Opinion on heavy towing with brand new pickup

[telliott]

My 2018 3500 srw aisin just arrived. I have cattle to haul and was wondering if there is any concern on working the new motor hard right away or should I put some miles on it first?

 

[leonandlisa]

Per the manual, and my memory, the engine is ready to go out of the gate. They suggest random speeds and no hot rodding for 300? Miles. From what I have read this it to break in drive train and gears. I had about 600 miles and have been all over the west with my 15,000 lbs toyhauler. I think these trucks prefer to work, just take it easier for the first bit.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Run the HE!! out of it for 500 miles then do the same while towing!

 

[spoon059]

Run the HE!! out of it for 500 miles then do the same while towing!

I've had two new police cruisers in my career thus far. Both of them got beat on the very first night that I had them. The first one got traded in with over 100K trouble free miles. I currently have 15K trouble free miles on the 2nd one. Its hard for me to recommend this practice... but I know it works!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Run it, don't look back

 

[6.7LRigby]

My 2017 manual says to tow with it BEFORE you reach 6000 miles.
It is ready to go right off the lot.

 

[Slow Six]

As said above put it to work. When I get a new truck I like to put on a some empty miles to let drive train break in and after that I want a good load to get the engine working. I basically drive it like it is going to be used. Done this for four trucks and they have all been good.

 

[Jared Herzog]

I always wait the 500 miles for the rear end that is in the owners manual before i tow light. By 1000 i tow heavy.

 

[Learjet]

I had 600 miles on mine when I left for a 4,000 + mile camping trip through the mountains and desert out west pulling 12,000 lbs. high profile 5th wheel. All it did was make it stronger

 

[sag2]

Check your owners manual. The differential needs a few miles before towing (500) to break in, the engine does not.

 

[SnoKing]

Check your owners manual. The differential needs a few miles before towing (500) to break in, the engine does not.

What He said^^^^^^

[h=1]ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental
and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”.
[/h]

We put 1450 miles on our 2015 in the first 48 hours(12:25 Monday afte noon to 12:25 Wednesday and motel receipts for two nights). Took it easy from Greeley, Co to Laramie, Wy on 287. Then let it rip at 80 MPH across Wy and Eastern Ut.

 

[beaverguy]

When I bought my 2001 Ram diesel I asked how it should be broke in. The dealer said to drive it like you stole it. I did. Now 15 years later with 245000 miles it still goes strong and uses no oil in 10,000 miles.

 

[Newsa]

What He said^^^^^^

[h=1]ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental
and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”.
[/h]

We put 1450 miles on our 2015 in the first 48 hours(12:25 Monday afte noon to 12:25 Wednesday and motel receipts for two nights). Took it easy from Greeley, Co to Laramie, Wy on 287. Then let it rip at 80 MPH across Wy and Eastern Ut.

I think there is a reason for the above break-in procedure. But if you choose not to follow it, you will still be covered by warranty up to 5/100k.

I'm at 4.2 years and glad I followed the maintenance and beak in pricedures.

Some have reported that AAM, the axle/differential manufacturer, doesn't bother to do the final.polish on surfaces. They leave it up to the customer to "break it in".

Make sure you change the axle fluid according to the maintenance schedule. It's 16,000 mikes, (IIRC)

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Listen to SAG2! I just got a new Jeep and drove well under 50 mph for the first 50 miles, and then not over 60 for the next few hundred. Remember that the differentials are the only major components with heavy loading and friction but without filters. After 1100 miles, I changed the lube in both differentials.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I had 600 miles on mine when I left for a 4,000 + mile camping trip through the mountains and desert out west pulling 12,000 lbs. high profile 5th wheel. All it did was make it stronger

I HIGHLY advise dumping the Factory junk rear diff fluid NOW!!! I HIGHLY recommend using AMZ/OIL 75-110 SevereGear as a replacement.

 

[Newsa]

I HIGHLY advise dumping the Factory junk rear diff fluid NOW!!! I HIGHLY recommend using AMZ/OIL 75-110 SevereGear as a replacement.

Factory fluid is good for one year max in my opinion if towing heavy.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Factory fluid is good for one year max in my opinion if towing heavy.

What about miles? Mine started binding with 20k. Dumped my AMZ/OIL at 20k and no binding and it looked good.

 

[jhenderson]

I think there is a reason for the above break-in procedure. But if you choose not to follow it, you will still be covered by warranty up to 5/100k.

I'm at 4.2 years and glad I followed the maintenance and beak in pricedures.

Some have reported that AAM, the axle/differential manufacturer, doesn't bother to do the final.polish on surfaces. They leave it up to the customer to "break it in".

Make sure you change the axle fluid according to the maintenance schedule. It's 16,000 mikes, (IIRC)

Quoting from the gasoline section of the owners manual doest do anything but muddy the water. Try looking in your diesel supplement before offering advice.

 

[Newsa]

Quoting from the gasoline section of the owners manual doest do anything but muddy the water. Try looking in your diesel supplement before offering advice.

My advice is based on the fact that both the diesel and gas trucks have the AAM axles/differentials.

 

[jhenderson]

You think you know more than the manufacturer? You must sence the diesel supplement references none of what you posted. If it was about AAM axles why didn't just quote the diesel supplements' direct instructions that there should be no heavy towing for 500 miles to allow for axle break in? Now the gas version lists the engine break in procedure you posted. Maybe it's the million miles of heavy towing experience with Ram /Cummins you have under your belt that you're referencing?