Break in Before towing
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,369
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Break in Before towing
So, I'm looking for a 2018+, F250 Lariat, 6.2 gasser. The options and combinations I hope for might require me to order a new one. That's okay with me, but looking at some posts, they take 3 months to get in. That's okay too I guess, but I have a 6000# travel Trailer I might use in mid-May for the weekend, couple hundred miles round trip, pretty flatland, and if I don't get it until early May, I might only have a few hundred miles on it. Given that this is not a huge load, would that be acceptable? Some say 500 miles, some say 1000 miles, some start towing the day they get it. Your opinion? (I can't find in the Ford online manual either)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
So, I'm looking for a 2018+, F250 Lariat, 6.2 gasser. The options and combinations I hope for might require me to order a new one. That's okay with me, but looking at some posts, they take 3 months to get in. That's okay too I guess, but I have a 6000# travel Trailer I might use in mid-May for the weekend, couple hundred miles round trip, pretty flatland, and if I don't get it until early May, I might only have a few hundred miles on it. Given that this is not a huge load, would that be acceptable? Some say 500 miles, some say 1000 miles, some start towing the day they get it. Your opinion? (I can't find in the Ford online manual either)
BREAKING-IN You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 mi (480 km). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed frequently and change up through the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km) before towing a trailer. Make sure you use the specified engine oil. See Capacities and Specifications (page 442). 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.
Makes sense to me, but I do not know if it is true.
As to whether you follow the manual or not, that is up to you. Many on this board think that the Ford engineers are idiots and don't know what they are talking about.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
In addition to breaking in the drivetrain and the tires, this period helps break in the brake pads, allows a time to get through new product “infant mortality” and develop some reliability confidence, and also provides a honeymoon period for the driver to get to know his/her new vehicle.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,887
Likes: 778
From: SoCal/Wyoming
I did not pull with my 6.7 in the first 1,000 miles. I am sure some are pulling with their trucks the second day of ownership but I will stick with the Ford recommendation on this issue. I had someone telling me that you need to take it out as soon as you buy it and run it with a heavy trailer up the steepest incline you can fine to help break it in right an if you don't, you will have nothing but issues later on. Again, the world is full of advice on what "you should do" but you need to make that decision for yourself.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Texas
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,781
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From: Foothills of NC
There seems to be quite a few people on here looking to sell their trucks. Maybe you can find one of those. It seems most are just wanting to trade for a new one, so you may get a decent deal.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Minnesota
Just hookup and GO! The owners manual says blah blah blah drive it 1000 miles first. I’ve never done that with any of my trucks. F150 or F350. Never had a problem with drivetrain either. I don’t have a choice with my F350’s, they are work trucks. It’s only purpose is to pull trailers and haul tools, I’m not going to take a weekend to drive 1000 miles so I can hookup to a trailer and go to work on Monday morning. Besides, the 6000lbs that you are talking about isn’t much of a load anyway.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 516
No. It will continue to cycle about once a month. Now if we could divert the path of this to an oil thread, life will be perfect.
Would you do a heavy pull with the factory fill of 10W-30 oil?
Would you do a heavy pull with the factory fill of 10W-30 oil?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 507
From: Phelan CA
From the page 313 of the 2020 F-250 Owner's Manual:
The best explanation that I have read for the 1000 miles is to allow the gear teeth in the diff to wear in. Overheating the teeth prior to wearing in can create hard spots and reduce longevity.
Makes sense to me, but I do not know if it is true.
As to whether you follow the manual or not, that is up to you. Many on this board think that the Ford engineers are idiots and don't know what they are talking about.
The best explanation that I have read for the 1000 miles is to allow the gear teeth in the diff to wear in. Overheating the teeth prior to wearing in can create hard spots and reduce longevity.
Makes sense to me, but I do not know if it is true.
As to whether you follow the manual or not, that is up to you. Many on this board think that the Ford engineers are idiots and don't know what they are talking about.
There isn't a reason to worry about the rear axle break-in for 'light' loads like the op mentioned.
I would be easy on the engine in regards to high rpms until the rings seat.
The transmission is nothing but planetaries in series, not much to worry about there.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 507
From: Phelan CA
Just hookup and GO! The owners manual says blah blah blah drive it 1000 miles first. I’ve never done that with any of my trucks. F150 or F350. Never had a problem with drivetrain either. I don’t have a choice with my F350’s, they are work trucks. It’s only purpose is to pull trailers and haul tools, I’m not going to take a weekend to drive 1000 miles so I can hookup to a trailer and go to work on Monday morning. Besides, the 6000lbs that you are talking about isn’t much of a load anyway.
