I too waited until after 500miles. Plus I added a Superchip at that time too

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2k F250 CC SWB 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate)

 

I waited 5,000 miles -- but that was only because I live in Michigan, and the trailer was in storage until Easter !

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Y2K™ Jim

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

I did my first tow at 1500 but I see nothing wrong with 500

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1999 EB X 5.9 4.1 gears, Borla catback, Vortech supercharger,superchip

 

I've heard several opinions on the matter but I want to hear from this site. How long should you wait on a new engine before towing with it? Some say let the engine "break in" others think it's fine to tow off the lot. I gave mine 500 miles to settle before towing my Taurus on a dolly. What do you guys (and gals) think?

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Stock Stuff:
Y2K SCab 4X4, Chesnut Metallic, 5.4L, 3.55 Limited Slip, Skid Plates, Factory AM/FM/CD, 40/60 Split Bench, Sliding Rear Window, Towing Package and Keyless Entry.

Extras so far:
305/70X16 GY Wrangler ATS on American Eagle Series 146 chrome wheels.

Future plans:
Airbox mod/FIPK, Flowmaster 40 Series muffler, stainless exaust tip, tint windows, spray in liner (or Herculiner haven't decided), stainless step bars, hood deflector, chip? we'll see.

 

500 is "by the book". I started at 800. Didn't do my first serious long haul till 2800.

 

There's engine break-in which is pretty clear, but I've heard quite a bit about rear-end break-in recently, especially if you do towing. I've read where 2,000 miles is what you want on the gears in order for them to 'seat' well. Kind of like getting the rings to 'seat' in a new engine. I broke in my rear-end for 2,500 miles before I towed. Just my $.02.

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1999 F250SD, XLT, 4x2, SC, V10, 4.30, LT235x85x16R, Longbed, Diamond plate mud flaps,Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, Camper special, sliding rear window, rear privacy glass, Ford rain gutters, Line-X, Lund bug deflector, Banks Trans Command, Banks tranny temp guage with Auto Meter single guage pod, B&M Supercooler, Reese 15K fifth wheel hitch

 

I could have sworn my '97 manual had something about not towing until you have a certain number of miles on the truck. I looked in my '99 and can't find anything about it. Anybody with a '97 manual care to let me know if I'm dreaming about this?

 

The reason I started this thread was because when I bought my brand new 96 Ranger the manual said wait until after the first 500 miles. I checked the manual to my F-150 but couldn't find anything. I went ahead and towed my Taurus (? lbs) about 45 miles between 600-700 and then again for 75 miles around 900. The truck handled it fine both times but I got to wondering if I had waited long enough.