Upgrades to Half Ton

[rbreier]

I have a fairly bare bones 2011 Nissan Titan with a tow package. I pull a 31 foot ultra lite. The dry weight is about 7800 but the total length it 36 feet. My total length connected (with an equalizer hitch) is 58 feet from the front of m truck to the spare on my camper.

I know there are people who will say "You can't tow that!" but the camper sits nice and level on the truck it pulls pretty well and I have enough power. Sometimes I don't like the way the wind blows, and on occasion, I come across a hill that I would rather not have to climb, but my little Titan gets us where we want to go.

Obviously, I have considered getting a bigger truck. But I drive this to work every day and the mileage is tolerable to me. So I am considering some upgrades to keep a little wobble out and protect my suspension and transmission.

What are some effective, and reasonably priced options to help my truck out. I have considered getting a set of air helpers and I have read a little about towing computer chips to better shift and set air fuel ratio.

Any input would be appreciated.

[2Evil4U]

Bilstein 5100 shocks.

[Jeff_and_Abby]

Your towing package probably included a transmission cooler (separate radiator for tranny fluid.) If the factory / dealer did NOT disconnect the "normal" tranny fluid lines from the engine cooling radiator, have them do so. (NOTE this recommendation is for a TOW-centric vehicle and not one that gets lots of non-tow use in cold climate.)
Get a transmission temperature gauge installed. GlowShift makes a particularly nice digital one.
HEAT is the DEADLY Enemy of your transmission.
We recommend the Derale Transmission cooling pans, or equivalent ... they add more fluid and provide a passive cooling capability as well.
You said you already have the equalizer hitch (sway/torsion bars) so you are gold there. If you are not sagging from the tongue weight, then ... "Excellent."

[Seachaser186]

Look into the Supersprings, they also help with rear end sway

[stevejahr]

Ignoring basic overload breakage possibilities...

Have you weighed your combination? Compared the rear axle weight with your vehicle's rear axle gross weight rating?

Having done just this myself and found myself a couple hundred over I find your question very interesting.

A spring will bounce or oscillate at a certain "natural" frequency. As you increase the weight on a spring that natural frequency becomes lower. This is how you get cushy Cadillac suspension. Ever notice how differently your truck rides empty compared to loaded? Empty is jiggly which corresponds to a high natural frequency and loaded is floaty/bouncy which corresponds to a low natural frequency.

So the first step is to increase the spring rate(s) to handle the increased weight and get the natural frequency back up. For leaf springs this could be as simple as adding a leaf. For coil springs it might mean having custom springs wound or finding an interchangable spring with a higher rate.

Once you increase the spring rate you will also need to increase the damping of the shocks to match. Again off the shelf will not work and you are looking for something outside the box. There are shops which can custom calibrate shocks or help you obtain custom calibration.

These options may not be cheap... until you compare them with the cost of a new truck

[GreenImp]

If you don't have them already, you will love a set of LT tires vs the "passenger car" rated tires that many (most, all?) 1/2 ton trucks come with.

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by 2Evil4U

Bilstein 5100 shocks.

X2. Addes those to rear of my 2016 F-150. Solved a host of towing problems. Truck only had 5400 miles. OEM mudt be weak

[donniedu]

Add, add, add. Once your done spending a wad of cash trying to turn a sows ear into a silk purse, you still going to be stuck with an under rated vehicle for the job your asking it to do. Been down this road, believe me its not worth it. At the end of the day you will still have passanger car rear end, wheels, and a light duty frame that is simply not designed to handle what your asking of it. Save your money and either buy a smaller trailer more comparible with your TV. Or trade for a 2500 series gas motor truck.

[BusyRetirees]

Originally Posted by Seachaser186

Look into the Supersprings, they also help with rear end sway

x2

[rsdata]

Load range E tires, when you are ready for an upgrade... don't forget to get metal valve stems installed at the same time...
less flex in the sidewall gives less sway to the rear of the truck...

air them nearly to capacity for towing, then drop 20# or so when driving for a less bumpy ride

[tbln930]

Really an F250doesnt solve the payload problem for even a medium 5er. Think F350 and maybe drw. I have been specing a tv out for a 5er my wife likes but a F250 is outclassed in payload.

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by tbln930

Really an F250doesnt solve the payload problem for even a medium 5er. Think F350 and maybe drw. I have been specing a tv out for a 5er my wife likes but a F250 is outclassed in payload.

That is not true at all, there are many F250 configurations that have over 3000lb payload capacity. The OP is looking for a financially responsible way to get more comfortable pulling his existing unit, I am pretty sure a duallie of any type does not fit that bill.

[tbln930]

Most medium to large 5ers loaded have pin weight near or above 3000. Then there is the hitch, gear, passengers. Weigh it on a Cat scale. My dealer says about 80% of the 250s they weigh with 5ers are over payload.

Most folks have no idea they are way overloaded. You must weigh the rig to know. For 5ers and f250s it is a fact. You may squeak by on a small one. Payload and rear axle max are the problem. Don't take my word on it. Cat scales charge $10.50 for a weigh and allow unlimited reweighs for $2 in 24 hours. Please don't recommend f250s unless a loaded configuration has been weighed and verified. Most by far wont make it on a medium to large 5er. Sorry.

I am looking at a 5er now and will need an f350 duelly to make payload.

[GreenImp]

Originally Posted by tbln930

Really an F250doesnt solve the payload problem for even a medium 5er. Think F350 and maybe drw. I have been specing a tv out for a 5er my wife likes but a F250 is outclassed in payload.

There is some truth to your point, however the OP doesn't have a 5er at all, nor do they express any interest in getting one.

[B and B]

Hello OP,

If you have P or passenger tire fill them to max pressure. Based upon manufacturers specs this can give you an idea if the tire are part of the problem. Then upgrade to LT truck tires. I did this test with my F 150 and my fifth wheel. I figured I was 900 lbs over CCC. This helped a lot.

Let us know how you make out.

[Seachaser186]

When someone starts one of these threads they should state the obvious. "We all know or should know that a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is a more capable towing vehicle than a 1/2 ton; however I am more interested in what improvements I can make to my stock 1/2 ton truck for a better towing experience."

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Seachaser186

When someone starts one of these threads they should state the obvious. "We all know or should know that a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is a more capable towing vehicle than a 1/2 ton; however I am more interested in what improvements I can make to my stock 1/2 ton truck for a better towing experience."

This would take all of the fun out of it.

Bruce

[uhduh camping]

Threw a lot of things at my Titan trying to make it better. Sadly nothing really worked, small improvements yes. Nothing that gave that feeling of comfort. Most people who tow with the Titan have the same question. I just don't think it makes a good TV for TT or 5ers. Personally I am very glad I traded it in. I really enjoy not worrying about everything with the truck. I can enjoy every trip regardless of weather, road conditions, and traffic.

If you are going to stick with Titan change out the gear oil in rear to synthetic oil.

[cphubert]

It is not about pulling but rather stopping it. I you are ever involved in a accident and they find you overloaded with a TT or 5er get ready to see the lawyers line up against you. Trade it and move up find a TV that meets your needs.

[tbln930]

Yes - I finally got my brother-in-law to admit he had a broken spring on his F250 Platinum pulling a 39' Keystone Sprinter 5er after he argued it was enough truck for a year. Actually, his wife made the confession. His loaded pin weight was 3050 even though the empty pin weight advertises 800 lbs. lighter. He only weighed it after he had the problem.

Lawyers love to represent folks suing those towing too heavy of loads or other towing problems that caused accidents and injuries. Swaying is very bad as well.

http://www.marylandinjurylawyer.net/...accidents.html