June 19th I will be leaving California on vacation to Colorado. I have made the drive many times, but this time will be making the trip with my wife and 4 step kids. I don't want problems along the way. My last trip the fuel pump in the aft tank of my 94 went out leaving me stranded between Baker and Las Vegas with no fuel in the other tank.

This trip will be made in my 2000 F250 V10 with 87,000 miles on the od. I bought the truck from a dealer 2 yrs ago with 65,000 miles. Since buying it I have done nothing to it except change the oil every 4,000 miles and replace the air filter. What should I do before the trip?

I am do for an oil change, so I will be doing that. I have been running Mobil 1 10w-20 since I bought it. Should I have the tranny serviced since I don't know when it was done last? The fluid is red, doesn't look or smell burnt. Should I flush the cooling system? Everything looks good, nothing is low nothing seems to be out of spec. Any recomendations on what to do to get ready.

In previous trips I have just got in and gone. But for some reason (family) I dont want anything to happen on this trip. We will driving quite a bit once we get to Colorado.

 

I may be wrong but I thought Ford recommended 5w20 for superduties. My 03 v10 uses 5w20 since I pick 'it up new.

 

get in, turn the key, and rock on brother ! An oil change would be good, Ford says the tranny fluid is good for 100K, but I change mine, it's easy. Freeway driving is all in OD, which is direct so the fluid has very little to do but look good. It's up to you, take care, Ken

 

In 2000 5-30 was recommended for the V10 you us Mobil one so no problem, if the tranny fluid looks clean no problem. I have 85K on my work truck the only problem I have had was a speed sensor.
Were in Colorado do you go and do you take your emergency response bag with you. Personally I just have my barrier device on my key chain ( for my own protection ).

Denny

 

We are going to Highlands Ranch just south of Denver. But we plan on going to Colorado Springs and Winter Park while we are there.

I don't carry much anymore. Most of my travels are within my companies response area so I just call it in on the radio and have someone there in a couple of minutes. I will probably throw something together for the trip. I would hate to come across an accident in the middle of nowhere with nothing.

 

If you haven't already done so, change the fuel filter. I just turned over 20K miles on my '01 (more like 60K miles worth of gas though), and it was almost completely clogged...

In my '01 owner's manual, it says change it every 30K miles.

Made a mild difference in how mine runs, a little bit more power between 3000-4500RPM, which you might not need for your trip, but it can help save the fuel pump if it's working overtime

art k.

 

Pack a small toolbox in case,jumper cables or booster box would be good also.Check the condition of your belt before you go, other than that, go for it.Maybe get an ac check before you get going to make your trip comfortable.