Towing and 1st oil change.

This is just my own personal opinion:

-drain oil now to get all break in/manufacturing debris out. Do it again at 5k and then keep on the 5k oil change intervals. Oil is cheaper than engines.

-At 2000 miles, the drivetrain is probably good to go. If you have a thermal gun, I would take it with you on the first tow, keep speeds a little lower than normal (I keep a thermal gun in the truck at all times). Pull over after 30 min of towing and check the rear differential housing with the thermal gun to see what kind of temps you are running. If temps are over 180*, I would have a coffee and take a short break to cool things down. If temps are 130-160*F you should be just fine.

What you are trying to break in is the gears and using heat cycles. Check the owners manual on break in procedures. I have been hearing that the 3rd gen manuals have been a little vague on this. My 3500HD break in procedure was ridiculous (empty and towing) but I followed it to the letter and now have a good drivetrain temps. My tires are normally hotter than my bearings/brakes/and differentials in the hot summer heat.

I would also suggest swapping out the rear differential fluid at a minimum at 5k miles. You might be surprised what comes out from manufacturing and break in. I have done this on every vehicle except one (2005 dodge 2500) and I regretted that. No break in and towed from day one. My rear diff most likely got hot and caused some lasting issues. I changed out a couple pinion seals and always ran higher temps after that (had a thermocouple installed in my magtec). At the time I really didn't know anything about towing, men don't read owners manuals, and I was just way too excited that my wife purchased my first HD Cummins powered truck for my birthday (she's a keeper). Boy was I wrong and learned some lessons.

 

PT, I replied to the other thread.