Towing with a Titan

gnonice · 09-14-2004, 07:41 PM

I am looking to buy a new 04 Titan to pull my 22 foot 4 place covered snowmobile trailer a dozen times or so through the winter months. It weighs approx 4800 lbs loaded, but is 6 feet high, which produces a lot of wind drag @ highway speeds. I know the truck can handle the weight, but how hard am I going to be working it? I now have a 01 Chevy Silverado, HD with a 6.0 liter, and 4:11 gears. It pulls the trailer great, it will downshift up hills, as expected. The reason I'm selling it is it has a constant knock from the engine. The dealer(s) said it is piston slap, and that it is "normal" for it to do this, It may be normal, but I know it isn't right! Called GM customer assistance 8 times, they offered me a 7 year, 75000 warranty on the motor. All I know is if I wanted a truck that sounded like a diesel, I would have bought one! Anyhow, I will never buy a GM again and I worked as a Chevrolet Tech @ a dealer for over 12 years. Soooo, how do they tow? Looking for a honest and unbiased opinion, is it the truck for me? Thanks. Ken F, Buffalo NY.
P.S. My power steering and passenger window stopped working this week, 1 month out of warranty! 34956 miles. Also, gas gauge works when it wants. It's been in for that problem 2 times. Chevrolet, "like a knock"!

O'silent1 · 09-14-2004, 07:54 PM

I tow a 2004 R-vision lightweight expandable travel trailer. It is 3750 dry and 5400 wet. I don't know how tall it is but guaranteed, it is taller than 6 foot. My Titan has the tow package and is 4wheel drive. I have taken two long distance trips with it and the Titan has performed exceptionally well for a V8 half ton truck. I definitely know that weight is back there as it demands my respect but at the same time, it tows it with ease. The only time I can not out accelerate the grade is when it is approaching 6-7% and even then, I can maintain at least 55 (granted no one pulls out in front of me and kills my speed). Most of the time, I am passing other rigs up grades (including the smog bombs) and I'm not having to flog the Titan to accomplish this either. You should have no problem with the kind of load you are talking about - but then again, it is all a matter of personal opinion!
Also, EDIT AFTERTHOUGHT - the only time my Titan has worked really hard was into a pretty stiff headwind between St. Johns, AZ and Flagstaff. I had to lock it into 3rd otherwise it kept shifting a lot and I averaged 7mpg. Usually, I can average 11-12mpg towing.
*Sorry, I never resized the pictures to a smaller format.

PolarisTitan · 09-15-2004, 12:11 PM

Im looking to buy a Titan for the same purpose a sled trailer, I too have an enclosed trailer which weight approxiametly 5500 with 4 sleds (its steel not aluminum), and my fathers Chevy Express conversion van with the v-8, not sure of size, towed it fine, his suburban even better and both of these have LOWER tow ratings then the Titan, Im sure you will be fine. BTW what type of sleds and trailer do you have?

braun04 · 09-15-2004, 12:18 PM

Be sure to get the BIG tow Packg. It makes a big difference

CoachBoone · 09-15-2004, 12:21 PM

I can hardly tell it's back there. Took it from Portland, OR through Idaho, Wyoming to Colorado and back through Utah and Idaho. Only problem we had was rear diff oil got backed, as I did a lot of uphill towing. We switched to synthetic and it's been fine since. My buddy has a new F-150 and tows a smaller trailer and he even says my Titan tows much better.

CoachBoone · 09-15-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braun04

Be sure to get the BIG tow Packg. It makes a big difference

I left that out.......yes, get the big tow package. Know what's funny? My F-150 buddy had to buy those strap-on mirrors because Ford gave him girlie-man mirrors and they have no aftermarket mirrors available. What the heck good is their tow package if you can't see around your load?