2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission '01 V6?

[Sawbones]

My new 3500 is still in it's break in period. Found a friend with a 2001 Ram I can borrow to tow the boat to go fishing this weekend, but it only has the V6. I've probably got about 8K in tow weight, and only one hill along the 80 mile tow route. Think it will handle it?

 

[RustyJC]

The V6 will be way over its tow ratings with an 8000 lb load. If you have at least 500 miles on your 2003, I'd use it. We first pulled our 13,500 lb 5ver with about 530 miles on the current truck. Frankly, at that mileage, it didn't pull nearly as well as our 3500 V-10 that was still sitting at the house! It got much better at 1000 miles and again at 2000 miles (I'm convinced there's some break-in programming in either the ECM or PCM), but even at 530 miles, it didn't overheat or use any oil.



The recommended break-in period before towing is (IMHO) there to allow seating of the rear axle ring and pinion wear surfaces more than the Cummins.



Rusty

 

[Sawbones]

I figured as much about the V6.



Only 80 miles on the one ton so far. But they're happy miles.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

. . only 80 miles ... .



Did you buy this truck this morning????



I haven't even had mine 1-1/2 years and it's over 36,000 miles.



Drive that truck!

 

[thepitts]

Check Owner's Manuel

I think you will see it says tow something heavy in the first 3000 miles to help the motor break in.

 

[Sawbones]

Got it last thursday, couldn't do a road trip this weekend, with Mother's Day and all.



Book says no towing for the first 500 miles.

 

[greyghost]

Lets see tank and 1/2 of fuel and 6 hours. Take the long way home after work.

 

[Pit Bull]

Here's your solution. Get on the closest freeway and drive 70 mph for 3 hours. Stop have a cup of coffee and drive back home. You will now be at 500 miles and how use your truck to pull the boat.

 

[klenger]

Hook up the boat and go. 8000 lbs isn't that much, ... unless you have a V6.

 

[mberry]

Originally posted by klenger

Hook up the boat and go. 8000 lbs isn't that much, ... unless you have a V6.

Ditto!

 

[SOOT]

The 2nd day my Mom had here truck it had a trailer on it. If you bought it to pull a trailer then hook it up and go. You don't want to baby it at first then one day load it up, thats when you will break things becouse it's not used to having the extra weight and using more power.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

Here's your solution. Get on the closest freeway and drive 70 mph for 3 hours. Stop have a cup of coffee and drive back home. You will now be at 500 miles and how use your truck to pull the boat.

If you do take it on a highway run, keep the cruise OFF and vary the speed a lot



Vaughn

 

[BV]

Goooooo for it

What VM said - Hook up and tow that baby with no cruise and vary the speed between 50-75 or whatever.



Geez - I had 513 miles on my 99 Ram just by buying out of state and driving home and the next weekend we went camping with the trailer.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

The Cummins is allready Hardened from the factory No need for break in! One of the best things you can do to it is hook up a load to it and find a Hill! Especially a heavy one.

 

[Rman]

Originally posted by ToolManTimTaylor

The Cummins is allready Hardened from the factory No need for break in! One of the best things you can do to it is hook up a load to it and find a Hill! Especially a heavy one.

The Cummins may be, but the axle isn't. Any new ring and pinion is going to need 400-500 miles to seat itself properly. Start towing heavy loads with it and you may experience premature wear and failure.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by rhickman

The Cummins may be, but the axle isn't. Any new ring and pinion is going to need 400-500 miles to seat itself properly. Start towing heavy loads with it and you may experience premature wear and failure.

That is good to know. I now have 9000 miles on mine and I am waiting until I have 10000 before I attempt to load her up with that third 40# bag of dog food

 

[Sawbones]

Update: Passed on the V6, used a friend's Chevy 1500HD for the haul to the coast. I'm not sure where they installed the "HD", but it wasn't under the hood. I'm gonna get 500 miles @ 50 mph on the beast by this weekend if it kills me.