I hear a lot of talk about how a diesel engine should be broken in. A lot of people say "load it up heavy and pull hard". My questions are why should this be done and what if it is not broken in like this? In my situation, I bought this truck to pull my current camper and be able to upgrade to something heavier in the future. Most of the time I drive the truck, it is not loaded at all. So.... will my truck still break in ok but just take longer or will the rings never seat properlyunless I can load it down and pull hard? What does Dodge/Cummins recommend?
Thanks

 

I'm new to the diesel world when it comes to Rams as I just traded in my 04 1500 hemifor a 07 6.7ltr 2500, and Im interested in knowing this too. From what I understand, nothing should be towed for the first 500 miles, but I dont really plan on hauling much more than a occasional trailer for moving my family or friends.

 

IMHO the 5.9 is somewhat more forgiving on how it’s broke in then the 6.7. A diesel engine was made to do one thing work hard all day long and short drives are hard on it. It’s a good idea to at least put a ton of weigh in the bed for 6-7,000 miles to at least make the engine work harder then driving it empty if don’t tow or haul with it. As for the 6.7 from what I was told it should be worked a bit harder then the 5.9.

I was at Dodge today and from the info I was told the 6.7 is not very kind to those who drive it mostly around town or idle it a lot. This new engine, because of its EPA mandated junk is one of the big reasons it will not be a good town truck as it needs to be worked. Also max time for idle should be no more then 10 min.

JMHO

 

I've got the 5.9 here and just use my truck for daily driver. They'll break in that way it just takes a lotlonger. It's better to work them so they don't get a bunch of soot buildup inside the combustion chambers and on the injectorsbut it won't matter that much if you hardly ever do. I do have a tool box with probably 800 lbs of tools and misc stuff in it. I also did put about 1200 lbs of tractor weights in the bed for a few thousand miles when it was new. It was sort of a hillbilly level kit the truck sat level but rhonestly I don't think it noticed the ton of extra weight as far as acceleration goes. DBLR is right about the 6.7 that's what I've heard about the 6.7 too it'snot so grocery getter friendly... and enabling the high idle function on one of them is almost absolutely necessary if you need to idle one but even then I would be weary of it. Sure am glad I got a 5.9

 

Around town the fuel mileage starts going down, so I try to make sure I get a job or two out of town so I can get an hour run there and an hour run back on the big road so I can heat it up and clean the engine up, even after broke in a long trip does a CTD good.

But mine was a grocery getter when I bought it with 26000 miles, and I thinkI know why they traded in, the MPG's sucked the first week I had it, then after hauling 5000 pounds once a week a 3 hour road trip to pick up materials my mileage went to 14 mpg pulling and 17 empty, which is great for a 7000 pound 4x4.

I still try to get a long haul load one a year, with either heavy weight or wind load to keep my engine clean, so pick up a small load and hit the road

 

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I think I need to break mine in with some weight. I have 45000 on the odometer, I have taken long trips but when I drive it. I normally go 30 miles to work and back. I try to do the right thing, keep the rpms low until 180-200 degrees is hit, and I always let idle before shut down. I will soon be getting some rock for the house and will probably opt to pick it up as oppose to having it delivered, might be a couple or few trips but might be good for diablo.