Break in period
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 12
From: South Carolina
Break in period
So my F350 was just built and in process of being shipped. I purchased this truck to pull a 42' 5th wheel camper. Upgrade from a F250 and 39' 5th wheel. After reading through several of the forums, I have seen folks talk about a 1000 to 1500 mile break in period for the new 10 speed. I have also, always heard that a new vehicle needs a certain number of miles to break it in before heavy towing. Is there a certain number of miles that i need to put on my truck before hitching up 18k to pull down the road? I just want to make sure that htis truck is treated right and last me a long time. Thanks in advance for the info.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Prepare yourself for 50 different answers, as this topic comes up almost weekly. The manual says drive for 1000 miles before towing, but obviously that isn't always possible. Do whatever feels right.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 1,027
From: Michigan
So my F350 was just built and in process of being shipped. I purchased this truck to pull a 42' 5th wheel camper. Upgrade from a F250 and 39' 5th wheel. After reading through several of the forums, I have seen folks talk about a 1000 to 1500 mile break in period for the new 10 speed. I have also, always heard that a new vehicle needs a certain number of miles to break it in before heavy towing. Is there a certain number of miles that i need to put on my truck before hitching up 18k to pull down the road? I just want to make sure that htis truck is treated right and last me a long time. Thanks in advance for the info.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 1,027
From: Michigan
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 8,076
From: Texas
If you have the opportunity to put miles on before towing, by all means do so. But if you must tow right away, go for it. Just monitor temps of differential, transmission, engine, etc……..but that is normal process for towing anyway. Actually even when not towing.
The negative nannies will have you thinking your new truck will disintegrate magically if you hook before 1000 miles……..believe me, it will not.
New tires may be a bit squirrely at first, so be careful if you have to hook right away; but this is true even on an old truck with new tires.
Brakes may need time to seat properly, so be ready for a little less than optimal braking power at first.
Another point………if it going to break, hopefully it will be right away so one gets full advantage of the new factory warranty.
The negative nannies will have you thinking your new truck will disintegrate magically if you hook before 1000 miles……..believe me, it will not.
New tires may be a bit squirrely at first, so be careful if you have to hook right away; but this is true even on an old truck with new tires.
Brakes may need time to seat properly, so be ready for a little less than optimal braking power at first.
Another point………if it going to break, hopefully it will be right away so one gets full advantage of the new factory warranty.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 12
From: South Carolina
Thanks guys, I knew it was a loaded question when I posted it, however, I spent a pretty good chunk of the kids inheritance on it and want to do things as close to the norm as possible so I don;t have to spend more ogf their inheritance. LOL. I've always heard 1000 miles but then I'm reading somewhere that the new 10 speed transmission needs 1500 - 2000 miles. I'm hoping to take ownership the day before we leave for a camping trip. Its only a 45 minute tow but I have already made arrangements with a friend to use his F350. Just curious if we need to take a long road trip before we head back out for our Thanksgiving trip so I can use my truck instead of a friends. Also, should I get the oil changed after the 1000 - 1200 mile break in or is it good to go for duration of the normal change frequency.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 8,076
From: Texas
Thanks guys, I knew it was a loaded question when I posted it, however, I spent a pretty good chunk of the kids inheritance on it and want to do things as close to the norm as possible so I don;t have to spend more ogf their inheritance. LOL. I've always heard 1000 miles but then I'm reading somewhere that the new 10 speed transmission needs 1500 - 2000 miles. I'm hoping to take ownership the day before we leave for a camping trip. Its only a 45 minute tow but I have already made arrangements with a friend to use his F350. Just curious if we need to take a long road trip before we head back out for our Thanksgiving trip so I can use my truck instead of a friends. Also, should I get the oil changed after the 1000 - 1200 mile break in or is it good to go for duration of the normal change frequency.
As far as taking a long road trip vs doing some local running…….if you have the opportunity to do a bunch of local running, personally I would do that. On both of my 350 duallies, I did not have the opportunity to do any more than about 300-350 miles before hooking heavy and make a 1500 miles trip from North Dakota to Arizina. Just run it and enjoy it!
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Texas
As an addition to my previous comment and your question about possibly using a friends truck. My personal opinion is that I would never use someone else’s rig because if something were to go wrong I would feel totally obligated to correct whatever that may be. I would just go ahead and run my own and not look back; and tell said friend thanks for the offer, but not needed. Even If I had to hook with 2 miles showing on my odometer.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 12
From: South Carolina
Our longest scheduled trip this year will be in December and its around 60 miles one way. I didn't want to be too hard on it up front if i didn't have to be. We want to do some longer trips but will likely be next summer. Should have plenty of break in miles before then.
Last edited by RedCross; Oct 13, 2021 at 02:25 PM. Reason: spelling
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 472
Likes: 153
From: Southeast Wisconsin
Here is a great link to properly break-in a new engine:
Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power
Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,946
Likes: 3,543
From: Uh oh, CA
I had the same concerns… and the bag of mixed comments only made it worse! Lol. But I can say this… the manual says 1000 miles. It’s the most black and white answer there is.
Saying that, many seem to hook up and go right off the lot almost. I also agree with the above, at least the new warranty should cover it if something happens… unless they tap into the “little black box” and it tells them that a trailer has been hooked up before 1000 miles… I can’t say I have seen that happen… but now days I wouldn’t put anything past them either.
I wanted to rack up the miles on my new 250 first, however, I did end up connecting my 6000 GVW camper to my truck for a 7 mile round trip to the dealer. I drove slow and steady… that was with around 175 miles on the odometer. But that’s been all I’ve done with the camper. I now have 500 miles on my truck and have a trip this weekend that will put me over the 1000 mile mark, so by middle November I will be well past that milestone and will go on our first camping trip! It will only be about 70 miles round trip though…
So, if you can put the miles on it first, do it. If not, just take it easy and watch things. But I definitely agree with the comment above, don’t borrow your friends truck… that’s always when something happens!
Saying that, many seem to hook up and go right off the lot almost. I also agree with the above, at least the new warranty should cover it if something happens… unless they tap into the “little black box” and it tells them that a trailer has been hooked up before 1000 miles… I can’t say I have seen that happen… but now days I wouldn’t put anything past them either.
I wanted to rack up the miles on my new 250 first, however, I did end up connecting my 6000 GVW camper to my truck for a 7 mile round trip to the dealer. I drove slow and steady… that was with around 175 miles on the odometer. But that’s been all I’ve done with the camper. I now have 500 miles on my truck and have a trip this weekend that will put me over the 1000 mile mark, so by middle November I will be well past that milestone and will go on our first camping trip! It will only be about 70 miles round trip though…
So, if you can put the miles on it first, do it. If not, just take it easy and watch things. But I definitely agree with the comment above, don’t borrow your friends truck… that’s always when something happens!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 16
From: Estacada, Oregon
I would think the 1k mile reccomendation is more for (as stated above) the breaks and such to take hold and be "seasoned". However I also think its fords risk aversion due to any potential issues that may arise during the first 1k, as most of us know, pulling a load and having a catastrophic failure could be fatal.
