LONG TRIP QUESTION
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
LONG TRIP QUESTION
Hello everyone happy thanksgiving!
I have a question.. I have a 01 7.3. Super cab and I’m taking a trip from south eastern Iowa to San Diego to pick up a 1968 Ford F-150. I’m bringing her home via tow hitch (not 5th wheel). My question is, is my truck relevant today to make that kind of a trip? It’s 1,800 miles one way. 3,600 there and back. My truck has 170,000 miles and is it great condition. She’s a farm truck so she’s been hauling all her life. All original parts minus a air filter but that doesn’t matter. The trucks transmission works perfectly. All temps are good. Trailer brake. EVERYTHING. I’m just worried cuz she’s an old truck and it’s a far far trip. farthest trip I’ve made with a load is 900 miles 1 way. (1,800 total) so I’m doubling it this time (flawless on that trip). Basically.. should I trust my old truck for this long trip. or probably find a new diesel to use? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! And happy holidays.
I have a question.. I have a 01 7.3. Super cab and I’m taking a trip from south eastern Iowa to San Diego to pick up a 1968 Ford F-150. I’m bringing her home via tow hitch (not 5th wheel). My question is, is my truck relevant today to make that kind of a trip? It’s 1,800 miles one way. 3,600 there and back. My truck has 170,000 miles and is it great condition. She’s a farm truck so she’s been hauling all her life. All original parts minus a air filter but that doesn’t matter. The trucks transmission works perfectly. All temps are good. Trailer brake. EVERYTHING. I’m just worried cuz she’s an old truck and it’s a far far trip. farthest trip I’ve made with a load is 900 miles 1 way. (1,800 total) so I’m doubling it this time (flawless on that trip). Basically.. should I trust my old truck for this long trip. or probably find a new diesel to use? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! And happy holidays.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,345
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Only you know the personality of your truck, but my 255,000 mile 2000 F250 hauls a 5th wheel thousands of miles every year.
To include cross country trips from GA to WA, AZ, etc and back.
Prepare as much as you need to and roll on down the road.
To include cross country trips from GA to WA, AZ, etc and back.
Prepare as much as you need to and roll on down the road.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
thanks for the feedback! Wow what a truck!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Mine has about 180,000 on it and I wouldn't be afraid to drive it anywhere and with only minimal tools. Take yourself a spare CPS because they can leave you dead in the water with no notice and they're cheap and easy to install.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
will do!!! Definitely have heard this before lol. Sounds horrible.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
yeah I’m pretty excited to get a hold of her!! Fair price and great shape. Buying it from the original owner!
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 458
I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Maybe throw a fresh balance and rotate on the tires for a nice smooth ride. I would just run 80, 76, 70, 15 and take it easy on the mountain passes (lock it out of OD when hauling the truck back and keep it up around 2200-2300 rpms). Are you going to movement on a uhaul car trailer?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Maybe throw a fresh balance and rotate on the tires for a nice smooth ride. I would just run 80, 76, 70, 15 and take it easy on the mountain passes (lock it out of OD when hauling the truck back and keep it up around 2200-2300 rpms). Are you going to movement on a uhaul car trailer?
okay thanks for the tips! I just put new tires on with a balance cuz of the trip and tread is low especially since the snow is dropping about this season over here. But I’ll keep the OD in mind. Since I’m taking down notes on what everyone is saying lol. And Yeah I imagine Colorado can have a lot of elevation.. never driven out west before The GPS has me driving through Nebraska. Colorado. Utah. Then Cali. So it’ll be interesting. I’ve heard that if you’re driving through a hot state to lower your tire pressure?????? But It’ll be cooler cuz of the current season so I think I’ll be okay on that. And yes. A car trailer. Not a dolly.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,246
Likes: 7,658
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
Hello everyone happy thanksgiving!
I have a question.. I have a 01 7.3. Super cab and I’m taking a trip from south eastern Iowa to San Diego to pick up a 1968 Ford F-150. I’m bringing her home via tow hitch (not 5th wheel). My question is, is my truck relevant today to make that kind of a trip? It’s 1,800 miles one way. 3,600 there and back. My truck has 170,000 miles and is it great condition. She’s a farm truck so she’s been hauling all her life. All original parts minus a air filter but that doesn’t matter. The trucks transmission works perfectly. All temps are good. Trailer brake. EVERYTHING. I’m just worried cuz she’s an old truck and it’s a far far trip. farthest trip I’ve made with a load is 900 miles 1 way. (1,800 total) so I’m doubling it this time (flawless on that trip). Basically.. should I trust my old truck for this long trip. or probably find a new diesel to use? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! And happy holidays.
I have a question.. I have a 01 7.3. Super cab and I’m taking a trip from south eastern Iowa to San Diego to pick up a 1968 Ford F-150. I’m bringing her home via tow hitch (not 5th wheel). My question is, is my truck relevant today to make that kind of a trip? It’s 1,800 miles one way. 3,600 there and back. My truck has 170,000 miles and is it great condition. She’s a farm truck so she’s been hauling all her life. All original parts minus a air filter but that doesn’t matter. The trucks transmission works perfectly. All temps are good. Trailer brake. EVERYTHING. I’m just worried cuz she’s an old truck and it’s a far far trip. farthest trip I’ve made with a load is 900 miles 1 way. (1,800 total) so I’m doubling it this time (flawless on that trip). Basically.. should I trust my old truck for this long trip. or probably find a new diesel to use? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! And happy holidays.
If you are talking tow bar you will need a brake actuator tor the towed vehicle, if a bumper pull trailer brakes need to be working properly. I still tow occasionally with my 2000 excursion 230,000 miles still has the original transmission in it. no problems. hauled a cj7 to Oklahoma last year, I don't use the tow haul switch myself in my opinion the transmission can take care of itself.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Wait.
Take the Southern route. The Southern, southern route.
"So it'll be interesting"; yeah that's one way to look at it.
You're planning on hauling a truck on a trailer though have never driven through the mountains? Ever.. and in the Winter? Yeesh. They are Certified Grade A nuts out there, and then ... to add to the fun... there's the long haul 18 wheelers. A sane person might think "Well I'll just go slow", except it doesn't work that way.
Try not to end up on YouTube!!
Take the Southern route. The Southern, southern route.
"So it'll be interesting"; yeah that's one way to look at it.
You're planning on hauling a truck on a trailer though have never driven through the mountains? Ever.. and in the Winter? Yeesh. They are Certified Grade A nuts out there, and then ... to add to the fun... there's the long haul 18 wheelers. A sane person might think "Well I'll just go slow", except it doesn't work that way.
Try not to end up on YouTube!!
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 458
You’ll see some big hills once you get past Denver on 70. Eisenhower pass is up over 10,000 ft which I believe is the highest on the interstate system. Heat won’t be your problem this time of year, lol. But generally no it is not usually advised to lower you tire pressure in hot weather. They are designed to handle temperature swings like that. Watch for icy conditions and heavy cross wind, especially if you are seeing both at the same time. I shut it down a couple weeks ago on 80 in IL pulling a light camper trailer. Too dangerous that day. The next morning a bunch of cars and trucks were wrecked out in the ditch.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Wait.
Take the Southern route. The Southern, southern route.
"So it'll be interesting"; yeah that's one way to look at it.
You're planning on hauling a truck on a trailer though have never driven through the mountains? Ever.. and in the Winter? Yeesh. They are Certified Grade A nuts out there, and then ... to add to the fun... there's the long haul 18 wheelers. A sane person might think "Well I'll just go slow", except it doesn't work that way.
Try not to end up on YouTube!!
Take the Southern route. The Southern, southern route.
"So it'll be interesting"; yeah that's one way to look at it.
You're planning on hauling a truck on a trailer though have never driven through the mountains? Ever.. and in the Winter? Yeesh. They are Certified Grade A nuts out there, and then ... to add to the fun... there's the long haul 18 wheelers. A sane person might think "Well I'll just go slow", except it doesn't work that way.
Try not to end up on YouTube!!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I am assuming you mean a tung pull trailer, not a tow bar.
If you are talking tow bar you will need a brake actuator tor the towed vehicle, if a bumper pull trailer brakes need to be working properly. I still tow occasionally with my 2000 excursion 230,000 miles still has the original transmission in it. no problems. hauled a cj7 to Oklahoma last year, I don't use the tow haul switch myself in my opinion the transmission can take care of itself.
If you are talking tow bar you will need a brake actuator tor the towed vehicle, if a bumper pull trailer brakes need to be working properly. I still tow occasionally with my 2000 excursion 230,000 miles still has the original transmission in it. no problems. hauled a cj7 to Oklahoma last year, I don't use the tow haul switch myself in my opinion the transmission can take care of itself.
correct now a towbar. But thanks for the info! Love the excursions btw. My uncle has had one for years. Still runs like a champ.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
You’ll see some big hills once you get past Denver on 70. Eisenhower pass is up over 10,000 ft which I believe is the highest on the interstate system. Heat won’t be your problem this time of year, lol. But generally no it is not usually advised to lower you tire pressure in hot weather. They are designed to handle temperature swings like that. Watch for icy conditions and heavy cross wind, especially if you are seeing both at the same time. I shut it down a couple weeks ago on 80 in IL pulling a light camper trailer. Too dangerous that day. The next morning a bunch of cars and trucks were wrecked out in the ditch.
yeah I’ll probably just go down south like someone suggested. Not really trying to get screwed over in Colorado because of my inexperience in your terrain. Just will be a longer trip but no worries. Thanks for the actual advice on the Colorado terrain!