nailzsn

I only have around 600 miles on my new truck and I'm ready to start out next weekend on its maiden tow. I have heard/read that I should tow first 500 miles at 50MPH. Boy, that's going to make those people behind me mad. Anyway, towing at 50 means that I will stay out of overdrive, right? I brought the trailer home (3 miles) last night at it looks like it would tow without a problem on OD even though RPMs will be below sweet spot. Out of OD will have rpms around 2000 (I think) with the 3.73s. Any advice???

Dodgezilla

I don't know about everyone else here, but I just towed for the first time with my truck and I always had the cruise set at 65 +. I just can't drive that slow!!! If the rear breaks, that's what the warranty is for. These new rears are huge and I'm sure they will hold up fine.

Nevada

If you like to be the FIRST to try something, following this recomendation would likely get you that notariety.

pwabbott

I would not hesitate to tow up to 55 mph for the first couple of hundred of towing miles. Just vary the speed every few minutes. After that limit towing speed to 60 mph. Keep your towing rpm up around 2000 during break in period. Remember you have about 9000 miles to go before the Cummins engine will be broken in. Since you didn't say what the weight of your trailer is when ready for the road you leave us to guess. I would give different suggestions for a 5000# TT and a 12000 5er.<br><br>I personally would not exceed 65 mph even after 500 miles of towing from a safety standpoint. Allow yourself time to become acoustomed to the unique eccentrecities of your tow combination. You will undoubtedly need to make adjustments in equipment as everything wears in. Don't rush the process.<br><br>Enjoy the process it's part of the fun getting there. Stop and smell the Roses!<br>

nailzsn

Thanks for the input. I have a 5er about 8000#. I used to tow with my 99 4x4 with 3.53 gears until I traded for this one. So towing a fifth with a cummins is not new to me - it's just new to the truck. Frankly, 50mph towing would be new to me since my other rig liked it about 65-70.

Haulin_in_Dixie

Now a lot of people know more than I do, but these engines do not require a break in as such. You have 600 miles on it drive it like you stole it. It is a commercial engine and I doubt that there was ever a mid sized truck that had a break in. Mine got the soft treatment for breakin, 3100 rpm shifts pulling 136 Southern Comfort vans at 31,000 gross over very hilly country with one hill that requires down to third gear on the five speed. We checked with Cummins and they said &quot;do it to it.&quot; We did just that, I drove all night, fueled it up, and my son took over and drove it all day. That went on for three weeks never getting shut down for more than a couple of hours. We honestly felt that it was broke in when we finished that job. Seriously for the first couple of thousand miles or so it probably would be best to keep it near 2600 max rpm but you won't hurt it. Cummins says that heavy hauling during the early miles helps seat the rings. Stop by your local Cummins dealer and talk to the service manager.