Sport or OR for towing

I've lurked this forum long enough to realize that I'll get flak for just about anything posted so.....

Blah, blah, get a full size, blah blah get a diesel.

Now that that's out of the way....

I understand the OR has a larger rear differential and a softer suspension than the Sport. All other things being equal, this would make it seem the OR is better for towing. I don't mean that the OR would pull harder or anything but that the larger diff would handle the abuse better and the softer suspension handles the trailer sway better.

Thoughts?

 

Get the OffRoad. Not cause it'll handle towing any better than the sport, but just because it comes with a bunch of extra goodies.

 

I tow with a sport, and it works great.

 

Yep bought my sport specifically for towing and for the long bed. You'll be fine with either.

 

I have no doubts the Sport would fair just as well day to day as the OR. I'm just speaking long term wear and tear. It would seem a larger diff would lend itself better to the extra load.

 

I don't know but their has been contradicting reports of the larger gear in the diff. Some say it's actually not larger but they are measuring a plate or something, and others are claiming it's slightly larger. What exactly are you towing?

 

17ft center console

 

you are backwards. the sport has the stronger differential. there is an internal truss in the sport diff that the offroad does not have space for due to the locker. this truss prevents the ring and pinion from un-meshing under heavier loads, slowing wear, and reducing chances of shearing teeth off of the ring gear.

edit: the above info is true for 2nd gens. didn't see this was 3rd gens. could very well be identical axles between the two generations, but I couldn't verify that.

 

I don't think there would be any substantial difference except ride quality. Durability should be the same. I can see arguments both for and against a softer/stiffer suspension. I would lean toward stiffer being better.

 

A longer truck will handle the sway better. The sport has a 6' bed option that I don't believe the OR has.

 

Both come with a 6 foot bed option but the sport will come on the longer frame (in canada) the longer the truck, the better for towing

 

I have no interest in the long bed. Right now, I'm towing the boat in my 2006 Xterra. You want to talk about short wheelbase......

 

Then I think they would both be good options.. a stiffer ride is better for towing, but realistically, if you wanted that you could just throw some new coils in there and an AAL, that way you get the locker and stuff too

 

Welcome to TW, I hope you got the info you needed.

 

They have towing capacities that have been tested. Stay within those ranges and the sport will do just fine. It really comes down to what features/looks you want.

 

Look at the manual transmission. It has lower gears and for obvious reasons won't "hunt" when pulling a load. Both are better for towing. Also with a manual you have a lot less to worry about with overheating issues.

 

Personally I would go for a 2nd gen for the time being until the kinks are worked out in the 3rd gens.

 

Deciding between the TRD OR and TRD Sport as far as which will tow better is pretty much splitting hairs. I mean really, what the heck are you going to be towing, and will it really make THAT much of a difference?! Really??!!

I think people just get too caught up in looking at specs and start losing their sense of practicality and reality nowadays.

You'd probably be better off asking which color truck tows better!

 

I'm not buying until the 2017 models are out.

Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards DCSB Sport 4x4 manual. Sport looks better, iMO with painted fenders and rear bumper. I think crawl control is gimmicky and the locker is uneccesary for me. Plus if I ever wanted one it's an easy add.

 

Bite your tongue! All the OR owners are going to feel inadequate and will feel the need to shame you for wanting an Sport and justify why they went with the OR! Trust me, as a Sport owner, anytime you mention owning a Sport the OR owners just cannot resist coming out of the woodwork to trash your choice, even though 99% of them will probably never take their OR on anything more than a graded dirt road!

(I personally love my '16 Sport!)