Towing trip checklist.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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Towing trip checklist.
Prepping for a camping trip/tow in a few weeks. Is there a checklist (something a bit more condensed than the tech folder contents) that can be referenced pre-trip?
Some of my basic checks would be:
Check ALL fluids.
Check tire pressure and tire condition. Spare tire/jack condition.
Head lights, tail lamps, brake lights, turn signals.
Parking brake, brake inspection.
Some of my 6.0 specific checks would be:
Check ECT/EOT delta (ECT ~190, EOT ~195 average, no more than 15deg )
FVP (12,14,14)
FLP (12,13.5,13.5)
FMP (46-48)
ICP (LI 625.5, HI 1400)
IPR (14.84, 24, 40.60)
VGT (LI 73, HI 43)
EBP (14.5, 16.5, 18.0)
MAP (14, 14, 15)
EBP,MAP,BAR within .5 of each other at KOEO.
Check underside for fluids, leaks, etc.
Anything else I'm missing here? What else would you be checking before a long tow?
Some of my basic checks would be:
Check ALL fluids.
Check tire pressure and tire condition. Spare tire/jack condition.
Head lights, tail lamps, brake lights, turn signals.
Parking brake, brake inspection.
Some of my 6.0 specific checks would be:
Check ECT/EOT delta (ECT ~190, EOT ~195 average, no more than 15deg )
FVP (12,14,14)
FLP (12,13.5,13.5)
FMP (46-48)
ICP (LI 625.5, HI 1400)
IPR (14.84, 24, 40.60)
VGT (LI 73, HI 43)
EBP (14.5, 16.5, 18.0)
MAP (14, 14, 15)
EBP,MAP,BAR within .5 of each other at KOEO.
Check underside for fluids, leaks, etc.
Anything else I'm missing here? What else would you be checking before a long tow?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,171
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Just do your normal stuff, change the oil and fuel filters if it's time, drain the water separator if it isn't. In the past couple of years I towed a 2200 mile round trip about once a month, my pre-trip routine was check the air in the tires and get a full thermos of coffee, and turn right at the end of the driveway... If you are on top of your regular maintenance the trailer is going to give you more problems than the truck should.
Brian
Brian
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,826
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From: Manteca,Ca
All of the above is great advise, I tow alot and I useally have 2jugs of distilled water and 1 jug of coolant, in the truck all the time, even have a 25' log chain for just in case ( I have to pull a dodge or a chevy
)always look at the trailer lock down and safety chains, and in a long haul keep an eye on trailer tires ( heat,bubbles,separation feel the wheel make sure the bearings are not seizeing up. and rock on, remember its a truck not a race car
)always look at the trailer lock down and safety chains, and in a long haul keep an eye on trailer tires ( heat,bubbles,separation feel the wheel make sure the bearings are not seizeing up. and rock on, remember its a truck not a race car
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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A friend of mine had a blowout on his travel trailer while on a trip. Never felt it. The loose tread beat the daylights out of the side of the travel trailer - apparently it did it for quite awhile. He added on a wireless system to send the trailer tire pressures into his cab. Thought it was a good add-on.
I check my batteries before a long trip also - either a load test or a hydrometer on each cell (if a lead-acid)
I check my batteries before a long trip also - either a load test or a hydrometer on each cell (if a lead-acid)
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 6
When you say all fluids, don't forget the rear diff, and yes even the windshield wiper fluid ( I ran out once during a melting snow condition in traffic, miserable!)
Also make sure you have the key for your spare and that the spare will actually lower to the ground.
I always carry a 36mm socket, just in case I need to change fuel or oil filters for some unfortunate reason.
Also make sure you have the key for your spare and that the spare will actually lower to the ground.
I always carry a 36mm socket, just in case I need to change fuel or oil filters for some unfortunate reason.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 29
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From: N IL
The two things that come to mind for me:
1. Check your camper tires! Number one thing I see neglected (myself included) is trailer tires. Not just tire pressure and tread depth but check for age and cracking. Campers just don't get used enough to wear out tires. They dry out before anything and most trailer tires are Chinese made. With age they can and will just blow apart going down the road, possibly tearing up the camper. I've been on the side of I-90 on the Friday before July 4th with my whole family because of a trailer blowout! It isn't fun!!! If you don't know there is a 4 digit number stamped in to the side of all tires. First 2 digits is the week, second 2 is the year the tires were produced. If they're old just change them now rather than in your campsite in the middle of nowhere...
2. If you're camper has brakes, make sure your trailer brakes are activating and your brake controller is properly adjusted.
Have fun and check for ticks!
1. Check your camper tires! Number one thing I see neglected (myself included) is trailer tires. Not just tire pressure and tread depth but check for age and cracking. Campers just don't get used enough to wear out tires. They dry out before anything and most trailer tires are Chinese made. With age they can and will just blow apart going down the road, possibly tearing up the camper. I've been on the side of I-90 on the Friday before July 4th with my whole family because of a trailer blowout! It isn't fun!!! If you don't know there is a 4 digit number stamped in to the side of all tires. First 2 digits is the week, second 2 is the year the tires were produced. If they're old just change them now rather than in your campsite in the middle of nowhere...
2. If you're camper has brakes, make sure your trailer brakes are activating and your brake controller is properly adjusted.
Have fun and check for ticks!
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Olathe, KS
Agreed on the trailer checks being more critical. Might check when the last service of wheel bearing was done as well.
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Joe Kucinski
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Like already said, if you prepped the truck with preventive maintenance, then you have done your part. The only thing that may happen is something that is out of your control, like a sensor or blown IC boot, things that fall under "chit happens".
Just another trailer info, be sure you have a jack and enough blocks of wood for the jack to lift the trailer tire off the ground. Some camper frames are really high, and need to put enough wood blocks under the jack to lift. Make a difference between a 20min trailer tire fix and a 2hr fix.
Just another trailer info, be sure you have a jack and enough blocks of wood for the jack to lift the trailer tire off the ground. Some camper frames are really high, and need to put enough wood blocks under the jack to lift. Make a difference between a 20min trailer tire fix and a 2hr fix.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
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That is a weird fact on the 05 brake controller, caused me no end of grief until my good friend Google told me it was normal to have no brakes below 15 mph. On the other hand, it's hands down the best controller I have used. On the blow out issue - I use a run-up block to change trailer tires now, a simple stack of 2X10's, bottom one three feet long, second one 2 feet, third one 1 foot. I pull the tire that is staying on up on the block, the other tire is now 4" off the ground for an easy change. Only works on dual axle or more trailers, of course. Equally handy to help level the trailer when you get parked in your totally off level campsite (what were they thinking when they call THAT a parking spot???)
Brian
Brian
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 220
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From: Central TX
Follow the comments above, they are great. Had an STC go bad on trip, was lucky and got it fixed by end of next day. Trailer Tire blowouts with a lot of damage to trailer, tread wear have been a big problem with current trailer. Have changed out trailer disk brake controller, redone brake lines, changed trailer axles. Carry another extra trailer tire unmounted in the back of the truck. Its hard to find trailer tires that fit that are not made in China on the road. Goodyear trailer tires are the only ones that have a good service record with me. Check alignment of axles before a long trip. Most people who buy trailers don't check that before they leave the lot, and none of the warranties are any good because dealers will blame everything on potholes or hitting a curb.
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Fortunately, I had the STC fitting upgraded to the one-piece last year when doing the EGR/Oil cooler, so hopefully that one wont be a problem. I only tow about 300 miles each way to pismo. It's the trip down that concerns me most. If something happens on the way back I can always send the family home in a rental and deal with the situation myself, ALREADY having enjoyed my vacation. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,826
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From: Manteca,Ca
You probebly have a full truck by now LOL , but cell charger,and a bag of tools that fit every nut metric and standard,remember when in dout call 1800-FTE theres members standing by 24/7 and sometimes road asistid,O 1 more thing pack the CAMERA and have a great Time
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