Help me Justify my New Titan!

[Nismoaddict]

I am looking at a 2008 Titan SE CC Long Bed, Love the truck, but I have to do the research first. You know the stuff that you can use to justify things to yourself and the wife. My lease is ending on my F150.
I am looking for anyone who has experience with the F150 or Titan to chime in on this one.

I currently have a 2006 F150,4WD 5.4, Edge programer and supersprings load assist springs. I tow a Laredo 29rl fifth wheel weighing in at 8000# dry including a tounge weight of about 1500#. I do not carry cargo in the truck other than my wife and 4 yr old daughter. The 150 with the programmer and helper springs tows this combo beautifully, I live in MI and have taken it to Maine and down to TN with no problems except an Temp Warning on the hills of the Penn. Turnpike.
Both the Titan and F150 have almost identical towing and payload specs, and I know I am nearing if not slightly surpassing them. I understand the concepts of UVW and GVWR, etc.

My question is this, Since the vehicles have almost identical specs with the Nissan winning on HP & Tourqe, Can I expect the Nissan to pull as well as the F150 if I add springs? And will the Nissan actually carry the same payload since the specs are within 40lbs of the Ford? Also, I am concerned that the Rear axle and Tranny may not be as "heavy duty" as the 150.

Thanks for any experience you can provide, I have to make a decision within two weeks. Oh yea, I should mention I can get a fully loaded Nissan SE for less than my "A" plan 150. Sad but true. Please no bashing.

[Kronos1965]

Originally Posted by Nismoaddict

I am looking at a 2008 Titan SE CC Long Bed, Love the truck, but I have to do the research first. You know the stuff that you can use to justify things to yourself and the wife. My lease is ending on my F150.
I am looking for anyone who has experience with the F150 or Titan to chime in on this one.

I currently have a 2006 F150,4WD 5.4, Edge programer and supersprings load assist springs. I tow a Laredo 29rl fifth wheel weighing in at 8000# dry including a tounge weight of about 1500#. I do not carry cargo in the truck other than my wife and 4 yr old daughter. The 150 with the programmer and helper springs tows this combo beautifully, I live in MI and have taken it to Maine and down to TN with no problems except an Temp Warning on the hills of the Penn. Turnpike.
Both the Titan and F150 have almost identical towing and payload specs, and I know I am nearing if not slightly surpassing them. I understand the concepts of UVW and GVWR, etc.

My question is this, Since the vehicles have almost identical specs with the Nissan winning on HP & Tourqe, Can I expect the Nissan to pull as well as the F150 if I add springs? And will the Nissan actually carry the same payload since the specs are within 40lbs of the Ford? Also, I am concerned that the Rear axle and Tranny may not be as "heavy duty" as the 150.

Thanks for any experience you can provide, I have to make a decision within two weeks. Oh yea, I should mention I can get a fully loaded Nissan SE for less than my "A" plan 150. Sad but true. Please no bashing.

No bashing! I like the Ford and it sounds like you have a good one. (I'm from Grand Rapids/Traverse City, myself!)

The redesign of the rear differential occurred with the 07-08 models as well as bigger brakes and rotors.

Transmissions have not gone out on the Titan.

If you need to add springs, you can expect to pull what you pulled with your F150. If you were comparing to an F250, I would say keep your current vehicle.

Let us know what you get!

[Bullwinkle]

You're better off with a 3/4 ton.

[Clancy]

HudsonValley tows a 5er in that range (maybe longer) - he's on his second titan. I'm sure he'll chime in here soon and tell you to do it.

Edit: Opps - not a 5er - just a regular tt. All 32' of it.

[Derwud]

Get the long bed and have fun!!

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by Nismoaddict

I am looking at a 2008 Titan SE CC Long Bed, Love the truck, but I have to do the research first. You know the stuff that you can use to justify things to yourself and the wife. My lease is ending on my F150.
I am looking for anyone who has experience with the F150 or Titan to chime in on this one.

I currently have a 2006 F150,4WD 5.4, Edge programer and supersprings load assist springs. I tow a Laredo 29rl fifth wheel weighing in at 8000# dry including a tounge weight of about 1500#. I do not carry cargo in the truck other than my wife and 4 yr old daughter. The 150 with the programmer and helper springs tows this combo beautifully, I live in MI and have taken it to Maine and down to TN with no problems except an Temp Warning on the hills of the Penn. Turnpike.
Both the Titan and F150 have almost identical towing and payload specs, and I know I am nearing if not slightly surpassing them. I understand the concepts of UVW and GVWR, etc.

My question is this, Since the vehicles have almost identical specs with the Nissan winning on HP & Tourqe, Can I expect the Nissan to pull as well as the F150 if I add springs? And will the Nissan actually carry the same payload since the specs are within 40lbs of the Ford? Also, I am concerned that the Rear axle and Tranny may not be as "heavy duty" as the 150.

Thanks for any experience you can provide, I have to make a decision within two weeks. Oh yea, I should mention I can get a fully loaded Nissan SE for less than my "A" plan 150. Sad but true. Please no bashing.

I have no 5th wheel experience with Titans but I do tow a 32', 8200LB TT and I'm now doing it with a new LWB 08 PRO-4X. You won't beat the Titans tranny and engine. The new 08 has a beefed up rear axle and leaf springs now with more payload....more than enough for what you'll be towing. I can almost assure you that you'll be amazed at how the Titan tows. Engine cooling has never been an issue, even while towing in 90+ degree heat on hills. Your 06 F150s frame also isn't the fully boxed ladder frame Nissan uses so I think you're going to find a much stronger platform to start with.

[mick3643]

Originally Posted by Nismoaddict

I am looking at a 2008 Titan SE CC Long Bed, Love the truck, but I have to do the research first. You know the stuff that you can use to justify things to yourself and the wife. My lease is ending on my F150.
I am looking for anyone who has experience with the F150 or Titan to chime in on this one.

I currently have a 2006 F150,4WD 5.4, Edge programer and supersprings load assist springs. I tow a Laredo 29rl fifth wheel weighing in at 8000# dry including a tounge weight of about 1500#. I do not carry cargo in the truck other than my wife and 4 yr old daughter. The 150 with the programmer and helper springs tows this combo beautifully, I live in MI and have taken it to Maine and down to TN with no problems except an Temp Warning on the hills of the Penn. Turnpike.
Both the Titan and F150 have almost identical towing and payload specs, and I know I am nearing if not slightly surpassing them. I understand the concepts of UVW and GVWR, etc.

My question is this, Since the vehicles have almost identical specs with the Nissan winning on HP & Tourqe, Can I expect the Nissan to pull as well as the F150 if I add springs? And will the Nissan actually carry the same payload since the specs are within 40lbs of the Ford? Also, I am concerned that the Rear axle and Tranny may not be as "heavy duty" as the 150.

Thanks for any experience you can provide, I have to make a decision within two weeks. Oh yea, I should mention I can get a fully loaded Nissan SE for less than my "A" plan 150. Sad but true. Please no bashing.

My dad pulled a 32' 5th wheel with his 05 non big tow titan with no problems. he did have to add a trans cooler and a extra leaf in the springs but pulled it like a dream. His trailer probobly weights 1000 lbs more than yours. He just traded it off for a 08 long bed with big tow. It should do even better. I pulled it one time with his first truck and was amazed how well it handled even with the wind blowing 35 mph. Btw you'll want to get the big tow option if for no other reason than the big tow mirrors. towing a trailer that size with regular mirrors sucks

[titaninak]

I think the titan can handle it, however sounds like your gonna regret not getting a 3/4 ton diesel. I have grown accustom to ford f-250 diesels. Thats all they have basically on the North slope, they make some reliable towing rigs and trust me if they can make it in months of -60 to -70 degree temps and survive oil worker abuse, it will last forever.
I am not taking away anything from the titan- i have the big tow and i can pull some weight, 4 snow machines on a double axle trailer with full gear, gas, tools, etc... with out any problems but if it were me i would be getting a diesel if i were towing alot. JMO. I pulled about full stack of sheet rock in my bed and on the trailer, not sure what the weight was I was sagging low, the titan handled it like a champ, i was impressed.

[Exocet]

The Titan with a 5 speed tranny will out tow the F-150 with a 4 speed. The Titan's tranny is very well matched to the 5.6L's powerband.

Generally, 1/2 ton trucks are not well suited for towing fifth wheels due to the limited payload. Personally, I wouldn't want to tow a reasonable sized fifth wheel with any truck that doesn't have at least a 2000 lb payload. Things always weigh more than you think. If you haven't already done so, I would get your fifth wheel and truck weighed to determine what the true tongue weight is, especially when loaded up for a camping trip. You might be suprised. I know I was when I weighed my trailer.

The Titan is a very capable tower, but like most 1/2 tons, not necessarily a good hauler.

[Nissanloyalist]

I cannot compare the Titan to the Ford too much as I have never been interested in the 150's. The other truck in my consideration at the time was the Sierra, but then there came TITAN. I have been so impressed with this truck for the last four years. As you can see by my sig I tow a 28' 8000# loaded 5er and the truck handles like a dream. My wife gets mad at me everytime we go camping because I always say the same thing. "I can't believe how well this truck tows". I am sure with either truck you will be happy, but I can almost guarentee you will not be dissapointed with the TITAN!

[Nismoaddict]

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle

You're better off with a 3/4 ton.

Been there, done that. Had a F250 SD CC PSD. Loved it but I am glad I dont have the diesel now!!! $4.50 gallon!!!!!
I know the 3/4 ton would be better but I am trying to be realistic. I only tow about 10% of all the miles on my trucks annually so for the other 90% I would rather have something smaller. Now when I retire and am full time RVing across the USA then I will have a 3/4 diesel.

[Nismoaddict]

Thanks for the input. I am pretty sure I am going to do it! That looks like quite a package you have, and if it tows well, I am sure I will be fine.