larger as well, particularly in the Classic line of newer coaches.

Having pulled a 25' Safari with the equiv of a 1/2 ton, I can safely say that you're betting the farm on a very unsound hand. Of course what do folks like us that have been there and done that know.

[Atokad]

A lot of controversy on this one - but sounds as if the Titan and Avalance are just too small for my 34'.

I hope I'm wrong.

But for now i'm in the market for fully loaded 3/4 crew cab short bed...

[rock001]

got a us gear under drive for chev auto used 1000 miles 1/2 price if anyone can use it. had it on 91 chev van.

[Paul Mayeux]

Originally Posted by Atokad

A lot of controversy on this one - but sounds as if the Titan and Avalance are just too small for my 34'.

I hope I'm wrong.

But for now i'm in the market for fully loaded 3/4 crew cab short bed...

The 2500 series (3/4 ton) Avalanche with the 8.1 should be fine for the 34'. It's darn close to a crew cab short bed. 59toaster is correct - it's all about the platform the vehicle is built on with the motor and gearing added into the mix. The GM 8.1 pumps out about 400ft/lb of torque at 1600 rpm and the Ford V10 hits 400ft/lb at 1900 rpm - which is right about 65-70 mph with a 3.73 rear end.

[john hd]

you folks touting nissans can go right ahead! please report back after 100,000 miles.

if they turn out to be great trucks good for you! personally, i'll shy away from buzzy engines and rear end ring gears smaller than dinner plates!

john

[PWRSTRK]

I've got to agree with 85MH325.

First, I'm definitely a Ford guy.

Tow our 9100 lb. Safari 28SO with a 2004 Excursion 6.0l PSD. Can't recommend the Ex enough. It has great turning radius and is a great tow vehicle, either in V10 gas or the PSD.

I strongly recommend it.

Tom, and Frank.

[71_safari]

Originally Posted by Gened

Like I said before, I had a 6.8L F250 gas and it did not have the power that the Titan has. We can throw numbers all day, but the fact is, the Titan gets the job done with a 31 ft. If you compare the cost of the Titan to the the big 3 diesels or 6.0 and above gas, you'll see another big factor to consider. The Titan isn't my choice for a triple axle 34 footer loaded with the belongings of a 4-person family, but it sure will handle the average 28-31 ft better than others with engines close to it's size (5.4 Ford, 5.3 Chevy or 5.7 Dodge). Nuff said!

The F250 w/ a 6.8L is an awesome setup and will last forever under towing conditions. Too bad you swapped it out. It may not feel as powerful, because the truck empty outweighs that Titan by almost a ton, but trust me the steel is where it counts. If you tow a lot, you will be replacing the rear end in that Nissan - it is simply too small to handle that amount of weight for long. It is basically a Dana 44 - used on front ends of US half ton pickups. Not sure about the longevity of the other components but they are basically half-ton, and you are asking it to do the job of a 3/4 ton.

Now if what you use it for is mainly empty driving, or around town as an everyday driver, I can understand the need to compromise, and the Titan is not a bad choice.

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Atokad

A lot of controversy on this one -

I think that's the understatement of the year! Towing threads are sort of like conversations between republicans and democrats or a religious type conversation.

Everyone's got an opinon. Even the folks towing 34' tri-axle Airstreams with Dodge Intrepids...of course not many folks listen to those folks.

[59toaster]

Originally Posted by rock001

got a us gear under drive for chev auto used 1000 miles 1/2 price if anyone can use it. had it on 91 chev van.

What transmsission was it bolted too? The base unit is identical but the adaptors are not.



Nevermind I just reread. I'm looking for the Overdrive not under.

[Atokad]

This looks like the truck I might buy - 2004:

(to pull my 34' A/S)

Ford F250 (used)...
*
ENGINE MODEL
6.8L V10

MAKE
FORD
*
HORSEPOWER
200 - 300

MODEL
F250 SUPER DUTY
*
FUEL TYPE
Gas
*
TRANSMISSION
Auto-4Spd
*
AXLES
4X4

*
REAR AXLES
21,000 lbs. or Less

CLASS
CLASS 1 (GVW 0 - 6000)
*
SUSPENSION
Spring

MILEAGE
10800
*
SUB-CATEGORY
Pickup

ENGINE MANUFACTURER
Ford

[Paul Mayeux]

Originally Posted by 71_safari

The F250 w/ a 6.8L is an awesome setup and will last forever under towing conditions. Too bad you swapped it out. It may not feel as powerful, because the truck empty outweighs that Titan by almost a ton, but trust me the steel is where it counts. If you tow a lot, you will be replacing the rear end in that Nissan - it is simply too small to handle that amount of weight for long. It is basically a Dana 44 - used on front ends of US half ton pickups. Not sure about the longevity of the other components but they are basically half-ton, and you are asking it to do the job of a 3/4 ton.

Now if what you use it for is mainly empty driving, or around town as an everyday driver, I can understand the need to compromise, and the Titan is not a bad choice.

I tow with an 03 F250 Crew Cab 4x4 with the 6.8L auto and 3.73 rear end. I know from being on the road that the Titan will not outperform the 6.8 under load. Returning from the VAC a couple of weeks ago I passed on pulling a 25 or 26' Jayco and I could tell from the roar of his engine as we passed he was maxed out going up Raton Pass. No, the 6.8 will not outperform the GM 8.1 but it has no problem holding it's own. Now for 2005 - well that's a different story. They pumped it up to 362 hp @ 4750 rpm and 457 ft/lb torque @ 3250 rpm. 367 ft/lb of that torque is at 1,000 rpm.

[Silvertwinkie]

Good choice.

[Coastalview]

I think most would agree, that when it comes to draw type hitch arrangments, most perfer to have a tow vehicle, that is equal or greater in terms of weight, over what it is pulling.The Titan maybe aceptable in this equation, with a 28' in tow, and even that is pushing the equal weight factor. I'd be even a little squirmish with my tow rig pulling a 34' footer. I'll stick with the principal, of (heavier locomotive than a cabooose)

Until recently, I'd never towed anything-period. I bought a 2001 Suburban 2500 4X4 with the 8.1 in Florida and a 31' 1976 Sovereign in MI. I brought the Sovereign home to Baltimore, a 600 mile trip. I could hardly tell I had anything behind me.I'd forget it was back there until I would glance in my mirrors. Did between 60-70mph all the way home. The Suburban had tons of power and it was a piece of cake towing the 31' Sovereign . Traveling across 26 through PA. at night in heavy rain with big trucks everywhere. The road was under construction iI'll bet for well over 100 miles. You had to concentrate because there wasn't a shoulder in a lot of places but never once had the dreaded white knuckle experience. So here's a vote for the Suburban. Up until two weeks ago when I bought this rig, my everyday driver was a VW Golf TDI.

Jack

[neil.ervin]

Back to the original question.

Last week I towed my new 2005 Safari 25 (6300# loaded acording to sales lit) from Tucson to Phoenix with my Nissan Armada. The trailer towed great, but the trip is overall 1000# downhill and pretty darn level. I just returned today from my first camping trip in the Safari, Phoenix to Flagstaff (an increase of 6000' in elevation). I rate towing pleasure as being able to tow my trailer up a tall mountain with the speed of light. Well the Armada struggled a little, especially going up those three 6 mile 6% grades. I was able to tow them comfortably at 50mph in 3rd gear. Suffice to say that even tho the Armada is rated at 9100#, I would never use it to tow a trailer exceeding 6300#.