2,750-mile (good) trailer-towing experience with our Titan

[Steamguy]

Everyone,

My wife and I have just returned from a 2,750-mile trip with our Titan, and we have some specific comparisons to make with other trips we’ve made while towing our trailer. I’ll post the basics here and if you have a question, please follow up and I’ll try to respond.

As I’ve posted before, we have an Arctic Fox 26J, and it weighs about 6700# fully loaded and ready for a trip. It’s a pretty good-sized brick to be yanking through the air.

This trip was from Washington to Colorado and back, taking the Desert route on the way there and the Wyoming route on the way back. We crossed two mountain ranges, and a series of deserts.

[SIZE=3]Performance[/SIZE]
The Titan is more than the equal of our previous ’01 Dodge 1500 gasser with a 360 (5.9 liter) in it. It had the full-blast towing package with lower-ratio axles front and back, to which we added 3” exhaust, and a K&M air filter. The Titan gets the trailer to 60 at least a full two seconds faster, plus the gas mileage when towing is at least 2 MPG better, with 9/10 on the Dodge in flat-level work, versus 12 with the Titan.

It is faster than the last truck we had which was an ’01 Dodge 3500 Cummins dually stickshift, VanAken box, and Banks exhaust. I had an opportunity to put the Titan and trailer into a ‘drag’ (and boy do I use the term loosely) with a guy with pretty much the same setup as we used to have; his trailer was approximately the same weight, and he had the advantage of the automatic on his truck. By the time I hit 60, he was about 4 lengths behind and losing. I like to tow in unfamiliar country at about 60, so I let off, and let him go roaring by. By way of comparison, I would have never let my diesel rev up like that…

We towed through all weathers and conditions, including tornado warnings: During those, I was going 75 with the Titan and trailer in Wyoming (yes, it’s allowed) and had very little trouble with handling, although I thought I might have problems given that this is only a half-ton truck. By the way, even the pros in the semis were going this fast in an effort to get out of the area!

In the desert, we were going 65 with the air conditioner on (100 degrees outside) were nice and cool inside, and experienced no problem with any overheating even though this truck is not a true Big Tow truck with the two fans. In Colorado, we climbed to the summit at Vail, roaring along with traffic at about 30 MPH. And no gas ping, even on 85-octane Regular at that altitude. (It’s been years since we had visited anywhere that high, so we were surprised by the lowering of octane. We mistakenly put in mid-grade a couple of times before we checked the Owner’s Manual.)

We had a mileage range of from 12 or better going about 60 MPH with the wind in the Columbia Gorge, and at about 65 in the desert on flat ground, to 7 on the way back, going 60+ with at least 40 MPH headwinds.

The software for Tow Mode does need some tweaking. I ended up just setting the cruise so that the truck would hit third gear and hang at about 3300 RPM, and just hold speed there. More on this in a second. In the meantime, I hope that the engine is rated for this kind of duty. I’m used to the older, slower-turning motors, and this is more than a little uncomfortable.

[SIZE=3]Handling[/SIZE]
The Titan is the equal of any tow vehicle out there in its class, including several in a class or two above. It is up to the task of driving into heavy crosswinds and can handle them easily without white-knuckle time on the wheel. I have a Reese Twin Cam setup and unhesitatingly recommend that, versus those little tinker-toy brake devices. I found the Titan’s ability to turn sharply to be an advantage more than once when I was maneuvering. This truck lets me three-point with ease.

[SIZE=3]Comfort[/SIZE]
No unusual problems. The seat adjustments allowed for enough fiddling to slow down the onset of ‘TB’. I would like to see the A/C cycle on and off so that you could set some level of cooling and still have the engine power.

When the engine is working hard, I suspect that the under hood temps are pretty high. However, with a 65-degree day outside, I shouldn’t have to use the air conditioner to get cool air out of the vents. I suspect that the ductwork itself is getting warmed up from the engine temperature.

[SIZE=3]Gripes[/SIZE]
Nissan, are you listening?

[SIZE=2]What’s needed most above all: [/SIZE]
Change the software in the ‘Tow Mode’!! With my load, and on Cruise control: EVERY time I would hit a hill, the fritzing transmission would shift UP instead of DOWN. This HAS to be a bug! The end result is that the tranny shifts to fifth gear instead of fourth or third, and wham, just like that, you lose 10 MPH, while the Cruise Control software is taking its sweet time deciding what to do. Then the tranny shifts to SECOND, and the engine just shrieks up at 5500 for twenty seconds or so until the rig can regain enough speed to allow a shift to THIRD.

It appears that the sample time for the engine and transmission parameters is ‘way, ‘way too short. You should sample over a several-second period, instead of instantaneously.

Barring that, you should instead sample for loss-of-speed, versus which gear you’re in, versus engine RPM. You should not allow a downshift unless the engine is going to hit 3500 RPM, regardless of loss-of-speed. You should also allow a loss of 10 MPH under Cruise Control before a downshift occurs, then shift down ONE gear and wait for several seconds to see if speed stays the same or goes up; then DON’T shift down unless speed continues to decrease over several more seconds! When in Manual Shift mode, you should allow a loss of 15 MPH before dropping out of Cruise Control to allow for grades and driver reaction time.

[SIZE=2]Next thing most needed:[/SIZE]
These d--- brakes need fixing. They are too mushy for towing. It is SCARY to have the pedal go THAT far down when stopping. I don’t give a s--- if they are all this way; this is something that needs to be fixed. I am driving FIVE TONS of truck and trailer, and I want to be the driver, not a passenger! If there is software between the brake pedal and the brakes, then it needs to be fixed to be firmer in Tow Mode. I have to bang the brakes twice every time I want to stop in order to have a firm pedal. Nissan, this is NOT acceptable for towing. I DON’T have the ‘warped rotor’ thing that others have reported; this truck now has almost 10,000 miles on it and these d--- brakes are MUSHY, and the dealer doesn’t know what the h--- to do!
(Sorry about the language in that… but I just spent a week and a half with this problem, and I am still emotional about it.)

[SIZE=2]The last gripe[/SIZE]
The indicators in the controls are dim – too dim to see in bright sunlight. The dash indicators for gear range are annoyingly dim and invisible with sunglasses on in bright sunlight. Living in Washington State, I didn’t understand the complaints from folks from Texas about this. After spending time in Colorado, now I do. You can’t tell if the Tow Mode lamp is on unless you shade it. Trying to see if the AC is clicked on is nearly impossible. And WHY are the indicators for the Cruise SUCH a BRIGHT GREEN when everything else is SO dim!!


[SIZE=3]All in all[/SIZE]
This was a good experience with this truck. We got there and back with confidence and comfort, and even though I’m ready for a soft bed, I’m not going to be ready to trade my Titan for anything else for a LONG time. Although I am posting my gripes with the truck, really, this truck is the equal or better than I have driven in a long time. I would encourage the reader to not give these gripes much weight in comparison with all the very good qualities that this truck has in its favor.

Nissan has done a great job with this truck, and once the one or two hardware and software tweaks get done, it’s going to be the best pickup I’ve ever owned. And I’ve owned a LOT of pickup trucks.


This truck is easily better than my half-ton Ram, and is the equal of my diesel. And boy does it handle better! When Nissan (Datsun) first came into the US with its little truck, I fell in love with the power and the handling of it. It was like a sports car that could carry a load. Nissan has continued the tradition right here with the Titan. But then, I'm preaching to the choir...

Nissan, if you’re listening, you have nearly perfectly hit the spot with this truck. Just a few tweaks and you will have a sure winner. And to heck with Motor Trend for being blind to a better truck! I would NOT try this with a Ford!

[Austin]

Thanks for the awesome report!

Try towing in 4th gear - out of Drive - then there's no chance of shifting to 5th gear.

Have you bled your brakes?

[pyromedic]

Great report! I love to hear the tow stories. I haven't bought my Titan yet ( waiting for 05' ) I'm a little nervous about towing with our soon to be travel trailer but, after a report like that just makes me feel alot better. Keep up the stories and thanks for spending the time to give us the info.

[cttitan]

Thanks for the report. I'm leaving on Friday for a month long trip around the good ole USA. Going from CT down south to NM then over to CA then up to Yellowstone, Glacier, Rushmore and back home.

Figure we will be doing about 8,000 miles towing our Rockwood 2306 TT. I think it will be about 5000# fully loaded. I spent the last two weeks lifting the trailer up 3" and putting bigger tires on it instead of getting a much longer drop shank. It seems to be a perfect fit now with the Titan and I'm ready to go.

The observations you have made will help me out. I'll let you all know how I make out.

[White Titan]

[[SIZE=2]What’s needed most above all: [/SIZE]
Change the software in the ‘Tow Mode’!! With my load, and on Cruise control: EVERY time I would hit a hill, the fritzing transmission would shift UP instead of DOWN.

I haven't experienced this problem. The truck tears up an 8% grade towing 4500 lbs. I drive in 4th without cruise - maybe the bug in the software is related to cruise or OD?

[SIZE=2]Next thing most needed:[/SIZE]
These d--- brakes need fixing. They are too mushy for towing. It is SCARY to have the pedal go THAT far down when stopping.

AMEN.

[Steamguy]

Originally Posted by White Titan

[[SIZE=2]What’s needed most above all: [/SIZE]
Change the software in the ‘Tow Mode’!! With my load, and on Cruise control: EVERY time I would hit a hill, the fritzing transmission would shift UP instead of DOWN.

I haven't experienced this problem. The truck tears up an 8% grade towing 4500 lbs. I drive in 4th without cruise - maybe the bug in the software is related to cruise or OD?

[SIZE=2]Next thing most needed:[/SIZE]
These d--- brakes need fixing. They are too mushy for towing. It is SCARY to have the pedal go THAT far down when stopping.

AMEN.

White,

The bug is when the Cruise is ON. Everything works better than everybody else's truck when the Cruise is OFF. And yeah-hey: we went up that long 8% grade up in Vail, Colorado (at what, 8,700 feet? something like that) towing the trailer with the gas to the floor, and NO problem!

[Steamguy]

Originally Posted by pyromedic

Great report! I love to hear the tow stories. I haven't bought my Titan yet ( waiting for 05' ) I'm a little nervous about towing with our soon to be travel trailer but, after a report like that just makes me feel alot better. Keep up the stories and thanks for spending the time to give us the info.

Pyro,

You'll have no trouble at all. I had an '01 Ram with a 360, and you'll not only get better gas mileage but you will be amazed at the difference in the power. Just make sure to use a decent sway-cancelling system, and a good brake controller.

[Big Platinum]

good detailed report, by the way, nissan states not to tow in cruise (probably for saftey reasons), and to only use tow/haul mode when towing heavy, i think 2/3 max rating, putting you right on the border. also with 5 gears, might try leaving it in 4th, i think everyone is having good performance towing in 4th.

keep updated.

[bluesun]

If your brakes are seriously mushy you might have boiled the fluid on a long hill. They will never regain their feel until you drain all the fluid out and bleed ALL the calipers. Not sure on the titan, but in other cars there is a caliper on the back of the rotor. All old fluid and gas has to be gotten out or you won't get that feel back. I'm picking up a new trailer on Wednesday (hopefully), sure hope things go smoothly....have a Hensley hitch, Prodigy brake controller, and 7,000 lbs empty and dry....

[MilesTeg]

Hey Big Platinum. Where did you read about having the 'Tow Mode' on only with heavy loads? I could'nt find anything in the owners manual. My boat only weighs about 2000lbs and I was wondering if I should use the tow mode or not.
Thanks

[mktgway]

Great report, thanks! I just brought my 26' 5th wheel camper home last week and I agree. This truck pulls the living s--- out of it! 6000 LBS like it's not even there! Agree on brake thing though, let's hope something is in the making.

[Big Platinum]

hey miles, i honestly don't remember, think it was in one of the manuals. i for sure saw it though, it said it won't hurt anything to use it, just not necessary (it will waste a little gas i guess). 2000 lbs is nothing for this truck and the tow mode can be annoying sometimes, try both ways and see what feels best.

[titansurveyor]

[quote] These d--- brakes need fixing. They are too mushy for towing. It is SCARY to have the pedal go THAT far down when stopping. I don’t give a s--- if they are all this way; this is something that needs to be fixed.[quote]

Probably my biggest complaint also, I learned to adjust my brake controller to have the trailer stop the truck a little more. This is how it should be done anyways. That's why there are brakes on the trailers.


Great report Steamguy,

I wish my experiences were as good as yours! Glad you like the truck. I am a little nervous to tow with mine again but I will be trying it out again next weekend.

Brian

[althepa]

Having towed almost more than regular driving since I've had this beast...as previously suggested, tow in 4th (just hit the manual shift button - it caps your max gear at 4th). It'll perhaps save your trans some wear, and the truck definitely feels happier that way when in tow mode.

I agree, the indicator lamps throughout the dash are a bit dim for bright conditions; with sunglasses on, I can't tell if the truck is in tow mode or not, for example.

My brakes are less hard in feel than my cars, but I haven't noticed it correlating with an actual lack of braking ability - it just FEELS to my foot like the brakes are weak. It stops with a trailer better than the last 3 tow vehicles I've had, I never feel like I'm being pushed through an intersection.

[Steamguy]

Originally Posted by althepa

Having towed almost more than regular driving since I've had this beast...as previously suggested, tow in 4th (just hit the manual shift button - it caps your max gear at 4th). It'll perhaps save your trans some wear, and the truck definitely feels happier that way when in tow mode.

I agree, the indicator lamps throughout the dash are a bit dim for bright conditions; with sunglasses on, I can't tell if the truck is in tow mode or not, for example.

My brakes are less hard in feel than my cars, but I haven't noticed it correlating with an actual lack of braking ability - it just FEELS to my foot like the brakes are weak. It stops with a trailer better than the last 3 tow vehicles I've had, I never feel like I'm being pushed through an intersection.

Althepa,

I agree on the brakes. It just feels like the pedal is going too far down. And with all four wheels being disk brakes, it DOES stop better than a couple of tow vehicles I've had. Like you, I have the trailer brakes dialed in to be just a touch aggressive, making sure that they do their share of the work.

A fix that I've come up with in the meantime: when braking, HIT, and I mean really bang, the brake for that first inch or so. That seems to make the booster 'wake up' sooner in the pedal stroke so you get a much, much firmer pedal. This also works well for non-towing braking.

The truck and trailer stop nice and linear, good matching effort from both systems. This truck stops the trailer well, I agree, and your comment about not getting shoved into an intersection is right on point.

People who are reading this thread about towing need to know that the Titan is better than most of the other trucks out there for the ability to handle a towing load; meaning starting and stopping it, and including handling it in crosswinds. I've towed with a lot of different trucks, and this Titan so far is at the top of the heap. But my words still stand about two things: you HAVE to have sway-cancelling devices (a Reese twin-cam at least) and a good brake controller (you'll not go wrong with a Prodigy); especially if you're going to tow something heavy.

On the trans thing, I think you guys are right. The bug in the Cruise/Shift routine doesn't bother as long as the trans is in Manual mode. We'll just run it in manual mode, set to 4th in the more hilly areas. 3300 RPM is our friend....