After another season of abuse, the fifth season of destruction on this current truck, I am thinking about giving the Titan a proper retirement ceremony. Without a single repair issue, this Titan has logged 120K of America's worst miles. It is almost always loaded to the gills and/or towing a cargo trailer or boat. The roads, most often trails, it has traveled are places I often get asked, "How did you get that in here?"
Since Nissan is launching a completely new Titan for 2016, a part of me is thinking I will wait and find a left over 2015 Titan at a screaming deal as dealers try to get rid of the old models. I have had four of the current model Titans and I have not had a single mechanical issue on any of them. They have worked remarkably well for what I need, even if they are a bit dated from a performance and technology standpoint. And, the mileage is not nearly what other trucks advertise, though I suspect my applications would result in much lower mileage than those other models advertise.
So, in addition to the option of a 2015 Titan, I am researching trucks that will do the following:
I know when asking for all of those attributes, mileage will suffer. I currently get about 15-16 mpg in my Titan when not towing. When towing, it drops to 11-12 mpg. Just hard to keep the mileage high when you get rid of all that pretty molding that is designed for highway mileage; molding that becomes a disposable ornament in many places my truck ends up traveling. Trust me, my paint jobs are usually toast after 10K miles. Just part of the places we end up going.
If anyone has some hands on experience of a truck they are impressed with that is a true off-road animal, without a bunch of customized modifications, I would be interested in your experience. Please don't turn this into a "Chevy v. Ford v. Ram ......." thread. I don't care what brand, I just need a truck that can take a beating of the highest degree and keep running without a full-time mechanic on staff.
FWIW, I have been researching the new Ram Rebel, the new Titan, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, and the Ford Raptor (though it seems they are out of production at this time and seems very expensive for what you get). Cannot find a Chevy that I think would suffice, but maybe I am not looking in the right place.
Thinking I will buy this before hitting the road next season, so no big hurry. But, would like to do as much research as possible before writing a check for the amount that these trucks now cost.
Since Nissan is launching a completely new Titan for 2016, a part of me is thinking I will wait and find a left over 2015 Titan at a screaming deal as dealers try to get rid of the old models. I have had four of the current model Titans and I have not had a single mechanical issue on any of them. They have worked remarkably well for what I need, even if they are a bit dated from a performance and technology standpoint. And, the mileage is not nearly what other trucks advertise, though I suspect my applications would result in much lower mileage than those other models advertise.
So, in addition to the option of a 2015 Titan, I am researching trucks that will do the following:
- Hold four guys, comfortably. The larger the back cab, the better.
- Tow a 20' boat and trailer without redlining it to get the torque needed for heavy towing duty. Probably eliminates any V-6 options.
- Go offroad in places many people might hesitate to take their side-by-side and do so without leaving body parts strewn along the way.
- Not feel like it is ready to fall apart after 40K miles; rather a track record of performing after 100K of off-road miles. My two trucks prior to Titans felt loose and sloppy by about 50K miles.
- Spend its time on the road/trails and not in the shop. Another problem with the two trucks I had prior to Titans.
- Have plenty of clearance with no lift kit or maybe up to a 2" lift kit to accommodate my bumper/winch.
- Skid plates front and over the gas tank. Looking under my current truck, if not for skid plates, I would have replaced a lot of parts, including multiple gas tanks.
I know when asking for all of those attributes, mileage will suffer. I currently get about 15-16 mpg in my Titan when not towing. When towing, it drops to 11-12 mpg. Just hard to keep the mileage high when you get rid of all that pretty molding that is designed for highway mileage; molding that becomes a disposable ornament in many places my truck ends up traveling. Trust me, my paint jobs are usually toast after 10K miles. Just part of the places we end up going.
If anyone has some hands on experience of a truck they are impressed with that is a true off-road animal, without a bunch of customized modifications, I would be interested in your experience. Please don't turn this into a "Chevy v. Ford v. Ram ......." thread. I don't care what brand, I just need a truck that can take a beating of the highest degree and keep running without a full-time mechanic on staff.
FWIW, I have been researching the new Ram Rebel, the new Titan, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, and the Ford Raptor (though it seems they are out of production at this time and seems very expensive for what you get). Cannot find a Chevy that I think would suffice, but maybe I am not looking in the right place.
Thinking I will buy this before hitting the road next season, so no big hurry. But, would like to do as much research as possible before writing a check for the amount that these trucks now cost.
The Tundra rides like a car...love it. I was looking into the Raptors a couple of years ago. They are a beefy truck that can handle your off-road needs(gas mileage is terrible)...like 10-11 without towing anything. Maybe the new Raptors will be better in the mileage department. I think they are going to start making them again in 2017, but not 100% sure about that....just what I heard. Good luck
