Don't tow over 50-55mph first 500 towing miles?

[george]

I was looking over my operating manual when I saw not to tow over 50-55 miles an hour the first 500 miles of towing. What's up with that action?

 

[MountainMan1]

I was surprised when I found out why... to break in the rear end. Mine is a 2005 one ton.

 

[RRees]

That is the reason, as I've been told.



I also abide by that when I put a new gear set in my Jeep.



I've ruined a few R&P in my Jeep because I didn't follow that rule.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Put 3000miles on the truck and pull the magnetic fill plug and you will be amazed at how much break in debris is there.

 

[george]

wow

I never even thought of the rear end, I'll do as they suggest I'm in no hurry anyway. I just don't want those othwer brand dudes passing me thinking that's the best I can do I wonder what my mileage will be like

 

[RVTRKN]

I never even thought of the rear end, I'll do as they suggest I'm in no hurry anyway. I just don't want those othwer brand dudes passing me thinking that's the best I can do I wonder what my mileage will be like

Hey George, I towed my 5ver to May Madness at 57 MPH, from so. Cal. and got 13 MPG on the overhead which is a couple better than at 65/70 on the way to Havasu. Our speed limit sucks here in So. Cal. and with my commercial lic. , I don't want the record of tickets.

 

[jelag]

We'll with several trucks and I'm guessing 400K miles now with them and cummins we drive them new like we stole them... We don't have any engine upgrades.....

Our 04, now has 275K miles and started pulling a trailer at 20K lbs of trailer weight from the first week... . and it's still going strong...

Our 08 5500 runs at 19,500 lbs most of the time... now has 20K I'm sure... from 15 miles up, its been loaded... well... . maybe from 50 miles. After all its a work truck. .

 

[HBarlow]

I was looking over my operating manual when I saw not to tow over 50-55 miles an hour the first 500 miles of towing. What's up with that action?

George,



Remember you have an aftermarket differential cover which increases the capacity and quantity of fluid in the differential. More fluid= lower temperatures. It is not a bad idea to take it a little easier on a new truck and tow a little slower but I doubt you'll hurt it to tow at whatever speed you wish after a couple hundred break-in miles.

 

[RideSlow2004]

Put 3000miles on the truck and pull the magnetic fill plug and you will be amazed at how much break in debris is there.

So, when are you folks changing the diff lube? And do you change the front at the same time?

 

[mberry]

I changed both front and rear diffs at 2500 miles the first time, then at 15K miles the second. I always do the front and rear at the same time.

 

[RideSlow2004]

Thanks, will do it soon.

 

[MLodge]

I never even thought of the rear end, I'll do as they suggest I'm in no hurry anyway. I just don't want those othwer brand dudes passing me thinking that's the best I can do I wonder what my mileage will be like

George,



I have seen how you drive a fire truck. School busses pass you.



Mike

 

[Coalsmoke]

So, when are you folks changing the diff lube? And do you change the front at the same time?

I think I'll do my front and rear at 10K and then by the book after that. I'd be more concerned if the magnets weren't in there. I might just take a sample and send it off and see what they advise.

 

[MountainMan1]

So, when are you folks changing the diff lube? And do you change the front at the same time?

I change mine at 30,000 mile intervals as the owners manual suggests. I tow 16-26K pounds 60-65% of the time with plenty of power and torque over stock.



Had a carrier bearing starting to make noise around 350,000 miles, drove it loaded from IN to WA where I had Randy's Ring and Pinion rebuild it for about $700 (bearing and seals). He said no break in, however I did find metal on the magnet the first time I changed the oil, clean thereafter. Perhaps it was old metal, maybe not.



Randy also mentioned that the rear axle bearing have usually been lasting 3 rear end bearing rebuilds.



BTW - Randy's took me in Monday morning very first thing with not even a previous phone call.



I change my xmission, xfer case and both diffs every 30,000 miles, it ain't cheap! I use 95-140 in the rear.



Peter

 

[mmherrick]

Out of necessity, picked my 08 up in Montana on a trip and towed the 4500 lb travel trailer up to AK with less than 100 miles on it. Just over 4000 on it now and just got the change oil "ding". I think I'll change the rear end oil too!

 

[mikel]

I didn't know about the 500 mile/50mph thing. I hooked up my 8500lb camper and pulled 65+ at like 250 miles.

I hope I don't have problems down the line, if something as odd as this is important it should be made a little more obvious to customers.

Granted, it's in the manual but how many average people read the manual cover to cover before they ever go out and drive their new truck? Not many I'd guess... .

Mike