XE vs SE Towing question

[keane]

Originally Posted by mtnman

... It sounds like the XE will handle the 4k lb. boat/trailer I have now using a class III setup and a heavier bumper camper if I later add the class IV accessories...

The class III receiver that bolts to the frame of the truck is not the same as the class IV receiver. The class IV is much stronger and that it why you can tow more with it. It isn't the accessories that make the difference between class III & class IV. I had a class III (5000lbs) on my Fronty and a weight distributing platform (this holds the ball) for my 23' TT and the weight dist. accessories were only rated for 5000 lbs.

SO, know you can't install a class III receiver on the truck and then later add the class IV weight distributing system (platform, chains, and steel rods) to get a full class IV system. You must change the receiver bolted to your truck to a class IV.

Hope this helps!

[Farmer Fred]

What parts did you get with that kit?

The receiver itself, 6 bolts, two new relays, 7-pin connector that attaches to the hitch, and instructions. The capped-off harness was already under the rear of the truck, so it took maybe 20 minutes to install.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by keane

The class III receiver that bolts to the frame of the truck is not the same as the class IV receiver. The class IV is much stronger and that it why you can tow more with it. It isn't the accessories that make the difference between class III & class IV. I had a class III (5000lbs) on my Fronty and a weight distributing platform (this holds the ball) for my 23' TT and the weight dist. accessories were only rated for 5000 lbs.

SO, know you can't install a class III receiver on the truck and then later add the class IV weight distributing system (platform, chains, and steel rods) to get a full class IV system. You must change the receiver bolted to your truck to a class IV.

Hope this helps!

The Titan and Armada get class IV hitches. Frontier/Xterra get class III hitches.

[keane]

Originally Posted by Derwud

The Titan and Armada get class IV hitches. Frontier/Xterra get class III hitches.

But he said he was going to buy a class III hitch and then buy class IV accessories to make it class IV. That statement is incorrect. What you are saying is he is going to buy a class IV hitch (receiver) and buy a class III platform to start. Later, he is going to buy a class IV platform setup. My concern is if an aftermarket company makes a class III hitch for the Titan, he could buy it, then buy a class IV platform/distributing setup and he would think he has a class IV setup.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by keane

But he said he was going to buy a class III hitch and then buy class IV accessories to make it class IV. That statement is incorrect. What you are saying is he is going to buy a class IV hitch (receiver) and buy a class III platform to start. Later, he is going to buy a class IV platform setup. My concern is if an aftermarket company makes a class III hitch for the Titan, he could buy it, then buy a class IV platform/distributing setup and he would think he has a class IV setup.

Originally Posted by Farmer Fred

The dealer threw in the Class III factory receiver kit, which was a breeze to install. It even came with two extra relays for towing that I installed under the hood..

The Factory hitch is a class IV.

[Farmer Fred]

The Factory hitch is a class IV.

I'll look again at the instructions to see. It well may be a Class IV.

It was definately a factory part: the box was from Nissan USA, Greenville, SC.

[pciley]

guess I skrued myself... bought a KC XE hoping to get a heavy toy hauler trailer. I did not want the "big tow" because of the different rear-end gear (lower milage) as I won't be towing anything most of the time.
I thought I could slip under the radar without getting all that unsightly chrome stuff and save some money at the same time.

I bought a class IV hitch and the brake controller sub harness.

It sounds like there are different brakes and suspension with the big-tow pkg?
if so I'm gonna have to add a pair of firestone airbags back there just as "helper springs" to level the vehicle. If the brakes are a big issue I suppose a better caliper/rotor combo will have to be looked into. Are they really different?
Hopefully this won't be an issue as any trailer over... 3500 lbs? has brakes of its own.
Are these logical work-arounds? Thanks.

[Gavin]

Big tow also includes a trans cooler, trans temp gauge and different trans shift logic.

[pciley]

Originally Posted by Gavin

Big tow also includes a trans cooler, trans temp gauge and different trans shift logic.

I had purchased a dual pod pillar for some extra guages. I bought a temperature guage that I intended to use for the transmission temp. I have not installed either yet. I'm not sure how accessible the probe is for the transmission temp, or if it even exists on a Titan without BIG TOW. I'm sure the transmission itself is the same, so there has to atleast be a port where the probe will be installed. Hopefully the sensor won't be very expensive.