[slowmover]

Basically, anything under 75-miles is a short trip. Takes that long for internal tire temps, axle oil and probably suspension grease to "warm up" to op temp. Found this to be true on my pickup as well as in Class 8 with dual axle temp gauges. Then, from there, another good number of miles are needed to fully cook off condensation related acids, etc, in lube oils.

Fixing or replacing fuel tank will be a feeling of relief.

As to tires. The reason to weigh the vehicle is to help determine proper air pressure versus individual wheel load. If the door sticker shows 55-psi front, then I'd use it all around. Actually, for handling, more air in front is better. 55/45 is worthwhile.

I run mine at 55-psi all around as it is still above minimum (my truck weighs 7,940-lbs; within 40-lbs at all four corners; Dodge says never less than fifty even though that's above what table allows), but truck does not hop or skip on rough roads as it does with higher pressures without a higher load. Any FE gain above that means worse braking and handling. Not to mention more likely to be punctured. Etc.

Finding lower limit (where tire pressure rise from cold is no more than 7% after 90-minute steady state driving) is the hard part. Not much above that is the FE compromise. In my case that might be up to 60-psi. But, now I've roughened the ride for a minute "gain". On a long trip it means that NVH tires driver eroding fine motor skills. Etc.

Pulls to one side when braking means ball joints are shot. Assume same for steering tie rod end links. Take to a shop for an evaluation (alignment). Best shocks are Bilstein brand for price versus never wears out performance.

Don't need to idle before shutdown unless heavily loaded and coming off high speed Interstate. Even a quarter mile from big road to fuel station is sufficient time. I've almost never done it in mine. Turbo failure on a stock Diesel is rare, but, again, ck with DD/GM guys.

A winter front mounts over heat exchangers underhood. Covers radiator and that support. Has an opening in front of coolant radiator with adjustable flaps. A grille cover is not the same. One adjusts the flaps to keep coolant temp just below thermostat opening temp (remove cover above 40F).

Google "MOPAR winter front Cummins" for images with truck hood open. My search only showed exterior covers for early Maxipad engines.

Back around 1992 had a neighbor who was the son of a retired GM executive. He used to make the run back and forth from Michigan to Dallas with his early 6.2L 4WD Suburban claiming 27-mpg. Had a good friend with one of the first year 6.2L and he got 20+ mpg for the 12-yrs/400K he owned it. Both used narrow tread highway style tires.

I posted more detail on a recent Dodge Cummins thread that may also apply here.
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