Towing Breakin

Need2Know · Sep 3, 2022

2022 Ram 2500 / 6.7 Cummins /3.73 rear end / 400 miles on it / towed a 3,300 lb empty trailer 120 miles at highway speeds using tow haul for about half the distance; should I have any drive train concerns?

1 MEAN66 · Sep 3, 2022

Need2Know said:
2022 Ram 2500 / 6.7 Cummins /3.73 rear end / 400 miles on it / towed a 3,300 lb empty trailer 120 miles at highway speeds using tow haul for about half the distance; should I have any drive train concerns?

The Cummins probably didn't even know it was there!

Need2Know · Sep 3, 2022

Thanks, but not worried about the engine, more concerned about owner's manual recommended breakin as it relates to the 68rfe transmission and the rest of the drive train.

turkeybird56 · Sep 3, 2022

Somebody who runs the Big Cummins and the 68RFE needs to chime in. OP, I think no issue but I do not run a big Diesel, but my only suggestion to you is stay in Tow Haul when towing, changes the shift points on the trans to help it along, but yer ride.

18CrewDually · Sep 3, 2022

That little bit of weight isn't enough to bother the trans. Plus the break in period for towing is more geared towards ring & pinion break in.

Riccochet · Sep 3, 2022

You think fleet vehicles are wasting fuel running empty for 500-1000 miles just to break them in? Hell no. Day 1, zero miles, they're getting loaded and ran hard for 100's of thousands of miles.

I would not worry about it.

18CrewDually · Sep 3, 2022

Riccochet said:
You think fleet vehicles are wasting fuel running empty for 500-1000 miles just to break them in? Hell no. Day 1, zero miles, they're getting loaded and ran hard for 100's of thousands of miles.

I would not worry about it.

Lol exactly. I was going to say, my truck being a 4x4 CC Limited dually, is half of that towed weight heavier than his truck right out of the box! Or how about cab & chassis trucks like ambulances that are built right to the max GVWR. No time for break in.

crash68 · Sep 3, 2022

Need2Know said:
should I have any drive train concerns?

Nope. Put some more weight behind the truck and tow some more, the Cummins will thank you for it. The truck/engine is made to work. Leave the Tow/Haul mode on when towing along with either the Full Exhaust brake or the Auto Exhaust brake (w/cruise control set).

JayLeonard · Sep 3, 2022

I towed my 6500 lb travel trailer when I had 350 miles on it. I just took it easy. Never had a problem.

1 MEAN66 · Sep 3, 2022

I also agree that Everyone gas/diesel no matter what you are towing -should use the tow haul button, when towing and if you are headed to the Drag Strip. On the gas engine it will cancel the MDS also, makeing the trany's life easier. By the way some may not know what MDS ='s. If you already do STOP READING!!!!! MDS= multiple displacement system. A stupid name for I turn off some injectors to help fuel economy and pass fed rules. I am not sure but believe ( 99.267%) it changes shift points also. OK- start reading again.
Now you know why the 66 is FM3!

huntergreen · Sep 3, 2022

Hmm , I thought the break in 500 miles was for the diff gears to break in properly. The engine is run before install at the factory.

06 Dodge · Sep 3, 2022

huntergreen said:
Hmm , I thought the break in 500 miles was for the diff gears to break in properly. The engine is run before install at the factory.

I was told before I drove to pick mine up that do not tow or haul the first 500 miles so that the diff gears break in after that load it up and run, don't know if its true but that is what I was told not just where I bought it but also local dealer...

Riccochet · Sep 4, 2022

06 Dodge said:
I was told before I drove to pick mine up that do not tow or haul the first 500 miles so that the diff gears break in after that load it up and run, don't know if its true but that is what I was told not just where I bought it but also local dealer...

Which doesn't make much sense. My 2500 weighs around 6600 lbs. A well optioned CC long bed 3500 dually weighs around 7500 lbs. Same diff, same gears, yet it's hauling around 1000 lbs more right off the lot. Work body dually's are around 8500-9000 lbs right off the lot. Same diff, but 2000-2500 lbs heavier right off the lot.

Send it. If it's going to fail no amount of "break in" is going to save it.

06 Dodge · Sep 4, 2022

Riccochet said:
Which doesn't make much sense. My 2500 weighs around 6600 lbs. A well optioned CC long bed 3500 dually weighs around 7500 lbs. Same diff, same gears, yet it's hauling around 1000 lbs more right off the lot. Work body dually's are around 8500-9000 lbs right off the lot. Same diff, but 2000-2500 lbs heavier right off the lot.

Send it. If it's going to fail no amount of "break in" is going to save it.

Below is from page 229-230 of the PDF version for the 2022 2500/3500 owners manual..

 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.

ppine · Sep 19, 2023

Or you can heed the advice of the manufacturers that designed your expensive truck.
500 miles on the engine and drive train empty for the initial break in.
Then stay under 50 mph for the first 500 miles when towing to break in the ring and pinon gears.

Towing a light trailer minimizes any problems and it is too late to worry about it.
Since I spent $68,000 and this is probably my last truck I am going to tow for the next couple of hundreds miles at 50 mph or close to it.

turkeybird56 · Sep 19, 2023

ppine said:
Or you can heed the advice of the manufacturers that designed your expensive truck.
500 miles on the engine and drive train empty for the initial break in.
Then stay under 50 mph for the first 500 miles when towing to break in the ring and pinon gears.

Towing a light trailer minimizes any problems and it is too late to worry about it.
Since I spent $68,000 and this is probably my last truck I am going to tow for the next couple of hundreds miles at 50 mph or close to it.

I agree, but of course others may not. YOUR ride and wallet, do as U feel is right.

ppine · Sep 19, 2023

If its a company truck, maybe people ignore the break-in advice.
For a personal truck it makes sense to pay attention to it.
Maybe that is the difference in people's opinions.

2003F350 · Sep 19, 2023

06 Dodge said:
Below is from page 229-230 of the PDF version for the 2022 2500/3500 owners manual..

 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.

I will almost guarantee that any truck, especially a CTD, that has sat on a dealer lot more than a month, has been hot-rodded on a test drive.

That said, the 'break in' period, as mentioned, is intended to cover Ram's butt. If they tell you to take it easy on it, then you put a 14k trailer behind it, they can void your warranty. Every driveline component has been put through at least a short run period when it was assembled (except maybe the driveshaft) to make sure everything is coated with oil, functions, and isn't too loud.

crash68 · Sep 19, 2023

2003F350 said:
I will almost guarantee that any truck, especially a CTD, that has sat on a dealer lot more than a month, has been hot-rodded on a test drive.

It happens before then, try when coming off the assembly line headed to the holding lot

2003F350 · Sep 19, 2023

crash68 said:
It happens before then, try when coming off the assembly line headed to the holding lot

LOL fair enough.

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