[A/S] Re: Titan Towing - Feedback to

["drerskine2003" <drerskine@xxxxxxx>]

Hi again gang.  Thanks for the replies to my query regarding
towing with a Titan.

Dick and Steve: I was not able to link to the Car and Driver article
but did download the Nissan comparison article. That article had a
lot of good information; and for my desires showed the Titan to be,
by far, the best.  I have previously towed a 4000# sailboat/trailer
[500# hw] for thousands of miles and found a 1/2 ton pickup to be
quite adequate for that weight.  I also towed this with the 3/4 ton,
5.7l van and found it to be a breeze.  So, unless contrary
information becomes available, I will strongly consider the Titan for
the 6000# A/S. Thanks.

Jerry: [who inquired about OBDII scanning of real-time % of
available power]: 
I have a unit which plugs into the vehicle's OBDII connector and
reads out engine parameters on a laptop [or pda]. It is sold by:

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html

It has a logging and display feature which can show/record up to 6
engine parameters in real-time.  One is "% of Available Power"
which has to be a computed value based on engine parameters
which are on the OBDII buss. Another interesting parameter is real-
time mpg.  This also is computed from basic engine parameters. 
Although this mpg reading might not be accurate, it does show
relative mileage, which helps tune one's driving habits for the best
mileage.  Years ago I was taught to optimize mileage by monitoring
a vacuum gauge.  This has stood me in good stead over the years. 
The mpg display reaffirms those lessons.  As I said, I got an
average of 11.5 mpg on a 4000 mile tow. [Texas wind once gave
me only some 8 mpg for one tank!]

Also, there was an interesting article in the October issue of
Motorhome magazine on the horsepower required to ascend a
grade.  I made up a spreadsheet using their formula and am finding
this to be a guide in assessing towing hp needs.  I would be willing
to pass on this spreadsheet if interested; and if someone would take
on the procedure for uploading.

cheers,   David