2016 Nissan Titan XD Tow Ratings Compared, Apples to Apples, to Light-Duty Pickups

Update: Classification of Titan XD added along with light-duty comparison explanation.

Nissan has released official towing numbers for its soon-to-hit-dealer-lots Titan XD pickup tweener that splits the difference between the light-duty 1500s and heavy-duty 2500s of the world.

We’ve dug into the Titan XD’s numbers, and that of its light-duty competitors, to see just how much more capability you get with the Cummins-sourced 5-liter turbodiesel V-8.

Conclusion: the ratings are a lot closer than you’d think.

First, let’s define our competitive set using the Titan XD’s dimensions.

Nissan’s newest full-size pickup will arrive in two configurations: 4×2 and 4×4. Everything else is essentially the same no matter what trim you pick, save equipment and interior finishings. All Titan XDs will have a wheelbase measuring in at 151.6 inches in length. Overall length and width will be 242.8 inches and 79.5 inches, respectively, except for the PRO-4X that is ever-so slightly longer and wider due to it only being available as a 4×4. Also, all Titan XDs will be Crew Cabs with 67-inch beds.

(It should be noted there is information missing from Nissan’s specs. Axle ratios, payload ratings and gross combined weight ratings (GCWR) have not yet been published.)

With these dimensions, the Titan XD sports maximum tow ratings of 12,314 pounds in 4×2 configuration and 12,038 pounds when front wheels can be driven in concert with the rear. Nissan doesn’t say if these ratings are developed using the SAE J2807 standard or another methodology.

It should also be noted, since the Titan XD has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between 8,800 to 8,990 pounds, Nissan’s newest pickup is firmly categorized in Class 2b, making it a 3/4-ton pickup. However, since it’s on the light side of that GVWR threshold, and Nissan is marketing its truck as a tweener that splits the difference between the domestic 1/2- and 3/4-ton pickups, comparisons to 1/2-ton pickups are certainly going to be made by truck buyers.

Sales Champion: the Ford F-150.

Right off the bat, it’s difficult to nail down a Ford F-150 that’s comparable to the Titan XD. That theme is shared with all of these trucks compared next to the Titan.

The Nissan, with its 151.6-inch wheelbase, sits almost dead between two F-150 SuperCrew models with 145-inch and 156.8-inch wheelbases. Since capability — and not length of the wheelbase — is more important, we’re going to pick the configuration with the bed length that’s closest to the Titan. That makes the Ford F-150 SuperCrew with 5 1/2 foot bed the closest competitor.

Equipped with a 3.55 rear axle and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, the Ford has a maximum tow rating of 11,800 pounds in 4×2 configuration or 11,500 pounds with a 4×4 driveline. The Titan XD bests it by 514 and 538 pounds, respectively.

Towing Champion: the Chevrolet Silverado.

Chevrolet touts a “best in class” towing capability of 12,000 pounds with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8. But how much weight can that engine pull when configured the same as the Titan XD?

Equipped with a 3.42 rear axle, the Chevrolet Silverado has a maximum 12,000 in 4×2 configuration or 11,700 as a 4×4. The Nissan beats the Chevy, but by not as much as it does the Ford.

Participant: the Ram 1500.

Ram may advertise ridiculous torque provided by its heavy-duty range of trucks, but the 1500 series is the least capable of the domestics when configured similarly to the Titan XD.

Given a 3.92 rear axle and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, the Ram can only manage 10,360 pounds in 4×2 guise or 10,190 pounds when driving all four wheels.