Short trips bad for my Ram.

[lyengoyan]

I'm a new Turbo Diesel owner (2001. 5, auto, 4:10 LSD) with only 8000 miles on my truck. I use my truck for everyday driving as well as towing my horse trailer (approx 7500lbs). I tow locally (15-30 miles) several times a week and longer distances (6-8 hrs) once or twice a month. I am using the "B" maintenance schedule since alot of my day to day driving is short distances (less than 10 miles). Is there anything I can do, add on, etc. to reduce the wear and tear on my Ram caused by the numerous short trips. I live in the Pacific Northwest so the weather conditions are pretty mild. Oh yeah, I will be starting with new gauges before anything else. Thanks for any advice, this forum is great.

 

[illflem]

I think you're doing fine. You may want to plug in your block heater in the winter to speed warmup though. No problem with cheap PNW power.

 

[Cooker]

I didn't see where you are located?



IMHO short trips in the summer months (which is all year for some TDR members ) is not too bog of a deal. In the winter months it may be a little harder on the truck, but probably not too significant, especially since you do get out on the road and put some miles on it at times.



The only real concern I can see with short trips in the summer, or short trips in general, is letting the turbo cool down adequately. You may want to invest in some kind of turbo timer if you find your post turbo EGT's take a while to cool down.



Take care,

Ryan

 

[fortunate1]

Short Trips are a Major Bummer!

You don't get to enjoy driving the best diesel pickup truck in the world as much as you should!

 

[DocStressor]

Use a synthetic oil. I'm certain that any one will hold up fine for 7. 5K the way that you drive. You can always check it out with oil analysis to be sure.