Getting ready to tow X-country - what to prep?

[Scooby]

I am getting ready to tow cross country and figured I'd ask the pros what I need to do to prep the truck. I do all the normal stuff (oil changes, fuel filter, tires, rear brake adj) , but thought I read somewhere that it was recommended to change the rear diff fluid to synthetic... I'm coming up on 27,500. I suppose a transmission fluid (auto) change is in order as is the transmission filter.



Ayny other recommendations?



(I'll be towing at least one vehicle and maybe a slide in camper - cross country in the middle of the summer! From CA to N. C. )



Thanks!

 

[dewdo]

Scooby:

With all the probelms with the fuel pumps, you might want to stop by a Cummin's shop and pick up a spare pump just in case. Probably just as important as a spare tire.



I just returned from a cross country trip with my slide in camper. I got ripped off by a stealership in Cottage Grove, OR on the replacement of a pump. (who I am taking to small claims court next month) and I had a wheel bearing go out east of Almagordo. (real pricey) Just be prepared for anything.



It's a good idea to have tow insurance of some kind. I subscribe to the "Good Sam Emergency Road Service" which has come to my rescue several times on some of my trips. I have towing on my regular insurance coverage, but Good Sam doesn't respond if you are disabled because of an accident, so you need to keep your towing coverage for that purpose.



Make sure you have a servicable spare for both the trailer and the truck if they have different tire and wheel sizes. I have 16 inch wheels on the truck and 16. 5's on the fiver. If you don't have gauges I would sure add that to the list. Exhaust, transmission, boost and fuel pressure.



Good luck and have a good trip.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[Scooby]

Thanks for the reply. Guages was the first thing to go into the truck. The extra fuel pump is a good idea - I'll definitely get a spare!

 

[lizzyhermit]

and print off the Travel Companion members along your intended route. ya just never know.....

 

[Loren]

Two more items that are on my towing checklist are tire pressure and lug nut torque, on both the truck and the trailer. I use an actual torque wrench to set the torque, and I check the trailer a lot.



My trailer/wheel manufacturer recommends that if you change a wheel on the trailer, check the lug nuts every 50 miles for the next 200 miles. This is for a tandem axle trailer. Those wheels get a lot of sideways load that the truck or a single axle doesn't.



Happy towing.



Loren

 

[Ethdee]

Take a fuel filter with you.



Jim

 

[Ron Bissett]

Take along?

Flash light flairs , aid kit , UP to date MAP. Gal of premix anti-freez One qt oil . Rain gear. Ron in Louisville KY LOL ON TRIP//. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Scooby]

All good suggestions!



REgarding checking the lug nut torque, that is something I do with a torque wrench also. My sister learned the hard way when one of her new horse trailer wheels came off on the highway, cross the median and hit a suburban - thank god it wasn't a motorcycle or smaller vehicle!!



She was never told to check them!

 

[Champane Flight]

Towing?

What are you towing? I it is a trailer, you should have the bearings repacked with fresh grease before you leave.