Break in and hauling???

crepitus · May 24, 2006

I just picked up a 06 Sierra last night. i was just wondering if it it would be ok to put a quad in the back and go about 300 miles? the truck only has 100 miles on it and the quad with my camping gear probably weighs 800 pounds. should i just cancel the trip or should it be ok? i havent had a chance to read the manual yet but i know my old truck said to wait 1000 miles before towing.

redvett · May 24, 2006

Owners manual says 500 miles breakin.

ken1mod · May 24, 2006

The break in period seems to be related to transmissions and gear units rather than engines. Aircraft engines require full throttle break in and large diesels are ready for full work right out of the box. gear units require that proper surfaces be built up on the wearing faces.

I think if you take it easy, keep speeds down and not climb any steep hills you will be ok. gentle throttle is a major part of the process. baby it and enjoy your trip.

Ken

pwall · May 24, 2006

800 pounds.....I don't think that a problem.

Take it easy for the first 500-1000.

If you were going to tow a 6000lb trailer, that would be different. ;)

crepitus · May 24, 2006

The break in period seems to be related to transmissions and gear units rather than engines. Aircraft engines require full throttle break in and large diesels are ready for full work right out of the box. gear units require that proper surfaces be built up on the wearing faces.

I think if you take it easy, keep speeds down and not climb any steep hills you will be ok. gentle throttle is a major part of the process. baby it and enjoy your trip.

Ken

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thats the other problem. it is in upstate NY. Very hilly.

Buggle_96 · May 24, 2006

Go and enjoy your new truck, dont worry about it.

mmmikkke · May 24, 2006

Yeah, you can still climb hills, just do it like grandma would.

Deere_Daze · May 24, 2006

I think you would be fine hauling your quad in the back of your new truck.

Just avoid cruising at a steady speed for your entire trip, you should try to vary the speed if you can.

marko · May 25, 2006

I think you would be fine hauling your quad in the back of your new truck.
Just avoid cruising at a steady speed for your entire trip, you should try to vary the speed if you can.

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Shouldn't be a problem. Break-in means varying engine speed and that means going up hills and down and on flats. If anything the slight additional load will cause the tranny to downshift a bit more, which is good.

The key to a good break-in is that engines like to run at constant speed to wear in, not at suddenly variable speeds. So, don't blip the throttle because that's bad for the engine. Running under slight load, not freewheeling, at various "continuous" (i.e., more than a couple of seconds) speeds, is good for an engine breaking in.

Full loading isn't good for the engine, but the quad would be kind of like having 4 people in the cab, wouldn't it?

And what good is a truck if you can't haul around your quad in it??

Marko in Fernie, BC

pm26 · May 25, 2006

That break in and hauling can quickly turn into hauling and breaking.........

marko · May 25, 2006

That break in and hauling can quickly turn into hauling and breaking.........

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Isn't that what warranties are for???

mmmikkke · May 25, 2006

I'd do it if it were my brand new truck. I'd just take it easy. And don't worry about breaking it. That truck'll hardly notice the load.

pm26 · May 25, 2006

I'd do it if it were my brand new truck. I'd just take it easy. And don't worry about breaking it. That truck'll hardly notice the load.

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800 lbs in a 1/2 ton bed is quite a bit of load. My deuce and a half would probably not notice it, but it is a 5 ton payload rated truck for highway driving, and in reality 10 tons would not overload it, given its rear spring capacity of tandem dual axles.

pm26 · May 25, 2006

Perhaps using the tow/haul mode would help. This will raise the transmission shifting point and eliminate lugging of the engine on steeper slopes.

marko · May 25, 2006

I'd do it if it were my brand new truck. I'd just take it easy. And don't worry about breaking it. That truck'll hardly notice the load.

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800 lbs in a 1/2 ton bed is quite a bit of load. My deuce and a half would probably not notice it, but it is a 5 ton payload rated truck for highway driving, and in reality 10 tons would not overload it, given its rear spring capacity of tandem dual axles.

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A 10 ton Quad? Wow!

Seriously though, the manual says nothing about dragging around three 200+ pound passengers.

I wouldn't really worry about a quad, but that's JMHO. I drove around in my "new" truck with a snowmobile in the back all winter, with no ill effects.

Marko in Fernie, BC