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Random Quote: I fish better with a lit cigar; some people fish better with talent.
I read some old posts on the Titans. I have one that already has 27k on it and no major problems. Love the truck! My question is, does anyone have any experience towing a larger boat with it (i.e. 26' or so). I'm looking at a used 26' Sailfish which is listed at 3800 w/out engines so another 1000 for those (150s) + trailer and some gear (little fuel as I fill up near the ramp)?
I'm currently towing a 19' Grady with dual axle trailer and it doesn't make a difference to the truck. It is rated for 9400lbs so I just wanted to make sure it's a smooth ride when I'm towing a larger boat to the Keys - all flat driving on 75.
Thanks for the info!
Based on my experience/wisdom, I would bet that the Sailfish 26 is going to weigh between 8500-9500lbs depending on the fuel load. I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear, but....
You need to find someone who has a loaded Sailfish 266/238 that has weighed it on a calibrated scale. Most people are surprised when their "on paper" weight calculation is so far off the actual weight.
If that boat doesn't come out to 9000# I'd be suprised. That leaves 400 pounds for you, your passengers and all gear, before you are "Overloaded" Another big thing people don't account for is wind resistance. The 266 is a 9'6" beam boat and will be very tall with T-top.
Nissan clearly states in their documentation they will void your warranty.
You may love your truck, but when you 8000#, you need to start thinking something in the 250/350 range. Leave the Mickey Mouse trucks at home, ESPECIALLY towing long distances on an Interstate.
He has to use a load leveling hitch to go past 7300ish so that coupled with the fact he is in Florida which requires brakes on all axles and they will be electric to work with the load leveling, he should be fine on braking
Or probably not, but we get in trouble for telling people they need a bigger truck.
If his Titan came with the towing package, then he's got a class V hitch on it. 10,000 lb towing weight, 1,000 lb tongue weight without the need for weight distribution equipment. However, the truck itself is rated to tow 9,400 lbs. So the hitch exceeds the capabilities of the truck. Sarasotaboater, are you sure about that 3,800lb hull weight? That sounds a little light for a boat that size. Also, is your trailer aluminum or steel? There's a big difference in weight between the two. Assuming the hull weight you stated is correct, and your trailer is aluminum, you might be O.K. But I would definitely do as you said and tow with the tanks as near empty as possible. I tow my Seafarer with my Titan and you can't even tell it's back there. I have a galvanized trailer and with full tank of fuel in the boat, I'm estimating I'm towing about 7,000 lbs (but that is based on manufacturers listed weights for each major item, hull, motor, trailer, and 6lbs per gallon of fuel). The Titan has a ton of low end torque. If you look at the torque chart, it produces something like 300 ft lbs just off idle. Max torque is 379 ft lbs from what I recall.
__________________ Grady White SeaFarer 226 w/Yamaha F225 - SOLD
BTW: Load leveling (Weight distributing) is a function of the ball mount and trailer setup, not the receiver. You can put load leveling on a class 1 receiver.
Thanks all for the input. I'll see when I go to look at the boat if I can arrange with the guy to get it to weight facility. Yes I do have the tow package and it is a Class V rigging on it so it does exceed the max weight of the vehicle 9400. I just verified the weight on the website and it is 3800lbs and the guy selling it said it is an aluminum trailer which is several pounds lighter than the steel. I haven't purchased the bought yet, so I haven't made any rash decisions, but I am trying to get feedback from actual experience, anyone? Similar setups, different trucks in the same category, etc?
Brad1 - used to live in the 'Burgh - north hills area, miss this time of year, but not in a couple of months! Go Stillers!
The other question I had was; if some of you think the Nissan can't handle the 26fter than would a 23fter be too heavy as well? The difference between the 2 with engines is probably only 600lbs?
I have a 05 F150 and pull my 24 Hydrasport a very heavy boat for its size on a aluminum bunk trailer with brakes on both axles and have no issues so far. Not going to win any speed contest and one always must be careful but its highly managable. The Nissan engine and drivetrain have earned a quick and very good rep. It I was to bigger I would want a bigger truck. It gets to the point where capabilities aside its a mass on mass thing and I think I am closing in on it. Plan fuel stops accordingly ie. close to launching.
no I meant the 236 and I checked the website, they are 400lbs diffrence.
I just went and I got 4050 (2660) 4150 (2380) vs 3400 (2360) or 650 pounds difference
OK, but the 236 can be had with a single, so that is another 500ish pounds (including battery) Also the 236 holds 50 gallons less fuel, so that is another 300 pounds.
That could be over 1500# difference bewteen the 2 boats.
On a side note, PLEASE don't put too much weight (I made a pun, Ha Ha) on the manufacturers posted numbers. Sailfishs do **Seem** to be "Right" but there are alot out there that measure weight, like Scout measures length.
99.9% of the guys that will tell you the Titan isn't big enough to tow that boat at 3800 dry weight have never owned one, and probably their only experience with it is when they see them on the highway. This comes up about twice a month and I've yet to get an explanation...an actual scientific explanation using actual hard numbers that proves anything but a lot of uninformed 'bigger is better' mentality.
If the trailer has good brakes that are functioning properly, and the Titan likewise is in good shape, the Titan will pull the boat as well as the F250, and I believe every single test shows it will stop it just as fast as well. The Titan comes with 285/70's standard...way bigger than the competitors. With that much rubber on the road it not only hauls balls, but stops on a dime, even with a heavy tow. It's got almost 140" on the wheelbase.
Some specs:
F150 0-60 11.10 empty, 12.52 with half payload
Titan 0-60 9.6 empty, 9.70 with half a payload
F150 1/4 mile EMPTY 18.15 at 78mph
Titan 1/4 mile HALF Payload 17.47 at 81.42 mph
60-0 Braking
F150 Empty 147.59
F150 1/2 full 156.02
Titan Empty 137.19
Titan 1/2 full 143.74
Maybe you do need to get up to the F250 to get the same performance as the Titan
For point of comparison, the Tundra went from 139 to 170 feet in braking with 1/2 a load....which in that particular case would definately indicate you don't want to be towing a big boat with it. The Titan barely flinches with a heavy load.
I also went on the Titan Talk forum where someone is towing a Larson 24 with it in hilly country no problems. I looked on Larson's website and that boat is listed at 5700lbs, so I'm thinking that I would be in good shape. I actually narrowed it down between the F150 and Titan and went with the Titan based on the numbers.
Nissan Titan Towing larger boat 
