Did I Buy Enough Truck?

jeffs8269 · 03-18-2005, 11:12 AM

I am new to RV'ing and the "truck world". Though I knew I would be approaching max. weight ratings I purchased a 2004 Nissan Titan 2x4 with tow package in anticipation of a TT purchase. My truck is more for personal transportation than towing. We will camp 1-2 weekends per month at destinations that are less than 200 miles from home (non-mountains). Would like to do longer trips to more distant locations in the future. Anyway, purchased the TT that I really wanted, hitched it all up (Hensley Arrow) and got my setup weighed at a truck stop. The Titan does well but seems to "strain" a bit (not the mechanical type so my best description of what I "feel" when towing). As I am new to towing it might be premature for me to form opinions as I don't really know what I should "feel" when towing. Anyway, I'm looking for input as to whether I should consider a 3/4 ton (or more) after it's all said and done. Though I love the Titan for fun driving I don't want to kill it and I sure want to be safe while towing. Here are my numbers, etc. All weights are wet (full fuel, loaded, hitched, all passengers)

Weight Rating Actual Weight
Truck 6,400 6,420
Trailer 9,245 8,340
Truck + Trailer 14,600 13,980

Trailer is 31' Carriage Compass TT.

No sig. mods to truck. Did add air springs to back and synthetic fluids throughout.

So bottom line is I am a bit over GVWR and close to CGVWR.

Thanks for the input.

kvoman · 03-18-2005, 11:44 AM

I'm no expert on towing but that sounds like a pretty heavy load and may be a heavy duty (or super duty) diesel would meet your needs more adequately?

I wouldn't do anything drastic now like trading it in but just use it and see how it handles longer distances, keeping your eyes on the transmission temp gauges, brakes, etc.

akangl · 03-18-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffs8269

I am new to RV'ing and the "truck world". Though I knew I would be approaching max. weight ratings I purchased a 2004 Nissan Titan 2x4 with tow package in anticipation of a TT purchase. My truck is more for personal transportation than towing. We will camp 1-2 weekends per month at destinations that are less than 200 miles from home (non-mountains). Would like to do longer trips to more distant locations in the future. Anyway, purchased the TT that I really wanted, hitched it all up (Hensley Arrow) and got my setup weighed at a truck stop. The Titan does well but seems to "strain" a bit (not the mechanical type so my best description of what I "feel" when towing). As I am new to towing it might be premature for me to form opinions as I don't really know what I should "feel" when towing. Anyway, I'm looking for input as to whether I should consider a 3/4 ton (or more) after it's all said and done. Though I love the Titan for fun driving I don't want to kill it and I sure want to be safe while towing. Here are my numbers, etc. All weights are wet (full fuel, loaded, hitched, all passengers)

Weight Rating Actual Weight
Truck 6,400 6,420
Trailer 9,245 8,340
Truck + Trailer 14,600 13,980

Trailer is 31' Carriage Compass TT.

No sig. mods to truck. Did add air springs to back and synthetic fluids throughout.

So bottom line is I am a bit over GVWR and close to CGVWR.

Thanks for the input.

Yeah you are pushing it, the GVWR on that truck should be 6499 unless the 2WD is a lot different than the 4WD version.......that I'm not sure.

The TT we pull has a GVWR of 6200 lbs, dry weight of 4486, and a dry tongue weight of 494. Its 26'6" in total length. That was about as much trailer as I was comfortable putting behind a 1/2 ton truck.

Check out the forums at rv.net and see what they have to say. I think you are definatly pushing it. As a rule of thumb you don't want to be more than 85% of tow capacity and gross combined.

Coeus · 03-18-2005, 12:36 PM

You are at the very upper limit of the Titan's towing capabilities. I think the strain you feel is normal. Remember, you have a heavy load you are trying to move. I tow a 27' travel trailer with a Suburban and I definatly know it's there, especially if I'm bucking a headwind. I can't wait to try my Titan's towing capabilities. Good choice on the Hensley Arrow. I have one and wouldn't tow without it. Happy traveling.

QWIKWHIP · 03-18-2005, 01:13 PM

I would say as the others have. You are pushing the limits a little. You have to remember when you add people, gear. fire wood, etc, you soon find yourself well over the rated limits. I would say if you don't plan on doing any significant towing you will probley be OK. And as for the recommendation about going to the RV sites, be carefull. They have a lot of great info on them but you will find that the majority of them are the 3/4 & 1 ton, big 3 driving, diesel guys that will, and have, torn up any comments or questions about the Titan/Armada. Just beware.

Justintoxicated · 03-18-2005, 01:24 PM

you shoulda bought a smaller trailer!

Definately a nice 250 turbo disel would have been better suited to tow that load. more $$ though but probably better gas mileage.
My Stepday just bought a 7.3 liter Turbo Disel with about 500HP and he gets just over 18mpg! Cost him a bit more, and he dosnet have to deal with heavy traffic and parking as much as I do. + He didn't get 4x4... Different truck for a different purpose.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 03-18-2005, 03:55 PM

I just went through the whole trailer buying thing too. We ended up with a 27.7' Sunline 267-SR slide Room that weighs 6100LBS dry and somewhere over 8000 loaded. Tongue weight is 750LBS.
I personally wouldn't go longer but was told I could depending on the weight. Depending on the truck you have, you should be ok as long as you keep in mind that you're close to capacity, and take it easy. I'm sure the truck will handle it since Nissan claims 9400LB towing capacity and are probably safely under-rating it a tiny bit. If you have a KC, a 5th wheel may have been the way to go.

JefeCinco · 03-18-2005, 04:14 PM

If you weighed the trailer loaded as you will use it you are within limits and should be OK for towing in just about any conditions. OTOH, if your trailer was not loaded for travel you may be in a bind. Weigh the rig again loaded for travel. That'll tell you the story.

As an old time RVer I recommend you go over to the open roads forum at www.motorhomemagazine.com/forums/index.cfm for more informed opinions. You'll find a forum especially for towing issues as well as travel trailer forums.

Butch

Davegvg · 03-18-2005, 07:50 PM

A couple of things-

a. You got some real shorts to be pulling this off without ever having done it before
(good for you)

b. Your marginal at best if those are the real weights (I know)

Is Titan the ideal rig for this NO - Will it pull it off yes- If you do this a couple of times a month - and double/half the change interval for tranny fluid and diff oil and keep synthetic in both + up the viscosity of your engine oil by 10 points.

The second you start lugging at all row the box down manually and keep premium in it when towing.

Go buy a bigger trans cooler and a bigger oil cooler -and the finned aluminum, diff cover. Think of this as saving the money from the Ford Turbo diesel/ dodge cummins and very cheap insurance. Blow this off and your looking at a low miles rig before failure.

This kind of weight - should only be towed regularly with a diesel rig or big block dually.

Remember this is a very capable 1/2 ton- not a 3/4 ton pickup.

Davegvg

04 Titan CC le 4X4 big tow
95 Maxima Stillen blower brakes
21ft Laveycraft sebring tunnel (406 small block 100+ mph)
2 Yamaha banshee stage3/4
Cr-500
24ft weekend warrior
2 segway human transporter
1 96 BMW Z3 (wife car hate it)
Kalamazoo BB4 dual fuel SS grill

jjconroy · 03-18-2005, 08:47 PM

First off, the amounts you gave only give you about 900-1000lbs. between dry weight and max weight. I doubt this very much. Water, supplies, grey tank, food, ect. would quickly surpass this. Also the total weight towing includes the driver and passengers. You are way over. This truck would tow a 4-6+thousand pound trailer, just find with room for water, passengers, and supplies. I wouldn't tell your dealer what your towing.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 03-19-2005, 06:29 AM

Don't forget luggage, personal items etc. My dealer says the average to take into account is roughly 150 LBS per person. So a family of 5 would be 750 LBS. That doesn't include other supplies or water, gas and grey/black water. Just keep that all in mind while towing. You should be ok.

pyromedic · 03-19-2005, 12:30 PM

I'm in the same boat with my truck and my new trailer. I have a 31' Flagstaff that is 5500 dry but, I have no idea how much it really is and I'm not sure I want to know. I've been on 2 trips now over distance of about 550 miles each trip in Florida. I pulls great. I too am new at this but, I had a guy at the RV dealer test drive my truck with the trailer on it and he was impressed with the torque of the Titan off the line. After break in I drove at about 65-70mph and it did fine. I only got about 9-10 mpg on the highway but if I can get behind a tractor trailer the mpg goes up to almost 12mpg. Just leave plenty of room when breaking.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 03-19-2005, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyromedic

I'm in the same boat with my truck and my new trailer. I have a 31' Flagstaff that is 5500 dry but, I have no idea how much it really is and I'm not sure I want to know. I've been on 2 trips now over distance of about 550 miles each trip in Florida. I pulls great. I too am new at this but, I had a guy at the RV dealer test drive my truck with the trailer on it and he was impressed with the torque of the Titan off the line. After break in I drove at about 65-70mph and it did fine. I only got about 9-10 mpg on the highway but if I can get behind a tractor trailer the mpg goes up to almost 12mpg. Just leave plenty of room when breaking.

5500 LBS sounds a bit light for a 31 footer. But my 27.7' Sunline has a slide-out so that may count for the additional 700 LBS or so. But if that's the dry weight, (It's written right on the side of the trailer) your probably in the area of 7000LBS loaded. Again, it's on the trailer side.

Helinut1970 · 03-19-2005, 02:10 PM

I think you should be fine if you have brakes on both axles and a sway bar. I dont think the engine will have a prob. Its stopping the trailer with the sucky Titan brakes. Also you should read further in the manual. It says you shouldnt tow anything with more than a 50 foot square front on it. That just about eleminates ALL Travel trailers, with the exception of folding and collapsable trailers. Good luck.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 03-19-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helinut1970

I think you should be fine if you have brakes on both axles and a sway bar. I dont think the engine will have a prob. Its stopping the trailer with the sucky Titan brakes. Also you should read further in the manual. It says you shouldnt tow anything with more than a 50 foot square front on it. That just about eleminates ALL Travel trailers, with the exception of folding and collapsable trailers. Good luck.

Sucky brakes?..Are you kidding? I mean...I know there have been problems that cause a vibration over time but.....dayuum....they stop the truck on a dime! The "problem" doesn't make the brakes work any less efficiently. Mine are excellent!