Towing new

[MargaretB]

One more question, gentlemen...

We have to get the trailer to the dealer for some warranty work. It's about 60 miles one way, gradually downhill from 3000' elevation to less than 100'. They will keep the TT for about two weeks, give or take a few days.

The new truck currently has fewer than 300 miles on it. I know the manual, and you here, have said not to tow before we have 1000 miles on it. We could wait and run up the mileage before taking the TT to the dealer, but that will push our first camping trip to late May at the earliest.

Does the 1000-mile restriction mean major towing on a trip? Or would we be safe pulling it 60 miles to the dealer?

As always, thanks.

[4x4ord]

I hooked my truck up to a 20,000 lb trailer the day after picking it up from the dealer and didn't unhook it for 6500 miles. We have been buying new heavy equipment for over 30 years and have never worried about breaking equipment in nor have we ever had a problem with a piece of equipment that could be traced to improper break in. There is no way your dealer is going to refuse warranty on a truck because you used it to tow a trailer downhill 60 miles before it had 1000 miles on the clock.

[PA12DRVR]

I'd follow the break-in recommendation.

If I followed the numbers right, you have 300 miles (or so) and need 1000...that's 700 miles of driving. 10 hours on the freeway (not sure if there's a speed restriction as well on your break-in) or 14 hours at 50 mph. Couple of evening jaunts and a getaway trip for Valentine's day and you've got it covered.

[DutchmenSport]

My first tow was at 25 miles. Went 10 miles
s and back to the dealer. They did not see it as any concern. Bought the truck and towed again around 300 miles. That trip was about a 400 mile tow. Truck passed the 500 mark. Then I read in the owners manual recommend not to tow first 500 miles...oops! Truck now has 9000 miles on it. More than 2/3 Rd of that has been towing my camper. Don't think the early tow hurt anything. But!!! Only you can make the choice.

[Nvr2loud]

Devils advocate here.....

I have always driven my brand new vehicles really hard, towed heavy, hauled heavy, and then changed the oil after 1000 km.

My theory... I WANT a catastrophic failure during the warranty period, not 7 years later.

[Bedlam]

Tow the trailer to the dealer as if you were driving on ice. Accelerate and decelerate slowly to avoid stresses on the drive train.

Try to rack up as much mileage as can on the truck before your planned camping trip to let the parts settle in and mesh together. City or secondary road mileage does better on break in than highway since you have much more variation in operation. One of best parts of buying new is that you control how the vehicle was broken in verses hoping for the best if bought used. I have no doubt you could hammer the accelerator down in a new truck and get through your warranty period without a problem, but then what will happen with those parts that that have abnormal wear due to lack of break in?

[icanon]

Instead of taking a chance can you ask the dealer if he or anyone they know can tow it for you for a reasonable rate and maybe when it's ready you may have enough mileage on your truck to pick it up yourself?

[lbrjet]

If it was my new truck I would put the miles on first. You can easily do it over a weekend.

[hawkeye-08]

If you take it easy, no hard acceleration, no hard stops (unless emergency of course), vary speed, stay under say 50mph (your choice, but not fast), you will most likely be fine. The goal is to give the mechanical pieces a chance to break in before putting them under heavy load. If everything is perfect, it really does not matter, but we know not all is perfect and letting things get broke in a little before pushing them hard will help... usually. This does not mean that you will have or not have problems.

[BenK]

Risk management decision...AKA...gambling

Some have done that with no ill effects...others...not so lucky

The gear teeth face (the part that mates to the complimentary gear face) must
wear in properly.

If not, then they will NEVER be right and most will *WHINE* and that *WHINE* gets
louder and louder as the speed goes up

Why OEMs have a magnet in there somewhere (well most 'good' OEMs do).

That is to catch and hold the metal filings from wearing in...tiny,
tiny dust like particle sizes

It is NOT a hard 500 or 1000 miles and that is the OEMs recommendation
(which is a warranty position...if you don't follow their 'recommendation'
then they can deny warranty if it should come up)

It is up to you...maybe someone on this forum close might help you out for a
steak dinner in trade... 🙂

[MitchF150]

Odd or Even, Red or Black, you pick.. 🙂

Same deal here.. Well, mostly, but 2 outcomes with each one basically.

I agree with trying to get at least 500 miles on it first... Just to help those odds a bit more.. 🙂

The initial miles is mostly to set the rear end gears.. Think of it as their "engagement period".. They have set the date, but still not set in stone yet.

I'd do it what 500 miles on it... But I'd still take it easy and vary my speed and do what the manual says as far as that goes..

Odds are that you'll be fine.. But the Seahawks were only a yard away from winning the Super Bowl! ha, ha!

Good luck Margaret!

Mitch

[fx2tom]

fla-gypsy wrote:
I'm not an engineer so I can't speak to the tecnical side of what harm can be done but I think if I were in that situation I would push to put as many miles as I could on the truck and shoot for at least 500 miles and then take the scenic route nice and easy to the dealer. JMO

I agree with this. First time I towed my trailer with my truck was at 502 miles

[fla-gypsy]

I'm not an engineer so I can't speak to the tecnical side of what harm can be done but I think if I were in that situation I would push to put as many miles as I could on the truck and shoot for at least 500 miles and then take the scenic route nice and easy to the dealer. JMO