More towing questions

skycruiser · 07-24-2005, 09:36 AM

Okay, I know this topic has been brought up numerous times (and yes, I did a search, but there was so much that I don't have all day to spend reading and sorting through it all)...

I'm going to be renting a pop-up trailer (about 2500 lbs, I think) next weekend and towing it through the mountains in Colorado. I have 10,000 miles on my truck and just put on the new PML diff cover with amsoil 75-140 yesterday. To date, I have not towed anything with this truck. I am fully aware that I am supposed to keep it under 50mph the first 500 miles of towing, but my question is at what minimum weight does this apply? I assume the trailer I will be towing is heavy enough to warrant it, but with the lack of information in the owner's manual, theoretically I could do the towing break-in with an empty trailer that weighed just a few hundred pounds, even though I doubt that would accomplish anything at all. Does anyone have a definitive number on the minimum weight that the break-in should be accomplished with?

Finally, the manual indicates that you should use tow mode when the vehicle and trailer weight is at least 75% of the GCWR. Some quick math tells me that I'll only be at about 65%. I realize that I CAN use it anytime, but would you guys recommend it since I'll be in the mountains?

Thanks for the replies

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 07-24-2005, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skycruiser

Okay, I know this topic has been brought up numerous times (and yes, I did a search, but there was so much that I don't have all day to spend reading and sorting through it all)...

I'm going to be renting a pop-up trailer (about 2500 lbs, I think) next weekend and towing it through the mountains in Colorado. I have 10,000 miles on my truck and just put on the new PML diff cover with amsoil 75-140 yesterday. To date, I have not towed anything with this truck. I am fully aware that I am supposed to keep it under 50mph the first 500 miles of towing, but my question is at what minimum weight does this apply? I assume the trailer I will be towing is heavy enough to warrant it, but with the lack of information in the owner's manual, theoretically I could do the towing break-in with an empty trailer that weighed just a few hundred pounds, even though I doubt that would accomplish anything at all. Does anyone have a definitive number on the minimum weight that the break-in should be accomplished with?

Finally, the manual indicates that you should use tow mode when the vehicle and trailer weight is at least 75% of the GCWR. Some quick math tells me that I'll only be at about 65%. I realize that I CAN use it anytime, but would you guys recommend it since I'll be in the mountains?

Thanks for the replies

Towing a relatively light load such as yours probably doesn't warrant the under 50 MPH or using TOW MODE or even using 4th gear. I would still use the tow mode and shift into 4th if you're going to be in the mountains though. You're kind of in a weight class that can go either way.....try 4th and 5th, with and without TOW MODE and see what works best. And have fun!

teamgl · 07-24-2005, 09:59 AM

I towed a 2,000 to 2,300 lb pop up in the mountains of colorado with an 04 titan w/ BT. Even with BT, you'll want to be in 4th going up some of the "steep stuff".. in the higher passes. Also going down some of the "steeper stuff" in 4th gives some more control with engine compression holding the rig back a bit. Use your judgement on this one.

BTW - at that weight I could not justify holding back to 50 MPH for 500 miles.

I just gave the rear diff a few warm-up and cool down cycles with the trailer before taking the rig out for the long haul. Have fun...

Darren
Littleton, CO

ned946 · 07-24-2005, 11:26 AM

Go for it, you'll be fine.

skycruiser · 07-25-2005, 07:04 PM

I was hoping the general consensus would be that 2500-3000 lbs wouldn't be enough weight to have to do the 50 mph break-in procedure. As soon as I pick it up, I'm going to want to get to my destination faster than that!

Thanks

gf2020 · 07-26-2005, 11:06 AM

You'll have no problems.

I have around 3500 miles on my truck and I towed my 4000 pound boat/motor/trailer about 150 miles 2 weeks ago. I put the truck in 4th with the Tow Mode on and set the cruise control at 65 MPH.

Piece of cake!