Tow ratings

[TitanJB]

Hi All,

I have been considering the titan and have a question about the tow ratings. I may be wrong about it, but what increases the tow rating is the lowered final gear ratio right? The big tow package has that, the reciever and the mirrors and a transmission temperature guage in it's package, but is only available on the SE and LE? But you can get an off-road XE that also has the lowered final gear ratio, so does that mean you can get an off-road XE and still have the increased towing capacity? Or is there something more to the BT package that increases the capacity?

I just know that different ratios on the other trucks = different towing capacities, but no where in the brochures (or online, atleast that i saw) do they mention that with the titan. they just mention the tow package increases the capacity, and that it's not available on the XE. Just wondering if this would make a possibly less expensive model with the same increased towing capacity.

Thanks!

-James

[Treebasher]

Hey JB,
That's what we're here for.

BIG TOW PACKAGE

- Receiver hitch
- Lower final gear ratio (3.36:1)
- Additional seven-pin wiring harness plug
- Trailer brake controller pre-wiring on IP
- Transmission temperature gauge
- Extendable tow mirrors
- Heavy-duty battery (710 CCA)
- Vehicle Dynamic Control

I think the use of everything listed gets you to the 9,500 tow capacity. These options are just not offerred on an XE. Not to say an XE with the 3.36:1 ratio can't tow a lot but just not the full amount as an SE or LE with all the big tow options.

[FloridaTitan]

[quote=Treebasher]Hey JB,
That's what we're here for.QUOTE]



JB, Basher is right, these other Titan owners are GREAT people ! Very helpful and fun as well. You'll find lots of info here.

Here is a link to Tow Ratings FAQ that I found interesting. http://www.titantalk.com/forums/show...ht=tow+ratings Welcome to the club

[HudsonValleyTitan]

I have to assume Nissan offers the XE as a cheaper entry edition. Adding features that are normally available on more expensive models would be counterproductive. By the time you added those things, you may as well get the SE.

[Mike Up]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

I have to assume Nissan offers the XE as a cheaper entry edition. Adding features that are normally available on more expensive models would be counterproductive. By the time you added those things, you may as well get the SE.

My Titan was $2000 less than a comparable SE. I didn't want the fluff that includes power adjustable pedal, power seats, illuminated mirrors and the rest of the garbage.

I have power windows, power locks, full security system and 8 speaker, 6 CD stereo. The XE with the preferred package is loaded, just not with luxury items that I consider to be for sissies. I sure don't want to pay for items that I won't use plus the cost will be lost on resale value as values are based primarily off of base models and very small increases for options. I've priced out many models from cars to trucks and upper models usually have the additional options depreciate almost completely. I had an SE Xterra and it's resale value was not even $1000 more than an XE which had none of the 'expensive' options I had. This is of course going by the standard resale value indicator, that being Kelly Blue Book. I know of no owner or dealership that uses any other value indicator other than Kelly Blue Book.

So there are real reasons why many of us have XE trucks, especially configured with Crew Cab, "OFF-Road" (which requires the SE to have the sissy package added ), and preferred package.

Have a good one.

[Mike Up]

The XE is rated for 6500#, the SE for 7500# and LE for 7400#. An SE with the Big Tow is 9500#.

My XE 'mechanically' has all the same features that enables an SE with big tow, to tow 9500#.

I have the higher rear end ratio, 3.36:1. I have tires that have a load capacity higher than the SE and LE tires.

The stock XE, SE, LE have a lower 2.95:1 rear end. The Stock XE has small tires being 245 70R17 compared to the bigger, higher capacity tires of the SE/LE at 265 70R18 or the Off-Road option adding even larger and higher capacity at 285 70R17.

The transmission oil gauge can keep you from killing your trans if it over heats, but only if you pay attention to it. Without the big tow, you don't get that gauge and could over heat you trans without knowing it.

With my configuration, I should be able to tow 7500 safely. Most travel trailers under 30' come under that rating. The tongue weight adding to your gear and passenger weight will likely bring you to GVWR before the towing max is even close. Some hear have said a trailer with a weight of ~6500 is the most you'd want to tow considering the tongue weight, gear, and passengers influencing your GVWR.

If you want to really tow a trailer heavier than that, a 3/4 ton truck may have been the way to go.

Almost forgot to mention, you must use a weight distribution hitch (~$400) to accomplish max tow rating. The weight distribution hitch is recommended for towing over 5000#. The big tow does NOT INCLUDE this weight distribution hitch. Without it, Nissan's standard ball mount hitch is used and it's a class 3, 5000# system. Weight distribution hitch is required to make the entire system class IV which has a rating for 10,000#.

Have a good one.

[TitanJB]

The biggest reason I ask is because even though you would just need the Pop package with bench and the BT, alot of the common configurations i have seen on lots also include other options like the ultility bed package in addition on alot of the 4 x 4s, plus equipment for it like the bedextender and other goodies adding antoher grand. By the time you add in that you got an MSRP nearly of 34k-35k (MSRP of course). With that much spent i could just go for 36k and get the an LE and than have heated leather seats and memory settings for just another grand. BUt if I could configure an XE with just the prefered package and the off-road package I could have a truck with essentially the same tow ability for several thousand less. By my calculations an XE prefered and offroad packaged is still about 1000 less than a SE Big tow pop. captain. So anyways, I'm trying to debate between going all out, or just trying to get by as cheap as I can. I may also end up in a 3/4 ton because we'll be using it to tow a camper, probably 30 foot or so, trying to stay under 7000 lbs on it though. Actually, we have a QX56, which will tow it, and it's because of that I really like the titan, since they are quite similar. But we'd also rather not tear up the QX just for towing. I mean, it is a luxury vehicle. I'd rather tear up something that cost 15-20 k less.

[ptgarcia]

I have the higher rear end ratio, 3.36:1

The stock XE, SE, LE have a lower 2.95:1 rear end.

Just an FYI:

When speaking of gear ratios, numerically higher numbers are referred to as a lower gear ratio. So the 3.36:1 gears are lower than the 2.95:1 gears.

[DallasTitan]

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

Just an FYI:

When speaking of gear ratios, numerically higher numbers are referred to as a lower gear ratio. So the 3.36:1 gears are lower than the 2.95:1 gears.

Good Point!

[PA Titan]

The offroad has the exact ratio as the Big tow, so the tow capacity would be the same. I wanted a SE with Big Tow and ended up with an SE with offroad. The only things missing are those above. The 9500 lbs tow rating is only on one specific configuration. The rest have slightly lower capability because of the weight and design of options. If I remember right my King cab can tow 9300.

[moore101]

Originally Posted by TitanJB

I'd rather tear up something that cost 15-20 k less.

I am glad you like the Titan but your logic is incorrect, purchasing another ~30k truck just for towing so you don't wear your ~50k truck doesn't save you any money. At a minimum you loose about 5k just in depreciation when you drive the Titan off the lot.

But it's your money so have at it!

[Mike Up]

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

Just an FYI:

When speaking of gear ratios, numerically higher numbers are referred to as a lower gear ratio. So the 3.36:1 gears are lower than the 2.95:1 gears.

No, the rear end is a higher ratio, the numbers speak. However the gears are shorter. You can either refer to it has a higher ratio or a shorter gear.

Have a good one.

[TitanJB]

Well it gives me a little more justification =) Plus, the SUV is really my fathers. And i hate the feeling of knowing I'll have to say "Dad I didn't buy a truck that can tow the trailer, can we switch so I can take the camper?"
There are other reasons i'm considering as well, including that I want something that has more passenger room and interior storage space, but I want to stay in a full size truck. and of all the full size trucks, I think I like the titan the best, though I kind of considering getting another tundra, I would not see the point of buying something with a bigger engine that still cannot tow the trailer. I think if i went toyota, I would get a 4runner, and just get the V6, b/c none of the Toyotas can tow a trailer of between 6500-7500 lbs. They can, but, that's near their limit. I'd like to have a good 10% if not 15% of tow capacity left. Infact the guy at the travel trailer place recommended it. He also actually recommended a titan (Partially because a titan literally rolled in right infront of us with a big 28-30 ft 5th wheel trailer on it. But, You are right that... in the end I would spend more just by buying a new truck. But I just fell in love with the titan, so any justification I could have for it is more for me =)

[TitanJB]

I think in the end i'll find myself in a SE King or Crew 4x4 with the big tow. After browsing around the specs, I think that I would definatly like to have the power mirrors which the XE's do not have. Plus those tow mirrors would nearly have to be installed, which I have heard they are like 400 dollars or so, that may not include labor, so after all is said and done, it wouldn't be as big of a price break, i do not think.

Now I think... I just... Think Too much =)

[rdfeatherstone]

Treebasher was right except... that on the 2005 models of the Titan, the big tow package no longer includes the Vehicle Dynamic Control. At least that's what my brochure says.

The receiver hitch is also a Class IV hitch and not a Class III like the normal receiver hitch. Although no one has mentioned it I think the reason that the battery size is increased is to allow additional power to the electric brakes on trailers.

Good luck on your decision.