Forum Discussion

redex113's avatar
redex113
Explorer
Mar 17, 2020

Towing 4.6k w/ Nissan Titan vs Dodge Durango

Hi RV.NET Forumers! Just joined the forumns to read and learn. I have the following question.

I live in Portland and plan on renting a TT (4.6k Dry 2018 starcraft avalon, 530 TW). My question is between a 18 Nissan Titan (SL 4x4, 9,200TC) or a 18 Dodge Durango (RT AWD, 7,200) what would be the better choice? I would like to tow it w/ the Durango but how much difference will the Titan make?

The trip is planning on going to south oregon, medford area!

Some factors to consider is
- I am new to towing a camper, but have towed before. (Flat Trailers/Uhauls/etc)
- I would like to take 6 people (700lbs), but the titan only fits 5. Would have to bring a second car or 1 person sit in the trailer.
- I calculate my Cargo+People+TW(dry)+misc @ about 1,400LBs.
- trip is about 300-350 miles each way.

Thanks for your advice and please don't hesitate to school me!!
  • Yosemite_Sam1's avatar
    Yosemite_Sam1
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    The math is to add up the weight of the trailer, passengers and the stuff that you plan to load in the trailer and in the truck.

    Then check it with the rated payload capabilities of the truck.

    The total numbers not he first should be equal or lower than the payload numbers.

    I'll let the experts advise you on the hitch and load dynamics. I'm not participating in that never-ending and hard-to-die and sometimes heated discussions, lol.
  • redex113's avatar
    redex113
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    Nobody can ride in the TT. It is illegal most places, and unsafe everywhere.


    Reading the forums and checking some websites, it's easy to see how dangerous this would be. Totally would never allow my family to be in harms way, definitely no one will be riding the trailer in motion!
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    Bionic Man wrote:
    If you are a "by the numbers" guy, you will need to look at the payload capacity of both vehicles.

    Personally, I would use the Durango (are RTs still Hemi?). First hand experience, they make a good tow vehicle for the weight class you are discussing.


    5 or 6 people in the vehicle, will eat up a lot of the vehicle's payload capacity, leaving very little for the WDH weight and loaded tongue weight.
    I would expect the Titan to have a higher payload capacity.
    OP, you are making a common newbie mistake by focusing on the towing capacity number, instead of the Payload Capacity number. That's the more important number to work with. You'll find the Payload Capacity number on a driver's door yellow sticker. It'll say something like "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs".
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    First off, you are not towing 4.6k. If that is the dry brochure weight you will be closer to 6k lightly loaded with a tongue weight north of 700lbs. I doubt the Durango has the payload for 6 passengers and the tongue weight. The tongue weight will probably exceed the receiver rating too.

    The Titan will do a better job but either way you’ll need to take 2 vehicles with 6 people.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 17, 2020
    "Would have to bring a second car or 1 person sit in the trailer."

    Does any state allow riding in a trailer? And very unsafe.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Mar 17, 2020
    Both will pull it fine. Truck has more suspension and will be an overall better vehicle for the job. Durango might need some serious weight distribution to not be dragging its @ss.
  • Boomerweps's avatar
    Boomerweps
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    At that weight, you'll likely need a weight distributing hitch.
    Of course the truck would likely pull better, but the Durango would be fine. Do you own one or the other now? Is the six person camping only immediate family or includes guests? If buying a new tow vehicle, many 1/2 ton trucks have a front seat semi-bench option.
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    If you are a "by the numbers" guy, you will need to look at the payload capacity of both vehicles.

    Personally, I would use the Durango (are RTs still Hemi?). First hand experience, they make a good tow vehicle for the weight class you are discussing.
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    First off, Welcome to the forum!!!! Lots of good info from a lot of regulars on here. Sure there is the usual badgering, but it's what makes it fun. Plenty of popcorn issues/comments and such.

    While I cannot answer many of your questions, what you really need to know is the max GVW of the RV...NOT the dry weight. That alone will tell you which vehicle would be better5 suited.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2020
    redex113 wrote:
    Hi RV.NET Forumers! Just joined the forumns to read and learn. I have the following question.

    I live in Portland and plan on renting a TT (4.6k Dry 2018 starcraft avalon, 530 TW). My question is between a 18 Nissan Titan (SL 4x4, 9,200TC) or a 18 Dodge Durango (RT AWD, 7,200) what would be the better choice? I would like to tow it w/ the Durango but how much difference will the Titan make?

    The trip is planning on going to south oregon, medford area!

    Some factors to consider is
    - I am new to towing a camper, but have towed before. (Flat Trailers/Uhauls/etc)
    - I would like to take 6 people (700lbs), but the titan only fits 5. Would have to bring a second car or 1 person sit in the trailer.
    - I calculate my Cargo+People+TW(dry)+misc @ about 1,400LBs.
    - trip is about 300-350 miles each way.

    Thanks for your advice and please don't hesitate to school me!!
    Nobody can ride in the TT. It is illegal most places, and unsafe everywhere.

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