2016 Nissan Titan XD SL Max Towing Capacity & Payload
Max Towing Capacity
11,638 lbs
Safe limit: 9,310 lbs (80% rule)
Max Payload
1,588 lbs
Often the real limiting factor
Fuel Economy
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See fuelly data below
The 2016 Nissan Titan XD SL is rated to tow up to 11,638 lbs powered by the 5.0L Diesel. For real-world towing, the practical limit is 9,310 lbs — that's 80% of max, giving you margin for hills, headwinds, and load variation. The payload rating of 1,588 lbs is the number to watch closely — once you add passengers, hitch weight, and gear, it fills faster than most people expect. With this setup, you're looking at a great selection of travel trailers, toy haulers, and many fifth wheels.
Recommended Equipment
Towing Gear for This Truck
Matched to this trim's Class IV hitch class and 11,638 lb tow rating
Class IV Hitch Receiver
Required for towing. 2" receiver is standard on tow-equipped models.
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Trailer Wiring Adapter
7-pin to 4-pin adapters for trailer brake lights and signals.
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Brake Controller
Required by law in most states for trailers over 3,000 lbs.
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Weight Distribution Hitch
Strongly recommended for trailers over 6,000 lbs to level the load and reduce sway.
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Full Data
Specifications
Towing & Capacity
Engine & Performance
Dimensions
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Towing
Payload & Weight
Curb Weight
7,402 lbs
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Engine
Engine
5.0L Diesel
Horsepower
310 HP @ 3200 rpm
Torque
555 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Transmission
6-speed shiftable automatic
Drive Type
Four Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Diesel fuel
Fuel Tank
26.0 gallons
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Dimensions
Overall Length242.7"
Overall Width79.5"
Height78.7"
Cab Typecrew
What Can I Tow?
RV Class Compatibility
Based on a safe tow limit of 9,310 lbs and 1,588 lb payload. Shows what % of each RV class in our database you can tow.
RV Type
Weight Range
Coverage
Status
Toy Haulers
5th / Bumper
1,300 – 112,250 lbs
Limited
Fifth Wheels
5th Wheel
1,176 – 24,000 lbs
Limited
Destination Trailers
Bumper Pull
9,800 – 16,500 lbs
Out of Range
⚠ Vehicle capacity only — does not include passengers, gear, or tongue weight. Run the full calculator →
Compare Configurations
Other 2016 Nissan Titan XD Trims
| Configuration | Max Towing | MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Nissan Titan XD SV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 4WD | 10,900 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Nissan Titan XD SV 4WD | 10,900 lbs | 15.0 mpg | View → |
| 2024 Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 4WD | 10,730 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X 4WD | 10,730 lbs | 15.0 mpg | View → |
| 2024 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 4WD | 9,650 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve 4WD | 9,650 lbs | 15.0 mpg | View → |
| 2023 Nissan Titan XD S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 4WD | 10,880 lbs | 18.0 mpg | View → |
| 2023 Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 4WD | 10,880 lbs | 17.0 mpg | View → |
| 2023 Nissan Titan XD SV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 4WD | 10,880 lbs | 18.0 mpg | View → |
| 2023 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 4WD | 10,880 lbs | 18.0 mpg | View → |
Questions & Answers
Common Questions
How much can I actually tow with my 2016 Nissan Titan XD SL?
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The 2016 Nissan Titan XD SL is rated at 11,638 lbs maximum — but the real-world best practice is the 80% rule: target 9,310 lbs as your practical limit. This gives you margin for hills, headwinds, braking distance, and real-world load variance. More critically, check your payload first — the door sticker tells you your specific truck's limit, and payload may be your actual binding constraint.
What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?
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You have 1,588 lbs of payload capacity — that's everything going IN the truck: passengers (~150 lbs each), camping gear, coolers, and critically the tongue weight from your trailer. For bumper pull trailers, tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the trailer's loaded weight. It fills up faster than most people expect, especially on longer trips.
What kind of hitch do I need?
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For the 2016 Nissan Titan XD SL, you need a Class IV receiver hitch rated for 11,638 lbs. Don't skimp here — the hitch is the critical link between truck and trailer. For fifth wheel towing, you'll need a dedicated kingpin-style fifth wheel hitch mounted in the truck bed.
What types of RVs will work with my truck?
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With your 9,310 lb safe towing capacity, you're looking at a great selection of travel trailers, toy haulers, and many fifth wheels. The compatibility chart above shows what percentage of each RV class in our database you can handle. Use the Tow Calculator to check a specific RV including gear, water, and passengers.
What does GVWR mean and why should I care?
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GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — the maximum your truck can weigh when fully loaded with people, gear, and fuel. Your truck's GVWR is 8,990 lbs. Exceed it and you're over-stressing brakes, suspension, and tires. This is different from towing capacity — it's about what the truck itself can carry.
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