Re: [A/S] Re: Tow vehicle for 28' Classic

["Craig Eldridge" <craig_e@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Heather,
The September 2003 issue of Four Wheeler magazine has a test of the 2004 
Nissan Titan King Cab with 5 speed automatic transmission.  The 5.6 
Endurance V-8 engine has 32 valves and is listed at 300 hp at 4,900 rpm and 
375 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm.  It is listed as having a max. towing 
capacity of 9,400 lbs. in 4X4 configuration and an estimated GVWR of 6,788 
lbs. with 3.357 rear end ratio.  This, in my opinion, is a little low 
numerically for towing.  According to those figures, it beats the 5.3 litre 
Chevy engine in all configurations in the 1/2 ton Chevy.

Step up to the Chevy 1500HD crew cab in 2WD 6 1/2 ft. bed with 4 speed 
automatic transmission and you get a 6 litre engine rated at 300 hp at 4,400 
rpm and 360 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.  Max. trailer wt. is 8,200 lbs. 
with the 3.73 ratio and 10,200 lbs. with the 4.10 ratio.  The 4X4 version 
shows max. trailer wt. at 7,900 lbs. with 3.73 and 9,900 lbs. with 4.10 
ratio.  Everyone I have talked to likes the 4.10 rear end ratio with the 6 
litre because it likes to rev.

The Chevy 2500 4X4 extended cab with 6 1/2 ft. bed. shows 8,200 max. trailer 
wt. with 3.73 ratio and 10,200 with the 4.10 ratio.  This is the light 
weight 3/4 ton truck.  Now, step up to the 2500HD 3/4 ton truck (actually a 
single rear wheel one ton truck) with 6 litre engine and you show figures of 
10,300 lbs. max trailer wt. in ext. cab 6 1/2 ft. bed and 10,100 lbs. in 4X4 
configuration, both with 4.10 rear end ratio.  The crew cab 2500HD in 6 1/2 
ft. bed shows 10,100 lbs. in 2WD and 9,800 lbs in 4X4.

It looks like the Titan might be a truck for you if you stayed out of the 
mountains but I would be more inclined to step up to the 2500HD with the 6 
litre engine and 4.10 rear end ratio for a more comfortable safety platform 
with your 28 ft. Classic.  My son works at the Nissan plant in Decherd, TN. 
and he drove a Titan last week and liked it.  I asked him how it compared to 
my 2001 Chevy 2500HD 4X4 with 8.1 litre engine and he said that my truck was 
a lot bigger.