Hello everyone,

I will be moving from Alaska to Texas next year and towing my travel trailer down. Wanting to get truck in top shape before we leave next July.

Background on truck: 1999 F350 extended cab 4x4 with a V10 with 205K miles. Previous owner replaced (verified by receipts)

-Both front ball joints
-Both radiator houses and a radiator flush
-All COPs, boots, and plugs at 200K
-added volant air intake
-added firestone air bags in back
-transmission rebuilt at 150K miles
-Trans flushed at 200K miles
-Brand new dick cepek fun country tires
-Flushed differential fluids at 200K
-Oil change at 200K
-added pioneer dvd player with back up camera
-put a dent in top of bedrail when he dropped fifth wheel on bed lol


Things I have done
-Replaced front rotors and pads
-Replaced sway bar end links and added poly bushings
-added Prodigy P3 brake controller
-added 5star tuning custom tow, performance, and economy tow with sct x4
-converted esof hubs to milemarker manual hubs
-Oil change at 205K with synthetic
-added low profile truck toolbox to store needed tools for the trip
-added tow mirrors

What else should I do before we move next year? I already have an awesome equalizer brand weight distributing hitch I had from my old duramax so not worried about anything trailer wise, just wanting to make sure the truck does great on trip down to Texas, as well as another 100-150K after that.

 

Do you have an idea of what time of year the move will take place? It gets really hot in the summer and summer (fall to others). How long are you spacing the haul down over?

Truck sounds pretty well suited. I assume no noticeable leaks from the difference after fluid change?

 

Welcome to Texas. I moved here about two years ago from Illinois. Don't let the SUMMER scare you. Its really not that bad and in most part of Texas, it feels good as it has less humidity than in Florida, but only if you are at least 2 hours away from the ocean shoreline.


As for your truck. It sounds like it is ready for the trip. The only thing I would make sure I have is some kind of cash or room on credit card in case something goes wrong on the way down. Plan for plenty of time if you are expected to report to work to give you extra time for sight seeing or problems with the truck.


As for the TT, make sure it has good tires. Not cracked or rotted as the heat will cause the tire to fail quicker. Same for the truck. I have Good Sams towing. Something to consider if you have flat tire, broken down or whatever. Its like 80 dollars a year and it is better than triple A as you will be towing your trailer.

 

We are planning to move to San Antonio and plan on making it a month long trip down so we can enjoy stopping at multiple camp sites on the way down and make a family trip of it. Both my wife and I are prior military and spent the majority of our enlistments overseas so we want to experience the multiple states we will drive through. We have lived in Alaska for the last 8 years together (I am originally from here) and we decided we no longer want to live here because of the long dark windy cold winters, the extremely high cost of living, and the fact that it costs thousands to go on vacation. The day I can say I will never switch over my summer tires to my winter tires will be a dream come true lol. Planning on budgeting 5,000 for the trip which includes fuel for both the truck and my wife's chevy cruze, campsite fees, food, and any issues we may end up with. We plan on leaving here July 16th and planning on arriving in San Antonio by August 16th.

 

I think the best thing to do is drive it; preferably - if possible - tow some with it. Pay attention to anything unusual and get it looked at.

I'm not sure about your budget. You can easily spend $100 or more each day you're on the road (two vehicles). Food for two, $50/day. Camping fees, $30 nite. Just make sure you've got a credit card in your wallet.

 

its my daily driver and haven't noticed any issues yet. Plan on doing a couple camping trips per month this summer to make sure it doesn't have any issues.

Random question, but I have a steering stabilizer (just the shock part since previous owner lost mounting hardware kit) and I noticed my truck has the mount on the passenger side (looks like a C pointed towards back of truck). Where can I order the other parts of the mounting system? I hate to purchase a kit since I already have a stabilizer shock thingy.

 

op has a TT. Food cost and loding will not be the biggest issues. In the northern states where cool enough at night dry camp in Walmarts/Sams or Cabela for free. We do that and stay every third night in a campground so we can dump and resupply with water.


5K may not be enough.


I would plan on 6 mpg for this trip so the truck alone is going to eat up 2400 bucks in fuel. Start there.


Extra oil, coolant, belt, Spare tire/jack for truck/trailer. Check those trailer tires carefully.


Repack those trailer wheel bearings too.

 

Trailer bearings get repacked every spring (probably overkill but better safe then sorry right?) so those will be ready, oil, coolant, spare belt, tools, jack, etc are all in toolbox on truck. I have a generator already so not worried about power or anything. I figured 2400 for gas for the truck so glad that matches with other people's numbers. I am figuring about 600 for the gas for my wife's car so thats 3,000 right there. then figured 2,000 for camp ground fees, food, and any issues we may have.

I am also going to be buying brand new tires for the trailer, either maxxis or carlisle, and trailer is only 6,000 pounds fully loaded with full tank of water so its not much weight I am pulling.

Am I missing something on why it would be more then 5,000?

 

You didn't mention that the U-joints were changed on that truck. With that mileage I would consider changing them if they're original and don't have grease fittings. They'll be under some stress towing all those miles.

 

I would either sell your wife's car or ship it down. Its much better that way and it may even be easier on the budget. Besides, I would rather my wife to be with me in the truck to enjoy the trip.

 

I am going to look into shipping the car, currently owe too much to sell it, and its brand new so we want to keep it for her to get around in san antonio. Not sure on the u-joints if they are original or not, didn't see any grease zerks on them though.

 

I would not sell the car. You would just have to purchase another one later on.


Get a good sam RV advantange card. Then if you fill up at one of there places you get a discount and the pump doesn't shut off.


I just think in my gut I would add another 1K to the fund.


Also plan for an average speed of 50 mph. Let me explain.


I travel at 65 when towing. So with fuel stops and stopping for eating, which I try to combine with the fuel stop, in the end it works out to 50 mph traveled during the day.


So now you can plan out how long of a day you are going to drive and based upon 50 mph you know about how far too.


Those trailer tires will be the limiting factor. I assume ST tires. Increase speed burns more fuel anyway.

 

Am I missing something on why it would be more then 5,000?

I guess it depends on the number of days you're on the road and what you expect. When I was in my 20's (and had no money) I could really pinch the dollar. As I get older I drive less daily distance (more road days) and traded junk food for more family restaurant food. A decent breakfast, $7. Fast food lunch, $7. Sit down meal, $11. On the road snacks, ?.

If your wife also eats then multiply that by two, and don't forget to tip.

I myself have never camped in a Walmart/Home Depot, but I guess you could cut that expense out. If you run the refridgerator full time then you can purchase/prepare some of your own meals, not as relaxing but cheaper; but be advised, cooking while at Walmart is frowned upon. I think a quick zap with the microwave (if you have a Quiet generator) would be OK. Also keep a close eye on the dirty water tanks, you don't want either of them to overfill with no provisions for emptying them.

Once parked (in a true campground) you may wish to enjoy adult beverages. Beer is a staple for me - while my bride prefers wine. Maybe a spirit before bed. Now is also the time to find/prepare some good T-bone steaks. Charcoal/ propane? All more possible expenses?

And then there is the odd-ball stuff. Two years ago my water hose burst. Last month my water pressure regulator quit providing water. NOTE to self: next time purchase quality hose and regulator.

This is all obvious stuff so just a reminder. Trip sounds like a fun time.

 

We just did that drive last year. Went from Anchorage to Virginia. 2013 f350 and a 28" TT.

The isolation you'll encounter in the Yukon Territory and until you get down closer to the states is your most vulnerable time. There will be others driving by, but finding something you need or someone that could do it is the hard part.

I brought redundant stuff, some of them for seemingly simple, but essential stuff that could break or accidentally get lost, such as trailer keys, hitch pin, truck keys (not stored in truck), etc.

I also brought a jack and Dewalt impact gun in case a tire needed a swap, which it did. Trailer was not balanced and saw wire mesh showing within a week of starting the trip.

Fill your propane. I brought two extra 5 gallon cans full of diesel, because I had no idea how accessible diesel would be. I would get as low as a quarter tank sometimes, and then paid as much a $6 a gallon, but you take what you can get.

Take your time in the Canadian Rockies if you like that kind of nature, it's the best part of the trip. There is a hot spring in Whitehorse that's next to a campground, fun for the family.

Obviously, sell or send your guns down ahead of starting the trip. First thing they asked me was what I did with my guns. If you have dogs, you need paperwork showing they are healthy and no rabies, within a month before hitting border.

 

Since the spark plugs were just changed 5k miles ago you may want to check them. Make sure theyre still torqued appropriately. Read up on the issue if you're not aware. Blown out plugs happens to the eraly model modulars.