2017 Nissan Titan Half-Ton: Ike Gauntlet Extreme Towing Review [Video]

2017 nissan titan 1500 extreme towing review
2017 Nissan Titan 1500

How does the all-new 2017 Nissan Titan 1500 do on the Ike Gauntlet extreme tow test? You are about to find out! This is the first in a series of 2017 Gold Hitch awards towing reviews.

2017 Nissan Titan 1500 Crew 5.6L 4×4 Platinum Reserve

  • Engine: 5.6L V8
  • Power: 390 @ 5,800 rpm
  • Torque: 394 @ 4,000 rpm
  • Transmission: 7-speed automatic
  • Rear Axle Ratio: 2.937
  • Max Towing: 9,040 lbs
  • Max Payload: 1,610 lbs
  • GVWR: 7,300 lbs
  • GCWR: 15,300 lbs
  • EPA-estimated Fuel Economy: 15/21/18 mpg (city/hwy/combined)
  • As-tested Price: $56,595

All half-ton trucks are hitched up to the same 9,000 lbs enclosed CM Trailers 20-foot CargoMate trailer. We always use water for ballast, and set up the tongue weight between 900 and 950 lbs. We calculate the tongue weight at approximately 10% of the combined trailer weight.

Downhill

We test downhill performance by starting the 8 mile downhill at 50 MPH (which is the speed limit inside the tunnel). We use the tow/haul mode (and exhaust brake if equipped) and let the truck do its thing. If it accelerates past 60 MPH, which is the speed limit, then we apply the brake firmly to slow down to 50 MPH. We count the number of time we have to apply the brakes in this fashion. Every time we touch the brakes on the way down, the truck looses a point.

Uphill

We time the truck on the way up (8 mile stretch of the interstate on a 7% grade going from around 9,000 feet to 11,158 feet of elevation). We also take note of the truck’s average MPG as reported by the trip computer. The benchmark time is 8 minutes. This assumes that the truck accelerated quickly, and maintained 60 MPH the entire way up the hill. Every 5 seconds over the time goal subtracts a point from the truck’s overall score. The benchmark MPG number is 6.0MPG. Every 0.2 MPG below that, and the truck looses a point.

Subjective

Each reviewer that participates in the test is given a maximum of 25 points for their subjective opinion. These scores are averaged and added to the downhill and uphill objective scores. The final score is stated out of maximum possible 100 points.

As always, we invite all pickup truck manufacturers to participate in every part of the Gold Hitch award testing. This year’s half-ton class is comprised of the following:

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 8-Speed

2017 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost V6 10-Speed

2017 Nissan Titan 1500 V8 7-Speed

This is one of the times when we are selling TFLtruck / Ike Gauntlet merchandise. We always appreciate your viewership and support.

Get all the details and the final Ike Gauntlet score in the video below.

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is an Automotive Enthusiast, Producer, Reviewer, Videographer, Writer, Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and Friend.