Towing experience w/o big tow

[Farmer Fred]

Hi,

I got to use my XE KC over the weekend to tow a Haulmark enclosed motorcycle trailer and a couple of bikes 1,000 miles through the mountains of WV. I waited until I had 1400 miles on and had changed the diff fluid (no chunks, and a normal amount of swarf on the magnet).

Total package probably weighed 2000 lbs, and the truck towed it beautifully. My previous truck was a 1996 GMC extra cab with 350 and tow package, and the Titan pulled a lot easier. Both trucks were rated at 6500 lbs towing capacity.

The tow mode lets the tranny stay in each gear a little longer, and the 5-speed means when it kicks down from top gear there's not a huge jump in RPMs like with the GMC.

Over the tanks I measured, I got 13.999 mpg.

We are getting ready to tow a smaller, open trailer to Denver late in June, and it should be a breeze.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by Farmer Fred

Hi,

I got to use my XE KC over the weekend to tow a Haulmark enclosed motorcycle trailer and a couple of bikes 1,000 miles through the mountains of WV. I waited until I had 1400 miles on and had changed the diff fluid (no chunks, and a normal amount of swarf on the magnet).

Total package probably weighed 2000 lbs, and the truck towed it beautifully. My previous truck was a 1996 GMC extra cab with 350 and tow package, and the Titan pulled a lot easier. Both trucks were rated at 6500 lbs towing capacity.

The tow mode lets the tranny stay in each gear a little longer, and the 5-speed means when it kicks down from top gear there's not a huge jump in RPMs like with the GMC.

Over the tanks I measured, I got 13.999 mpg.

We are getting ready to tow a smaller, open trailer to Denver late in June, and it should be a breeze.

The only thing that concerns me about the Titan's towing abilities are the increasing number of posts about failures of the rear differential. I am hoping that an aftermarket differential cover with cooling fins and increased gear oil capacity becomes available. I think the capacity of the stock diff is only 68 ounces. The differential oil capacity on other light trucks I have seen has been like 3 or 3.2 liters which is at least an extra quart.

[TrojanDan]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

The only thing that concerns me about the Titan's towing abilities are the increasing number of posts about failures of the rear differential. I am hoping that an aftermarket differential cover with cooling fins and increased gear oil capacity becomes available. I think the capacity of the stock diff is only 68 ounces. The differential oil capacity on other light trucks I have seen has been like 3 or 3.2 liters which is at least an extra quart.

Aftermarket usually enables the truck to do more than the factory part did, not to enable the vehicle to do what it should do as advertised on commercials and websites. I understand what you're saying bestatchess, but this should not be a concern at all, for anyone!!! IMHO, it's a disgrace to Nissan to have people worried about the rear diffs when towing anything, let alone maxing out at the 9500 lb towing capacity. I was just somewhat saddened by your post b/c it is definitely a concern, and it isn't like you're worried about towing 11,000 lbs of hay or somethin.

[JS02]

There have not been many differential failures and they didn't seem to be towing large loads when they failed. Maybe it was just a mistake at the dealer or factory when they were lubed. It is probably good to check the differential just in case. I have pulled some pretty serious weight loads and have not seen a problem yet. I have about 12000 miles on my Titan and I have worked it pretty hard. So far it has been very happy doing it. Compared to other trucks the brakes and towing have been very good. I think these brakes work about as well as my gm one ton trucks.