Speaking from experience and a lot of it I would say that a 6000lb trailer will not work your truck that much on the interstate. I am not familiar with I-10 west of TX but east of TX it is very flat and you will see a lot of traffic when you get to LA/MS/AL/FL.

I drive with trailers so much I can't back up my truck without a trailer. I always turn the wheels the wrong way!

I really think you will be fine and you will get used to your trailer pretty quickly.

 

I have driven all of I10, will not be a problem at all.

 

You might consider an aftermarket trans oil temperature gauge. The factory one is kinda' worthless.

If you get into your trip and find the trans temp is running high (above around 180 degrees), stop somewhere and have an aftermarket trans cooler added. Shouldn't cost you more than a couple of hundred bucks, and will save you thousands in trans repair costs.

Pop

 

Don't most of the 250's come with the extra cooler?

 

I know the later years do, I think at least as far back as 2002. I bet earlier than that.

 

Mine is a 2000 and the trans cooler is built into the coolant raidator. These are never as efficient as having a separate cooler or using a finned aluminum sump put on your trans.

 

I'm beginning to think Beeser has already left, he hasn't posted for four days :P

 

Well, I left a couple of days ago. I'm about to leave Kerrville, Texas shortly for the next leg of my trip. Before taking off I had the spark plugs replaced along with the coil over boots. I also had the throttle body cleaned, which produced immediate results by eliminating the sticking accelerator. I also had the tires rotated and balanced. The front end was aligned at the same time. The truck is so far running great. My only complaint is that the truck shakes a little at 75 mph. It's hard to describe but the shake feels more side to side than in any other direction. I feel it most when putting my head back on the headrest. As mentioned before the wheels were balanced and the front end was aligned so I don't know why the truck shakes. I'm not real concerned because it's not severe. I recall reading here that there was some issue with F250 shaking. Would someone care to elaborate? All that aside, the weather has so far been good with only a little rain yesterday. Oh, did I mention that I bought a truck camper to protect my stuff in case it rained? Looks pretty good but I prefer the looks of the truck without one. I might sell it after getting back home. Well, I have to check out now and get back on the road. Like someone mentioned earlier, there's a lot of Texas to get through.

 

sounds great so far. What you were referring to is the death wobble that some get. That is not near what you are describing. Not sure what it is but I would not worry. Take it easy on the speed though.

 

Thanks senix. The shaking is not severe but is more than what I'm used to in our passenger car. It's hard to keep the speed down going through Texas but I'll try.

 

Plus his year of truck really is not affected by the death wobble that is 2005 and up.

I know my truck shakes a little too when I go over 70. I think it is because your truck weighs 7000 lbs and that is a lot of weight going 75 mph. You should be just fine.

 

One more thing before I head out the door. I get feedback through the radio from the turn signal. I don't recall getting that before the spark plugs and coil over boots were replaced. Are they somehow connected? I'll check back tonight or tomorrow when I get into Louisiana.

 

beeser, I am close to Lake Charles La. That is the first big city you will get to. If you have any problems around here, post when you can. I can try to help in any way I can. I will be watching this thread. Good luck.

 

Thanks miller_feed! Actually, Lake Charles, LA was my planned next stop but I broke down a few miles East of Columbus, TX. This is the first time in about 30 years. I was going along fine until everything shut down including the radio. All the gauges stopped registering and after I coasted to the side of the road I couldn't get the engine to turn over. The radio came back on and the windshield wipers all of a sudden activated (then immediately shut down automatically) but the all I got was a clicking sound when turning the key. After popping the hood and noticing how slow the 4-way blinkers were flashing I came to the conclusion that I had a problem with the alternator. AAA showed up a couple of hours later and towed me to a Ford dealership in Columbus, TX. Nice folks and after a few more hours I was on my way with another alternator. The truck seems to run fine now. I made it as far as Winnie, TX before calling it a day. Remember my comment earlier about the turn signals feeding back into the radio. Well, they don't anymore. I wonder if that was an indication of the alternator failing?

 

interesting about the radio feedback. It seems that was the issue, but never had that happen to me and I have had some alternators go out at some rather bad times.