I recently completed a trip between Dallas and Wichita pulling a car trailer weighing a little less that 4500 lbs with my 2017 Nissan Titan. 5.6L V8 and 7 speed auto.

The terrain is flat to rolling, with only one "mountain pass". I put "mountain pass" in quotes because it is a 1-2 mile stretch of maybe 3% grade through the Arbuckle Mountains. You guys that live in the mountains would laugh at it.

Overall, the trip went fine, and the truck got over 15 MPGs, which I have never gotten pulling similar loads with a gas or HD diesel motor. Also, although I have a base truck with lots of hard plastic and rubber floor mats, the truck rode very well and is normally quite quiet (but see below). The soft feeling seats were surprisingly comfortable even after 6-7 hours on the road.

But the truck downshifted 20-30 times in 370 miles. Normal cruising at 65 MPH, the truck ran at about 1600-1700 RPM. The downshifts were generally to 1900 or 2200 RPM, but there were numerous shifts to 3000 RPM and one shift to 4000 RPM.

The main issue is that the NASCAR wannabes that buy big honkin' V8s want a loud muffler, and Nissan delivers. While the truck was pleasantly quiet at 1700 RPMs, the downshifts and RPM rise to 3000 opened up the Lake pipes and produced a roar loud enough to wake my sleeping wife.

While I know that 3000 RPM or even 4000 RPM is nothing to these modern engines, I was raised on engines with 4000 RPM redlines. I don't like listening to the engine screaming like a banshee.

I made two similar trips last year. One was with my 2017 Expy with the 3.5L EB. With a similar load on the same route, it had to downshift only a few times, and with a quiet muffle, with a lot less fanfare. Credit the max torque coming on at less than 2000 RPM as opposed to 4000 RPM in the Titan.

The other trip was on the same route with my 2016 F250 PS (since sold) pulling about 6000 lbs. I do not recall the tranny downshifting at all.

Guys, I am a set it and forget it kind of person. I want to put the cruise on 65 MPH, lean back and relax. I do not want all the drama.

I occasionally pull 11k-12k lbs so I need to replace my F250 at some point. I was going to go with a gasser as the big pulls are, at best, once or twice a year and I did not see the need to spend big bucks to get a diesel. But I want my torque at 1700 RPM, not 4000. I want to put the truck into double overdrive and let the engine loaf along, not wail at 3000-4000 RPM.

So I have come full circle and will be back in a diesel.

 

I agree. This is a solid mindset that helps push people towards duallys with marginal 5th wheel weights, and even pushes people into F650 territory pulling monster toy haulers or racing trailers. It might cost more, it might be a little less easy to park, but at the end of the day there aren't a ton of ways to get that "easy miles on the interstate" feeling other than buying excess capacity. If downshifts and high RPMs cause stress... just because there's "nothing wrong" with the engine doing doesn't mean it's enjoyable. This is why my retired dad pulls a little single axle camper with a diesel, he has less stress and feels better when he gets to the destination than if he were pulling it with his old Expedition or Bronco.

 

Good choice. I just pulled our 12k pound toy hauler through the grapevine, it held 6th the entire way up at 65mph (it mightve hit 5th, but I honestly didnt notice if it did) and the even better part, on the backside the auto exhaust brake held it at 65mph without me touching the brakes. I did an 8 hour drive and I've never felt so refreshed and ready to rock as I did after that pull. Its really amazing the amount of stress it takes away when you just dont have to worry about anything and can focus on just driving. Plus, 935 lbs of torque is amazing when you really need it.

 

I recently pulled a 9500 to 10000 lb rv from South Texas to North Iowa with my 01 F350 and the 7.3. I have to say that my biggest concern in the whole trip was EGT and how hot the exhaust was getting. I could set the thing at 60 and pull all day with little to no issue. Once I was north of Oklahoma, I could pull at 70 mph and run about 1100 to 1150 on EGT. Get south of Kansas and had to back down to 65 and even 60 at times to keep the EGTs from climbing into the 1300-1400 range. I am not worried about pulling a camper with this truck, and at 300k miles it has done a good job to this point. I plan on buying a new camper and using this truck for all the pulls. I do not anticipate changing from this truck for a very long time. If anything, I will have the interior updated by an interior shop. I absolutely love they way this truck pulls and the way it rides. If I had to get another truck, it would definitely be a diesel. I have other vehicles that I can drive when I do not need the truck.

Ted

 

You would hate towing with a F250 with the 6.2 gas engine Constant downshifts, even with 6th locked out. The engine is screaming most of the time, seeing 5800 rpm's is common, not unusual. This is towing more weight than you were, but never over 9500 pounds. .13 F250 4wd, regular cab, long bed.

 

Yes. Yes I would.

The old Ram and Ford V-10s were not very fuel efficient, but they produced their torque below 3000 RPM. Great for towing.

I am anxiously awaiting the new 7L motors from both Ford and Ram. No word on their output nor what their applications will be. But I am hoping for torque approaching 500 and appearing below 3000 RPM.

And GM has to do something with that old as the hills 6.0L, don't they?

 

 

I'm a big fan of more truck than needed. A PS diesel pulling 7k loaded doesn't know it is towing anything.
Our 6.2L gasser pulls our 9k loaded trailer easily enough, so you should nearly need to be awakened upon arrival. LOL..
Griz

 

jschira, I came out of a 2007 Nissan Titan with the 5.6L V8, so I know what you're talking about. I was soooo tired of having to manage the transmission when towing.

I will say that replacing the OEM exhaust manifolds with long tube headers allowed the engine to work more with the transmission not downshifting quite as much. But that's at least a $1,500 change that will likely cost $2,000 as you don't like the louder exhaust. My Titan was a lot of fun (except for towing) and it was the most reliable vehicle I had ever owned.

My 6.7L is much easier to drive. I point it uphill and it just goes. It's also quiet, which I really like.

 

I towed a 32' livestock trailer that weighed 13-14k and it stayed in 6th the whole way other than shifting to 5th on a hill. I didn't travel very far, probably only 30 miles but it did a very good job. 2017 F250 ccsb 6.2 with 4.30's.

 

Same here. 17 F250 cclb 4x4 4.30 gears 6.2. 65mph pulling 10k Travel trailer 38ft. Long. Lowest gear seen on big hills is 3rd or 4th gear and 3400 rpm. Right at peak torque for the new 6.2. Other than that 5th gear at 2500 or 6th gear pulling 2200 rpm there about. Definitely. Not screaming.

 

Like I said, if numerous shifts and running along at 3000+ RPM does not bother you, then you have the correct truck.

But I don't like it. And I really don't care that you do.

Sorry if I insulted your truck. It was nothing personal.

 

How is your mpg while towing? Are you pulling a 5th wheel or bumper pull? I am thinking of a 6.2 and probably won't pull over 10k and it won't be a daily driver except range days and moto days.
Thanks,
Steve

 

No more need said on the subject.....

 

I pull in the Rocky Mountains and it's a rare trip that doesn't involve going over at least one mountain pass over 10,000' elevation. Ready to roll, my bumper pull toy hauler weighs in a bit over 10K without water. 11K with water. I get around 9.5 MPG. The 48 gallon OEM fuel tank is very much appreciated.