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Old May 28, 2019 | 07:40 AM
  #1  
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Summer Camping Prep

We are heading out on our longest continuous camping trip to date in three weeks. We will be going from MD to WY and back over the course of 5 weeks. Then 10 days after returning to MD we head to NY for two more weeks. So here is the questions, what prep should I do? I’ve changed the fluids in the last 500 miles as well as rad hoses. What spare parts should I carry if any?

Truck is a 01 F250 with about 67k on it. Mostly stock minus a 6.0 trans cooler, AIS, Bilstiens and an airlift system. Tires are pretty new, less than 5k on them.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 09:29 AM
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Be sure to doc/share your travel..real time. Theres some cool trips going on in the travel trailer/5er section in towing forum...have fun

Couple gallons of water, serp belt and tool to remove it, idler pulley and tensioner pulley, make sure spare is good, some oil, spare icp/ipr if you got them and tool to remove, spare hpop lines if you have them, cheap set of sockets/wrenches...
I got a home depot boyellow lid) that goes with me, that contains items above plus more..
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by timmyboy76
Be sure to doc/share your travel..real time. Theres some cool trips going on in the travel trailer/5er section in towing forum...have fun

Couple gallons of water, serp belt and tool to remove it, idler pulley and tensioner pulley, make sure spare is good, some oil, spare icp/ipr if you got them and tool to remove, spare hpop lines if you have them, cheap set of sockets/wrenches...
I got a home depot boyellow lid) that goes with me, that contains items above plus more..
We will have a couple gallons of water plus a 66 gallon fresh water tank that runs through a whole house filter prior to entering the tank. Have a serp belt and pulleys and a spare ipr. Don’t have spark HPOP lines. I do have a full set of tools that travels.

I will document the travels it should should be a fun trip we have 8 stops planned 2 of which are just for transit purposes to get through I-80 so we will camp in the RV sites on the Ohio portion of the turnpike. Should be interesting.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 09:48 AM
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Sounds like a great trip. Like Timmy said, please doc and share. This will be a good time to put some miles on that brand new 7.3....they like to work.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 10:09 AM
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Surprised no one mentioned carrying a spare CPS or scanner. Check the age and psi of your spare tire. We carry a 5g jug of diesel too for peace of mind.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 10:11 AM
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Carry a CPS....there ya go Wes...fixed it for you.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Wesley Green
Surprised no one mentioned carrying a spare CPS or scanner. Check the age and psi of your spare tire. We carry a 5g jug of diesel too for peace of mind.
Isn't that like saying, "Don't forget to take your keys with you"?
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 11:31 AM
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67K? Low mileage is more worrisome than higher mileage, just from low use and not knowing what is lurking.

Cant plan for everything, just do a very good look over for leaks... Not enough milage for wear items.
- Water pump leaking
- Brake seals and slave cylinders
- oil in valley?
- look at the power steering lines for leaks

others have mentioned take-a-longs.. I have never has an issue with tensioners for the belt, but have wondered about it because 250K on the truck.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 11:55 AM
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When we travel long distance, I bring the following...

- IPR removal tool made from a 3D printer
- CPS
- Netbook with Forscan
- Samsung tablet with Forscan Lite and TP
- OBD MX bluetooth scanner
- USB wired OBD scan tool
- 2' x 3/8" extension
- Cordless impact wrench
- 2' x 1/2" breaker bar
- Lug socket which fits the trailer as well
- LED battery or 12v work/flood light
- Service manuals on the netbook
- Various tech and how to's on PDF
- Tire puncture repair kit
- Gallon of diesel oil
- 3 road hazard folding triangles
- Small 12v air compressor
- 200 piece tool kit
- Good Sam roadside assistance card
- Plenty of cold beer

I am sure I am forgetting something, but you get the idea...

Most of this stuff fits in the space under the rear seat. I keep the impact wrench in the camper because I use it to lower the rear stabilizers as well.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by dmd
I have never has an issue with tensioners for the belt, but have wondered about it because 250K on the truck.
Only mentioned it bc mine exploded. Went to remove the belt carnage and realized the new installed belt was missing a componant to wrap around lol..both, idler pulley and tensioner assy are cheap and easy to install if need be...prior to trip and throughout drive, no warning it was going bad..squeeling, grinding..etc, nothing.
Made an ipr wrench with an old socket drilled out and wrench welded to it
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by dmd
67K? Low mileage is more worrisome than higher mileage, just from low use and not knowing what is lurking.

Cant plan for everything, just do a very good look over for leaks... Not enough milage for wear items.
- Water pump leaking
- Brake seals and slave cylinders
- oil in valley?
- look at the power steering lines for leaks

others have mentioned take-a-longs.. I have never has an issue with tensioners for the belt, but have wondered about it because 250K on the truck.
Normally I would agree but I have every record from the day it was new from the previous owner. Takes up about half a bankers box. On top of that we have taken it back and forth from MD to MI about 8 times since we got it as well as a few trips to VA. All problem free.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 03:16 PM
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If the hpop hoses are original I'd put in new ones. They handle a lot of pressure and they are aging, not as pliable as when new. The design is updated, too. If one blows you are on the side of the road pronto.
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 03:37 PM
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You can only prepare for so much and can't take your whole garage with you

I always carry spare fluids (fuel, oil, distilled water, ATF), serpentine belt (and 1/2" breaker bar ), CPS, and a smattering of tools. Past that I'll make sure my tires are ready to go (including the spare).

Have a good trip!
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 09:50 PM
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Saw the triangles mentioned and that reminded me that most states DOTs actually require people towing trailers to have triangles, flares, and an extenguisher with them.
Not that I've ever been pulled over while towing, let alone stopped and searched just for those items, but i sure don't wanna be found without
 
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Old May 28, 2019 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Wesley Green
Saw the triangles mentioned and that reminded me that most states DOTs actually require people towing trailers to have triangles, flares, and an extenguisher with them.
Not that I've ever been pulled over while towing, let alone stopped and searched just for those items, but i sure don't wanna be found without
Extinguisher check, triangles check, flares nope but I have some cool red lightsaber things the kids play with.
 
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