Ok, it appears I may be closer to a new vehicle for daily use.Either a 2015 F150 with the 5.0 or Chevy 1500 with the 5.3. Either would be new off the lot. We are planning a holiday where we would be towing our 32' 7000lb trailer for over 2000km on the interstates and other highways.There is a possibility the new vehicle will be available before our trip. That would only allow for a few weeks.I have my V10 F350 still so my thinking is that it would be better to get a few thousand kilometers on the new truck before thinking about doing any serious towing with it. Therefore I am looking at 28-35 l/100km or 6-8 mpg towing. Ouch...What is the current wisdom on breaking in a motor/drivetrain before towing?

Break in period Do not tow a trailer during the first 800km (500 miles).From my Tundras manual. Assume there pretty much all the same

Most of today's state the same as Hondavalk, wait 500 miles before towing. This is mainly for the differential gears to wear in.

It has been my experience that towing mpg is determined by the trailer and speed. Same mileage; V6-8-10.I only see gains when not towing with the smaller TV.

Chevy also recommends 500 miles to seat the ring and pinion gears in the differential.

Take it for what it's worth. With my last truck (a Chevy 2500) I was only able to put a couple hundred miles on it before I had to tow with it. It also developed a slight howl in the rear end on deceleration from 45-40mph at the same time. With my new truck, I went 1000 miles and all is quiet.

Towing with a new vehicle | Good Sam Community

Muddydogs
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
Boy what made you switch from a V10 350 to a 1500? Milage will be about the same or worse in the 1500 and you will notice that 7000 pounds behind you.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015
Most of what I have read support 500 miles before towing.

I would also agree with the poster above who said not to expect dramatic difference in towing MPG.
mooky_stinks
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015
Take it for what it's worth. With my last truck (a Chevy 2500) I was only able to put a couple hundred miles on it before I had to tow with it. It also developed a slight howl in the rear end on deceleration from 45-40mph at the same time. With my new truck, I went 1000 miles and all is quiet.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jul 10, 2015
Chevy also recommends 500 miles to seat the ring and pinion gears in the differential.
Ductape
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015
It has been my experience that towing mpg is determined by the trailer and speed. Same mileage; V6-8-10.
I only see gains when not towing with the smaller TV.
APT
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015
Most of today's state the same as Hondavalk, wait 500 miles before towing. This is mainly for the differential gears to wear in.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2015
Break in period

Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles).

From my Tundras manual. Assume there pretty much all the same

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