Towing during break in
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,697
Likes: 12,821
From: Wyoming
Here is the exact section from the 2017 Owner's Manual, version 3, page 292:
I took a few extra trips out of town to get as close as possible to 1,000 miles before towing my toy hauler.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km) before towing a trailer. Make sure you use the specified engine oil.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. These additives may prevent piston ring seating.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. These additives may prevent piston ring seating.
New User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Had a 2016 towed with it the first time at around 25 miles. Truck ran flawlessly for the 60000 miles I owned it with 90 % towing. New 2019 waited about 100 miles before towing, on or have 1200 miles so we will see. Had it for a little over 2 weeks. 90% towing.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
xxxsherpa, I am pretty sure that info. does get stored. I used an Edge Insight CTS2 for monitoring only on my '17 F250 an will be on the '19. With speaking to edge they stated that Ford Techs could see in the Trucks Computer files that you had something plugged into the OBD II.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 60
From: IA / NE
We buy 40 ton off-road dump trucks and put them to work right away, so I'm pretty skeptical that towing right away will damage anything on the truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Exactly. Why risk throwing $70K (or so) down the drain over a few miles. It's easy to get out and just drive to get the miles. Take a trip and see a part of town, or the state, you haven't seen before. Take a Sunday drive (remember when people used to do this??) You made a good decision.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 692
Likes: 134
Screw that!! Drive that truck what its designed to do. Load that puppy up and go. My 18 F150 5.0 had 279 miles on it and I have towed a 6000lb camper with it..almost 7k miles on that truck when I traded it in and didn't have 1 issue with it. Please enjoy that truck.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 889
Likes: 38
The "break in period" is more for the differential gears than the engine. The 1000 mi breakin warning is buried in the owners manual somewhere, found it in both my '15 and '18 manuals.
Believe me that the dealer can tell from the on board computer if you towed before the breakin and then have a reason to deny warranty service.
Having said that I don't ever remember seeing anyone say that they had a issue with the drive train and was denied service because of towing before the 1000 mi mark.
Just saying follow the manual if you can if you can't then don't. Life is always about choices.
Believe me that the dealer can tell from the on board computer if you towed before the breakin and then have a reason to deny warranty service.
Having said that I don't ever remember seeing anyone say that they had a issue with the drive train and was denied service because of towing before the 1000 mi mark.
Just saying follow the manual if you can if you can't then don't. Life is always about choices.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 109
Likes: 30
From: Tucson, Arizona
My '17 F250 had 22 miles on it when I purchased it, 1000 miles from home with a 12000# trailer. Hooked it up and drove home. Mountains, desert, heat. Zero issues then or now. I tow frequently, have had several super duty's and always use them as trucks with zero issue.
My observation is that people who use these as trucks have no issue with using them immediately. People who use them as cars(fancy transportation) and rarely tow something are afraid to use them as they were intended for fear "something" might happen.
My observation is that people who use these as trucks have no issue with using them immediately. People who use them as cars(fancy transportation) and rarely tow something are afraid to use them as they were intended for fear "something" might happen.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: Northern Colorado
I’d go for it. I’m not sure when it changed but forever they’ve always said not to tow for the first 500 miles. I pretty sure that’s what was in the owners manual for my 2010.
So so many people buy these trucks and just drive them and they are fine.
So so many people buy these trucks and just drive them and they are fine.
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