2nd Gen Durability at Max GVWR

3500 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by scuba91ta, Jul 28, 2010

NWStever

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2010

I tow a small fiberglass trailer that weighs around 3300 lb fully loaded. I also carry a significant amount of gear in the bed of my 2010 SWB 4WD CC LE with a Leer fiberglass canopy. I replaced a 2001 Ford Ranger 4WD SC last fall with the Frontier because of an almost catastrophic bearing/axle failure earlier in the year in the middle of nowhere NV at 115K miles. The good part of the story was the mechanic I limped into in Delta UT fixed me up with 2 new axles, bearings and brakes for ... get this... only $700 total and my wife and I were back on the road within 24 hours on our vacation. Long story short, the Ranger axle is a semi-floating bearing design with no inner race. The bearings run on an induction hardened surface of the axle.

So I have two questions:

1) It appears from the factory service manual that the Frontier C200k rear axle has a full floating bearing with an inner race. (Interestingly, the M226 axle appears to be a semi-floating design.) So here's the question for the rear axle specialists on this forum: how durable is the C200k axle with heavy loads? I'd always figured the tires were the limiting factor on GAWR until the bearing experience with my Ranger. Any recommendations for axle lube? I'm thinking about replacing the factory 75-90W with Amsoil 75-90W for better oil film strength.

2) The payload on a fully optioned LE CC isn't very much. Especially with the addition of a Leer fiberglass canopy. Per the placard, GVWR is 5815 - 198 = 5613lb. GWR front axle = 3296lb. GWR rear axle = 3331lb. I have added Firestone Ride-Rite air bags and use a weight distributing hitch with my trailer that has trailer brakes. I don't do any technical off-roading with the 4WD. I plan to weight the truck including each axle separately with and without the trailer hitched to see exactly how much payload (persons & gear) I actually can carry at the GVWR. I still think the tires are the weak link but wonder about the durability of 2nd Gen Frontiers and especially the rear axle when loaded at GVWR (or maybe 5% over). What is your experience with towing and hauling at max GVWR?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and advice.

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dubie2003

· #3 · Jul 27, 2010

Isn't this thread #2 on this same topic?

I have yet to hear of a Frontier's c200k failing due to towing. Just make sure you keep a safe following distance and keep everything tied down and it will do fine. If you are going to be at the limit a lot, you need to upgrade tires for more plys (or is it plies).

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dubie2003

· #5 · Jul 27, 2010

NWStever said:
Yeah it is a similar thread to what I started under the Axle Discussions. Started it again under General Discussion to see if a broader audience might generate more feedback. RCR's information that the Frontier frame is a shorted Titan frame is interesting... just the sort of discussion I was looking for.

Yea, we have a ton in common with the Titans. They were started in 04 and then the Frontier came in 05. We share the same frame. The only real difference is that they are about 6" wider (3" per side). This is why some members have what is called a Titan swap (using Titans uca and lcas on the frontiers) which gives them extra travel. The main suspension difference is that they use only m226 rears while Frontiers have either the c200k or the m226 (6" shorter then the Titans thou).

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dubie2003

· #8 · Jul 27, 2010

dlos said:
You could always add some form of suspension assist such as air bags or a road master active suspension to increase your payload. These systems only kick in when you load the truck up.

He already as air bags and a WD hitch. If he still has issues, then maybe the RM active suspension but if you have to add that much to it, a full size is probably the better choice.

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