Hello again. As in my other post, I have purchased a new Ram 3500 Megacab DRW 6.7 Cummins. The dealer is waiting for the hitch head to show up and then the truck will be ready to pick up, likely early next week.Problem is that we are looking to get our fifth wheel out of indoor winter storage next week as well. I was hoping to have my old truck long enough to go and get the trailer but I'm not sure if this is going to happen. So my question is, can I tow my trailer home with the new Ram (approximately 30 kms or 20 miles) if I take it easy and don't push the truck hard? I seem to remember that it is recommended that 500 miles be put on the truck prior to towing.If this will be a real problem I will try to schedule delivery of the new truck after the trailer is home, but I'm afraid the additional wait just may kill me! LOL!Thanks for any insight anyone can provide.

Sounds like a good excuse for a road trip. :)Seriously, if you read the book it will probably state the Cummins is already to rock and roll straight from the factory but taking it gentle probably would not hurt. The transmission would probably like a gentle start.In semi's we just get in them and go. After about a 100,000 miles they just seem to settle in and mpg, power picks up a little so maybe there is something in the computer.

Per my Dodge Ram tech, the 6.7L Cummins is ran on a test stand during the build process and "run in" already...and thus needs no break in period prior to towing, as the engine IS already technically "broke in" at that point.But he also said to vary the speed (don't set it at a steady 70 mph for for the 1st 500 miles or so) to help break in the tranny and drive train also.

My owners manual said no break is required. It was born a beast...

Run the hell out of it!Seriously!

I believe the "towing" mileage is related to the rear end for a proper marriage of the ring and pinion gears. Having said that, class C MH seem to do it just fine. I myself use what the manufacture recommends. Sounds like a good reason to call in sick for a nice road trip :B

How Many Miles Before Towing with New Ram 3500 | Good Sam Community

jus2shy
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Yep 500 miles, the engine is already ready, but the transmission, x-fer case, and differentials aren't there yet.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
racer4 wrote:

Randy's Ring and Pinion has an explanation of why. clicky

Enjoy the new truck!

Excellent reference!! Some knew the 500mi break-in is mostly for the differential.
campigloo
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
I picked my 2012 up and the service manager said no break in required, they sell to hot shot services all the time and they hook up and go. I drove it around a couple of hundred miles, just because I was not ready to go camping before then, but ran it hard. When I did put my 9500# TT behind it, I ran it hard again. That was 47000 miles ago and no problems anywhere. Had the trannny and rear end serviced at 25000 and the mechanic said no shavings and probably didn't need servicing. IMHO, dog it. Run it hard, but vary highway speed.
blofgren
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
Thanks for all the responses, guys. I really appreciate it.

I will try to get the trailer home with my Ford and then run the Ram for a few miles before towing. It is probably not the best idea to try to get the trailer hooked up to an unfamiliar truck and hitch in a dark barn anyway (sounds like trouble, doesn't it????).

In the worst case scenario where I do get the Ram before picking up the trailer I will be super careful hooking it up and go real easy on it towing home.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
hmknightnc wrote:
45Ricochet wrote:
I believe the "towing" mileage is related to the rear end for a proper marriage of the ring and pinion gears.
Having said that, class C MH seem to do it just fine.
I myself use what the manufacture recommends. Sounds like a good reason to call in sick for a nice road trip :B

I'm with 45. I'd take it for a 100 mile road trip at varying speed on day 1. A 400 mile road trip on day 2 (varying speed again) to wear in the diffs and then hook and tow. But to answer your question directly, an easy 20 mile pull is not going to hurt anything.

X3...I'd go by what the manufacturer recommends...It's more for breaking in "other components, not necessarily the engine, it is, as stated, already "broken in"..

I'd look at the Owners manual...there is a lot of information in it that one may need to know "down the road"...I drove first 500 miles as recommended and then towed, as recommended, got almost 12,000 trouble free miles...can't argue with that:)

Make sure you check out the diesel supplement..it's even handier:)
eHoefler
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2014
When I picked up my 08, I came home and hooked up my 6500 pound enclosed trailer and went to work. That truck had 62 miles on it then, and I live in a mountainous region, worked it hard right out of the box. The 2010, had 247 miles on it, went and hooked the 16K fifth wheel to it, went south with it 90 miles, and climbed over 2,000 feet in 12 miles. Never looked back.
mpierce
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
The ENGINE needs no special break in.

The driveline should.

However, my RAM 3500 DRW had to be reordered, and it came in the day before we were leaving on a trip with a 19k toy hauler! It was 50 miles home from the dealer. Hooked up to the 5th wheel, and took off the next morning. I made sure to keep it slow, and slow starts. No more than 1/2 throttle at any time.

Have 16k miles on it now, and it seems fine.

If you need to pull right away, just take it easy.
talonhead
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
racer4 wrote:
I agree with others on the rear diff gears needing break-in. There are two break-in periods. First while not towing, second while towing.

Copy and Paste from 2014 Ram Owner's Manual on page 601 under "Towing Requirements":

CAUTION!
• 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.

Enjoy the new truck!

Just downloaded the 2014 2500/3500 owner's guide and Diesel Supplement last night, and the above Is right there.
Just some light reading, I haven't taken delivery of my Mega Dually yet:(
MikeH
BBFD
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
alex1200 wrote:
My 2014 Ram manual said no break in period was required. HOWEVER, when you read the 700+ page owner's manual they say no towing for first 500 miles, then no faster than 50 MPH for first 500 towing miles. I took a road trip in mine to get my 500 miles. The manual says this allows all the components (rear end, transmission, etc.) to break in. It has nothing to do with the engine.

Page 122 of my manual references the Cummins break-in. It says due to construction no break-in period is required. I found the next few paragraphs interesting. "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."

"Because of 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."
alex1200
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
My 2014 Ram manual said no break in period was required. HOWEVER, when you read the 700+ page owner's manual they say no towing for first 500 miles, then no faster than 50 MPH for first 500 towing miles. I took a road trip in mine to get my 500 miles. The manual says this allows all the components (rear end, transmission, etc.) to break in. It has nothing to do with the engine.