There's the ultra-base S-trim and a base SV with both have bench seats. Then there's an upfit SV trim (convenience package) with the nicer radio, center console, power seats, alloy wheels, and so on.
How much are you looking to tow - tongue weight and overall weight? Just be mindful of payload if looking at a light duty Titan and not the XD.
If you're looking at an XD and planning to tow a gooseneck or fifth-wheel, the S-trim XD does not have the crossmember under the bed for that.
Regarding the brake controller, many have added the factory one because it's such a nice clean install. You can buy them from the dealer, but I've seen them for about half the price used online, from salvage yards, on eBay, etc.
My XD SV came with the brake controller. It's listed on the window sticker as included and not part of the convenience package with the nicer goodies.
Looking at non-XD titans. I haven't gotten a camper yet, but looking at a 20ft at the absolute max so estimating 6500lbs loaded up on the high end. Payload would be me and my gf, plus the dog and maybe 200lbs of gear in the bed so about 700lbs payload plus the tongue weight of the trailer.
So as far as towing capabilities, brake controller aside, there's no difference between the s and SV? I do actually prefer a bench seat personally so that would be a plus if I could do the same thing with a lower spec model. Do any of the non-XD titans have the cross member for the gooseneck? I don't think I'll ever need it, but I've been curious about that
You need an XD Titan for towing a gooseneck or a fifth wheel. There are a few reasons, one of course is the lack of the frame crossmember. Additionally, the XD frame is significantly heavier. Finally, the payload on the non-XD is insufficient for that type of trailer.
On the subject of payload, that is where folks can and have run into issues with bumper pull trailers and tongue weight on the lighter duty trucks.
Looking at my 2018 manual, a 4x4 gas XD crew cab has a max payload of 2520 pounds. That's probably for an S-trim, as my loaded SV has a payload of 2240 pounds according to the door sticker. Max towing capacity is 10,990 lbs.
In comparison, a non-XD crew cab has a max payload of 1610lbs. Again, that's probably for an S-trim, Max towing capacity is 9230 pounds.
The lower the trim-level, the higher the payload due to less weight as there are less options/equipment.
While looking at lower trim levels, consider things such as tow mirrors and such. I've seen plenty of posts on various TItan pages/forums/groups from folks who after towing a few times wanted to add tow mirrors to S-trim trucks only to find none of the wiring is there. Same goes for backup cameras.
My $0.02 about trim levels is that I wanted something mid-range. I didn't want leather but I wanted power seats as I'm 5'11 and my wife is 5'1. I also wanted power mirrors and locks. I wanted cruise control, I wanted AC, and wanted a center console. I added a Console Vault to store important items when needed. On a truck this size, it's nice having those parking sensors, a backup camera, and all that.
From Nissans build sheet for the Titan the SV towing package is as follows:
Power heated black manually extendable tow mirrors with turn signal indicators
Side mirrors with puddle lights
Trailer brake controller
*Trailer light check*
Front tow hooks
Class IV tow hitch receiver with 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness*
It would be safe to assume an S or SV without this package will have none of these
Towing capacity might actually be a touch higher with the lower trims as you don't have the weight of the extra features.
Otherwise max GVWR will be pretty similar across all the trims. The XD models have bigger springs and frame additions that increase payload and GVWR, but same thing about trims applied here too
I have the KC 4X4 SV (non XD) with the upfit SV trim (convenience package) with the nicer radio, center console, power seats, alloy wheels that HWTechGuy talks about.
The mirrors make a big difference for me. I really like the convenience package with the center console and agree that the factory brake controller is a nice fit & finish. Back up camera is very nice as well.
There's the ultra-base S-trim and a base SV with both have bench seats. Then there's an upfit SV trim (convenience package) with the nicer radio, center console, power seats, alloy wheels, and so on. How much are you looking to tow - tongue weight and overall weight? Just be mindful of payload if looking at a light duty Titan and not the XD. If you're looking at an XD and planning to tow a gooseneck or fifth-wheel, the S-trim XD does not have the crossmember under the bed for that. Regarding the brake controller, many have added the factory one because it's such a nice clean install. You can buy them from the dealer, but I've seen them for about half the price used online, from salvage yards, on eBay, etc. My XD SV came with the brake controller. It's listed on the window sticker as included and not part of the convenience package with the nicer goodies.
Looking at non-XD titans. I haven't gotten a camper yet, but looking at a 20ft at the absolute max so estimating 6500lbs loaded up on the high end. Payload would be me and my gf, plus the dog and maybe 200lbs of gear in the bed so about 700lbs payload plus the tongue weight of the trailer. So as far as towing capabilities, brake controller aside, there's no difference between the s and SV? I do actually prefer a bench seat personally so that would be a plus if I could do the same thing with a lower spec model. Do any of the non-XD titans have the cross member for the gooseneck? I don't think I'll ever need it, but I've been curious about that
You need an XD Titan for towing a gooseneck or a fifth wheel. There are a few reasons, one of course is the lack of the frame crossmember. Additionally, the XD frame is significantly heavier. Finally, the payload on the non-XD is insufficient for that type of trailer. On the subject of payload, that is where folks can and have run into issues with bumper pull trailers and tongue weight on the lighter duty trucks. Looking at my 2018 manual, a 4x4 gas XD crew cab has a max payload of 2520 pounds. That's probably for an S-trim, as my loaded SV has a payload of 2240 pounds according to the door sticker. Max towing capacity is 10,990 lbs. In comparison, a non-XD crew cab has a max payload of 1610lbs. Again, that's probably for an S-trim, Max towing capacity is 9230 pounds. The lower the trim-level, the higher the payload due to less weight as there are less options/equipment. While looking at lower trim levels, consider things such as tow mirrors and such. I've seen plenty of posts on various TItan pages/forums/groups from folks who after towing a few times wanted to add tow mirrors to S-trim trucks only to find none of the wiring is there. Same goes for backup cameras. My $0.02 about trim levels is that I wanted something mid-range. I didn't want leather but I wanted power seats as I'm 5'11 and my wife is 5'1. I also wanted power mirrors and locks. I wanted cruise control, I wanted AC, and wanted a center console. I added a Console Vault to store important items when needed. On a truck this size, it's nice having those parking sensors, a backup camera, and all that.
I’ve been looking at those console vaults, would you give them a thumbs up or down?
Thumbs up.
From Nissans build sheet for the Titan the SV towing package is as follows: Power heated black manually extendable tow mirrors with turn signal indicators Side mirrors with puddle lights Trailer brake controller *Trailer light check* Front tow hooks Class IV tow hitch receiver with 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness* It would be safe to assume an S or SV without this package will have none of these
Towing capacity might actually be a touch higher with the lower trims as you don't have the weight of the extra features. Otherwise max GVWR will be pretty similar across all the trims. The XD models have bigger springs and frame additions that increase payload and GVWR, but same thing about trims applied here too
I have the KC 4X4 SV (non XD) with the upfit SV trim (convenience package) with the nicer radio, center console, power seats, alloy wheels that HWTechGuy talks about. The mirrors make a big difference for me. I really like the convenience package with the center console and agree that the factory brake controller is a nice fit & finish. Back up camera is very nice as well.