Going on a Long Trip
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Going on a Long Trip
I'm planning a long trip cross country hauling a trailer with my 2001 7.3 with 170K miles. Its been an extremely reliable truck with no major problems so far. Recently replaced the water pump, did the CPS recall thing, and have gone through a couple of alternators, and a gas pedal position sensor. Thats about it.
My question is is there anything I should do to prepare for the trip other than make sure I have fresh oil. Anything I should check, and or replace proactively, that could potentially be a problem at 170K plus miles?
Just trying to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. (I already have a spare CPS and alternator).
Thanks for any advice.
My question is is there anything I should do to prepare for the trip other than make sure I have fresh oil. Anything I should check, and or replace proactively, that could potentially be a problem at 170K plus miles?
Just trying to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. (I already have a spare CPS and alternator).
Thanks for any advice.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
Same as riverrat said, I made 3500 mile trip in Aug & took about what he said. Pulled a 10k trailer the whole trip & used about 1/2 of the gal of oil I took with me, mines got 183k on it & I believe these things go by ( the longer the stronger ) motto. Good luck
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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I'm actuall hauling a boat from eastern Colorado over the Rockies to Parker, AZ, then going on to So Cal, then driving back to Colorado. All over the week of Thanksgiving. Last time I did this trip my alternator went out on I-70 in the middle of Utah and sucked my battery dry. No cell reception. Luckily, I had an extra battery from the boat I put in and it got me almost to Green River where I had to get towed in the rest of the way. Thats a long stretch of nothing out there.........
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Thanks for all the responses, guys. I'll make sure I bring everything you recommended.
I'm actuall hauling a boat from eastern Colorado over the Rockies to Parker, AZ, then going on to So Cal, then driving back to Colorado. All over the week of Thanksgiving. Last time I did this trip my alternator went out on I-70 in the middle of Utah and sucked my battery dry. No cell reception. Luckily, I had an extra battery from the boat I put in and it got me almost to Green River where I had to get towed in the rest of the way. Thats a long stretch of nothing out there.........
I'm actuall hauling a boat from eastern Colorado over the Rockies to Parker, AZ, then going on to So Cal, then driving back to Colorado. All over the week of Thanksgiving. Last time I did this trip my alternator went out on I-70 in the middle of Utah and sucked my battery dry. No cell reception. Luckily, I had an extra battery from the boat I put in and it got me almost to Green River where I had to get towed in the rest of the way. Thats a long stretch of nothing out there.........
Drive safe.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Thanks! Yep, leaving the boat in Az. for the Winter, then I'll go get it in March/April. I did this for years and years when I first got my truck but have not gone for the last several.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
I had to replace a previously-fine starter on a similar trip with a similar truck. Fortunately, I had all the tools to do it, but I was glad I brought metric and SAE nutdrivers and a needlenose vise grips, along with a breaker bar, sockets, etc. You can't plan for everything, but you can plan to be prepared for some significant fixes. My starter had shown no signs of wear, which irked me when it stuck in the flywheel while running, in the middle of Iowa. Other than getting boned full list price on a new starter at a dealer, all went well. Also, throw in a hammer in case your starter sticks ;-)
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
I'm planning a long trip cross country hauling a trailer with my 2001 7.3 with 170K miles. Its been an extremely reliable truck with no major problems so far. Recently replaced the water pump, did the CPS recall thing, and have gone through a couple of alternators, and a gas pedal position sensor. Thats about it.
My question is is there anything I should do to prepare for the trip other than make sure I have fresh oil. Anything I should check, and or replace proactively, that could potentially be a problem at 170K plus miles?
Just trying to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. (I already have a spare CPS and alternator).
Thanks for any advice.
My question is is there anything I should do to prepare for the trip other than make sure I have fresh oil. Anything I should check, and or replace proactively, that could potentially be a problem at 170K plus miles?
Just trying to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. (I already have a spare CPS and alternator).
Thanks for any advice.
If you haven't secured your harness with the plastic Ford clips or 2 quarters then you may consider doing that prior to departing. It's just a LOT less nerve racking to work on your truck in the driveway vs the side of the interstate.
Have a safe trip.
GC
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
If you haven't ever replaced the front hubs, it would be a good time to shoot some grease through the ABS sensor holes. Hubs aren't cheap, and can strand you for a couple of days if you have a failure. Even sealed bearings need greasing once-in-a-while.
Make sure that there is split-loom around the pressure hose adjacent to the driver's front shock tower. It wears through and causes a heckuva leak.
Insure the driver's valve cover harness isn't wearing the insulation off some wires there\ on the bottom side.
Make sure the differential is topped-off with synthetic gear grease, and you have no rear seal leaks.
How are the brake pads?
Oh heck, here's a link to a list made earlier, and some things were added along the way:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7831255
Pop
Make sure that there is split-loom around the pressure hose adjacent to the driver's front shock tower. It wears through and causes a heckuva leak.
Insure the driver's valve cover harness isn't wearing the insulation off some wires there\ on the bottom side.
Make sure the differential is topped-off with synthetic gear grease, and you have no rear seal leaks.
How are the brake pads?
Oh heck, here's a link to a list made earlier, and some things were added along the way:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7831255
Pop
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Just thought I'd check back in and report on my trip. About 2800 miles in all and the truck ran and pulled like a champ. No issues at all whatsoever. I love this truck.
One question for you guys, I have noticed a bit of a "groan" lately. Its been getting more pronounced lately. I notice it a idle and slow speeds, it is intermittent in park with my foot off the brake, and seems to get louder/more consistent (but still intermittent) when I step on the brake and/or turn the wheel.
I'm thinking hydroboost pump or power steering pump but I cannot pinpoint that the noise is coming from either of those, at least as far as I can tell.
I have not noticed any change in the braking or steering.
I did the power sterring transmisson fluid swap before I left but it did not help.
Any suggestions as to what I should check or how to check out the two items above before replacing them?
Thanks again for all your advice.
One question for you guys, I have noticed a bit of a "groan" lately. Its been getting more pronounced lately. I notice it a idle and slow speeds, it is intermittent in park with my foot off the brake, and seems to get louder/more consistent (but still intermittent) when I step on the brake and/or turn the wheel.
I'm thinking hydroboost pump or power steering pump but I cannot pinpoint that the noise is coming from either of those, at least as far as I can tell.
I have not noticed any change in the braking or steering.
I did the power sterring transmisson fluid swap before I left but it did not help.
Any suggestions as to what I should check or how to check out the two items above before replacing them?
Thanks again for all your advice.