Last minute new tow vehicle

[bowzer]

The two towing trips with our new Coachman Freedom Express using our 2008 Expedition wasn't what I was hoping for and with a planned vacation to Utah approaching in about 8 days it didn't leave a lot of time if we wanted to do something. Got to looking and lucked out as the local dealer just got in what we wanted. Went with a 2013 F250 Platinum Power Stroke. Picked it up this past Wednesday night and LOVE IT so far !! Leave this Thursday and cant wait to hit the road with it

[RandyL]

Which Freedom Express did you get? I just got a 305RKDS this week. I have a new F150 Ecoboost, and so far I'm not crazy about the handling with the TT. I'm going to try a better WDH and sway control before giving up on the F150.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by bowzer

Went with a 2013 F250 Platinum Power Stroke. Picked it up this past Wednesday night and LOVE IT so far !! Leave this Thursday and cant wait to hit the road with it

Quick! Read and understand the Owner's Guide for your new power house. It says you should not tow until the truck has at least 500 miles on it - and it's better if it has 1,000. But cruising at highway speeds will not do much to break in the new diesel engine or brakes. You need to go to a big town or city and drive around in areas with lots of stop signs or traffic lights so you are forced to continually start and stop and start again. Baby the brakes as much as possible, but use them gently. When decelerating, allow the engine compression to do most of the braking, and use the brakes only when it's unsafe to continue coasting.

It takes a while to put on 500 miles in city streets, but if you want your new Platinum to last a long time, then you need to spend the time to break it in right. If you have to work a lot before you leave on the towing trip, then have someone else drive the truck in town before you leave. Try to put 1,000 miles on the odometer before you tie onto the trailer.

The following is a link to an oldie but goodie article on breaking in a diesel engine:
Breaking in a diesel engine

[bowzer]

Randy we got a 298reds. Thought about the Eco Boost but after going thru 2 Expeditions since 1998 figured it was time to get a true tow vehicle.

Heres our 298.....love it so far.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f58/coach...ss-158123.html

[bowzer]

Smokey, no way I will be able to get 1000 on it before this coming Tuesday. Will be hard if I tried to get 500

[TXiceman]

Really need to get some miles on it to primarily get the rear gears to wear in while not under a load. The brakes seating are secondary.

It always pays to read the owners manual.

We drove our new truck, back in 2012, every where we went and took the long way there and back. We had a bit over 900 miles on it when we took off on a 2000 mile trip.

You are going to love that new PSD and never regret not getting the EcoBoost.

Ken

[bowzer]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

It always pays to read the owners manual.

Ken

LOL I did ! In real life I am a service advisor Problem is the last time I was at a Ford store the 7.3 was the hot thing.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by bowzer

Smokey, no way I will be able to get 1000 on it before this coming Tuesday. Will be hard if I tried to get 500

It's your truck, so you're in charge.

If it were mine, I'd spend every extra minute driving in city traffic before you have to hit the road. Or if no suitable city traffic handy, then simulate city traffic by accelerating up to 40 MPH, then throttle-off deceleration back to 10 MPH, then do it again, and again, and again for at least a few hundred miles. Then same thing except accelerating up to 55 MPH, then throttle-off deceleration back to 10 MPH, then do it again, and again, and again. Finally, raise the speed to the speed limit of 65 or 70 MPH and repeat the routine.

My 2012 F-150 says 1,000 miles minimum before towing a trailer. I think my 1999.5 7.3L said the same thing. But somewhere I read that 500 miles is sufficient if you have lots of throttle-off deceleration involved.

[2002dura]

Good looking ride. You will really like the way it tows. Enjoy your trip and let us know how you like it.

[bowzer]

Youngest daughter and I took a joy ride tonight. Now up to 140 miles on it. A friend is off work tomorrow and he stated he would be willing to poke around in it for me. Hoping by Thursday to be around 400 on it.

Thanks for all the replies

[bowzer]

Got my buddy today to spend the afternoon cruising around on my fuel lol !!! Up to 330 miles so feeling a lot better hitting the road Thursday

[iawoody2]

I am pretty sure my manual said 500 on my 2013.

[TXiceman]

My 2012 said 500 miles but preferred 1000 miles.

Ken

[iawoody2]

Got the manual out and correct, 500 but 1000 preferred.