1st Big Trip: Looking for Advice

[Bernie]

OK, on Monday myself and two friends that I race with are heading out with my 03 CTD and race car in tow, heading to Newfoundland, Canada. We will probably put 4k to 5k miles on the truck total on this trip.

-I have done this trip twice in my 06 manual, towing 2 cars
-This year it will be in my 03 auto with one car in tow
-I picked up the 03 two months ago with 95k miles
-It now has 107k miles

Since I got the truck here is what I have done for PM
-Changes oil (2x)
-Changed fuel filter (1x)
-Cleaned air filter
-Changed fluid in both diffs and t-case

It is currently in having the 48RE trans upgraded with a billet TC, Goerend valve body, having cooler line check valve removed, and a general check over of the transmission.

Here is what I have assembled for spares:
-Lift Pump
-Rad Hoses
-Thermostat
-Serpentine
-Starter contact/plunger rebuild kit

Here is what I have left to do to it this weekend:
-I am changing the oil, filter, and fuel filter prior to going.
-I plan on pulling each wheel to check the brakes
-I have pads if it needs them
-Changing the brake fluid while I have it on stands
-Dropping the spare (to make sure it is OK)


So, I put it to the TDR masses:
-What else would you do?
-Did I miss anything?
-Any other spares you feel are a must?

 

[berman2000]

good gravy........

you sound like your leaving for a 30k'er..... shes a cummins! shes already made her mind up that she's gonna prove to you why you should leave the 06at home from here on out. shes just dyin' to prove to you shes ready! you name her yet? that is one of the most important things before a journey, if it hasn't be done already... ... ... ..... ya gotta talk to her, just like a woman. tell her its gonna be fine and shes gonna do ya right. have fun.

 

[JCasper]

Your truck will be fine.



Lift pump was a good idea for a spare. I lost mine at 84K and had a spare. It took me 15minutes in the Dairy queen parking lot to change it.

 

[MFalkinham]

I'd take along a spare fuel filter just in case you get a bad tank of diesel along the way, plus make sure you have the wrench for removing the filter cover. Other than that, you sound awesomely prepared. Have a great trip!!

 

[Bernie]

you should leave the 06at home from here on out.

I should have been clearer:

-The 06 is no more. I had a change in job that gave me a work truck (gas, F250).

-So, I sold the 06

-Got laid off

-Needed another truck, so I bought the 03 from Texas on eBay.

-It is my first auto ever, so I am a little worried

-And, I miss shifting!

 

[2broke2smoke]

"having cooler line check valve removed"



i thought they removed the check valve some time ago?

 

[Grizzly]

What are the tires like and how much air pressure do they have? How's the spare?

 

[Bernie]

What are the tires like and how much air pressure do they have? How's the spare?

Tires were brand new when I got the truck 12k ago. I plan on running about 65 PSI in them, and dropping the spare tomorrow to check it.

 

[Bernie]

i thought they removed the check valve some time ago?

As I learned today, yes they did. I was told there was a flow restricter/check valve on a line coming from the cooler.



My transmission shop (R&R Trans in Allegany, NY, and I highly recommend them) told me that was on earlier trucks. My truck does indeed have a check vavle, but it is in a diffrent location and they were larger/more reliable.



He gave me me the option of having it removed, but he didn't feel it was necessary on an 03. I left it in and I will see how it goes.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Tall snorkel... it gets pretty deep between the mainland and Newfoundland! I watched a film of last years Targa Newfoundland and it looks like a real fun event with quite a cross section of cars. What car are you racing so we can watch for the results?

 

[Bernie]

Tall snorkel... it gets pretty deep between the mainland and Newfoundland! I watched a film of last years Targa Newfoundland and it looks like a real fun event with quite a cross section of cars. What car are you racing so we can watch for the results?

I raced in this event in 2006 and 2007. I've had an eventful year (was passenger in an accident with my FD in January and couldn't walk for 2 months, and then got laid off) so I am taking this year off from racing and working as crew for three teams. Those teams are my friends, so please root for them. They are:

You can root for Car #411. It is a 1969 BMW 2002 that is my teammates car. It is a really unique car, with "art car" paint scheme. They were overall winners in 2007.
Targa Newfoundland - The Cars


You can root for Car #504, Bill Arnold's 1972 BMW Bavaria. another really well engineered car, built to perform at this event. Bill was the overall winner 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Targa Newfoundland - The Cars

You can root for Car #801 of Glenn Glark. He won the event overall in 2006 with his 1971 Porsche, but this year he decided to try something new and is running a Subaru.
Targa Newfoundland - The Cars


Don't be fooled by all the overall winners above. This is a tough event that 70-90 cars compete in. I just happen to hang in fast company!

I ran this race in 2006 and 2007 with a stock 1995 BMW M3 (car #814). The car was a junkyard dog, salvage title and all. I made a mistake in 2006 that took us out of the running, and we ran slow but safe last year to place 13th overall. I'll be back in 2009, hopefully with a 1975 BMW 530 and eye towards podium finish overall.

 

[Chemical103]

Good Luck

I believe I read about your accident on "The Secret List" glad to hear you have made it through brother- good luck.

 

[Bernie]

Update

Just a quick update from the road:



-Got the truck back from R&R transmission and the Goerend Valve Body and the new TC are great. Shifts re firm, but not jerky. Only got bout 200 miles in unloaded, but I already bout 1 to 1. 5 MPG gain. Time will tell if it was a fluke or if the new parts are more efficient.



-We are in Port of Basque tonight, getting on the Ferry to Newfoundland tomorrow morning. We have put about 1500 miles on it towing. The towing is also better with the new parts. I still think the G56 I had in my 06 was a better towing combination, but the upgrades to the 48re are noticeable. I'm glad I had the work done before I went on this trip.



-No problems. The truck has worked fine.

 

[NBeebe]

The Goerend TC is much more efficient than the stocker, so a 1 to 1. 5 mpg improvement is very likely. The way I understand it, goerend's TC is a low stall, meaning (I believe) it keeps the engine rpm's lower. I will get one some day (I hope!)

 

[Bernie]

Got back last night. I'm getting caught up on work, so I'll keep this brief:

-Total trip was just under 5k miles. I will post fuel numbers when I do the math.
-Truck got a lot more use than I planned. I was supposed to go to Newfoundland and drive a 1995 Chevy cube van diesel with our race parts. The van blew a motor on the way to the event, so my dodge pulled the race trailer for the event so we would have the tools / parts / fuel we needed.
-Overall, this was a tough year for tow and support vehicles. Our Chevy diesel blew the motor, our friends cat motor in his international toter blew his motor, and rumor has it a ford lost its power stroke on the way to the event.
-As you already know, no problems for the Cummins!

-The only negative I have to report is a slight transmission vibration. I showed up in 4th gear at low RPMS after many hours of towing. Didn't hurt performance, but I do want to have my trans guy check it out.