TRIP TIPS
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: Gunbarrel, Co.
TRIP TIPS
I am about to embark on a roughly 3000 mile trip in a truck that hasn't ever seen the open roads or ever been more the 70 miles from it's point of delivery. Most of the trip will be on state highways. I know many here have made the trek to the Ford Nationals, so what did you bring for your truck that made your trip possible?
The truck, my 51' F-1, French flathead, T-19 Trans (no overdrive), 3:50 9in rear. One of my dumber questions is do I bring the car cover?
The truck, my 51' F-1, French flathead, T-19 Trans (no overdrive), 3:50 9in rear. One of my dumber questions is do I bring the car cover?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
IMHO I would not bring the cover unless you are planning on washing your truck before putting it on each time. Any road dirt will embed itself into the fabric and scratch the paint with any breeze strong enough to move it around. I'd suggest one of the cased wrench sets like the channel-lock ones they sell at Sam's club, plus a pair of locking pliers and medium size set of slip joint pliers.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: Gunbarrel, Co.
IMHO I would not bring the cover unless you are planning on washing your truck before putting it on each time. Any road dirt will embed itself into the fabric and scratch the paint with any breeze strong enough to move it around. I'd suggest one of the cased wrench sets like the channel-lock ones they sell at Sam's club, plus a pair of locking pliers and medium size set of slip joint pliers.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 692
Likes: 8
From: Roanoke, VA
If I was going on an adventure like that I would take a few spare parts if I had access to them. Water pump, alternator/generator, belt(s), hoses, clamps, etc. Some small parts that are most likely to fail and leave you stranded. An assortment of tools would be first on my list though.
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 1,052
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 54
From: Sterling CO
HD, I almost drove to Shane's first truckfest last year.... from us (Denver) to Kentucky.... when prepping up for the trip I had some spare fluids at the top of the list (mine seems to consume a little water and leak a lot of oil). tools of course, and the spares I had on hand already - spare coil, spare spark plug wire, etc.
Other safety gear that you may or may not have, the typical in any car I am about to go far from home in - fire extinguisher, first aid kit, etc.
I have a spare set of coveralls, roll of paper towels, and waterless hand cleaner in the truck since the 1st day I got plates. (I tend to dress nice enough that I don't want to crawl under the truck in whatever I am wearing, coveralls are a must)
I get 10 1/2 MPG whether fully loaded or bare naked empty either way, so I figure put everything that might help and wont cause a storage / space issues. If in doubt find a hidey hole in the back of the seat/ under the seat/ etc, find a home for it all.
Other safety gear that you may or may not have, the typical in any car I am about to go far from home in - fire extinguisher, first aid kit, etc.
I have a spare set of coveralls, roll of paper towels, and waterless hand cleaner in the truck since the 1st day I got plates. (I tend to dress nice enough that I don't want to crawl under the truck in whatever I am wearing, coveralls are a must)
I get 10 1/2 MPG whether fully loaded or bare naked empty either way, so I figure put everything that might help and wont cause a storage / space issues. If in doubt find a hidey hole in the back of the seat/ under the seat/ etc, find a home for it all.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 54
From: Sterling CO
Oh and Honest Charley claims that a multitude of owners have reported 2200 as the ideal cruising rpm for a flathead... without OD, I would tell you to add lots of time to the list - just let her find that sweet cruising speed and let the country roll past nice and leisurely.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I've got the same gearing, but 235/75-15's (28" rolling diameter). I've been taking local trips at higher and higher speeds to see how it does. Like Bryan says, 2100 - 2300 is a sweet spot. I got 14.5 mpg in mixed driving last tankful!
Honestly, I don't think you need to worry about taking spare parts, but for piece of mind I have made a list of anything that isn't commonly available in the way of wear components: MSD distributor cap, rotor, belts, that's about it. Think back to your build and try to remember if there are any special tools you needed to get to common items. My starter, for example, needs a 6" long allen (hex) key. Have faith in your build!
Honestly, I don't think you need to worry about taking spare parts, but for piece of mind I have made a list of anything that isn't commonly available in the way of wear components: MSD distributor cap, rotor, belts, that's about it. Think back to your build and try to remember if there are any special tools you needed to get to common items. My starter, for example, needs a 6" long allen (hex) key. Have faith in your build!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,372
Likes: 1,731
From: AKRON ohio
I bring a roll of electrical tape and a roll of electrical wire.
I always bring a spare Generator and I really don't care if it works, I worry about a bearing going bad and then loosing the ability for the water pump to be run as the belt that drives the WP is the same as the Gen (on a Y block)
cotton work gloves
fluids
Assortment of screws and bolts , last trip I thought I had this and I forgot my selection
I bring a coil, points, condenser, small hose clamps and a few radiator hose clamps
Coil of about 5 feet of fuel line and a Gator Aid bottle with a bolt on tire vale stem in the cap with the core removed.
The 5 feet of hose I can siphon fuel out of my tank, fill the bottle. Remove the fuel line from the carb (mine has a rubber hose at the carb) connect the 5 feet of hose to the carb and connect it to the bottle and now I;m running off the bottle to get off the highway! Holding it out the window.
I always bring a spare Generator and I really don't care if it works, I worry about a bearing going bad and then loosing the ability for the water pump to be run as the belt that drives the WP is the same as the Gen (on a Y block)
cotton work gloves
fluids
Assortment of screws and bolts , last trip I thought I had this and I forgot my selection
I bring a coil, points, condenser, small hose clamps and a few radiator hose clamps
Coil of about 5 feet of fuel line and a Gator Aid bottle with a bolt on tire vale stem in the cap with the core removed.
The 5 feet of hose I can siphon fuel out of my tank, fill the bottle. Remove the fuel line from the carb (mine has a rubber hose at the carb) connect the 5 feet of hose to the carb and connect it to the bottle and now I;m running off the bottle to get off the highway! Holding it out the window.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey HD,
Good luck on your adventure! I haven't been that brave yet - the farthest we've made it is Waco - 100 miles. The one thing I always bring is a portable air compressor & the necessary plugging kit. I want to quickly fix a puncture & get off the side of the road. I've had good luck with this model - it will reach the farthest tire & it runs off of the battery not via cigarette lighter.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Good luck on your adventure! I haven't been that brave yet - the farthest we've made it is Waco - 100 miles. The one thing I always bring is a portable air compressor & the necessary plugging kit. I want to quickly fix a puncture & get off the side of the road. I've had good luck with this model - it will reach the farthest tire & it runs off of the battery not via cigarette lighter.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 54
From: Sterling CO
lol, - bigwin, until I pulled the rust filled gas tank I did the same thing (cranberry juice instead of gatorade though)...
something that hit me when the last 2 posted about "commonly" available.... do you have a smartphone?
Here's why I ask.... Walk into checker
Q: "I need a rotor for a '48 F1"
A: "uh nope we don't have such a thing, in fact nothing for a 48 - no parts at all"
Q: " I need an BWD D103"
A: "I have 5, gimmie a second"
see the issue here - the young parts dweebs can't have it bludgened into their head enough to realize they do have the parts their computer is just too stupid to dig it up.
If you don't have a smartphone and can google it up yourself on demand, then you need to have a complete list of ... well everything / every part in the truck.
something that hit me when the last 2 posted about "commonly" available.... do you have a smartphone?
Here's why I ask.... Walk into checker
Q: "I need a rotor for a '48 F1"
A: "uh nope we don't have such a thing, in fact nothing for a 48 - no parts at all"
Q: " I need an BWD D103"
A: "I have 5, gimmie a second"
see the issue here - the young parts dweebs can't have it bludgened into their head enough to realize they do have the parts their computer is just too stupid to dig it up.
If you don't have a smartphone and can google it up yourself on demand, then you need to have a complete list of ... well everything / every part in the truck.
Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,472
Likes: 1,696
From: Kentucky
How about a list of FTE members along your route? Sometimes a friend can be a lot more helpful than a garage, if you need it. They would know more about how to help you with your truck, and don't charge by the hour.
They may also have that left water pump or generator you need on hand. Or at least know where to get it.
They may also have that left water pump or generator you need on hand. Or at least know where to get it.
