Break in new engine before towing?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at possibly buying a new Tacoma soon, and I'm also planning on moving across the country in a couple months. Ideally, I'd like to tow a trailer (like the U-Haul 6x12; it's a 1-bed apartment and I don't have much stuff) instead of renting a moving truck. Is there any concern with towing with a fairly new vehicle? Do they need some sort of "break-in period?"

Sorry for the newbie question, but this would be my first truck!

 

I towed a boxer mini track steer a week after buying mine about 50 miles round trip over, around and down a mountain with a 1,500 ft elevation change and will always wonder if I did something I shouldn't have. It was one heavy SOB and the truck was not pleased with me but did it. I know almost all manufactures say wait till after

 

You will most likely get a variety of opinions on this. My opinion is to use the truck as you've described. The engines are pre-run after assembly and really don't require the same "break-in" they once did.

 

Only problem I see is the transmission is in learning mode, and your brakes are supposed to be breaking in for the first 200 miles.

 

The owners manual (who knows better than the truck's designers) says not to tow for the first 500 miles. For the first 1000 miles don't go at extremely high speed, avoid sudden acceleration, no continuous use of low gears, and no constant speed for extended periods.

 

The safe bet would be to make sure you've put at least 1500 on the odometer till you try to make your planned move. You said you're a month out, so as long as you are using it as you daily you should be fine.

The devils advocate will point out that the one bedroom apartment probably is not that heavy, but weight can creep up without you knowing it.

If it were me, I would rent a box truck and tow the Taco. Put the wear and tear on somebody else's rig. Cross country and up and down the mountains can be hell on your brakes, transmission, motor, etc. while loaded. Make the U-Haul mechanics earn their pay checks.

 

i towed my 5100 lbs camper trailer 3 days after buying my truck for a approx 1000 km trip. i towed this load 3 times after this summer for long trip (approx 3000 km total).

i'm now at 7600 km and no issue, truck is running like a new.

Remember, it's a truck, it's made for towing and carrying thing.


But, if you have time for doing the breaking period 500 miles, I would recommend you to follow the instructions of the user manual :

 

Buy a used Tundra for the move. Trade for new Tacoma when you get there
I would not tow that far with a new (not broken in) engine!

 

That little guy weighs 2671 lbs without the bucket. Add the weight of the bucket and you're well over 3 grand. then add the weight of a trailer, and you're right about the max this truck should tow.

In my opinion, the rated tow capacity of the Taco is higher than it should be.

4,500 lbs is a more realistic number.

I've dragged a few small aluminum horse trailers, with one horse inside, and it struggled.

 

I towed over 2k lbs for about 10 miles (about 350 miles on truck), OH and I don't know what you consider extremely high speed, but I pushed it pretty good yesterday (now got about 500 on the clock), and on my test drive I pushed it some not as hard as yesterday, but mid eighties and not for long. There are a few schools of thought on this break in, but what every one seems to agree on is that the engine is pre-run. I have been taking it pretty easy overall, but I feel that you need to push the truck once in awhile, and if something is going to go wrong, I hope it happens earlier rather than later.

 

Perhaps a U-Haul with the taco on a car carrier would be the absolute safest way to go. Of course, that would also depend on your finances...

 

First I'd properly bed the brakes. Regardless of what future vehicle plans were. Almost no one does. And it doesn't take 200 miles, you can easily do it in an hour or so.

I'd make sure the transmission fluid was full. Not easy to do on an auto, but it is DIY doable. Again, regardless of future vehicle plans.

I would drive (not pussyfoot) about 500 miles, both city and highway, then change the oil.

Now make your trip.

 

Interesting thought...have you considered a good used 2014 or 2015 with a V-6 and moderate mileage, making sure it has the tow package? That way you know it's broken in, if it comes from a reputable dealer.
Barring that, what are you thinking of getting? V-6 or 4 cyl., manual or auto? 4X4, or 4X2? All can make a difference...

 

Safest answer is to follow Toyota's recommendations posted above, per the user manual. Everything thing else is anecdotal and unsupported or mildly-evidenced speculation.

If you plan to keep the truck for a long time, I personally would bed the brakes, and make sure to drive it enough to get beyond the break-in point before towing. That's if you care about the small chance that such care could increase the longevity of the powertrain.

$0.02 from a person who cares about keeping things nice for a long time.

 

I was looking at page 156 under breaking in your new Tacoma. Its nice to see more useful information from the manual about towing.

 

Wow, just got done with work and came to find all these responses. Thanks!
It might be a game time decision, but definitely have more to think about now. Someone asked about buying a slightly used one. I just figured since the 2-3 year-old ones are almost the same price as new, I should get new. And also, since I'm pretty specific on what I want (4x4 V6 TRD Off Road double cab), there aren't that many barely-used ones where I live.

 

Good luck with that one

 

Meh, just do it. I would. I have before.