I'm sure this has been answered before, but I could not bring it up on a search. On a new truck, how many break in miles should be on it before attempting to haul a trailer? I have a new truck on order, but I am planning on towing our very light (4500) travel trailer on a trip shortly after. Since this is a light load, would it be ok to tow it? How many miles is recommended before towing anything at all? This is on a 2005 3500 4x4 single rear wheel diesel 6spd.

 

Hook it up and seat the rings, it will be good for it. Those that just putt around will actually cause the engine to loose a little oil until the rings seat. The past comments concur with what I'm saying. These engines are meant to use right off the assembly line. I hooked a trailer and tractor the weekend following the monday I purchased my 03. It didn't have 500 miles on it. I now have 47000 miles and no oil consumtion. BTW I was hauling a JD 4430 weighing around 10,000 lbs and the trailer was approx 6,000. I would recommend smooth transitions from gear to gear until you are used to the shift pattern (6 speed) you don't want to tear something up getting used to it.

 

The same engine is available in commercial vehicles that weigh empty more than your truck+trailer. Tow away.

 

IMO: I try and follow break in procedures like they use on new differential gears(since they are ). Run a few empty trips 20 -50 miles, then a couple at 50 - 100 miles and let it cool down between runs. Then a longer trip or two ~150 miles letting it cool down between runs. This should let everything heat and cool a few times under light loads before you put any heavy stress on the drive train. I did this on my truck and then threw my camper and boat on and hit the road with 600 miles on it and ran the next 5K loaded. So far I've had no drive train issues at 30K.

I changed the oil and filter at 600 miles, then every 3500 -> 4000 miles after. I changed the gear lube to synthetic at 20K( boy was it dirty for 20K).

 

My personal oppinion??? Just get in and drive it. Your 4500 lb trailer will not hurt it. be sensible and it will be fine.

 

seems like I remember seeing a 500 mile not to exceed 50 mph requirement in the manual. This is the first 500 towing miles. After that, let it rip

 

Its the rear end ring and pinion that needs smoothing up before hard work . You wont hurt the motor . It'll seat quiker if you put the power right to her. but the ring and pinion needs smoothing first ,like 500 easy miles . you wont hurt the motor ,it'll come around just take a little longer is all.

 

You aren't towing yet?

 

Break it in like you're going to use it - like said above drive it for 50 miles, then let rear end cool off completely, and then go for it!

 

take the trailer to the dealer with you. I did wait like 800 miles before i towed, but thats because the trip home was 700 miles. pulled at 70mph my first time towing, was about 3000lbs i suppose. Truck is doing fine right now.

 

Cool, thanks guys I will take it easy for the first 100 or so miles driving around town, allowing it to cool down completely, then I will try to tow it and see what it feels like. Decided to go with the Brakesmart so hopefully they will have some by the time I get my truck....

 

How far is it home from the dealer? Thats far enough. Let it know what it is in for! Hook it up and go. I put 100 miles on then hooked it to 8000lbs travel trailer.

 

and be sure to let us know how many miles you can actually drive at 50MPH with everyone running up your kazoo at 80......