I just got a 2006 Chev 2500 CC/SB 4x4 LBZ/Allison that has 455 miles on it now. The truck will have about 800 miles by this weekend. I am supposed to tow a 3300lb boat/trailer this weekend. The trip will be 300 miles round trip on the freeway(no big hills). My questions are
1. Is it too soon to tow this load with that few miles?
2. Do I use the tow/haul button with that size load on mostly flat terrain?
3. When I pulled the boat 2 miles from the lake to my house yesterday the truck smelled hot, but the guages all read fine. What is the deal with that?

Thanks

I started towing on day 1.Had 21 miles on her,hitched up 7000#and hit the road, 600 miles.That hot smell is just break in smell.

You won't even feel it back there - and neither will your truck. When you get back, have an EGT guage installed- thats the only thing you really should keep an eye when towing. Enjoy your new rig!

1. You should be fine. In general boats pull quite easily, especially in your weight range. My only concern would be overheating the differential if you pull at high speeds. I'd plan my trip so that I'd pick up the boat, drive for about 20 miles, refuel, etc. to let things cool down. Drive another short distance and stop for lunch or? BTW mine got quite hot during my first tow following the above routine. I probably had about 1000 miles on it at the time. Changed the synthetic fluid at 5,000, and it looked like it needed it. 40,000 miles later the oil looks almost new.

2. Using the tow haul will never hurt your truck, but you may use a little more fuel because of the higher shift points. At your weight, you don't need tow haul.

3. Probably the coatings on the various parts of the engine and exhaust burning off. I'd say normal, just watch your gauges. (Bought a new Expedition a couple of years ago, and lost 90% of the coolant on the drive home from the dealer. It leaked from the rear heat and exited by the back bumper. I'm glad I checked the fluids, cause you never know)

Read your owners manual:). 500 miles before towing to break in the rear end. Thats it. I personally believe that some light to moderate towing in the first 10k miles is nessesary for proper break in. Got to build high cylinder pressures to force the rings out.

3k you won't even notice!! Just make sure you check your mirrors. It pulls so nice i foget sometimes that i've got 40 feet behind my seat :eek:

Pulled my 5th wheel on a 1000 mile trip when truck had 500 miles on it. I don't think I hurt it.

I picked up my new lbz, and drove to my local Bobcat dealer. Towed home a new S250 that afternoon. Diesel engines have run hard for years. I sometimes wonder why now with these new trucks, why everyone is soo concerned with proper brake in procedure..Im used to heavy equipment, brand new with no hours on it you jump in and open it right up for 8 hours strait.. Hitch up the boat and enjoy the worry free ride.

I pull a boat that is barley over 4000 pounds wet. I do not use tow mode for a few reason. First it is not over the weight were the owners manual recomends tow mode. Second the mpg is less in tow mode with the boat in tow. Third I pull in some hill country and when the truck down shifts in tow mode it causes the surge brakes to apply on the boat trailer. 4000 pounds does not push the truck much at all.

I will be doing my hillest trip this week end. I 40 thu the smokie mountains, then 26 into Summerville SC. I will be pulling the boat, first time with the 06 truck on this route. I anticipate no need for tow mode and no slowing down up the hills.

Thanks for all of the input.

What a truck!!!

Tow it, and you won't even know it!! That is such a light load for this truck you could put it in the bed and haul it!! It won't hurt that truck a bit!!!!