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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002 |
Just sold my 1999 Dodge Ram diesel, and bought a new GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax for towing my travel trailer and other toys. I figured that after 17 years, it was time to upgrade the toy hauler/hunting rig.
I'm done with the initial 500 mile 'break-in' period, driving around 55 mph, varying speed, etc., and not towing anything- all of which probably makes as much sense as new rifle barrel break in, IMO.
Anyway- I will be taking a 2000 mile trip with the travel trailer in late March. The break in caution in the owners manual for this truck says not to go over 50 mph(!) for the first 500 miles of towing. Nothing said about the size of the trailers being towed.
Really? This doesn't seem very realistic to me, at all.
For one thing, on most highways here in CO, and I believe in other states as well, minimum speeds on the interstates is 55 mph. I really don't see driving back roads, towing a trailer, for 500 miles, for break in!
What have you done with trucks that you tow with?
I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,317
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,317 |
Take your camper to Vegas for a weekend.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289 |
Let me borrow it. I'll break it in. 
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,216
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,216 |
I've never bought a new truck - they've always been broken in when I get them.
What is the max trailer weight you can tow - something like 13000lbs? How heavy is your trailer loaded up?
I would probably change the rear differential fluid when I got back. They hold about 4.5 quarts, and have a drain plug, so it's easy to do.
Regards,
Tom
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,070
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,070 |
I still have my 98 Ram , 2500. From the first year,I pulled a 20 foot GN, loaded with mules and gear an did so every year until about 3 years ago and I got a 3 horse slant BP. I never did any break in. Problems have been with injection/lift pumps and brakes.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180 |
The break in caution in the owners manual for this truck says not to go over 50 mph(!) for the first 500 miles of towing. They must know something about Duramax drivers! But seriously, two thoughts, FWIW. 1. You might ask on a Duramax forum. 2. For my '11 Powerstroke there was only the initial unloaded breakin at varying speeds prior to hauling. Posters on the Ford forum said do the breakin, latch onto a load and let it get hot to 'set things'. I just towed sensibly after the breakin.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,668
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,668 |
I'd take it to ther dealer and ask them about that. Seems to me, the truck is under warranty right ? That should cover towing up to the towing weight limit.
The thing that gets the most strain would be the transmition, particularly going up and down slopes, etc. This is why my truck has a stick, not an auto trans. Kinda of nice to have AC when it's hot going up a long grade. E
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,317
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,317 |
Out of curiosity, do the Chevy & Ford diesels have jake brakes now? They're standard on the Cummins 6.7. It's GREAT for towing, especially in the hills.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,153
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,153 |
The Cummins has an exhaust brake, not a jake brake. They're different things.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,201
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
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I did the tedious/slow tow break in with my dmax. Folks on the net said to hook on and go, but I decided to listen to the engineers that wrote that part of the manual. It sucked. If I remember correctly, there is a video on the net of new dmax'es being run wot with load before being installed into the truck. As in, every one has had that done to it.
It is your call, but 500 miles @ 50 = 10 hours. 500 miles @ 70 = 7 hours 9 minutes. It is only 2 hours 51 minutes longer seat time, but it feels like an eternity.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002 |
I did the tedious/slow tow break in with my dmax. Folks on the net said to hook on and go, but I decided to listen to the engineers that wrote that part of the manual. It sucked. If I remember correctly, there is a video on the net of new dmax'es being run wot with load before being installed into the truck. As in, every one has had that done to it.
It is your call, but 500 miles @ 50 = 10 hours. 500 miles @ 70 = 7 hours 9 minutes. It is only 2 hours 51 minutes longer seat time, but it feels like an eternity. I've read everything on the web, with comments like "run it like you stole it", to, "I towed my trailer for 3000 miles right after I picked it up from the dealer". I figure the engineers who designed the engine and truck must have had some reason for the recommendation, so I guess I will try to stick to it, although maybe 55 mph instead of 50.....
I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,070
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,070 |
I think it might be worse to run at a set speed for long intervals. As I remember that is what my manual spelled out
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002 |
Yep, no set speed for long intervals.
I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,317
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,317 |
Find a winding road where 50 or 60 is the max. You'll be up and down on the the throttle on curves and will be limited in speed. It's easier on the patience if you have to drive it instead of just sitting there.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180 |
I think it might be worse to run at a set speed for long intervals. As I remember that is what my manual spelled out Yep. Some hwy and lots of local driving to vary the engine speed.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,728
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,728 |
Tow it.
Break 'em in tough, they will always be tough!
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745 |
Seat those rings baby! Drive it like you stole it for a few days. Don't let those tires cool down! Keep smoke rollin off em for a whole weekend!
Camp is where you make it.
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