HELP - Two Month Trip
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HELP - Two Month Trip
I own a 2000 4x2 5.4L 3.73 Excursion and I am going on a two month trip from Florida, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, etc. and back.
I am going to be towing a 25' Airstream with an approximate Ggross weight of of 5800 lbs. (I think I am rated for 6100)
First question - Do I need to add any type of transmittion cooling system/Towing package?
Second - Would the Sway Bar / Radius-Rods be of any help?
Lastly - Is there any other words of wisdom regarding what I can do to take care of my Excursion while taking a trip like this.
Thank you all so much for your help in advance.
I am going to be towing a 25' Airstream with an approximate Ggross weight of of 5800 lbs. (I think I am rated for 6100)
First question - Do I need to add any type of transmittion cooling system/Towing package?
Second - Would the Sway Bar / Radius-Rods be of any help?
Lastly - Is there any other words of wisdom regarding what I can do to take care of my Excursion while taking a trip like this.
Thank you all so much for your help in advance.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Re: HELP - Two Month Trip
Originally posted by ssolid
First question - Do I need to add any type of transmittion cooling system/Towing package?
First question - Do I need to add any type of transmittion cooling system/Towing package?
Second - Would the Sway Bar / Radius-Rods be of any help?
I believe both of those would help in ride compliance even if you weren't travelling the US! I think the BEST thing however, would be a Weight Distributing Hitch. Got one?
Lastly - Is there any other words of wisdom regarding what I can do to take care of my Excursion while taking a trip like this.
I do not believe that one can OVER-prepare. That being said, if it were me I'd flush the tranny, engine oil and coolant and put new stuff in regardless of their respective ages. I would do it about a week of two PRIOR to setting off on your journey. That way you can check for leaks or anything out of the ordinary.
You next highest mileage service (according to the manual) should be done prior to leaving, too. Whatever that may be.
If you don't have them, I'd get Vent Visors, too.
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Trip
Re: HELP - Two Month Trip
>I think the BEST thing however, would be a Weight Distributing
> Hitch. Got one?
When I bought the Airstream, it came with a huge receiver and torsion bars. These really seemed to level it out nice. It however did not come with an anti-sway bar. (I think that is what it is called) I see the bar on the hitch and the receiver for it though. Is this also necessary with the torsion bars?
>If you don't have them, I'd get Vent Visors, too.
Not sure what these are but I will definetly do some research and take a look.
I am at 90k miles so before I leave I will have them do the 100k service. Is there anything special I should ask them to look for regarding Excursions? I have not been totally satisfied with the work from the local Ford dealership. (had them change my oil when I didn't have time for it and when my wife brought it home, the oil cap was not replaced and it was sitting by the battery)
Thank you for all your help.
>I think the BEST thing however, would be a Weight Distributing
> Hitch. Got one?
When I bought the Airstream, it came with a huge receiver and torsion bars. These really seemed to level it out nice. It however did not come with an anti-sway bar. (I think that is what it is called) I see the bar on the hitch and the receiver for it though. Is this also necessary with the torsion bars?
>If you don't have them, I'd get Vent Visors, too.
Not sure what these are but I will definetly do some research and take a look.
I am at 90k miles so before I leave I will have them do the 100k service. Is there anything special I should ask them to look for regarding Excursions? I have not been totally satisfied with the work from the local Ford dealership. (had them change my oil when I didn't have time for it and when my wife brought it home, the oil cap was not replaced and it was sitting by the battery)
Thank you for all your help.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Second star to the right!
Personally, with a trailer that long on an Excursion, I'd get some Dual Cam Sway control. They work excellent and are worth the few extra dollars more than the friction style of sway control.
The only other advice I would have that hasn't already been mention is to, depending on miles, get your oil changed during the middle of your trip as well. I'd say if you have 2000 towing miles, especially with a gasser, it's probably time to change the oil. You're going to be working that 5.4 pretty hard.
Oh yeah, and wash the bugs off from it every once in a while. Gotta keep 'er pretty
The only other advice I would have that hasn't already been mention is to, depending on miles, get your oil changed during the middle of your trip as well. I'd say if you have 2000 towing miles, especially with a gasser, it's probably time to change the oil. You're going to be working that 5.4 pretty hard.
Oh yeah, and wash the bugs off from it every once in a while. Gotta keep 'er pretty
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Re: Trip
Originally posted by ssolid
It however did not come with an anti-sway bar. (I think that is what it is called) I see the bar on the hitch and the receiver for it though.
It however did not come with an anti-sway bar. (I think that is what it is called) I see the bar on the hitch and the receiver for it though.
Vent Visors are the plastic thingies that go over the windows so that you can roll the windows down a bit while it's raining and not have the water run in.
They are also great for parking in the sun and not wanting the inside of your truck to be 200° when you get back.
http://www.autoventshade.com/products/ventvisor_02.html
