radin2son

BIG BEND, TEXAS and DAVIS MOUNTAINS A much older than us Texan told us, "You have to want to come here. You can't just drop in." First a word or two regarding Texas State Parks and historical sites. "Day use fees." Every occupant of your NV over the age of 12 must pay a day use fee. It is not included in camp site fees. For $70, you can purchase a Texas State Parks Pass that gets you and everyone in your NV unlimited park and historical site entry for a year. It quickly pays for itself. Go to www.texasstateparks.org/passes or buy one when you arrive. Big Bend includes the National Park, which we explored 2 years ago and did not revisit, Big Bend Ranch State Park, the railroad towns of Marathon, eastern entry to Big Bend NP, Alpine and Marfa. Each of these towns has a great hotel associated with the railroad and at least one gas station (Alpine is the biggest), so watch your gas gauge, and Davis Mountains. We stayed at Davis Mountains SP and used it as a base for exploring the region. Within the park is Indian Lodge SP. Fort Davis National Historic Site is worth visiting, but is not covered by the Texas pass. The Chihuahuan Desert is the hottest desert in North America. During the summer, it can get to 125˚, so staying at Davis Mountains SP is much cooler. We, however, did not expect it to be so cold, 19˚ in the morning and no sun until 9 am when it cleared the hills. Very nice campground, 4 miles from Fort Davis and a grocery store, gas and restaurants. Only one restaurant was reported open, but not when we drove by. Not much was open anywhere this time of year. If you are towing, plan on leaving your TT in Alpine (90˚ in the summer) or at Davis Mountain SP (eyebrow pull through TT sites with full hookups) and day trip to Big Bend NP etc. If you are in a campervan during the summer, checkout the campground in the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend NP. Big Bend Ranch SP has an excellent visitor center and primitive campgrounds that may require 4x4 depending on road and weather conditions. Texas FM 170 (River Road) is a 68 mile paved road that follows the Rio Grande. It simply follows the contours of the land...

Somehow the post below duplicated itself... so I'll add some photos.

From our NV to yours... and their owners of course. Texas 118 between Fort Davis and I-10 on our way home.

17.8 mpg with a tailwind. It was the "range" that had the complicated formula. Will do the math later to see what the real mpg was. Thanks for the info.

We're headed toward the Big Bend area. Nice tailwind along east I-10. Our 2012 shows mpg and I was looking forward to inflated mpg above what it normally is, but it didn't show it. It has done this before when I reset it to zero at the start of a trip. I think it was Rick who mentioned something about a complicated averaging formula. I will know mpg when I fill up... Weather looks good online. We were in the area almost 2 years ago, but I don't remember if there were a lot of cellular dead zones. There is always the radio. Marfa has a great community radio station.

Perhaps, but most of the tested trucks were not in the same class. MT or TT's premise is to test what is "all" new on the market. Ford owners were incensed there were no Fords. It is more of a gimmick that unless your truck was #1 will be quickly forgotten. It would have been a good intro for the Titan XD with a quoted $41k msrp.

Welcome. We are heatless and headed west over the continental divide to west Texas for a little exploring. It will be colder, but tolerable we hope. In addition to pics, be sure to post what works for you.

If you use your van the way you intend, particularly on the road to Alaska, you will get many rock dings. Buy the factory touch up paint and keep in your van when you travel. Touch it up as best you can mostly to prevent corrosion. You will always know the ding is there, but no one else will. Yesterday, I bought the Dupli-Color, brush and pen, at O'Reilly's for $14.99. They didn't have very many Nissan colors, probably indicative of Nissan's market share. You may have to go to the dealer unless you have an auto specialty paint shop. 12/12 Much different that the last touch up paint I bought. Primer/paint in one, plus a container of clear coat. Looks like a rocket ship and No instructions on how to open it. There is a code to get you to web page instructions, but it wants too much info before you can get what you want. Gave up and opened up the paint/brush. Too cold to do much other than add a dab of paint, but the color (brilliant silver) is darker. Probably didn't shake it enough. We'll see how it dries. Color match close, but will need multiple applications.

Started... and ended with the Chevy Colorado diesel being the 2016 truck of the year. Current Motor Trend has the info. Titan XD's problem was low mpg, 17+ mpg vs 20++ for the Chevy. Actually this was Motor Trend's pick. Truck Trend chose the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. Why? TT also has info on the 390 hp gas Titan XD. Will this show up in the NV?

We got bored waiting for an update. My only defense regarding cycling is that new frame materials are not better than old, just lighter and prone to early failure. Same might be said for new engine technology. No check engine light? And no fault code... Nissan fixed it, you know what was replaced, but why did this happen?

Decades, Thanks. There was an earlier post and response regarding check engine light. The response pointed out that auto parts stores (O'Reilly's and Autozone) will pull up the code. Much easier to find than an NV dealer.

Yes, we have a smart phone. It would be great to have a plug in that also reset codes. I'll check it out. Thanks.

Lots of variables, just like a car. Depends on his local shop, local rep, manufacturer etc. I started racing on steel frames in the 70's. We could crash these and nothing happened. No warranty either. Just kept replacing components as they wore out. Next went to aluminum, crashed hard; no problems. I rode and raced one aluminum frame 31k in 3 years. Never crashed it, yet it reached the end of its racing life due to probable frame fatigue. Typically along the chain stay, drive side. Gave it away to a teen who couldn't afford a road bike and wanted to try racing. Cannondale frames come with a lifetime warranty and would replace this frame if it broke and I still rode it. My local shop would probably get the rep to replace it anyway. My next race bike was carbon. Never crashed it, but it cracked along the down tube with less than 10K. I heard it, but we couldn't find it until it got larger after it was traded for components for my steel xc bike. Cervelo replaced the frame with a little intervention from the shop. My road bike also is stainless steel. Back to your friend. Giant may replace race crashed mtb frames or don't ask. Their frames also may crack regularly near the bottom bracket. Older Cannondale carbon frames regularly cracked along the top tube near the seat tube. It was referred to as a "wear indicator" by shop wrenches. Frames are relatively cheap to replace for manufactuers. Back to the topic. Since we cannot afford to bring our VW mechanic, who is willing to take on an NV, with us on trips, what would be a good scanner or code reader to take along on trips. Are codes universal across manufactuers? It would be nice to know if the code signifies a serious problem or not.

I "get the point" but not the reason. This is not about a random failing part; rather, this particular type of sensor failure resulted in Altima and Sentra recalls. The Titan forum has many posts about this sensor failing and how to replace it. The good news is that I could not find any posts where the catalytic converter was destroyed. The sensor also is available at most auto parts stores and on line. A more honest response from Nissan should have been, "We have not seen this sensor problem before in NV V8s, but there were problems with earlier Titans..." Then add what was done by Nissan to correct it etc. If it was not corrected, what action should be taken when the engine runs rough and stalls. 2 NV V6s at the same dealership should prompt V6 owners to check Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra forums to see what the history is. Google Nissan Frontier crankshaft sensor problems. It will bring up the forum faster. Mc2Guy did not mention, maybe he did, seeing the check engine light coming on. The Titan forum mentioned it should have. There also was mention of Nissan Corp having codes only they, not the service techs, can read. What's up with that.

Code PO335. To answer my question, Has this been a problem with Nissan vehicles? Yes. Recalls issued for Altimas and Sentras, possibly Maximas. Problems reported in earlier Titans and Xterras. Mc2Guy described the symptoms, both early and what left him stranded, that various links echo. Sensor can be contaminated by engine fluids and short out. Sensor placement also seems to be a problem. So is it an honest answer that there are no sensor problems etc with NVs? Yet, by chance Mc2Guy happens upon a dealership with 2 known NV V6 crankshaft sensor issues. Time to get real...

Not so fast guys. Was this a NV exclusive sensor or one typically used with Titan or Frontier engines and/or crankshafts? If so, the failure rate historically may be much higher than reported by one dealership. Nissan and other manufacturers are not likely to voluntarily disclose recurring problems. Service managers and techs may only be able to disclose what they know at that dealership unless there is a service bulletin. Case in point was the failure of the canister sensor on our NV. We were told 99% of fixes worked, so we went with that. (This occurred after our 36K warranty expired and we paid for it. Since it was an ongoing issue Nissan agreed to reimburse us. They did but not because it was an emissions failure, covered for 5 years or 50k miles.) No one else on this forum reported a similar problem, so which vehicles were having the problem? Those of us with the 36K warranty have pleanty to worry about. Yes, Nissan stuck by their 100K warranty, but... $4000 repair. Eventually everyone will exceed both warranties. ASD Dad, When we crash in cycling races, our frame warranties are null and void. I picked the wrong type of racing. Chris_cm, Ask your service manager about TItan and Frontier powered vehicles other than NVs. There may be similar issues out there and maybe a service bulletin or two over the past 12 years. No word yet on truck of the year, but it looks like Titan poor mpg continues with the Titan XD. 17.7 mpg for a diesel?

Welcome. Nothing wrong with basic. You get most of what you want and none of the options you don't. Since you will find few NV specific aftermarket products, it will be interesting to see what you add to your NV.

Sportsmobile did a good job converting NVs, but they are very conservative compared to other conversion companies. For example, I think SMB high tops' small window on the upper portion of the skidding door is fixed. Outside Van did the same thing, but the window can slide open, which would be great for ventilation. No one makes a screen for the sliding door on NVs. The owner of Skreenz told us he stopped making them for Fords and Sprinters because people kept getting them caught in the door. The sliding door screen is time consuming to make. You need a simple sewing machine and someone who knows how to use it. It is durable and you can slide the magnets around to make it fit better than in the photo.

The Truck Trend article is Routine Maintenance -Shop Class. I looked at the manual and "replace brake fluid" is recommended. OEM (blue) coolant does not have to be replaced until 105,000 miles or 7 years per the service manual. Skip this if it is blue and replace the brake fluid and transmission fluid. 30k service also calls for replacing the wiper blades ($25); if needed have them installed. Saves having to crawl on the hood. Continue to ask your ?s here so we can all learn. Let Jeff know the guy with the Silver Sportsmobile, or better yet Frank Calvillo told you to ask for him when you were getting your battery checked. 11/29 If they do flush your coolant and they put in the blue coolant, the manual recommends doing it again after 75,000 miles or 5 years.

The $780 quote is based on Jim Click's Service Maintenance Schedule, not the service manual in your glove box. Go with what Pete "if nothing else" recommended. My 30k service included a brake system flush ($90) not coolant flush. I was told the coolant flush could wait and be checked at next service(s). Truck Trend had an article on recommended service that is worth reading. The USB port either works or doesn't. Take all your cords and show Pete it doesn't work. If he insists on charging you to check it out, speak to the "new" service manager and if they do nothing contact Nissan Customer Services. The gas door hinge and seat belt issue may fall under wear and tear. It looks like Frank, the service manager, no longer works there. There also doesn't appear to be a commercial manager. You may want to call Jeff Hovelson, service adviser to see if he is working when you bring your NV in. He is easy to work with and will take the time to see what your NV needs.

Thanks and same to those who persist on this forum... You made the big time! Sorry, Wollip. I owed KMG at least 1 like as I usually just use my phone to read these without signing in. Between now and leftovers, wander over to outsidevan.com and check out their new videos under news - media. Entertaining. Their Nissan build (No video, but lots of photos) has an awning mounted on a rack. Not sure how it opens and closes, unless it is electric. Like their curtains as well, but most likely very expensive.

When getting an oil change in Colorado Springs, a salesman came over to discuss our V8 NV (you will get used to random conversations like this) and the V6 NVP 2500 they had available to rent. He felt it was slightly underpowered after using it over a long weekend to transport his family. If better mpg and a lower price meet your needs, the V6 will be an equally reliable truck, people mover. A curious thing about NVP owners and this forum; they disappear. Out take is "absolute" satisfaction... 12/5 2 issues have come up since this was posted that prompts me to modify the above to "satisfaction." There have always been annoying issues, beeping front sensors that resulted in a buy back, that have little to do with reliability, but having your NVP at the dealer 40% of the time for an ac problem that Nissan can't figure out how to fix (same lack of fix for the beeping front sensors) and most recently a failed V8 crankshaft sensor that ruined the catalytic converter to the tune of $4800 plus car rental bring the cost to $5500. Nissan stuck by the 100K warranty but it took 2 weeks to get parts and fix. More alarming is that 2 V6s had a similar issue at the same dealership. To my knowledge, no one else on the forum reported a similar problem.

Yes, they are very reliable since first introduced in 2012. I would look for a 2014 with the bulk of the 5 yr or 100,000 warranty still in effect. If this 2013 has the 36,000 mi warranty, it is still reliable but will be expensive to replace parts etc. that probably will be covered by the longer warranty. Others can tell you if this is a good price

Rick, if this was the last race in the NASCAR NV Truck Series, you would once again run out of fuel well before the pit lane. You would refuse a ride in the Titan safety truck, driven by Vic, Commercial Customer services, and on your walk to the pit area, you would be shaking your fist at the Nissan techs, service managers and engineers in the grandstands. So what is next, the Fuso truck series? At least you will get a good trade in, unless your posts have been read. Meanwhile, Team AXULSUV has his V6 low top dialed in and Team MAHU is hanging in there.

My memory was off on the Sprinter. After 20,000 miles, they averaged 18.6 mpg. (This is in the range RICK got with his Sprinter 12-14 or 18-21 mpg depending on whether or not RICK doubles or triples his NV mpg figure.) The eye opener was almost $1200 for 2 oil changes. I've never had any problems with our "overt" '05 diesel VW polluter or with fuel in AZ, NM and CA. If I were going to buy a Titan XD, I would opt for the gas version. The "new" regular Titan has yet to debut, so it might be worth a look. Truck Trend used to be a good site until they merged it with all their publications. It is just too busy and takes too long to download. Did you check out "The Delivery" video? 9th Truckumentary is out. Towing and 4wheeling in AZ. Take a look at the shift lever; it looks like it has "tow mode," only a little flashier. If it is, I hope the engineers paid attention to recent posts.