Looking for real towing experience

[BroncoAZ]

My bad on the gears. Mine is a 4x2, so it's not something in my normal thought process.

Mitch

[CHEIF]

Originally Posted by Learjet

You are towing in 5th with a TT ?

I thought about that too, but he said he tows at 50 mph. That would make a difference. Also is he towing on flat land? that could also make a difference.

He also said he leaves the cruise on. I can't. It loses speed and the cruise kicks off. I also tow my TT in 4th. In tow mode. I shift manually from 4th to third frequently. It's much easier to maintain 65-75 mph on the grades around here by doing that instead of waiting for the downshift.

My trip 2 weeks ago was 120 miles one way. I averaged about 9mpg staying at 67 mph. The trip was not all grades, about half of it had me shifting to 3rd for long grades though.

[CHEIF]

Originally Posted by BroncoAZ

I'd like to know what your "my own big tow" package consisted of. You had an 04 XE, which was only rated to tow 6500 lbs. The 4x4 with larger tires did not help things either. Unless you changed the rear axle gears you can not replicate the factory tow package. I'm sure comparing your Titan's towing with one properly equipped are 2 different animals. Not to say that the 1 ton won't do a better job, but at least make a fair comparison.

Mitch

Hi AZ,

Just some things to consider. With the Offroad Package you do get the tow gears. The tires are bigger, but only about 3 percent more in circumference. 285's will do fine compared to the 18 inch Non-offroad. I have the Nissan class 4 hitch on my '04 with the offroad package. There is no mechanical difference between my truck and one with the Bigtow except for the battery. I don't know why the bigtow wasn't offered on '04 XE's. I'm rating mine for 8500 lbs minimum since all the other trims add 2000 lbs just for having the big tow package, maybe it's more like 9,000, in either case I'm still well below the limit and it tows comfortably. Not disagreeing with you, his truck may have the highway gears which is the biggest component of the big-tow.

Another thing, we've been talking a little about wind resistance. Just cause you have more torque, a bigger truck, and a diesel, does that mean you don't feel the wind resistance? I've never towed with anything but mine, but I bet you still feel it.

[aztitan4x4]

No I do not feel any wind resistance, my new truck just makes towing completely effortless, yes the amount of torque my truck puts out is just amazing. With the titan i had to work the throttle pretty hard just to maintain 65mph on flat highway. I think the biggest upgrade any titan owner can do if they are towing is to upgrade the tires to G or E rated tires. The tires that came on our trucks were "P" passenger rated tires, lots of flex to them when under a load. Not trying to preach about diesels because if I could have kept the titan and got my new truck I surely would have.

BTW My diesel gets only 4 mpg less towing 10k than my titan did empty!!!!!

[BroncoAZ]

I've been trying to decide on tires for towing for a month now. I've narrowed it down to either the 285/65/18 BFG All Terrains or the Goodyear Silentarmor in a 275/70/18. Both are E rated, I figure the goodyears will have less rolling resistance, even though they are slightly taller. The Nitto Terra Grapplers and Toyo open country AT tirea are also available in these sizes, but I've heard they don't last as long. Any thoughts? Whatever I purchase will be D or E rated.

Mitch

[aztitan4x4]

I'm going with the terra grapplers. My brother-inlaw had a set on his duramax and they were excellent and another friend of mine has them on his dodge and he loves them. Haven't heard much about how long they last yet, dont know anyone who actually wore a set out yet.

Yea my bad on the earlier post about G or E, I meant D or E. I do like the Goodyear Silent Armor but I guess it comes down to price. The terra's are a little better value, also the terra's are a little more aggressive tread. That's what i need to get me through the sand down at the dunes. My stock tires got me stuck twice this past weekend......

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by Titan4RV

BTW. Ford increased their tow rating 400# after the Titan was introduced and now another 600# with the new Toyota and GM models coming out. Nobody at Ford will say how they found another 1000# of pulling power without changing the anaeemic 5.4!!

I didn't think anyone else saw or knew about that...

Just so you all know, the limits set on tow capcity are there only for warranty and marketing.... It's easy for Ford to increase tow limits, it's just simple math, Increased warranty claims vs. Increased sales should equal more money for the company, if not, no change...

The only thing I would tell any of you wanting to push the Titan's limits are:
1) Get rid of the P rated tires!
2) Change your fluids at least once a year or every 15K (excluding engine oil, do that every 6 months or 3500 miles)

[DStewart]

My toy hauler weighs at or around 9400 when loaded up and the truck tow's it very well. I do have the airbags in the back which helps to keep it level. On that note, yes the truck can handle towing that kind of weight, my worry is...........for how long. Quite honestly, if I had to do it all over again I would have bought a 3/4 or 1 ton with a big gas or diesel engine. Myself, a v-10 or 8.1 liter doesn't offend me at all. I figure with the price difference between engines I can afford to get a little less fuel mileage for a while. i have been thinking about this a lot lately and unfortunatly my truck value is at the point where I am better off keeping it, getting the use out of it instead of taking the loss. Now I am looking at a little lighter trailer so I can get the most out of the truck's life span.

Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my truck and only think about getting rid of it when I haven't driven it in a long while. I just can't see doing what I do to it towing such large amounts of weight for ever. I should have bought something more suited.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by Derwud

I didn't think anyone else saw or knew about that...

Just so you all know, the limits set on tow capcity are there only for warranty and marketing.... It's easy for Ford to increase tow limits, it's just simple math, Increased warranty claims vs. Increased sales should equal more money for the company, if not, no change...

They also have to get the vehicles re-certified with the NHTSA and USDOT with the higher limits, so it's not quite as simple as just changing the numbers on paper. The sticker on the B-pillar contains certified numbers and are legal limits, not just marketing ones.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by Yahooligan

They also have to get the vehicles re-certified with the NHTSA and USDOT with the higher limits, so it's not quite as simple as just changing the numbers on paper. The sticker on the B-pillar contains certified numbers and are legal limits, not just marketing ones.

Heavy Duty trucks are certified.. Light Duty trucks do not need to be certified as far as I know.

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by Derwud

Heavy Duty trucks are certified.. Light Duty trucks do not need to be certified as far as I know.

They're all certified. Technically speaking, pickups, including 1-ton, are light-duty as far as NHTSA/USDOT is concerned. Medium-duty are box trucks, etc.

The sticker on the B-piller is a certification. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard certification, to be exact, and the numbers on there are certified limits with the govt. Some states will let you re-certify with higher limits if you provide proper documentation of modifications made to allow higher limits.

If the police suspect your vehicle is overloaded judging by, say, the bumper dragging, they can require you to have the vehicle weighed. If you're over the limit...not good.