Towing Question

MadCow Titan · 07-09-2004, 12:47 AM

I have 850 miles on my truck and I'm planning on towing a 5x10 trailer with a Harley Davidson Fatboy on it and just wanted to know if that would be safe being that I havent made the 1000 mile break in. The owners manual says do not tow anything until the 1000 miles is up. This is not a very heavy tow so I thought it would be safe and also Im only 150 miles from break in. Also should I change the oil after my 1000 mile or just change it on the normal 3000. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but I dont want to do anything to screw up my truck.

Big Platinum · 07-09-2004, 01:06 AM

IMO... 1000 miles is not a magic number. You should be fine especially towing a light load, just take it easy, tow in 4th, and check your diff fluid. As far as the oil change goes, there is already a huge debate. But if you are going to tow anything, I would probably go ahead and change it early.

stevemis · 07-09-2004, 06:05 AM

I always change my oil and filter on a new/freshly rebuilt engine between 500 and 1000 miles. It may not help, but it certainly wouldn't hurt anything!

-Steve

TriKKy · 07-09-2004, 06:16 AM

I could be wrong, but I always thought that there is such a thing as "break-in oil" which is different from the standard oil in some way. Then again, I'm an idiot sometimes so...take it for what it's worth.

dcwinters · 07-09-2004, 06:34 AM

Break in oils are a thing of the past. Today's oils are so refined that I would not worry with changing it that quick in your case. By the way, I think my owners manual says 500 miles before towing. Have a good trip. Besides a 5x10 trailer and a Fat Boy could not weigh over 1400 lbs together, assuming an open trialer. That is like having 5 "real" fat boys in the cab!!! I don't think the owners manual cautions on how large the people you carry in the cab during breakin!!

Birdhunter · 07-09-2004, 09:28 AM

Changing the oil can't hurt. I changed mine at about 850 miles before I ran a hard 2000 miles on a road trip, then changed it at the turn point before I towed a boat 2000 miles back, then I changed it again, mainly to check the condition of the oil, which was fine.