Home › Forums › Truck Camper Adventure Forum › Preparation for Cross Country Trip
- This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 7 months ago by
Wheeldog.
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- March 25, 2019 at 22:07 #30000
Coly Hope
ParticipantIn a month I will be headed to Texas to pick up my Capri camper then head out east for a couple of weeks to visit family then head back to Colorado. I will be gone about a month. I would like some advice on how I should prepare my truck for the journey.
- March 26, 2019 at 05:15 #30001
ardvark
ParticipantI do all the recommended stuff in the owner’s manual on schedule so it is always in good running condition. If it is nearing a scheduled service interval I go ahead and do it and I guess I look things over before traveling, but other than that, even for 2,000 miles treks we really don’t do anything special.
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC - March 28, 2019 at 10:38 #30028
Anonymous
InactiveAfter the first 2-3 miles of travel be sure to re-check your tie-downs, and occasionally after that.
- March 31, 2019 at 12:43 #30117
Coly Hope
ParticipantThanks for the advice.
- April 6, 2019 at 19:28 #30363
Freespool
ParticipantSounds like a good time Coly. I would consider in addition to the above advice fuel filters and possibly a radiator flush, fresh coolant is cheap insurance. Have you ever serviced your transmission, if not, it could be the best 100 bucks you have ever spent. Last but not least monitor your tire pressure. Take a good quality tire gauge in your tool box. Having just spent a 100 yesterday on a new battery that only lasted 35 months I would make sure yours are not to old. Have a good time and share your adventure with us.
- April 7, 2019 at 09:55 #30374
Don
ParticipantYear, make, model of truck please.
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of Texas - April 18, 2019 at 18:40 #30749
Coly Hope
Participant2015 Ford F-250 4×4 with a 6.2L V8 engines.
- April 19, 2019 at 06:11 #30750
Don
ParticipantBeen faced with this many times:
Shoes: When was the last time you inspected your tires, last rotate and balance
Basic maintenance: Oil change, air filter etc. Far better to do before you head out then needing to do out on the road. If you can make the trip and not need fine, but if coming due, do before you go.
magic mile maintenance: Everything has magic miles or hours. Dig out your mileage maintenance schedule. Are near the 12.3 Million mile maintenance point? Will you cross the threshold on the trip, if so go ahead and do in advance. Beats finding out you need to replace the chrome muffler bearings out on the road.
I shoulda take care of that: You have noticed that sometimes when you make a right turn the truck turns left instead, does not happen all the time….get it in now to be looked at rather than on the trip.
Win/Fail on the road: Some dealers will drop everything to get you back up and running if you hobble in on the back of a wrecker. Other dealers will BOHICA (Bend Over Here It Come Again). New F 350 and headed out, burned 15 gals of Def in only 1400 miles, When to BIG Dealer in Nashville Tenn. Gonna take us 3 days to sort out, but we got a rental car for you. Week later I paid the $300 rental car bill and was told “normal break in for Def”. Def burn did not slow, got back to home dealer and “no such thing as DEF break in, this is NOT normal”. Anyhow they kept it overnight and returned it to me the next day fixed, some minor issue, forgot what. You need to be careful on the road it can be a win or a big fail!
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of Texas - April 19, 2019 at 17:14 #30801
Coly Hope
ParticipantThanks for all the advice. When I bought the truck the fluids were all checked and changed and my tires are in good shape.
- April 19, 2019 at 22:28 #30802
Wheeldog
ParticipantIn a month I will be headed to Texas to pick up my Capri camper then head out east for a couple of weeks to visit family then head back to Colorado. I will be gone about a month. I would like some advice on how I should prepare my truck for the journey.
I have been running my camper from AK to AZ and back in the winter for quite a few years. Do whatever it tells you to do in your owners manual and don’t worry about the rest. I am usually gone for 6 months or so. Never had any problems getting stuff done to the camper or the truck while I am gone.
If you need something, there are the same stores/dealers you have in your home town as there are on the road.
2016 3500 HD Durmax
1994 S and S 9.5' Camper (SOLD)
1999 S and S 9.5 Camper
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