Long Term Nissan Titan XD Diesel Update

demiles wrote:

otrfun wrote:

demiles wrote:
In my opinion the GVWR rating is more about safety and long term reliability of the vehicle. How does overloading effect braking distance? Running overloaded all the time certainly would reduce component life and could cause premature failure. An occasional overload I really don't think is a big issue as long as caution is used. Of course the GVWR comes into play when you're talking commercial vehicles but that another story. The NHTSA requires these stickers on vehicles, it's up to the consumer to use common sense which is the problem.

Lets go with your and Jeremiah's line of thinking that payload ratings are only a guideline and not a line in the sand. For the sake of discussion let's exceed it by, say 50 percent . . . very carefully, of course. That would present a payload of 2850 lbs. for your Nissan Cummins.

Ok, let's factor in value along with that 2850 lbs. You said you paid $33k for your Nissan Cummins 4x2. A very good deal; however, the average Joe would probably pay closer to ~$36k.

A '16-'17 Ram 3500 crew cab 4x2 6.7 Cummins can be purchased for about ~$36k. That's roughly 20 percent off MSRP--standard discount pricing at any volume Ram dealer.

So, now we have two trucks that cost approx the same ($36k). Let's place 2850 lbs in the bed of each. The above trim-level Ram 3500 has a realworld payload rating of 4,000 lbs. (not just in a brochure) vs. your Nissan Cummins that supposedly has a payload rating of 1,900 lbs.

For the same $36k spent and 2850 lbs. in the bed, which truck do you think is going to be safer going down the freeway at 75 MPH? Which truck sits on full-floating axles vs. semi-floating axles? Which truck has 245 lb. ft. more torque and at the same time gets equal or better fuel economy? Which truck can still carry another 1,150 lbs. of payload and still be within payload limits? Which truck will probably last longer and be more reliable while carrying that 2,850 lbs? Lastly, which truck offers the best overall ROI for that ~$36k?

You will not buy a 1 ton Ram 6.7 in any configuration for under 45k in my area. You'll be lucky to find anything 3/4 or 1 ton from the big three under 40k. They don't discount that much because they still sell them all day long at higher prices.

Sorry to hear that. As you know, good deals, just like the $33k deal you got on your Nissan Cummins, don't just fall into your lap, ya gotta work for 'em. Same applies to any other truck deal.

MSRP on a base Ram 3500 Crew Cab Cummins 4x2 is approx. $47k. Very sad state of affairs if your local dealer won't discount more than $2k on a $47k truck. Check out prices at Dave Smith and Dennis Dillon in Idaho. They typically discount 20 percent (and more) which will get you this truck for $36k-$37k.

As for me, MSRP on my Ram 3500 4x4 Cummins Crew Cab was $53k. I paid $41k or approx. 22 percent off MSRP. I drove to CA from AZ to get that deal. Local dealer wouldn't go lower than $45.5k.

So, anyhow back to the original point at hand. Based on discounts that are available on both trucks (assuming one takes the time to find them), I'm confident my $36k price comparison is fair and reasonable.