Driving my 02 F-250 to Colorado in about 2 weeks.

Going from College Station, TX to Crested Butte, CO. Probably going to pull a light cargo trailer for luggage, maybe 10ft long - that shouldnt be an issue.

Trucks is short bed, crew cab, 4x4 and 7.3L PSD of course. Truck has 115k miles - anything special I need to do w higher miles?

What issues should I expect? It has gotten down to about 20 degress here once for 2-3 days (last week) and cold weather starts were fine.

Any advice on snow chains vs cables? Where can I get these? Usually we go to WalMart in Amarillo and buy them, and then return them unused on the way home.

Anything I should know about driving in snow with a PSD vs other vehicles? (I've driven in wintry conditions plenty, just not in my truck).

 

Since cold weather starts are not an issue you should be fine all the way. I would check your anti-freeze to be sure and make sure you've got plenty of winter type windshield wiper fluid and a good ice scraper/snow brush (a long one!). If you're doing an oil change prior to the trip you might go with an oil for really cold weather. It's been brutally cold here lately!
As far as chains or cables go, get chains. Better grip and heavy duty is always better. The big thing to worry about is driving that li'l 10 foot trailer over ice and snow packed roads. Take it slow and keep it behind you and you'll be fine. One last thing, your diesel will run down those mountain sides quicker than a gasser so keep an eye on your speed.
Good luck on the trip and welcome to Colorado!

 

Chains for trailer maybe? Never heard of anything like that, but would that help. Are walmart chains good enough for a 4ton truck or should I get something else?

I've got 5k mi on this oil change so I will probably let it ride till I get back.

-nick

 

If I might suggest one thing I have observed from way too many years of OTR driving in snow/ice...most accidents I have seen, while people are towing, is that the driver fails to give themselves enough room. Watch traffic spacing and give yourself as much room as possible. Then do everything slowly...lane changes, stopping, etc. Folks get themselves in trouble when they have to maneuver quickly and the trailer jack-knifes...hard to steer when the trailer is in front ! Watch the ice storms up in the panhandles (TX, OK) area (if you go that way) on the high-crowned roads...lord it can get bad up there! Enjoy the drive...sounds like fun!

Oh yeah, get yourself a bottle of Diesel Kleen (white bottle) at Wally's and dose the tank before you leave...drain the water seperator too!

 

You may want to consider bringing some recovery items, such as tow ropes/chains, traction devices (to put under spinning wheels), etc. Most people in that part of the country are very helpful and considerate and will pull you out if you get stuck, especially if you are prepared. My brother (I have 2 in Pagosa Springs, 1 hour east of Durango) pulled out 2 stuck 4X4s with his Dodge 2500 dually Cummins; an Explorer 4X4 that got stuck trying to free a stuck GMC 4X4 pickup a couple years back. Brand rivalry doesn't mean much when in those circumstances. Just because you have 4wd doesn't mean you can't get stuck, especially when snow throws traction out the window and disguises the edge of the road/beginning of embankments. Some really beautiful country there though.

 

It's going to be Cold here this weekend. High on Sunday is supposed to be 20, so lows will be below zero. I'd buy and use anti-jell additive. I'd also throw in a shovel and a bag of kitty litter (good for traction on ice). Chains would be a good idea. If you need to use them, put them on the front tires (for steering). I went through Rabbit Ears pass and there's more snow up there than has been in 8 or 9 years.

 

Forgot to add, if possible, plug in the block heater at night. It really makes a huge difference for morning starts.

 

Boothra - where does anti-gel additive go?

Also - How do I drain the water collector??? And what does that do for me as far as decreasing the liklihood of problems - like what headache does that fix? I'm totally cool with doing all these things, just curious as to why I'm doing them!

As far as bringing recovery items, I'm going to bring a strap (chains break windows with they break), floor jack, snow chains.

Thanks guys, any other advice is helpful as well.

-nick

 

Anti-gel goes in the fuel tank(s). Much below 10 degrees and the parafin in the diesel starts to solidify. Below about -5 and the diesel gets lumpy.

The drain for the water is on the passenger side of the fuel bowl. It's a plastic arm that swings out to drain, pushed back against the fuel bowl it is closed. Careful with it...it is kind of flimsy and pretty easily broken.

 

I live in CO and there's nothing to worry about. I have a 94 Suburban 4WD and I've never had to put chains on it. I've driven home from Steamboat Springs late at night in a blizzard and didn't need chains. Sounds like maybe you're going skiing. The only time roads are bad here is when it's snowing super fast and that doesn't happen often. And when it does the plows are immediately on the highways getting the roads cleared. They'll be all clear in a day or two. Your 4WD will probably be all you need. The anti-freeze windshield fluid is a real good idea. Walmart has some for 94 cents a gallon.

The only time I ever need chains is when I'm backcountry hunting and the up and down dirt roads have 2 feet of snow.

 

Don't they sometimes not let you on the roads w/o chains?

 

Yes but generaly thats at really high altitude under bad conditions, I70 is pretty prone to it. Also be carful when that turbo kicks in things get slick in a hurry.

 

Your are making a mistake. Strap a snow shovel to the top of your truck. Drive SOUTH until someone asks ------ what the hell is that? You have then arrived.
Warren

 

SD250 is right. They'll sometimes makes chains and/or 4WD mandatory but it has to be snowing real hard at the moment you're driving through and it has to be a mountain pass like Loveland Pass where the road goes straight up and straight backdown. It's a timing thing and it doesn't snow in CO every day during the winter. It probably only snows less than 5% of the time. So odds are that you won't hit any of that stuff. It could happen but highly unlikely. If you're worried buy a set of chains and then return them when you get home if you didn't have to use them. Watch the weather channel for a few days prior to leaving. That'll give you some indication as to what the weather will be like.