Well, after 115,000 miles of abuse, Titan #4 is in the shop this weekend. I spent the last week chasing mountain lions in deep snow. Thursday I was towing two snowmobiles and we hit some serious snow drifts; like "up to the hood" serious. It was dark and in the whiteout of winds blowing snow, I did not realize how big the drifts were and how long it was to get through it.
I had it in 4WD with the VDC turned off. The three passengers said nothing as the truck bounced and jumped up and down while digging to find enough traction. Snow was blowing over the windshield as I floored it, making visibility even worse. Never has this truck burned at 4,500+ RPMs, let alone for the time it took to crawl out of this 200 yard mess. I suspect 4WD is not made for that kind of RPMs for extended periods, especially with a load of four guys, their gear, and two snowmobiles.
When we made it through, and we did make it through without have to shovel or chain up, a collective sigh of relief came from the passengers, much like Schmalts gave when we broke through the frozen creek in Wyoming last month. Some profanity was used by the guests to explain their sympathy for my equipment and their worry that we would be walking to the highway in this blizzard.
A few miles down the road all my drivetrain indicators lit up; SLIP, ABS, VDC. I pulled aside and took it out of 4WD to see if the indicators would turn off. Nope. I turned off the ignition and restarted the truck to see if the indicators would be lit up when I turned it back on. Yup, still on.
Oh well, I headed down the hill to where we would get to the asphalt. I tried to put it back in 4WD and it would not engage. I messed around with it, but could not get it to engage. I got back to town and dumped the snowmobile and trailer. Then, dropped the truck off at the dealership for inspection.
I now find myself in a finger-pointing situation between a dealership who claims the wrong fluid was used when I had the differentials serviced two weeks ago and the service place who assures me the fluids used were those recommended by Nissan. Whether it was a fluid issue or just the culmination of hundreds of abusive events placed on this drive train, it really doesn't matter to me. I think it is time for a new truck. If I have to use the Honda Pilot for the WY bison hunt later this month while I continue my truck search, I guess that's what I'll do.
I spent yesterday afternoon inspecting some of the same trucks again. Will be doing more of the same today. Right now, the list is ranked as shown below, even if Forbes magazine thinks a 2015 Titan is not a value purchase.
1 - 2015 Titan
2 - 2016 Tundra TRD Pro
3 - 2016 Dodge Power Ram
Two other variables could alter this final decision.
First, Nissan will be coming out with their non-XD Titan later this year. I might wait until that comes out, if the new version is built for the level of off-road abuse built into the current PRO-4X model.
Second, I have an company wanting me to use their side-by-side vehicles. If that deal comes together, I might not need at truck that needs to serve as a side-by-side/ATV. If that happens, the Ford F150 FX4 Ecoboost replaces the Dodge Power Ram on the list above and will be very close in comparison to the Tundra, due to the mileage, low-end torque, and HP. If Mrs. Fin hits the lottery, I guess I might wait for a 2017 Ford Raptor, but given those have an MSRP beyond what I paid for two lake lots, I don't see that as an option.
