Towing Jayco 24T TT With New GMC Truck

[mike7840]

This may seem like an odd question but here goes.... I am considering buying a brand new GMC Sierra Pickup truck. When I say new, I mean less than 500 miles on a 2018. I've been all over the towing capacity of the vehicle and the weight of my travel trailer and I'm comfortable that I am well within the specs. The salesman and the service manager at the dealership agree.


My question is about a "break-in" period for the new truck. The sales guy says I'm OK with pulling the trailer right away as long as I don't drive a any one sustained speed for a long period of time. In other words, vary my speeds for the first 1000 -1500 miles. The service manager on the other hand says that I should not pull the trailer for the first 1000 miles on the new vehicle. I've known the service manager for over 30 years, all at the same dealership and I trust his judgement but I want to get a second opinion.



I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any similar experience with this type of recommendation? We leaving on an extended snowbird trip in about 10 days and we are trying to figure out if we will be in a new vehicle or not. Perhaps I should just plan buying the new one and drive it nowhere in particular without the trailer until I hit the 1000 or so mile mark.


Thanks!
Mike

[Flyrotor]

Buy it and drive it, put a few miles on it, most new vehicles are really easy to put 500 miles on it in a few days! By the time you’re ready to leave on your trip, it’ll be broke in and ready to go.

[jimp]

Had the same issue in Feb '18, DW and I rode around for several days putting 1k miles on the new F150 as that's what the manual said. It's not hard, but is time consuming. I did it to eliminate any possible question if warranty issues come up later.

I would drive it and get as close to 1k as possible for peace of mind.

[Dave.H]

I think you're overthinking it. I wouldn't worry one bit about it. And no, it cannot have any impact on warranty.

[jbrnigan]

Originally Posted by Dave.H

I think you're overthinking it. I wouldn't worry one bit about it. And no, it cannot have any impact on warranty.

Hmmm.....Perhaps.....The owners manual in my 2018 F-250 PSD, specifically stated the break in period before towing was 1000 miles. I didn't "overthink" anything, I just drove it a 1000 miles before towing. I'm kind of old fashioned, I read the owners manual and generally follow the manufacturers recommendations.

[Dave.H]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

Hmmm.....Perhaps.....The owners manual in my 2018 F-250 PSD, specifically stated the break in period before towing was 1000 miles. I didn't "overthink" anything, I just drove it a 1000 miles before towing. I'm kind of old fashioned, I read the owners manual and generally follow the manufacturers recommendations.

It's a safety buffer. It's not a bad thing at all. Parts do settle in and break in (ie: gears). I just don't see it as an issue because realistically by the time you leave for your trip, you have miles accumulated. I'm not saying go to a tractor pull and hook it up to a sled. I'm saying I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new truck and leave on a trip in a week or so. Given the fact the OP is concerned about it, tells me he isn't one to abuse a vehicle and will likely be taking it easy out of the gate anyway.

Trucks are bought and used everyday for commercial reasons towing and hauling without any sort of break-in.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

Hmmm.....Perhaps.....The owners manual in my 2018 F-250 PSD, specifically stated the break in period before towing was 1000 miles. I didn't "overthink" anything, I just drove it a 1000 miles before towing. I'm kind of old fashioned, I read the owners manual and generally follow the manufacturers recommendations.

Good point about the manual. The 1000 mile break in may be because of its a diesel. With GM gassers it's suggested light acceleration and keep the speeds varied for the first 500 miles.

For the OP, page 255 of the owners manual tells you what you need to do.

[jbrnigan]

Page 286 from my Ford F-250 owners manual:

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
• Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km

Good enough for me.

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

It says the same thing in my RAM 6.7 (diesel) owners manual. It said not to tow for the first 500 miles, then up to 1,000 miles I can tow but don't drive over 50 miles.

Well, I made it to 500 before our scheduled camping trip, but being the speed limit most of the way was 55-65-and 75 MPH I was not in a position to stay under 50 MPH.

I'm not sure what Dodge is thinking to say it's OK to tow after 500 miles but stay below 50 MPH for another 500 miles.

[jimp]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

Hmmm.....Perhaps.....The owners manual in my 2018 F-250 PSD, specifically stated the break in period before towing was 1000 miles. I didn't "overthink" anything, I just drove it a 1000 miles before towing. I'm kind of old fashioned, I read the owners manual and generally follow the manufacturers recommendations.

Well said

[ALJO]

The clause is to cover the manufacturer from the ones who are pedal heavy.
If you are gentle you can pull a TT from zero km on the Truck. Semi's do the same.

[Camper_bob]

I would follow the recommendation in the owner's manual. My Ram said no towing in the first 1000 miles too. IIRC in my research it had to do with the gears (rear end) being run in properly before they were subjected to the additional pressure of towing a load.

The 500 mile engine break in has to do with the piston rings IIRC? My manual said you should stomp on it in several different scenarios during the first 500 miles (WOT while rolling down the road at speed). But it was very careful to suggest you do not break any traffic laws while doing so. The night I drove it home from the dealership, I accidentally got it up to 100 mph. I was in an 85 mph zone, so it wasn't that egregious. But it was more scary than anything. Hauling down a dark highway in a 3/4T truck going 100 was a little unsettling. A testament to how it drove, really; I had no idea I was going that fast!

[jbrnigan]

I'm always a little amused by those that suggest that "some" of the information in the owners manual is just a "guideline" or "suggestion" and use class 6,7 and 8 trucks as examples of why. Having said that, after you drop 50 grand (or more) on a new truck, unless your circumstances absolutely prevent you from following the manufactures break in recommendations, I would follow them. If the stuff in the owners manual is just a CYA for the manufacturer, it's probably there because they have seen failures, related to towing, before their recommended break in periods. Disclaimer: I am not an automotive engineer or warranty claims analyst, self proclaimed or otherwise.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

Disclaimer: I am not an automotive engineer or warranty claims analyst, self proclaimed or otherwise.

But......Did you stay at a Holiday Inn last night? Seriously I've had 3 new trucks in the last 14 years and always followed the manual for break in, why wouldn't you.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

But......Did you stay at a Holiday Inn last night? Seriously I've had 3 new trucks in the last 14 years and always followed the manual for break in, why wouldn't you.

Exactly.

It's not like it's that big a deal. And then you KNOW you've done what you were supposed to do and at least one thing can be removed as a possible cause in the event of a failure.

[jimp]

I've read on one of the truck forums that the 1000 mile break in period is more for the rear end gears and tranny gears to do their break in/mating up than the engine, but I did not stay at HI express or have a degree in engineering. Just from the school of hard knocks, have lots of lumps (diplomas) to prove it too.

[jbrnigan]

Originally Posted by jimp

I've read on one of the truck forums that the 1000 mile break in period is more for the rear end gears and tranny gears to do their break in/mating up than the engine, but I did not stay at HI express or have a degree in engineering. Just from the school of hard knocks, have lots of lumps (diplomas) to prove it too.

No where in my owners manual does it say what drive train component needs to be broken in, so you may well be right. Nonetheless, the mileage is what it is, and all drive train parts get the same mileage. We are graduates of the same school (hard knocks), and I have been mislead by self appointed experts in the past. Faced with a choice, I always err on the side of the guy who wrote the book. And, I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn either, that's why I have an RV - LOL

[cekkk]

Curious as to what your truck is. Guessing a 1500. Anyway, part of the break-in has to do with the brakes. At least in the olden days. If you plan on keeping this truck for many years, I'd start out being gentle and giving it that break-in period. But that's just me.

[jimmyp]

2018 Sierra Owners Manual page 255 Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break-In
Caution The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
. Keep the vehicle speed at 88 km/h (55 mph) or less for the first 805 km (500 mi).. Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow,for the first 805 km (500 mi).Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.. Avoid making hard stops for the first 322 km (200 mi) or so. During this time the new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brakelinings.. Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Trailer Towing Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually increased.

[306RKDS]

We bought a new 2012 Ford Super Duty 4wd, 6.7 diesel crew cab a week before a trip to the Grand Canyon, SLC UT, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore and then home to Dallas TX. 4500 miles round trip in 3 weeks, had a oil change done at Larry Miller Ford in SLC UT at 2500 miles. The truck was an animal! Empty was 18mpg around town and she used to get 23mpg highway.