I bought my PSD last July with 112k. I know our trucks have the reputation of being bullet-proof, and so far I couldn't be happier. I guess my question is, how bullet-proof are they?

I need to drive a 6,000 lb trailer about 900 miles, and I'm planning 2 days for the trip. But if I'm feeling fine, and the temps are all normal, is it mechanically safe to push this truck and make the trip in one long day?

Related question, am I missing anything from this prep list:

1. I'm planning an oil change and coolant flush before I go.
2. When I bought the truck 5,000 mi ago, I asked the dealer to replace the fuel filter, serpentine belt, and differential oil. So, all of those are new.
3. The rubber is fine.

 

im watching this for an answer

 

Make sure the dealer topped off the differential! It's a quick check with a 3/8" ratchet. Note whether the plug area is clean, as it will indicate whether or not he actually DID change the gear grease. Look for a new bead of silicone around the diff cover, too, because the only way to drain the diff is to pop the cover.

I'd change the trans fluid if you haven't already, and air filter, then:

I see no reason what-so-ever to not just head on out!

These things are pretty tough characters.

Just get in and go.

Oh..... make sure the trailer brakes work, too!

Pop

 

A member on here (Franko72) did a road trip with his 5th wheel trailer from Florida to Oregon in I believe it was 3 days with no issues other than a blown trailer tire. Trying fin the thread and will be some good reading for you.

 

Found it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ut-for-me.html

 

Pretend you are an over the road trucker: it IS NOT legal to drive over 11 hours (I think it is now) do the math for 11 hours at the posted speed limit, I don't care how young or old you are......after 8-10 hours on the road espessely towing a trailer your reflexes are way off at the least........don't risk an accident........get a cheap motel room if need be......your truck is the least of your worries........it will run 900 miles no sweat without even being shut down.

 

I've done 1000 mile in one hit - in my youth, in a gasser, without a trailer... when the speed limit was 55 (which I promptly ignored). I did 700 miles in one hit with the 7.3L last year (Reno to Seattle) without a trailer. I haven't seen any issues with vehicles when the temps were in the green - but the driver is not sharp at the end, and I'm glad I wasn't pulling a trailer.

 

No problem at all for the rig, you'll be a different story.
I've done 1100mi straight numerous times but with 2drivers swapping every 5to6 hours.
I always start trip at night to avoid the traffic here...
You start in the morning after a good night sleep with no traffic it's a maybe

edit... check the spare, found mine was flat recently

 

Averaging 500 miles a day is easy, peazy. Unless you mean 900 miles per day, not so easy...but doable if you are in driving condition. The truck can do it easily.

 

I think everyone touched on the things that needed to be brought up. And I agree with all the above !! And yes DOT says 11 hrs although these rules don't apply to you it is a good rule of thumb. Honestly in the case of your trip, you and your trailer are the weak link. Your truck won't be an issue and a 6k trailer isn't even 1/2 of what you truck can pull all day long. But like Pop said I would double check the rear diff because I don't trust stealership techs.

I would make it a point to check your trailer bearings, lug nuts are torqued, brakes and lights. Make sure you have spare and air pressure checked for both truck & trailer.

 

If possible do any maintenance to truck well before you leave & test run some,just in case any thing needs further attention,as in leaks from coolant flush etc.

 

You'll be fine. Got out of the Navy in June, drove 2614 miles from Washington state to Texas towing 4470 lbs. All I did was check all the basics everyone else has already stated (rig fluids, belt, lugnuts, trailer bearings), changed the oil and filter, and took off. I averaged 12 hours a day, about 75-80mph with 30-min breaks every four hours - averages out to 900-960 a day. The only time the truck turned off was for fuel (running from full to fuel light) and five hours of sleep every night - left it running during the breaks. Excursion didn't break a sweat, even in the grades in Arizona in 122*F heat.

 

Thanks for all the great insights everyone. It's great to know the truck can handle whatever I throw at it, but I was beginning to realize that I'm not quite as resilient. So, I've re-scheduled the trip for next month, and this time I have two days to make the trip. I'll try to make as big a dent as I can on that first day. But it's good to know I can stop whenever I need to for rest and finish up on day two. Thanks again!

 

Last month I took my '00 with 180k on it to Idaho and back pulling about 6k. Day one was 200 miles, day 2 700. 5 days later on the way home it was 900 miles straight home. Frequent bathroom breaks and a couple fuel stops. Every stop I walk the rig feeling for hot tires indicating low pressure. No issues, although I have owned my truck for 7 years and 70k, so I'm very familiar with it and all the maintenance is kept up on.

 

I did 2000 miles in 2 days (1 night) pulling an empty car hauler on the way there and loaded 6k lb on the way back. Truck was fine. I was exhausted. Wont be doing that again. My max is now no more than 600 miles in a day when pulling a trailer.