LONG TRIP QUESTION
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
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Personally I would stick to the interstate and stay off the two lane stuff this time of year for safety reasons especially once you’ve got the trailer on. Better cell phone coverage and more services if you get in a pinch. I have family in Albuquerque and they got a foot of snow yesterday so running further down south may not be any guarantee of an easier time. Don’t use the cruise control if you get into any slippery stuff.
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Personally I would stick to the interstate and stay off the two lane stuff this time of year for safety reasons especially once you’ve got the trailer on. Better cell phone coverage and more services if you get in a pinch. I have family in Albuquerque and they got a foot of snow yesterday so running further down south may not be any guarantee of an easier time. Don’t use the cruise control if you get into any slippery stuff.
hmm, alright then. Yeah I was planning on riding the interstate the whole way through anyways. It could possibly be a hit or a miss. But I think I’d be more comfortable driving in the snow on flat surface vs driving through the Rockies because of my inexperience with the mountain terrain/range. But thanks for the heads up and info!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
New Mexican interstate crosses the continental divide at (7,200 ft) but it ain't anything like Colorado. I avoid driving on I-70 Colorado whenever I get the chance, have done it many many times. It's OK when roads are clear and dry, but when the weather is skosh or nighttime, no thanks. Figure about 160 miles - from Denver to Glenwood Springs, is twisty, high mountain passes and steep grades. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, but...
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,253
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From: Chino Valley, Arizona
ADOT is talking about shutting down 160 miles of I40 tonight, from US93 to Winslow due to several feet of snow forecast and high winds, you know I70 through the Rockies won't be nice either. check weather before you go.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,278
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From: Las Cruces New Mexico
IMO a spare ICP, IPR miscelanious fuses and relays. Unplug the fuel bowl heater just in case. Tools and quick disconnect tool. Make sure you have a jack, tool to remove the wheel nuts, and the sapre is road worthy in case you have a blow out.
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New Mexican interstate crosses the continental divide at (7,200 ft) but it ain't anything like Colorado. I avoid driving on I-70 Colorado whenever I get the chance, have done it many many times. It's OK when roads are clear and dry, but when the weather is skosh or nighttime, no thanks. Figure about 160 miles - from Denver to Glenwood Springs, is twisty, high mountain passes and steep grades. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, but...
Yepp NM it is!!! Colorado is for the summer time for sure tho. Need a vacation lol. Thanks for the info!
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will do!!! Thanks!
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for sure!!! Wrote down this and everyone else’s suggestions thanks for the input!
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for sure! Missing a couple items but will add to the toolbox in the bed, thanks!
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,455
From: Muskogee, Ok
Like others have mentioned its not necessarily the truck's age you need to be worried about this time of year. Assuming of course you keep up with it's maintenance. Like Sous' trip mileage we tow a 5th wheel from Oklahoma to Cali & back during the summer, usually stopping thru national parks in not so on the way states. Between 5 and 9k miles round trip depending on the route
Carry spare Motorcraft CPS, IPR & ICP if you can swing it; pretty much in that order of importance. An extra gallon of oil and 3 qts of ATF, gallon of coolant, 5gal of diesel, and an assortment of tools and you should be good for most common hiccups. Check the spare tire's age and pressure. Make sure none of your coolant hoses are cracked at the ends. Do a boost leak test on your intercooler pipes, change oil & the fuel filter if it's needed b4 ya get back milage wise. Make sure the trans and diff fluids are topped off. And check the darn air filter.
Vehicle prep will be key. Weather can't always be predicted, but its better to be prepared for a 6 foot blizzard and be pleasantly surprised if its only an inch or two of snow. Basics like heavy blankets in the cab, snacks for 2 days and water are nice insurance.
Carry spare Motorcraft CPS, IPR & ICP if you can swing it; pretty much in that order of importance. An extra gallon of oil and 3 qts of ATF, gallon of coolant, 5gal of diesel, and an assortment of tools and you should be good for most common hiccups. Check the spare tire's age and pressure. Make sure none of your coolant hoses are cracked at the ends. Do a boost leak test on your intercooler pipes, change oil & the fuel filter if it's needed b4 ya get back milage wise. Make sure the trans and diff fluids are topped off. And check the darn air filter.
Vehicle prep will be key. Weather can't always be predicted, but its better to be prepared for a 6 foot blizzard and be pleasantly surprised if its only an inch or two of snow. Basics like heavy blankets in the cab, snacks for 2 days and water are nice insurance.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2019
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Like others have mentioned its not necessarily the truck's age you need to be worried about this time of year. Assuming of course you keep up with it's maintenance. Like Sous' trip mileage we tow a 5th wheel from Oklahoma to Cali & back during the summer, usually stopping thru national parks in not so on the way states. Between 5 and 9k miles round trip depending on the route
Carry spare Motorcraft CPS, IPR & ICP if you can swing it; pretty much in that order of importance. An extra gallon of oil and 3 qts of ATF, gallon of coolant, 5gal of diesel, and an assortment of tools and you should be good for most common hiccups. Check the spare tire's age and pressure. Make sure none of your coolant hoses are cracked at the ends. Do a boost leak test on your intercooler pipes, change oil & the fuel filter if it's needed b4 ya get back milage wise. Make sure the trans and diff fluids are topped off. And check the darn air filter.
Vehicle prep will be key. Weather can't always be predicted, but its better to be prepared for a 6 foot blizzard and be pleasantly surprised if its only an inch or two of snow. Basics like heavy blankets in the cab, snacks for 2 days and water are nice insurance.
Carry spare Motorcraft CPS, IPR & ICP if you can swing it; pretty much in that order of importance. An extra gallon of oil and 3 qts of ATF, gallon of coolant, 5gal of diesel, and an assortment of tools and you should be good for most common hiccups. Check the spare tire's age and pressure. Make sure none of your coolant hoses are cracked at the ends. Do a boost leak test on your intercooler pipes, change oil & the fuel filter if it's needed b4 ya get back milage wise. Make sure the trans and diff fluids are topped off. And check the darn air filter.
Vehicle prep will be key. Weather can't always be predicted, but its better to be prepared for a 6 foot blizzard and be pleasantly surprised if its only an inch or two of snow. Basics like heavy blankets in the cab, snacks for 2 days and water are nice insurance.
i definitely keep up with maintenance. Want her to last as long as possible. Just did everything possible to my knowledge. Fresh trans flush. Front and rear diff drained and refilled. Transfer case drained and refilled. And of course the oil. New air and fuel filter. The spare is old and has some age cracks on the side of it so I definitely need to get a new one. That I did forget. And as for the other stuff. I’ll definitely bring with me. I leave next weekend. So I’ll be prepared for sure. I appreciate your tips! And everyone else’s. People on this forum are amazing. Especially since this is my first post. Much appreciated.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
How fresh are the brakes? If the linings are thin they might not make it.
For fluids include a fuel additive to prevent gelling overnight.
Got a pic to share of the 68? I had a 65 and a 75 dent side, but never a bump side.
For fluids include a fuel additive to prevent gelling overnight.
Got a pic to share of the 68? I had a 65 and a 75 dent side, but never a bump side.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,455
From: Muskogee, Ok
On the subject of the spare, make sure your jack is tall enough to lift the truck off the ground, and in the worst case scenario lift the max axle rating weight. Even my 4 ton floor jack made me wish i had a 6 ton when i blew out the rear tire towing the 5th wheel. And i say check the jack's height, because my first flat was less than a month after i bought the truck, and the dealer included jack ran out of travel 1/4" shy of reaching the lowest part of the axle on my stock height 4x4 when i was in Mexico 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,097
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From: Minnesota
You’re the only one that knows your truck and how it’s be cared for!
One more thing to think about on your return trip, if you should take the southern route home and the weather gets cold up north, make sure your fuel is prepared for cold weather, if you unplug your fuel bowl heater like someone mentioned you could be setting yourself up for some issues.
Jmo
fyi, I towed a trailer to Spokane Washington and back from Minnesota this summer with my 2000 Excursion, it has 326’xxx miles on it, no problems!
One more thing to think about on your return trip, if you should take the southern route home and the weather gets cold up north, make sure your fuel is prepared for cold weather, if you unplug your fuel bowl heater like someone mentioned you could be setting yourself up for some issues.
Jmo
fyi, I towed a trailer to Spokane Washington and back from Minnesota this summer with my 2000 Excursion, it has 326’xxx miles on it, no problems!