Can 1/2 ton Titan match 3/4 ton Dodge Diesel?

lotsofaloha.com · 10-08-2004, 08:21 AM

I have just discovered this site read for hours and joined because ever since I saw the Titan at the auto show several months ago I wanted it. The problem is I have swap meet business where I tow a 7800+ lb enclosed cargo trailer three times a week, 15 miles each way, over one steep hill. My '95 3/4 ton Dodge Ram Diesel works fine and still has two years left on the ext. warranty. I really also wanted the new Dodge because it is so quiet. I had to rent a 2004 3/4 ton diesel 6 speed standard since my brake master cylinder had to be replaced (starter and trans rebuilt in the past 9 years). I only averaged 10 mpg towing aggresively. Then I rented the same truck in automatic and got the same mpg. My '95 gets between 13.5 and 15 mpg 55% towing, 45% city driving. I think it is because the new diesel has almost twice as much horsepower and torque as my old one (and drives incredibly well). Since I don't think I will save as much on gas now that I have read these posts, maybe I should get the Titan and save the $5000+. But all the 3/4 ton trucks have sagged lower in the back by about 2 1/2" than the front of the truck, even with a weight distributing hitch (most of the weight in the front of the trailer). Can the Nissan handle the grind even though only rated as a 1/2 ton (my '95 Dodge is rated to pull 10,000 lbs.). I should wait for Nissans "heavy duty" version to come out but my truck is only a regular cab with sun baked paint and cracked interior etc. Every day I search the internet for a deal on a new truck. Plus I can write off 100% of the price of the truck against taxes for 2004 if bought before the end of the year, rather than depreciating over 5 yrs. for my business. The question is: is there somewhere in Hawaii that I can rent a Nissan or do a 24 hour test drive to determine if it will work? I was considering buying a 1 ton Dodge diesel in the future, or can the current Titan be beefed up so it won't sag when towing?

FLA-Titan · 10-08-2004, 08:43 AM

I would stick with the Dodge for now. With the Titan, your gas mileage towing would drop to around 6-8 MPG. If you are consistantly towing heavy loads around and doing a lot of hauling work, as it seems you do, I would stick with a Heavy Duty truck. Just my $.02.

StumpZ · 10-08-2004, 10:14 AM

I agree with FLA-Titan, stick with the 3/4 ton.

TriKKy · 10-08-2004, 10:18 AM

+1

You dont want something that "just makes" the weight you are pulling or you will probably end up unhappy or completely sorry you did so.

TitanicSE · 10-08-2004, 10:33 AM

Although the Titan with the BIG TOW pkg will easily handle your trailer (9500 LB tow capacity) You won't beat a big diesel for towing or gas mileage....let aone longevity. I'd have to agree and say...stick to a 3/4 ton diesel if you tow that much, that often.

1Titan · 10-08-2004, 11:29 AM

I would stick with for now your 3/4 ton diesel and since you are saying you can write off your vehicles due to your buisness braddah I would be visiting Dodge and getting a 1 ton HD diesel. I always wanted one just to have one but when it came down to $$numbers the Titan was the most practical for me. However if I had my own buisness that required towing loads such as what you are describing I would have gotten a diesel from one of the big 3. Or keep yours until maybe 2006 perhaps Nissan will come out w/ a diesel by then. -Aloha

SupraTitan · 10-08-2004, 11:51 AM

My brother in law recently traded a 3/4 ton hemi for a 1 ton cummins, he rants and raves about his gas milage says he gets around 19mpg, also its an auto. One thing is for sure the titan is way more fun to drive and the interior layout is IMO vastly superior to the dodge. The new cummins is nice and quiet but to me sounds like an 88 ford I-6 with an exhuast leak when he drives by my house. They really muffled the sound of the turbo as well which is something I would really like to hear.

tnbowhunter · 10-08-2004, 12:44 PM

My Titan pulls my 5000lb camper great, but if I were hauling as much weight and as frequently as you I would either 1. stick with what you have, 2. Buy another Dodge {ouch that was hard to say} or 3. Wait till Nissan comes out with a heavy duty truck.
Good luck,

the head · 10-08-2004, 01:10 PM

Stick with a HD truck. If I was doing a lot of towing I wouldn't have a Titan myself.

PolarisTitan · 10-08-2004, 01:15 PM

I would wait for the Titan HD, sounds like with that load an HD is the best.

azxr · 10-08-2004, 01:39 PM

I agree with the rest. I was going to purchase a HD diesel (Ford or Dodge) but realized I don't need that much truck. Sounds like you do.

JMC · 10-08-2004, 02:18 PM

Unless you are anti-Ford I would give the powerstroke a shot. Most of the reviews I have seen show the Ford beating up the Dodge in the pulling performance. As far as durability goes that Cummins is going to be hard to beat though.

HDRocketman · 10-08-2004, 06:43 PM

The new Fords may pull well, but most of friends are driving rentals while new Ford diesels are being diagnosed for / in repair for turbo problems. Reliability + heavy towing today = Dodge diesel. I work in commercial construction and privy to many opinions and truck owners. Titan still rocks the truck world.

lotsofaloha.com · 10-08-2004, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the advice. I just love the look and feel of the Titan. I guess I just get tired of driving an older heavy duty truck and want something sportier. It's just common sense that I have to wait for a 3/4 ton truck from Nissan or stick with a diesel, but I was hoping to hear something different! A new 2wd 1 ton HO diesel from Dodge comes in at around $32,000 plus a courtesy delivery fee. When the engine breaks in I could possibly get better mileage. That's still $5000 more than what is in my budget, so I will have to be content with what I have and endure the "having more fun than you" looks I get from the other 2004 truck drivers!

Dodge4x4 · 10-09-2004, 04:53 PM

Yeah, go with the Cummins. I driven both. My boss's Powertroke pulls our excavator with a gooseneck....but just barely. It will pull it just fine, its the start off the line that is disappointing. If you are towing at 100mph, the PS will outdo the Cummins, but off the line up to 70-80mph, the powerstroke doesn't have a prayer. My buddy pulls a similar load, maybe heavier with his, and you can hardly tell you are towing.

If heavy machinery, excavators etc use I6, then you should take a hint off that in my oppinion.

However, take them both for a spin and see for yourself which does better, thats the best way anyway, then you don't end up wondering.