Cross Country 1st time, Suggestions?

[gwizpro]

Hi Guys,



Well, I am planning on moving to PA. from So. Cal in a few weeks and I will be taking the 40 West and then start heading north to Pa. from Oklahoma.



This is my first pull with the truck and trailer besides short runs under 110 miles and no mountains.



I have a 28' Toy Box that has a gross weight of 9000lbs, with a load stabilizer hitch and a sway control. The trailer will probably be right at 9000lbs when I load it.

ALSO, I will have about 2000lbs. on the back of the truck. (Sand Rail, tools etc... . ) Tires are Big O 315 75R16's and are rated at 3125lbs. with Eagle 589's



Just installed Rancho 9000's and Air Lift 5000lb bags.

My signature shows how the truck is set up.



Looking for any suggestions if I need anthing else.

I was thinking about an exhaust brake, but with the move and all, funds are getting short.



ALSO, are there any concerns taking this road route?



Thanks for any and all help

The RackMan

 

[moparguy]

A exhaust brake would really be nice, I'd not be happy without mine. A aux fuel tank is something else that you'd be glad to have. You'll be buying lots of fuel and it's nice to be able to fuel when you see a good price.



Also on the fuel issue, if traveling on Sunday, don't pass up a truck stop thinking you'll fill up at the next small town, the only station with a diesel pump may be closed when you get there(don't ask how I know).



I'd get a CB radio, breaks up the boredom and can be useful.



Watch out for the road construction in Arkansas, a lot has been completed on 40, but lots still in process.



Slow down for construction and be safe.



Good luck, Ronnie



edit, Just reread and saw that you're going west to east and will not cross AR, so guess the I-40 bit won't apply.



RJR

 

[RHARVEY]

Use the truck stops as much as possible for fuel. Double check all the hoses. . fuel lines,radiator hoses. Carry an extra fuel filter. Other than that. . set the truck on cruise and enjoy the drive. Once you leave the state of Ca. the speed limit goes to 70 or better in most states along I40.

It should be a great trip this time of year...



Rick

 

[DBF]

Unless you're going to some town in PA that's up and over a big hill (there's a bunch of those in PA with grades up to 14%), you won't need the exhaust brake for this run. Interstates are no problem.



If you're curious, tell me the city/town you're going to, I'll look that up in the Mountain Directory East for grades nearby.



The others have talked about things to take/do.



Sounds like a fun run... DBF

 

[gwizpro]

Thanks for the tidbits so far.



DBF, I will be going to the Pittsburgh area. A place called White Oak.



Thanks

The RackMan

 

[DBF]

Duh. You had it in your note & I didn't catch it.



No problem to White Oak, other than the boredom of running thru IL, IN, & OH on I-70. There's a tremendous amount of traffic on that thing, so be careful.



There's a good diesel performance shop in that area - Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh.



The football team there is a little strange, but the fans like it anyway.



There's some good beer brewed around there, but "Iron City" isn't.



Regards and have a nice trip, DBF

 

[Rambling]

I agree with Moparguy on the CB. It helps to keep track of smokies and often problems up ahead.



Rather than a permanent mount, I went with an all-in-one unit. I've PM'd you with details so not to make this post long.



Like you, I was concerned about a trip from the west coast to the east coast. I installed an ebrake which I think is a nice addition. However, now that I'm here, I could have waited. I don't know that I would have installed it for the number of times that I tow and where I go. If you're putting it on just for the trip, you might wait until you're in PA to see if you need it, IMO.

 

[46mech]

Like the others, I agree with the C. B. install. I put a Cobra with the weather station capabilities... ... don't know if I'd do that again. Whenever there is a weather warning the horn inside the C. B. goes off and scares the bajeepers out of anyone in the truck... . doesn't matter if the darned thing is turned off either. LOL



I've driven from coast to coast about 6 or 7 times (not necessarily towing). As far as moparguy's thought about having a larger fuel tank, maybe for peace of mind, but with a C. B. you can always find out where a station/truck stop is to get diesel. If you're thinking you could drive longer between stops just for the sake of making time, I've found that when you're approaching 500 miles a day you're ready to stop for the night.



And moparguy, is the I-40 going thru Arkansas ever NOT under construction? We've been thru there a few times and that stretch of the 40 seemed to be in need of repair.



Rackman, if you're coming out of CA on the I-40 and you haven't towed your TB that route before then it will be a baptism in fire. You'll have to do some climbing when you leave CA on the 40. I didn't know this on my first move out of CA in 1986. At that time, getting an automatic 26ft moving truck was next to impossible... ... I had very little experience driving a stick when I made that move.



You said you'd be heading north in OK, I assume that would be at about OK City? That interchange is busier than it looks on the map so just take your time and watch the signs... . you probably already know this, but it's a bear sometimes to get turned around in the city.



In my latest move from Edwards AFB, CA to Norlk, VA (June 2000) my wife drove the truck towing our TB loaded to about 7,000lbs (she had never towed anything before) while I drove the moving truck and towed the family car... ... we went up thru Utah and across the I-80. Having an exhaust brake in the moving truck (which also had a Cummins 5. 9) would have been REAL comforting. I weighed in at about 27,500lbs and it made my navel pucker as I came down out of W. VA on the 77



Looking at your sig, appears you have what it'll take to make the trip. Have fun & be safe!

 

[Skydiver]

Piece of mind.

Might be worth while to carry an extra spare tire for the trialer. Take along some 2x6 blocks of wood just in case you have to change a flat in soft dirt. I would suggest taking 5 gallons of water. Have you greased you wheel bearings lately?

About when are you planning to travel?

Good luck,

Tim

 

[Matt42]

I-40 in Oklahoma from the Texas border to OK City is in dreadful condition. The concrete pavement has cupped between expansion joints. You may have a serious suspension resonance. I-44 from OK City to Joplin, MO is in excellent shape, but is a toll road.

 

[CROW]

Traveled I-40 this Summer from Okla. state line to Eastern TN. There is a lot of construction, especially in Arkansas. Saw several people get tickets. There is a sign in Little Rock that says there are either 12 or 13 (can't remember exactly) construction zones from Little Rock to Ft. Smith. Takes awhile to get through some of these construction zones. On two occasions I saw something that I thought was sorta neat. When the traffic lanes are reduced from two to one in construction zones, some people will stay in the lane that will be closed ahead and not get in line like most people. They want to go to the front of the line. Two truckers teamed up and blocked both lanes so people had to wait in line. When they got to the construction zone, one simply slowed up and let the other one move to the open lane.

 

[Shooter]

You will also need to get every one in the family an

"aux oversized bladder"



You will want to top off at Barstow, Kingman, Winslow, Gallup, Albuquerque, Tucumcari (Santa Rosa if no tail wind ), Amarillo, Elk City and OKC. After that there are lots of truck stops. The farther east of Amarillo the towns are closer together and for the most part the truck stops are not dives like in the desert SW.



Have fun and remember that what does not kill you makes you stronger.

 

[Motorhead]

From looking at your signature, you have a stock auto with some mods on the engine. I manually down and up shift mine when needed while towing. Good that you have 4:10s. Take your time on the hills, watch the temps and enjoy the scenery. PA is a pretty state. Good luck

 

[BLee]

Guys, I'm trying to understand how he could use an ebrake with that stock transmission. What am I missing? Bill

 

[gwizpro]

BLee, am I to understand from your post that you can not use an ebrake with a stock tarnny.



Thanks for the replies



The RackMan

 

[Joe G.]

Rackman,



When you lift with a stock auto the torque convertor clutch will unlock after a few seconds. The engine drops to idle so an exhaust brake will not work. There are some things you can do about this. The best solution is to get a smart controller from DTT.

 

[BLee]

To use an ebrake, you have to keep the T/C clutch engaged when you are coasting the truck, decellerating. Most people do this with a "Smart Controller" from DTT, ATS, or one of the other aftermarket transmission shops. They do a good job, and on my ATS setup, I can adjust the disengage speed on the T/C from about 20mph up to around 50mph. I think the other aftermarket units have about the same capabilities. I think some people used to use a "mystery switch" to keep the T/C locked when decellerating. Anyway, you currently have a transmission which unlocks and freewheels every time you take your foot off the gas pedal, which won't work with an ebrake The other consideration is clutch wear in the transmission and T/C when the ebrake engages. Seems like there's also an issue with valve springs on the 12 valve engines. I didn't notice if you have addressed that yet. Somebody who knows much more than me should jump in and tell you what you would need to do to make an ebrake effective on your truck. Incidentally, I love my ebrake. I leave it on all the time.

 

[gwizpro]

Thanks for the great info guys.



Think I will wait on the ebrake until the new DTT gets installed in about 2 months.



The RackMan

 

[Motorhead]

Depending on the ex brake setting, you need to put in 60lb tension valve springs. I think it is 60 lb. At the very least they need to be heavier that the stock ones so that the back pressure of the ex brake doesn't keep the ex valves from closing all the way and getting hit with a piston. Chris