Doing a little break-in pulling this week...

[BurlesonR]

On my last few CTD, is seemed to break things in better and get better fuel economy quicker if I hauled some extra weight around during the first few thousand miles. I also change my driving a little to the more aggressive side to heat the piston and rings up some. This little step has help with my 5. 9's, so it should help with the 6. 7. On my first towing trip, I averaged 10 MPG pulling around 9k. It's gotta get better than that...



Here's a pic of my "break-in" setup...

 

[craiggo]

Burelson,

It will get better. I noticed a difference around 4-5k. Others have posted a significant increase at 25k but I just don't drive that many miles. I started towing my 9000k trailer with 80 miles on the odometer. The diesel supplement says:

NOTE: Light duty operation such as light trailer towing or no load operation will extend the time before the engine is at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and
power may be seen at this time.

For additional vehicle break-in requirements, refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting and Operating” of the Owners Manual.

Because of the construction of the Cummins turbocharged diesel engine, engine run-in is enhanced by loaded operating conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve final finish and fit during the first 6,000 miles (10 000 km).

Nice looking truck! at 5k I've had ZERO trouble. Knock on wood!

 

[BurlesonR]

Thanks Craig. That's why I'm pulling this "dead weight". The harder you work it the faster she'll improve, power and economy. It would be better if I pulled some weight around the whole time, but I'm just a weekend warrior like a lot of us. Maybe it doesn't make that much difference, but I feel like it helps if I work them as much as possible before the first oil change. Better mileage and full power are achieved sooner.

 

[AH64ID]

Initial towing is very good for these trucks, my dad's 06 started towing as soon as it hit 500 miles and my truck didn't tow much for the first 15K miles (I bought it used with 10K on it), and his "broke-in" much sooner.

As a caveat to the Light Duty Operation Note there is also this to adhere to.

Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
• Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.

 

[craiggo]

Yeah, I forgot to post that. I broke that rule but didn't have a choice. So far so good for me.

 

[BurlesonR]

Yeah, if you have a choice, I wouldn't load one down until you had at least 800-1,000 miles on the clock. But in real life, sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do... Probably won't hurt a thing. I've got around 1,600 on it now. The first time it had a trailer hooked up, was at 1,300.



I hope to put around a thousand miles on her this week and change gear lube at the first oil change.

 

[craiggo]

I figure if it was a tractor or some Class A motor-home there would be no option to break it in, you'd just have to drive it. Did you add the goose neck or get the factory Dodge?

 

[rashwor]

I have always been of the belief that you break them in the way you plan to use them. On my '05, the gooseneck hitch was in at less than 1000 miles and the gooseneck trailer was immediately hooked up and loaded.



If I could have gotten the hitch in sooner, it would have been towing before then.



You won't hurt the Cummins towing and the rest of the drive train should be built to match the Cummins.



Congrats on the new truck! It is really nice!

 

[AH64ID]

I have always been of the belief that you break them in the way you plan to use them. On my '05, the gooseneck hitch was in at less than 1000 miles and the gooseneck trailer was immediately hooked up and loaded.



If I could have gotten the hitch in sooner, it would have been towing before then.



You won't hurt the Cummins towing and the rest of the drive train should be built to match the Cummins.



Congrats on the new truck! It is really nice!

I agree, but the break in is in the manual for a reason. It is probably the drivetrain and not the engine as the large gears used probably need several heat/cool cycles to be properly broken in before the full power of the engine while towing is allowed to pass thru them.

 

[BurlesonR]

I figure if it was a tractor or some Class A motor-home there would be no option to break it in, you'd just have to drive it. Did you add the goose neck or get the factory Dodge?

I added it. Its a B&W. I've had their hitches in my last 4 trucks. I don't think there's a better one on the market. Over the years B&W has proved to produce reliably strong and quality products and have excellent customer service.

 

[BurlesonR]

I have always been of the belief that you break them in the way you plan to use them. On my '05, the gooseneck hitch was in at less than 1000 miles and the gooseneck trailer was immediately hooked up and loaded.



If I could have gotten the hitch in sooner, it would have been towing before then.



You won't hurt the Cummins towing and the rest of the drive train should be built to match the Cummins.



Congrats on the new truck! It is really nice!

Thanks!

I'm really enjoying it.

I'm still miss driving my '06 a little though. Probably because it's still sitting in the driveway waiting to be picked up. Once she's gone, I'll probably start to heal... :-laf

 

[RustyJC]

Over the years B&W has proved to produce reliably strong and quality products and have excellent customer service.

I've had B&W turnoverball goosenecks in my last 2 Rams. I had one of the U-bolts that clamp the companion 5th wheel hitch frame to the adapter post gall up probably 5-6 years after I bought my first B&W hitch - one phone call and B&W shipped a complete bag of all fastener hardware on their dime. Can't beat that. I'm still using my original companion 5th wheel hitch with the new B&W turnoverball gooseneck in my new truck.



Rusty

 

[BurlesonR]

I had the same thing happen on my companion 5th wheel Rusty. One call to B&W and the parts were on the way. I take my companion in and out pretty frequently and haven't had the galling happen again with the updated hardware.



I also had a problem with the companion base where you tighten the bolt down into the post. The frame lip was becoming bent from a few years worth tightening and loosening (hitch in and out of the truck). I called them about it and we figured out that I'd been over torquing the top bolt. But even though it was my fault, they covered me and sent out a new base and paid shipping to return the old one. You can't beat that! I'll be a customer for life.