Break-in before towing

[5ducksinadodge]

Hi everyone, just purchased my second Dodge (see signature), first one was a 2004. 5 Cummins 5. 9. We have not taken delivery as of yet, so my question is how many miles for break-in does it need before pulling a fifth wheel? We have a 15,000lb trailer, and plan to take a vacation starting next month, but do not want to pull too early. I do know, at least on the 5. 9, that 500 was required, but since i'm new to the 6. 7 and no owners manual as of yet, was wondering what the answer is. I'm about to crawl out of my skin with excitement as i get to pick it up next wednesday. Anyway thanks for all of the help and look forward to being a tdr member and participating. :-laf

 

[LBARTLETT]

I alway hooked up and went after 500 miles but I've never owned a 6. 7, good luck with your new truck

 

[HBarlow]

The owner's manual still suggests 500 mile brake-in for the differential, IIRC.

 

[5ducksinadodge]

thanks for the replys. Its difficult without the book to know at this point, but having access to the forum sure makes it very nice. thanks for the help

 

[PFranzese]

I drove mine off the lot with a trailer on the back, granted it wasn't 15,000lbs. I pulled the car home I drove to the dealer, about 6500 - 7000 right off the lot for 350 miles. I don't recall seeing anything in manual about a 500 mile breakin. I'll take a look and post up what I find.

 

[HBarlow]

I ignored the break-in advice in the manual with my '01, also. I pulled a car trailer w/wife's car home 300 miles the day I picked it up. Must not have done any damage, the truck has 350k on it now.

 

[5ducksinadodge]

I ignored the break-in advice in the manual with my '01, also. I pulled a car trailer w/wife's car home 300 miles the day I picked it up. Must not have done any damage, the truck has 350k on it now.

I guess things change with technology, but I think that before vacation comes next month I should be able to put at least 1000 miles on it. The cummins is a tough engine, it will pull alot, but I will still try to be easy with it.

 

[5ducksinadodge]

I drove mine off the lot with a trailer on the back, granted it wasn't 15,000lbs. I pulled the car home I drove to the dealer, about 6500 - 7000 right off the lot for 350 miles. I don't recall seeing anything in manual about a 500 mile breakin. I'll take a look and post up what I find.

I will have about 100 miles from the dealer back to where I live, plus I will have a commute of 45 miles to work once a week. Should be able to add miles quickly, but come next month lookout. Hook up the trailer, and its fun in the sun for two weeks.

 

[PFranzese]

I didn't see anything in the owners manual about breakin, the cummins supplement said the more you tow or work the engine the faster is will reach breakin. This my first diesel so I don't think I have the experience or knowledge to say that you don't have to worry about breakin but a lot of my buddies with them told me to not worry about it and the engine and truck are built for it. That is why I drove down to the dealer with my trailer instead of taking the train.

 

[HBarlow]

I honestly don't think you can hurt a brand new out of the box Cummins engine pulling at maximum gross combined weight but a 1000 miles of easy break-in should be more than adequate. When you hook up for your vacation trip use it like it has 100k miles on it already. It will break-in and perform well.

 

[ericames]

These trucks are designed to pull hard all day. When I first bought mine I thought I needed to break it in as well. I think taking it easy on these trucks is the opposite of what they need. I had many problems with my truck when I took it easy on the truck. Now I run mine as hard as I can.



Enjoy the new truck!!

 

[sag2]

It isn't the engine, the rear differential is what needs to get some miles on it before towing hard.

 

[tkerrigan]

Don't let it idle much, take off 20 seconds after you start it. Don't exceed 2000 rpm until it is thoroughly warmed up, until thermostat opens it is possible to blow a freeze plug. Do run it for at least 500 mi without a load to shine the gear teeth up and not cause heat. Gentle on the brakes for the first 200 mi.

 

[Grizzly]

After 500 miles, hook up the 5er and go to Alaska and back. That's the best way to break it in. That's what I did with my 95, which was 11,000 miles round trip.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yup, break an engine in hard

 

[RVTRKN]

It isn't the engine, the rear differential is what needs to get some miles on it before towing hard.

Yup, good advise and is over looked a lot. break it in for 500 miles never running at the same speed for a long period. Vary your speed and never over the speed limit or slower if safe.

 

[5ducksinadodge]

break-in on new truck

Hey thanks everybody that posted on this question. I will pickup it up tomorrow at the dealer, then will go somewhere on a trip just to enjoy it and put some miles on it. Just feeling now like a kid waiting to open christmas presentsOo.

 

[AHarris]

Enjoy your new truck--you will love it!

 

[RVTRKN]

With my C&C, the first 100 miles was local driving and then the first 400 miles on the trip to Chanute Kansas from So. Cal to have my B&W Elite series bed installed. I never kept the same speed for any length of time, ranging from 55MPH to 75MPH and then did the same with the loaded bed for the first 100 miles loaded. I believe its in the owners manual as described except the first100 miles loaded.

 

[5ducksinadodge]

break in before towing

I picked up my truck at the dealer and all that I have to say is "wow". This way better than my 2004. 5(don't want to make anybody mad). I mean it is quieter and more powerful and the best part is the seats. They are really comfortable, and I had a lot of trouble with my 2004. 5. I can't wait to hook up on the 16th and go for a couple of weeks to really get a understanding on what this truck will do. Thanks everybody for the posts and information of the proper way to break in. :-laf