2000 Mile trip Preperation

[Greg_Stein]

Hi All, I am going to be Driving from El Dorado Hills, Ca to Tulsa. Ok at the beginning of September. I wanted to get some thoughts on what I should do to improve and prevent any major issues along the way. I will not be pulling a trailer, but will have household basics in the bed and back seat.
Last year I had the transmission rebuilt, so no major concern there, however occasionally at slow speed when i am taking my foot off the pedal (i think its when its shifting up in gear) there's a clunk and the truck lurches. Any ideas, I took it back the the shop that rebuilt the transmission and it didn't happen for him, but he said its just normal at slower speed because the 48re's require some serious compression from the engine.
I just got oil changed, I will probably have the brake pads replaced, and other general maintenance.

We will probably be getting on I-70 through the Colorado Rockies and elevation is about 11,000' obviously since Cummins is Turbo charged I should have too much of a problem with air intake, correct?

Should i get a tuner for the truck that shows gauges for Trans Temp, Intake Air Temp, ect. ? (Smarty wont sell to me because I live in CA, I'm thinking temporarily get an EDGE?) We Plan to drive about 10-14 hrs a day, unless we find something interesting to stop and see along the way.

Any other Ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[phantomusa]

Tires and proper air pressure will save your bacon I've seen many pickups along side the road with a house full in back and no spare tire

 

[User113]

(Smarty wont sell to me because I live in CA, I'm thinking temporarily get an EDGE?)

Does this apply to a blank MM3 as well? The MM3s seem to have all the same PID monitoring functionality as the Smartys.

 

[ringneck]

extra fuel filters,always fuel up at truck stops .they pump more fuel,extra hard to get hoses. your gun.

 

[phantomusa]

I'm a firm believer every time you turn the key on something is starting to fail
Of course if you leave the key off then the batterys start to deteriorate and the tires start to disintegrate
Its a no win situation

 

[Regcabguy]

Used Smarty's are out there frequently. Even the lowest 30 hp tune makes the truck way more responsive.

 

[Wayne M.]

Forget the tuner route for this trip. You need integrity, and that won't help.
The down side is age. You don't know what can go, unless you've hit all the weak points once already. We need more info.
Have you done the hub bearings?
Have you done all 6 injectors?
How are your belts and hoses and batteries?
How is your mechanical ability? If it's shade tree status or better, I would pack a killer tool kit using what's in Genos garage' boonie box as a starting point. I would also include Joe Donnelly's injector instructions printed out, along with the special tools outlined therein.
If you're not that type, make sure you have AAA and knowledge of telling a quickie lube from a decent truck shop that can help you.
The up side? You have the best pickup truck in the world to make that trip in.

 

[Motorhead]

I am getting ready to go on a 2800 round trip on my truck and I just did an oil and filter change, primary fuel filter change, Checked my tires, lights and signals and did a good under hood inspection with all other fluids. I also do a look see under the truck.
Think about this, you drive a 3,000 to 4,000 mile interval between services in freeway and stop and go driving. How much do you check between those service intervals? Long sustained driving is probably the easiest miles you can put on your truck.
I agree to always keep a spare primary filter under the back seat and cycle it to the engine when the filter interval comes. Put another new one back under the seat. I always keep my changed out serpentine belt in the truck too.

 

[Tuesdak]

Check for leaks and know what they are from if any. Visual inspection for ones just starting with specific attention to water pump weep holes and block heater. What age are your tires including the spare? Long duration high speed miles are the hardest on tires. (Your area can affect the 10 year life. Like it's 5 years in Phoenix, AZ worst case.) Check all lights.

Have AAA or Good Sam?

Do you have road flares, a DOT triangle kit, good batteries in a couple flashlights, bottled water, first aid kit, blanket, pillow, roll of TP, and some snacks? A simple roll of Ritz crackers goes a long way.

The better equipped you are the less likely you will need any of it.

 

[mwilson]

Consider adding this to the first aid kit mentioned above, get it at Tractor Supply as it's waaay cheaper. For Horses, but same stuff. Hold a pretty massive mess together with this stuff. I have it in all of my first aid kits now..

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/3m-vetrap-bandaging-tape-4-in-x-5-yd-teal

 

[phantomusa]

Personally i would check tires and pressures check all fuilds carry a small tool bag a spare fuel filter and a credit card and cell phone and away I'd go
Maybe I trust my truck more then other people its only a 2000 mile trip ???

 

[Motorhead]

I drove UPS vehicles day in and day out that were rode hard and put away wet EVERY day. Most were between 10-30 years old in service. Many had 500,000 + on the chassis and usually 100,000-300,000 miles on the engines. Rarely had any issues or dis-trust any of them I drove. We had TWO 28 foot, International box trucks that ran from our center to Ontario Ca each night, about 550 miles a night. During the day when they were at our depot, I would use them and go to the winery's and load them from the front of the box to the back door. When I retired, BOTH trucks had 550,000 miles on them with still the original Turbo 7.3 Navistar engines in them. Both of those trucks wer LUCKY to see oil change and service about every 12,000- 15,000 miles. Lots of times I was out in the boonies where no phone service or mechanic close. Check your truck well and enjoy your trip.

 

[Wayne M.]

UPS runs the tightest ship in the fleet maintenance world. I know I've outlined a rather paranoid persons backup, but I've got the space and I'd rather not use it than to need it and not have it. So far I've never needed any of it.

 

[Killer223]

i just got home from a 3300 miles trip. i didn't even change the oil. i put 2 spare fuel filters in the truck (2 filter system), air the tires up 60 front and 45 rear. and away i went. whole family went. only issue was sitting for that long. top off the washer fluid. i had to stop and get some in South Lake Tahoe. if you generally keep after the maintenance of your truck, then worry not. if you tend to ignore things. take a CC with you.

 

[Boaring1961]

In May we did a 4,660 mile trip from CA to TX and zig-zagged back home. Even though I did replace some items for the trip (generally needed to be done) and needed new tires, the only items I really needed to do beforehand was an oil change and change out the fuel and air filter. After all those miles and hours sitting in the seat the only thing that even came close to breaking were my and my wife's nerves....we did the trip with a 2 and 4 y/o!! We had a couple of 13 hour days along the way!!

 

[DaveHess]

x2 with Boaring1961. Just completed a 3,400 miles trip to Niagara Falls and back to ND with just an oil change and air filter change beforehand. I inspect everything but no further maintenance was performed. The only area of concern is a slightly elevated coolant temperature (202 to 209) for short periods of time but my brother and I determined it is an air flow problem and I need to pull the condenser and coolers off and clean the face of the radiator. Otherwise, even at 18,000 GCW, she took whatever I threw at her and she sneered back at me. I LOVE this pick-up!
As my brother tells me, "Quit worrying about it. Drop the plow and go!"

 

[GrantP]

Kick the tires and hit the road. I just did a 3000 mile trip on a whim and left the next day (I never pass up an excuse to go to Montana), zero issues. As long as you're keeping up on your regular maintenance just go. Don't overthink it. Neither of my Rams have ever left me stranded.

As far as the tuner, skip it. You certainly aren't going to need it going over I-70 and the Eisenhower tunnel, the truck will do fine (been there done that...multiple times).

Enjoy the drive.

 

[Greg_Stein]

Injectors, lift pump, cp3, and Injector lines were replaced last summer
Batteries were tested and Good
I haven't checked the belt, but i plan on doing it this weekend.

When I get the brakes inspected I might just have them check and regrease the front wheel bearings.
I have some general knowledge, Always learning along the way (and this is the Best place to do it).
We do Have AAA
Thank you Wayne

 

[BigPapa]

As Killer 223 and Boaring1961 said, if you keep up with your maintenance, quit worrying and go. I drive 2000 miles in two weeks and I guarantee it's harder on the truck than your 2000 mile trip. If a major failure happens, and they do from time to time and there's really nothing you can do to prevent it, unless you're going to a very rural or remote local you can generally get parts or repairs quickly. The only spare part I'd take with an '03 would be a #4 injector line and a wrench to fit it. You have a good, dependable truck. Go drive it and don't worry.

 

[Wayne M.]

Injectors, lift pump, cp3, and Injector lines were replaced last summer
Batteries were tested and Good
I haven't checked the belt, but i plan on doing it this weekend.

When I get the brakes inspected I might just have them check and regrease the front wheel bearings.
I have some general knowledge, Always learning along the way (and this is the Best place to do it).
We do Have AAA
Thank you Wayne

Sounds like you're all set. I like to back off the belt tensioner with a long ratchet from below, and use a curve jaw vise grip clamped to the sway bar to hold the ratchet handle. I do this to check all the pullies, water pump, and ac compressor hub.
I know I may seem insane about this subject, but I've been lucky on the road.

Have a great trip!