Towing with a new vehicle

[Shogun]

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?

[kodiakcanuck]

You're going to own 2 trucks in Canada with our gas prices...you are brave...or rich :B Why not consider a Ram?

[Shogun]

I only expect better mileage with the new truck when not hooked up to a 7000 lb brick. I'm getting 8mpg unloaded driving around town with the V10 I have right now...

[mosseater]

I made sure I did at least 500 miles before towing. I wanted every benefit possible because I tow at max capacity every time. I haven't lost a carrier in 120,000 miles, but I have lost a driveline bearing and am having tranny work done as we speak.

I also agree with the rest who say if you're expecting better mileage with the newer truck, I think you'll be mistaken. I only manage about 8mpg average towing and 14-15 not with the 5.4 v8. Good luck and have fun!

[Shogun]

I'm selling the 1 ton truck no matter what. The Chevy 1500 with the heavy duty tow package has a 3/4 rear end and heavier suspension. I only learned about this 2 weeks ago that they had a heavier duty 1/2 ton version.

[AH64ID]

I wouldn't be towing a 32' 7K TT with a 1/2 ton if a 1 ton was available either way.... The 1/2 ton mileage will not be that much better, towing "x" lbs takes up, hp takes fuel....

But looking to the owners manual is the best way to determine breakin.

[Shogun]

pappcam wrote:

Shogun wrote:
The truck will be a daily driver I will use for finding a parking spot downtown 5 days per week.

The truck has an 11000 lb gvwr with current local laws now placing it in the same category as a highway tractor with yearly intense inspections and a potential need to have a yearly physical to maintain licensing of the truck.... Plus, due to the gvwr, insurance options are limited and I need to take out a secondary policy to drive the truck outside of the province.....

95%+ of the time it will not be used for towing. If we do tow the trailer it is typically less than 500km.

I need a truck that is reasonable to tow with on a rare basis, but is more suited to daily use.

Really? Are you sure about that? A 1500/2500/3500 series truck should all be considered light duty according to the authorities or insurance companies. It's certainly not at all like you say one province over.

Yes I'm very sure. I just got a ticket from the police as the truck was only licensed for 9990 lbs as per the insurance agent. The gvwr on the door sticker is 11000 lbs therefore I was given incorrect info. I was berated by the officer for blatantly trying to avoid getting the safety inspections. I also had to get a special safety done with a specific door sticker. After 45 minutes on the phone with Manitoba public insurance, being transferred 3 times I was able to speak with a senior supervisor I was given incorrect information and I did need to comply to continue to have the vehicle licensed. There is obviously some inconsistencies as even trucks with dual axels don't have them locally (but absolutely should).

I also got a letter in the mail from MPI indicating that yearly physicals are needed for the people driving these vehicles. The caveat is individuals using these vehicles for personal use are exempt from the physical requirement "at this time".

I'm also required to carry a fire extinguisher, flares, and marker signs in the vehicle at all times, as per class 1-3 vehicles...

So regulations are different all over the place.

[wandering1]

The current wisdom on breaking in a new vehicle is read the owners manual.

[pappcam]

Shogun wrote:
The truck will be a daily driver I will use for finding a parking spot downtown 5 days per week.

The truck has an 11000 lb gvwr with current local laws now placing it in the same category as a highway tractor with yearly intense inspections and a potential need to have a yearly physical to maintain licensing of the truck.... Plus, due to the gvwr, insurance options are limited and I need to take out a secondary policy to drive the truck outside of the province.....

95%+ of the time it will not be used for towing. If we do tow the trailer it is typically less than 500km.

I need a truck that is reasonable to tow with on a rare basis, but is more suited to daily use.

Really? Are you sure about that? A 1500/2500/3500 series truck should all be considered light duty according to the authorities or insurance companies. It's certainly not at all like you say one province over.

[Shogun]

The truck will be a daily driver I will use for finding a parking spot downtown 5 days per week.

The truck has an 11000 lb gvwr with current local laws now placing it in the same category as a highway tractor with yearly intense inspections and a potential need to have a yearly physical to maintain licensing of the truck.... Plus, due to the gvwr, insurance options are limited and I need to take out a secondary policy to drive the truck outside of the province.....

95%+ of the time it will not be used for towing. If we do tow the trailer it is typically less than 500km.

I need a truck that is reasonable to tow with on a rare basis, but is more suited to daily use.

[campigloo]

Read the book for that trucks requirements. Maybe rethink that half ton choice. That's a pretty big trailer.

[Muddydogs]

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]

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]

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]

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