Newbie With A Towing Question

[nitrohorse]

First off I'd like to say that I was lurking on here for a few months reading all the posts I could to determine whether I should buy a Silverado...or not. Thanks to this site and other reviews (Motor Trend, Edmunds, etc.,) I bought a Victory Red LS ECSB 4x4 5.3 6 spd. yesterday. Problem is that I'm going to need to tow a 3000 lb. enclosed trailer next week (60 miles round trip) and the owner's manual recommends not towing for the first 500 miles. Has anyone towed a trailer prior to hitting 500 miles?

I don't plan on pushing the truck hard and the trip is only 30 miles each way. Suggestions or opinions are appreciated.

THanks for a great site and I really enjoy the truck!!

[[email protected]]

we bought a 2001 gmc sierra 2500 brand new off the lot for the work truck, and pretty much the next day started towing a 28 ft enclosed trailer across country. that truck has so much pep and power, tap the gas pedal and you squeal the tires. plus its so solid yet. one of our mechanics said he thinks its from towing right away with it and breaking the truck in. im not a mechanic,,but id say go for it

[Blue2500CC]

We picked up our new '10 CCSB and that night towed about 2500lbs or so. It was only about 30mi round trip, and flat, but I just took my time.

 

Good luck!

Chris

[Ryan00TJ]

That's not that much weight and a short distance to boot. I don't see it being a problem. I towed my cousin's new boat back from OH for him right around the 700 mile mark. Around 175 mile trip. The no towing before 500 miles is to allow your transmission, TC, differential gears etc all to break in. Your engine is allready well broken in. Just drive normally and you'll be fine.

[mato27]

I tend to be a little more conservative when the truck is "brand new" and try to break it in nice and easy. To me it's not worth the risk if something does go wrong.

[music]

The main concern is probably the differential gears. I'd tow very easy and accelerate slowly. I seriously doubt you will ever know the difference. Heck, some guys blow rear gears and never tow, while others tow from day one. The key is "take it easy".

[ruggedlife]

...you have a warrenty for a reason tow the shit out of it

[Blue2500CC]

The main concern is probably the differential gears. I'd tow very easy and accelerate slowly. I seriously doubt you will ever know the difference. Heck, some guys blow rear gears and never tow, while others tow from day one. The key is "take it easy".

 

This is what I did as I mentioned!

 

You would have thought I was dirving Ms. Daisy! Lol

 

Does your truck have the tow package (can't remember the opt #)? If so, you have a rating of about 9500lbs, depending on gearing, and options.

 

Chris

[[email protected]]

 

...you have a warrenty for a reason tow the shit out of it

 

[BrockwayMT]

3000lb is not much I wouldn't worry about it. Just don't floor it. I think the engine limits power during break in anyway.

[dlstewart01]

3000lb is not much I wouldn't worry about it. Just don't floor it. I think the engine limits power during break in anyway.

 

 

How do think it can do that....

[pm26]

I would just drive the truck around to put as many miles on it as possible prior to towing anything. 500 miles is not that hard to put on the truck. You can do it in a day or two.

 

It is not just the differential gears that should not be loaded too much during the break in period. It is also the engine and transmission.

[music]

I would just drive the truck around to put as many miles on it as possible prior to towing anything.

 

+1

[nitrohorse]

I'm going to tow with the truck this weekend regardless of the mileage. The truck has the HD tow package. I'll just take it easy.

Thanks for the responses.

[pm26]

Do whatever you want, but towing during the engine break in period is just plain unwise. There is a reason for those break in caution statements.