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Trailer towing before broken in???

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sgnow1

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I've read that you shouldn't tow with a vehicle before it is broken in. Our new Ram 2500 6.4L gas engine will probably be coming about the same time as a new trailer order. Both Ram dealer and trailer dealers are a 3-hour drive over the mountains for us and they are about 1 hour away from each other. Kinda looking like the truck and trailer will be arriving at about the same time. Sooo, thinking it'd be nice to get both in one big loop trip, would it be ok to tow a trailer (not overly large at about 4900 pounds) with a new truck?
 
Would it? Sure. But the manual says no towing first 500.

First 500 OF TOWING do not exceed 50mph...


People do it somewhat commonly. Percentage of the CTD trucks only tow. Sure they do day 1.
 
I started towing at 2000 miles, only because I didn’t have my trailer yet.
 
Its not necessarily the engine breakin, its the rear diff that cautions you from towing within the first 500 miles. If you have no choice, then take it very easy, staying off the go fast pedal. Take County roads that would keep you from getting ran over while you drive slowly, also don't let off throttle quickly as well, that'll put pressure on the rear diff as well.

I feel your pain, I just bought a Tritoon and it requires a 10 hour breakin period (2hrs at varied RPM's then 8 hours at no more than 5 minutes at full throttle) and I'm only through the half of the breakin.
 
Gotta do what you gotta do. Not exactly sure how they would prove you didn’t break it in properly. 501miles a magic number? No! Use it for what you bought it for.
 
With advances in manufacturing technologies, the break-in period is shorter than it was 30 years ago. If you've got an hour between locations, take the scenic route and grab lunch on the way. Do your reasonable best, but don't break your neck for a CYA item that gets copied and pasted each year without reverification.
 
Take an infrared temp gun with you, and check the differential temps often. R&P should be heat cycled gently, for the best longevity.
 
As said, it's all about the differential gears. I have friends who towed heavy soon after they bought it. The theories I have read say that if you don't break it in properly you'll probably only get 500,000 miles usage vs many more miles if broken in. :eek::D

If it were me in your shoes I would not worry about it, just be easy on it if under the 500 miles. Enjoy!
 
Thanks, everyone for your thoughts on this. Seems like it probably wouldn't kill the truck but maybe best to break it in a bit. So we'll get the truck and drive it around for a few weeks to put some miles on it before going to get the trailer.
 
As far as breaking in the engine, some will say not needed, I say do not drone the motor. Vary your RPM's for the first few hundred miles.
 
RVTRKN said:
As far as breaking in the engine, some will say not needed, I say do not drone the motor. Vary your RPM's for the first few hundred miles.
Click to expand...
IMHO, just not using cruise, and getting the rear end through some heat/cool cycles without getting it too hot is the best break in.

I drove my 04.5 CTD with a 4.10 rear "like I stole it" but did not tow for the first 500 and both times I pulled the diff covers to inspect and change fluids, the gears still looked brand new except for a light perfect wear pattern. My first tow after that initial gear break in was picking up our then new 04 Cougar 10K GVWR 5th wheel.
 
I did ask the dealer about changing diff fluid at 5000 miles with the oil. They said they would do it upon request. But they do not usually do it, and do not recommend it.
 
Site Rule #3. Please don't use ALL CAPS in your thread replies.
SOMEHOW I MISSED THE DRIVE LINE BREAK IN ON MY 14 . TOOK IT HOME HOOKED A 14000 5 TH WHEEL AND AWAY I WENT .... NEVER HAD A PROBLEM IN 6 YRS OF OWNERSHIP .
 
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