Our truck and trailer are as shown in signature...trailer ~ 5000 lbs...truck rated to tow 8600 Here's the issue...our truck is rarely if ever used except when pulling the trailer...stated another way, 80% or more of its use is under load...Will this usage reduce expected useful life, even assuming proper and frequent servicing? My thought is that our truck gets heavier use than most, and the 1500-series trucks are designed/engineered for the 'average' user who probably puts the truck under load a very small part of the time...and, logically, we might expect engine and/or transmission failures simply from wear at fewer miles that other people might experience...DW takes the opposite view, saying that 'it's a truck...it's built to be used as a truck'thoughts?

I don't believe towing will shorten the trucks life. The power train doesn't isn't going to age appreciably faster just because of that kind of use. With modern vehicles, it's more likely to be the things that aren't related to the power train that will start failing with old age and lots of seat time. If you only use your truck for recreational towing, those types of failures are going to be a long ways down the line.By the way, today's modern, so-called "1/2T" trucks are a lot more capable than even the diesels of yesterday. My 1993 RAM 250 Cummins powered truck was only rated to tow #7500!

As long as the truck is used within its GVWR/GCWR it have a normal life expectancy.It's when the GVWR is exceeded that parts wear prematurely

It's a truck...it's designed to pull, carry, haul....use it and enjoy it. Pulling a 5K trailer is not going to wear it out any faster than using it to get groceries or to take the kids to soccer.

Ive put several mostly one ton drw trucks in commercial service pulling heavy GN/pintle trailer full time. This was in the '70s and '80s. They were good for 150k-200k miles before being worn out. These trucks had regular service on time. Todays same trucks are running for 500k + miles. Some over a million miles transporting RVs. Hard to say how long a 1/2 ton truck lasts. Too many variables. I would 'spect a 1/2 ton truck like yours that has good service and light use should go for 200k+ miles before tranny rebuild.....water pumps....front end work/etc and nickle and dime issues pop up.

If you read the maintenance booklet that came with your truck you’ll see they would categorize your usage as “severe duty” which calls for a more frequent maintenance schedule. Follow this as a minimum and your truck will love you for it. Well, not actually love you, but you get the picture.Something I have always used and recommended for additional peace of mind is using a quality synthetic oil & filters. i.e. Amsoil

What effect will heavy use have on the life of our truck?

Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
Sure it's going to wear out quicker. Anytime you use something it will wear. Anytime you use something hard it will wear out quicker.

There is a reason race engines wear out quicker than street engines. There is a reason I have to rebuild my transmission in my race car quicker than in my street car.

There is a reason I have to rebuild my suspension parts sooner on rough pot hole roads quicker than if my vehicle was on a glass like smooth road.

A tow vehicle will wear out much quicker than a truck used exclusively for solo driving.
ShinerBock
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
ScottG wrote:
ShinerBock wrote:
There is probably not one person on this forum that has actually tested a truck with a constant load versus an identical truck with no load under the same conditions to know how much a load will shorten the life of the truck.

You underestimate the experience of the many diverse members here. They come from all walks of life.
My own experiences are what qualifies me to make the post that I did.

I understand that, but who here can say that they have experience running both a mostly loaded and unloaded truck of the same year make and model to determine how much of a difference in vehicle life that towing made? One may be able to say that their newer X model truck was able to run for 300k miles while their older Y model truck truck did not, but that is still not a good indicator since vehicles generally improve with each generation.

I think the only people who would be able to tell this is a fleet manager or business owner who has the exact same vehicles in their multi truck fleet with some towing more than others. I am not saying that it won't wear out quicker, but I am saying that no one really knows how much quicker.
mowermech
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
IMO, you are both right!
You are right, in that ANY use shortens the service life of any machine, just as humans begin dying the minute they are born. Of course, the RATE of wear varies according to use. Will the life expectancy be noticeably shorter if the rig is often used at or near (or even slightly above) the rated capabilities? I believe most people won't own the vehicle long enough to notice. the third or fourth owner might wonder, though.
Your DW is right in that it is a truck, designed and built to do work. If it is properly maintained, and used within the manufacturer's guidelines, it should last quite well.
Good luck.
Maury82
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
trailernovice wrote:
Our truck and trailer are as shown in signature...trailer ~ 5000 lbs...truck rated to tow 8600

Here's the issue...our truck is rarely if ever used except when pulling the trailer...stated another way, 80% or more of its use is under load...Will this usage reduce expected useful life, even assuming proper and frequent servicing? My thought is that our truck gets heavier use than most, and the 1500-series trucks are designed/engineered for the 'average' user who probably puts the truck under load a very small part of the time...and, logically, we might expect engine and/or transmission failures simply from wear at fewer miles that other people might experience...DW takes the opposite view, saying that 'it's a truck...it's built to be used as a truck'

thoughts?

I take the position that your wife has, in that if it is rated and designed to do it, that is what I would do with it.

My Hondas engines are designed for very high engine speed to get its rated HP, and I very frequently rev it to 6200 to 6400 RPM to get it, but I still get 250,000 miles Honda after Hondas.

I believe the key in preventing premature wear is clean filters, usind premium synthetic engine oil and transaxle fluids, along with earlier than scheduled changes, even if the manufacturer doesn't call for a fluid change, I change it anyway.

I'm not concerned about suspension wear, I can change those myself.

I'm more concerned about faulty engineering and electronic failures of these high priced technology.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 11, 2018
Will it shorten the life of suspension and drive-train parts...sure. There is no question about it. Exactly how much is much harder to determine as an individual and there is a good chance it will be a minor shortening (ie: if the engine dies at 230k miles vs 240k miles would you really be able to determine the exact cause?)

The issue is from your description, you aren't using the truck very often. Sitting unused is far harder on a vehicle than hard use (within ratings).
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 11, 2018
ShinerBock wrote:
There is probably not one person on this forum that has actually tested a truck with a constant load versus an identical truck with no load under the same conditions to know how much a load will shorten the life of the truck.

You underestimate the experience of the many diverse members here. They come from all walks of life.
My own experiences are what qualifies me to make the post that I did.
ppine
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2018
Towing creates heat and extra wear. This would be most noticeable in the trans, brakes, suspension and front end. Most engines can handle 5,000 pounds. The same goes for driving on rough roads and expecting the suspension to last as long as on pavement. Fortunately for you, your trailer is not that heavy.
ShinerBock
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
There is probably not one person on this forum that has actually tested a truck with a constant load versus an identical truck with no load under the same conditions to know how much a load will shorten the life of the truck.
amxpress
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
If you read the maintenance booklet that came with your truck you’ll see they would categorize your usage as “severe duty” which calls for a more frequent maintenance schedule. Follow this as a minimum and your truck will love you for it. Well, not actually love you, but you get the picture.
Something I have always used and recommended for additional peace of mind is using a quality synthetic oil & filters. i.e. Amsoil
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jun 11, 2018
Ive put several mostly one ton drw trucks in commercial service pulling heavy GN/pintle trailer full time. This was in the '70s and '80s. They were good for 150k-200k miles before being worn out. These trucks had regular service on time. Todays same trucks are running for 500k + miles. Some over a million miles transporting RVs.

Hard to say how long a 1/2 ton truck lasts. Too many variables.
I would 'spect a 1/2 ton truck like yours that has good service and light use should go for 200k+ miles before tranny rebuild.....water pumps....front end work/etc and nickle and dime issues pop up.