All systems go!
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Joined: May 2013
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All systems go!
Just a tic under 1,000 miles on the odometer and I'm leaving Friday morning for my first tow so I figured I'd check the vitals for the first time. Topped off the diesel on the way home and added a couple OZs of PM22A. Drained water separator, not one drop of water 
(I've never let it get to 1/4 tank, and never will if I can help it. Checked coolant level, perfect. Checked oil level, perfect. Computer says DEF is OK. Didn't check trans fluid, but I'm sure it's fine. Anything I left out?
It's just good to know even if I don't have a lot of miles yet, that everything is where it should be. BTW, I've had two regens so far. The first was at 700 miles, and didn't finish because I was only a few miles from work. The second was at 930 miles and (I think), took about 20 minutes. I figured my MPG average would go down with the regen, but it's still about the same- 17.4 since new.
Can't wait to tow with the beast! Trailer is about 7K lbs, plus a sport quad in the bed
I'll post a towing report when I get back.
One other thing; After draining the separator, I need to prime it before starting right?
(I've never let it get to 1/4 tank, and never will if I can help it. Checked coolant level, perfect. Checked oil level, perfect. Computer says DEF is OK. Didn't check trans fluid, but I'm sure it's fine. Anything I left out? It's just good to know even if I don't have a lot of miles yet, that everything is where it should be. BTW, I've had two regens so far. The first was at 700 miles, and didn't finish because I was only a few miles from work. The second was at 930 miles and (I think), took about 20 minutes. I figured my MPG average would go down with the regen, but it's still about the same- 17.4 since new.
Can't wait to tow with the beast! Trailer is about 7K lbs, plus a sport quad in the bed
I'll post a towing report when I get back.One other thing; After draining the separator, I need to prime it before starting right?
Last edited by 22rimfire; May 20, 2015 at 08:56 PM. Reason: Question
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Yup, check all your tires. I like to tow at 72psi all around. If your trailer tires are load range D I like to run those at 50psi.
For your first tow I also suggest you check your hitch to make sure its height is adjusted right. Your new 350 might be identical to your last truck but also might not....
We have adjustable trailer brake gain too, there's the usual 1-10 setting but also three options "low, medium, high" for the power gains. Might want to sort this out too.
It's a good idea to have roadside safety triangles, fire extinguisher, and plenty of blocking wood.
I know, you just meant to talk about the truck, just want to avoid the morning rush on departure day when you have to deal with seized hitch bolts trying to adjust the ride height, etc...
For your first tow I also suggest you check your hitch to make sure its height is adjusted right. Your new 350 might be identical to your last truck but also might not....
We have adjustable trailer brake gain too, there's the usual 1-10 setting but also three options "low, medium, high" for the power gains. Might want to sort this out too.
It's a good idea to have roadside safety triangles, fire extinguisher, and plenty of blocking wood.
I know, you just meant to talk about the truck, just want to avoid the morning rush on departure day when you have to deal with seized hitch bolts trying to adjust the ride height, etc...
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Thanks guys. Yes, the new truck receiver is higher than previous truck. Lowered the ball mount on the shank as much as possible and it's pretty close, we'll see. I may have to get a longer drop shank, but trailer is a little lower in the front when hitched which is right, so I expect a good tow. Truck only drops 1 1/2" without the WD bars hooked up. I have the trailer brake set at medium with gain at 5 just as a starting point. I'll have it dialed in in the first few blocks.
I did forget to mention the tire pressures. I have them at 70 on the truck, and 45 on the trailer right now. If my weights were higher I'd probably go up a little, but this seems to work OK for me.
Trip will be across Washington state, from west to east almost to Idaho. Aprox 300 miles each way, and over Snoqualamie pass. Be a good first trip.
I did forget to mention the tire pressures. I have them at 70 on the truck, and 45 on the trailer right now. If my weights were higher I'd probably go up a little, but this seems to work OK for me.
Trip will be across Washington state, from west to east almost to Idaho. Aprox 300 miles each way, and over Snoqualamie pass. Be a good first trip.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville, TN
Thanks guys. Yes, the new truck receiver is higher than previous truck. Lowered the ball mount on the shank as much as possible and it's pretty close, we'll see. I may have to get a longer drop shank, but trailer is a little lower in the front when hitched which is right, so I expect a good tow. Truck only drops 1 1/2" without the WD bars hooked up. I have the trailer brake set at medium with gain at 5 just as a starting point. I'll have it dialed in in the first few blocks.
I did forget to mention the tire pressures. I have them at 70 on the truck, and 45 on the trailer right now. If my weights were higher I'd probably go up a little, but this seems to work OK for me.
Trip will be across Washington state, from west to east almost to Idaho. Aprox 300 miles each way, and over Snoqualamie pass. Be a good first trip.
I did forget to mention the tire pressures. I have them at 70 on the truck, and 45 on the trailer right now. If my weights were higher I'd probably go up a little, but this seems to work OK for me.
Trip will be across Washington state, from west to east almost to Idaho. Aprox 300 miles each way, and over Snoqualamie pass. Be a good first trip.
Washer fluid?
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Joined: May 2013
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Since you mention it, I looked at the fill cap on it and the tank seems to be buried 
All you can see is about 2 or 3 inches of the "neck" of the tank. So it's kinda hard to tell how much is in there. Oh well, I haven't used any yet, so if it was full from the factory i should have some if needed.
All you can see is about 2 or 3 inches of the "neck" of the tank. So it's kinda hard to tell how much is in there. Oh well, I haven't used any yet, so if it was full from the factory i should have some if needed.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 513
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From: WA
Carl, one thing I really noticed when I went from the 6.4 to the 6.7 was that because the truck was so much quieter and smoother towing my 15K+ 5th wheel, I really had to pay more attention to my speed. It kept creeping up on me. -Glenn
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
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From: Georgia
Sounds like you have it covered pretty well. For long trips like that, I take an extra spare for the trailer with me. When one blows, the other carries all the weight on that side until you get it stopped. I've seen several that damage the remaining good tire. It's just something I do.
The only problem you will have is tired facial muscles from all the smiling you will be doing while on your trip! Send us some pics, you know we all love 'em! Have a safe trip and enjoy!
The only problem you will have is tired facial muscles from all the smiling you will be doing while on your trip! Send us some pics, you know we all love 'em! Have a safe trip and enjoy!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
Take some DEF with you, yesterday my F350 turned over 1300mi, 30 mi. later DEF message 500 mi. left. The dealer assured me it was filled and would not need to worry for at least 5K mi., well I have 600 towing and another 300 just cruising unloaded and the rest stop and go. Got a call into the dealer about this.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 1,190
From: Door Cty/Florida
I've had two new 6.7l trucks and both needed def soonish after leaving the dealer's lot. The dealership definition of full means that there is some def in the tank.
Now the guys doing oil changes at the dealership know what full means because they sell it for $8 a gallon
Buy some def.
Bruce...
Now the guys doing oil changes at the dealership know what full means because they sell it for $8 a gallon
Buy some def.
Bruce...
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Will do guys.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
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From: Greenwood, SC
All good Carl! The def is a good idea. You should go to wal mart or something and get 5 gal of it and try to top off your tank. The fill neck doesn't vent very well and the last gallon is hard to get in there but I think it's a good idea to go ahead and take the time to fill it. This way you'll know for certain that it's full and that you should expect approx 5,000 miles before you need to do it again.
I prefer my ride height and trailer to be level, if any maybe a little nose high on the trailer, tail high on the truck. Have a fun trip and be sure to post back on how your truck did. I've given up on towing with the trans in D, I just don't like running the motor in the 3,000 rpm range. I tow in M almost 100% of the time. I feel that my speed control and dealing with hills and traffic go much smoother when I can play with the throttle without allowing the trans to down shift into 5th or even 4th gear. It's nice to be able to floor it and force it to remain in 6th gear. When I need to gain speed I find that I never need to run the rpms up beyond 2500. I can't keep the revs that low in D.
I prefer my ride height and trailer to be level, if any maybe a little nose high on the trailer, tail high on the truck. Have a fun trip and be sure to post back on how your truck did. I've given up on towing with the trans in D, I just don't like running the motor in the 3,000 rpm range. I tow in M almost 100% of the time. I feel that my speed control and dealing with hills and traffic go much smoother when I can play with the throttle without allowing the trans to down shift into 5th or even 4th gear. It's nice to be able to floor it and force it to remain in 6th gear. When I need to gain speed I find that I never need to run the rpms up beyond 2500. I can't keep the revs that low in D.