Big Tow Package

razorback · 06-15-2005, 02:39 PM

I wanted to share a lesson that I learned that most of you may already know, but for the person(s) that don't know, this may ultimately save you some money and headaches.

I purchased my Titan in 2004 with the big tow package rated for 9,500 lbs towing capacity. I purchased a travel trailer that weighed about 7,000 lbs loaded. The Titan did pull the trailer, but I could tell it was putting signficant strain on the engine and transmission. I had a lot of problems with the transmission going up to hot (trans gage comes with big tow package) going up slight grades and trying to maintain 55 mph. I could tell by the sound of the truck that hauling this trailer was not good for it. After I got back from a recent trip, I heard a buzzing noise coming from the rear, took it in and had to get the rear differential replaced (under warranty). Don't know if towing had anything to do with it, but I'm suspicious it did. The bottom line, 1/2 ton trucks (don't care who makes it), are not made to pull trailers of that size, hence the name light duty.

I think the Titan is a great 1/2 ton truck. I thoroughly enjoyed mine. However, I had to trade it and get a heavy duty because of the RV. Only having it for a year, I was upside down and took a bit of a bath on the trade in. I hated to trade it too, because it served me well (other than towing).

Just wanted to pass this along to any RV enthusiast that are looking at the Titan. I think up to 5,000 lbs (ultra-light RV), the Titan would do great. After that, I would be a bit suspect. 7,000 lbs and up, I don't believe it is a long term viable option.

buzzkillwill · 06-15-2005, 02:43 PM

About the rear end, there's been some issues with that. You're not the first to metion it.

As for towing, I don't-but lots do and I'm sure they'll appreciate (or not agree with) your advice.

I know some tow more than 7K, but I haven't heard good or bad.

Yomama · 06-15-2005, 03:12 PM

I just pulled "the boat" over the weekend. Granted it wasn't across country, more like 60+ miles round trip. The drivetrain handled it just fine, my temp for the trans and engine never made it even half way AND I had the air conditioner running as I wanted to stress it out as best I could. I do intend to do longer trips with it. I did it by the book however, tow mode on and in 4th gear, no problem.
You can find "the boat" by doing a search, only one other person here that has a boat in the same weight category as mine, he says his is bigger,

maybe, never weighed mine yet, but got to be over 8k.

*Boot Man* · 06-15-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yomama

he says his is bigger,

Seems to be a common theme in this joint.

Armada · 06-15-2005, 04:28 PM

Razorback, welcome to the forum. Hope you become a "regular." How many miles did you have on your truck before you made the tow? What did you do to prepare your truck to tow 7,000 lbs? Just curious?

I regularly tow an 8,000 equipment trailer (good size farm tractor and implements) with my 4x4 Armada, (with big tow) which actually has a slightly lower tow rating of 9100 lbs., without any problem.

Might there be something abnormal that caused you the trouble?

CoachBoone · 06-15-2005, 04:29 PM

I towed my 6500 lb Jayco from Orygun to Colorado, up the Rockies, through Moab, Utah, Nevada and back when I had about 5k on it. We DID bake the oem rear, but since we changed to synthetic and I got the aluminum cover, it is great. In fact, it never felt bad when we had our maiden voyage incident except for that wonderful smell of gear lube boiling. Out of 21k miles of driving, I have towed about 7k of it and I love the way this thing hauls a load. An absolute workhorse.

wrenrj1 · 06-15-2005, 06:47 PM

Could it be a break in issue? Just wondering...

Cmayer31 · 06-15-2005, 07:11 PM

Thought I would chime in. I've towed a fully loaded 25ft toy hauler through the mountains and out in the desert. The only thing that spooked me was the brake judder that has since been fixed. The tranny temp was fine, and the power was there the entire time. Tow mode on, 4th gear and the only time I was reminded of the size of trailer behind me was passing a semi, that moved into the slower passing lane, while going up hill. Might want to stop by the scales and weigh that trailer of yours.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 06-15-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razorback

I wanted to share a lesson that I learned that most of you may already know, but for the person(s) that don't know, this may ultimately save you some money and headaches.

I purchased my Titan in 2004 with the big tow package rated for 9,500 lbs towing capacity. I purchased a travel trailer that weighed about 7,000 lbs loaded. The Titan did pull the trailer, but I could tell it was putting signficant strain on the engine and transmission. I had a lot of problems with the transmission going up to hot (trans gage comes with big tow package) going up slight grades and trying to maintain 55 mph. I could tell by the sound of the truck that hauling this trailer was not good for it. After I got back from a recent trip, I heard a buzzing noise coming from the rear, took it in and had to get the rear differential replaced (under warranty). Don't know if towing had anything to do with it, but I'm suspicious it did. The bottom line, 1/2 ton trucks (don't care who makes it), are not made to pull trailers of that size, hence the name light duty.

I think the Titan is a great 1/2 ton truck. I thoroughly enjoyed mine. However, I had to trade it and get a heavy duty because of the RV. Only having it for a year, I was upside down and took a bit of a bath on the trade in. I hated to trade it too, because it served me well (other than towing).

Just wanted to pass this along to any RV enthusiast that are looking at the Titan. I think up to 5,000 lbs (ultra-light RV), the Titan would do great. After that, I would be a bit suspect. 7,000 lbs and up, I don't believe it is a long term viable option.

I've towed WAY more than that with my Titan and had no problems at all. Can't go 55 uphills? I'm doing 70 up huge hills while towing our TT weighing more than 7000LBS.
You either didn't follow the proper break-in for towing, didn't use TOW MODE, left it in 5th, didn't go to the new synthetic 140 weight gear lube, or some combination of those. Otherwise, you simply got a bad rear end.
The Titan will tow more than its' rating claims and will do so quite happily. Most times I forget our TT is even back there. Going to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to pull a simple 7000LB TT is bigtime overkill. But if that's what it'll take to put your mind at ease, maybe it was worth all that extra dough.

92TripleBlack · 06-16-2005, 01:41 AM

Did you hit the tow button? Armadas have a tow button so I would think Titans would also. This sets up shift points, cooling fans, etc. for towing heavy loads.

TJB39 · 06-16-2005, 01:45 AM

I towed a 32' travel trailer at about 8000#+ 500mi. each way from Mass. to D.C. and back, 4th gear, big tow, good weight dist. hitch and sway control, and the truck towed like a champ. Tranny temp. never over 1/4 of the way, and 65mph on hills was no problem. Something must not be right for you

razorback · 06-16-2005, 06:02 AM

To answer some of the questions:

Break in: I drove about 6,000 miles before I pulled anything.

The first 500 miles of towing, I kept to 50 mph or under.

I did use the tow/haul mode each time that I towed.

I did not use synthetic oil.

I didn't do anything else to prepare for the tow.

I used weight distribution bars and both my trailer and truck were level.

The results that people have achieved are contrary to my experience. Maybe there was something "not right" with my particular truck. Also, when I towed, I was right at the GVWR. With full tank of fuel etc. I can only have 1,320 lbs of additional "cargo" weight. My tongue weight from my trailer is 800 lbs. My family weighs about 440 lbs (me, wife, 2 small kids). Add that all up and add a 80 lb trailer hitch, weight distribution bars etc., I'm at capacity. Maybe this had more to do with strain than the towing.

Vegas04 · 06-16-2005, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boot Man

Seems to be a common theme in this joint.

LOL- That's a good one!

ptgarcia · 06-16-2005, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razorback

I wanted to share a lesson that I learned that most of you may already know, but for the person(s) that don't know, this may ultimately save you some money and headaches.

I purchased my Titan in 2004 with the big tow package rated for 9,500 lbs towing capacity. I purchased a travel trailer that weighed about 7,000 lbs loaded. The Titan did pull the trailer, but I could tell it was putting signficant strain on the engine and transmission. I had a lot of problems with the transmission going up to hot (trans gage comes with big tow package) going up slight grades and trying to maintain 55 mph. I could tell by the sound of the truck that hauling this trailer was not good for it. After I got back from a recent trip, I heard a buzzing noise coming from the rear, took it in and had to get the rear differential replaced (under warranty). Don't know if towing had anything to do with it, but I'm suspicious it did. The bottom line, 1/2 ton trucks (don't care who makes it), are not made to pull trailers of that size, hence the name light duty.

I think the Titan is a great 1/2 ton truck. I thoroughly enjoyed mine. However, I had to trade it and get a heavy duty because of the RV. Only having it for a year, I was upside down and took a bit of a bath on the trade in. I hated to trade it too, because it served me well (other than towing).

Just wanted to pass this along to any RV enthusiast that are looking at the Titan. I think up to 5,000 lbs (ultra-light RV), the Titan would do great. After that, I would be a bit suspect. 7,000 lbs and up, I don't believe it is a long term viable option.

I'm not trying to discount your experience but my travel trailer weighs 7,480-lbs empty, so its probably right at 8000-lbs loaded. So far I have had no problems with the drivetrain (or anything else for that matter) while towing. I think the suspension is too soft but everything else has been great.

travism · 06-16-2005, 08:36 AM

I agree that maybe you just got a truck with some problems that only came out when you started towing. But maybe not. The only time I've had the tranny temp gauge go above normal is when I accidently tried to tow in 5th, but then put it in 4th and no problems since then. You didn't say whether you were towing in 4th or 5th, but that could account for the lack of power in the hills and high temps. That and switching to a synthetic lube in the rear differential and I have complete confidence towing my 7,200 lb boat and trailer with this truck, but I tow relatively short distances. A heavy duty will always tow better, but I still have more confidence in my Titan over any other 1/2 ton.