Long distance driving advice
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 0
From: Oakville, Ontario
Long distance driving advice
I am possibly looking at a cros country trip. Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Lake Tahoe CA (2400 miles, 36 hrs). Has anyone ever done such a long trip (three drivers) without stopping in one of our 6.0. Just stopping for food and fuel (bathroom breaks included with fuel stops)?
Can these engines handle it? I mean if all is well to start with.
I don't like flying and am willing to drive the distance before I fly.
Any suggestion to carry along for the ride. I am planning to change the oil before I leave, on arrival and my return. Fuel filter on ant the start and finish. Anything else?
Can these engines handle it? I mean if all is well to start with.
I don't like flying and am willing to drive the distance before I fly.
Any suggestion to carry along for the ride. I am planning to change the oil before I leave, on arrival and my return. Fuel filter on ant the start and finish. Anything else?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
Don't see why any engine can't handle it, that is the way I long distance travel, stop for fuel and run through a drive through at the same time, otherwise I am running down the road for as long as 10-12 hours. Done it with a 6.0L, 6.4L and all the modulars several times.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
I haven't done it in a 6.0, but have driven many long non-stop trips in other vehicles. Like California to Washington DC and back....
In fact, long trips induce far less wear per mile to the engine than short drives. Once engine is running and up to temp, there is effectively no wear. 90%+ of engine wear occurs at cold start up.
The one area to be more attentive is tires. Driving on under inflated tires results in excess heat generation. On a loooong drive, this can lead to failure. Fill to Ford's recommendations, and glance at them at every fuel stop. And scan for damage or shrapnel stuck in the visible sections of tread.
In fact, long trips induce far less wear per mile to the engine than short drives. Once engine is running and up to temp, there is effectively no wear. 90%+ of engine wear occurs at cold start up.
The one area to be more attentive is tires. Driving on under inflated tires results in excess heat generation. On a loooong drive, this can lead to failure. Fill to Ford's recommendations, and glance at them at every fuel stop. And scan for damage or shrapnel stuck in the visible sections of tread.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Oh, are you hauling anything or driving empty?
Things to bring:
- a quart or two of your preferred engine and trans oils.
Oil change: For the reason mentioned above, I wouldn't worry about changing in Tahoe. 5000 miles of continuous driving is nothing to a quality oil. One school of thought says ignore miles and use number of thermal cycles to determine when to change. Over the road truckers have learned (through testing) that they can go many 10's of thousands of miles between changes...
Things to bring:
- a quart or two of your preferred engine and trans oils.
Oil change: For the reason mentioned above, I wouldn't worry about changing in Tahoe. 5000 miles of continuous driving is nothing to a quality oil. One school of thought says ignore miles and use number of thermal cycles to determine when to change. Over the road truckers have learned (through testing) that they can go many 10's of thousands of miles between changes...
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
I did 2400 miles return trip in my F450 a month ago, but using it commercially it limits me to 11 hr driving daily. That said I like driving and driving comfortable sedans I had single day with 2 time zones crossing already 6 times in my life.
Don't worry about the truck -it can take it. The problem are the occupants. I trained my family to take annual 550 miles Vegas trip with single stop. We do it in 8 hr flat. Friends who don't observe the discipline spend 10-12 hr on the same route. Plan fueling as stations between big cities can add 30-40 cents extra.
I use gassbuddy.com for checking the prices.
Take small snacks like peanuts and water. I avoid sodas in the vehicles for several reasons.
And BEWARE. All state governments go broke those years and they send troopers to patch holes in the budgets in big numbers. I drove I-80 in the past and in Nebraska and Wyoming had CC set at 100mph for 50 miles. In last 2 years the cops set traps even in 75 mph zones.
Don't worry about the truck -it can take it. The problem are the occupants. I trained my family to take annual 550 miles Vegas trip with single stop. We do it in 8 hr flat. Friends who don't observe the discipline spend 10-12 hr on the same route. Plan fueling as stations between big cities can add 30-40 cents extra.
I use gassbuddy.com for checking the prices.
Take small snacks like peanuts and water. I avoid sodas in the vehicles for several reasons.
And BEWARE. All state governments go broke those years and they send troopers to patch holes in the budgets in big numbers. I drove I-80 in the past and in Nebraska and Wyoming had CC set at 100mph for 50 miles. In last 2 years the cops set traps even in 75 mph zones.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: Rogue River, Oregon
When I have to do long stints, I plan ahead and take a book on CD. Buy a good one read by a good reader and the miles fly by in no time. Or buy a crappy one and see how far the discs fly out the window at 70 mph...
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 0
From: Oakville, Ontario
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
It will not be problem at all. Mine will run some times 18 hours before i shut down. I don't run 24 hours anymore. I will make the time to stop.
Big thing for me is if i been pulling then when i stop for fuel I leave it run as the engine bay is mightly hot.
If am empty run then idle a couple and shut it down.
Big thing for me is if i been pulling then when i stop for fuel I leave it run as the engine bay is mightly hot.
If am empty run then idle a couple and shut it down.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
In addition, the tools you'll need to replace some of the things listed. I would also bring an extra serpentine belt, just in case.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Now that's some good advice!! lol
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Back in July I drove 7,300 miles in 9 days pulling a 15,000 lb trailer. The longest I went without stopping (except for fuel and food) was 36 hours. And thats in my 2000 F250 with a 5.4 in it. Truck did great, I was in the mountains, at the beach, in canada, I hit 29 states in those 9 days (most of those were new england) but the truck didnt have any problems. I'll say +1 on checking your tires though. Thats the only problem I had, drivers side rear kept losing air, Oh and I lost my tailgate somewhere in north new york state. If anyone is in between champlain ny and ogdensburg and sees a 2000 F250 white tailgate thatd be mine 
