2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Road Trip-Des Moines, IA to McAllen, TX to Omha, NE

[ctbuilder]

I'll be heading south on 9/26 & 9/27, most likely I-35. Heading back north 10/3 & 10/4. Moving the folks to TX. If any TDR bro's have any advice on what to avoid it would be appreciated. I'll be flying solo on the return trip, it be nice to have a 'wingman' along the way if trouble should arise. Not planning on setting any speed records, so if anyone knows of sites to checkout on the northern leg, let me know.

 

[CougFan]

Well I hope if you are going to McAllen you are fluent in Spanglish. Its hot there too. Too dang hot in my opinion. Good luck in northern occupied Mexico, and I would avoid Reynossa.

 

[ctbuilder]

Thanks CougFan, bout all I know in espanole is "Two beers please and where's the bathroom. " I guess I wasn't very clear in my original post. What I meant was things to avoid along the route, like heavy traffic areas, road construction, ect. Also, having a 'wingman' was meant to ask for a friendly TDR or CTD brother who lived along the route that would be willing to lend a hand if I was broke down or have a cup of coffee and talk trucks.

 

[MKoth]

I am in West Des Moines, right off I 35. You need anything, give me a ring. I will PM you my cell #.

 

[ndurbin]

I'll be around for the trip down but I'll be gone on your trip back. I'm about an hour west of I-35 in southern kansas. I can help out if you have an emergency. I'll PM you my number.



Oklahoma City is a mess (least it was last time I was there). Dallas is a real pain if you hit it during rush hour. But other than the major cities I don't think you'll have to many major problems.



Nathan

 

[bnbrown]

I just made the DFW, Tx to Lincoln Ne run in July, I ran into a lot of road construction on the I35, and I dont know if you are cheap as me but I would probably drive quite a ways to avoid that turnpike (KS i think?) toll road, charge by the axle, wasnt real expensive compared to the times I have crossed the Golden Gate bridge here with my truck and trailer. the road construction was the worst part for me, driving part of it at night some of the lane closures were a little hard to follow. I was in no hurry so i did take the other interstate that runs parallel but just east i think of the I 35 for a while also, would check my maps for which one I was on when; but my CTD is currently in for a new head gasket, some front seals, harmonic balancer, new radiator... . after making the run from here in CA to western NE and back last week with a leak

 

[ctbuilder]

I made it back without any real problems. Thanks for the help offers. We stayed on I35 for most of the trip down. I'm not real fond of the monotony of the interstate, plus the city drivers are frickin' crazy! Had several close calls along the way. It's amazing how much ignorance is on the highways. The return trip was alot less stressful. I took the scenic I-281, thru the hill country of Texas. Most of it was four-lane, nice road. I like the way Texans pull on to the shoulder of the two-lanes to let you by. Stayed on I-81, thru OK and KS, up to NE. It was mostly two-lane, but straight and flat, very little traffic. It took a little longer to get home, but a nice drive. I'll tell you what fellas, pulling a 5000#, 16' trailer 2400 miles behind the CTD shouldn't be that big of deal, but I think the interstate is downright dangerous! I have a new appreciation for the guys who drive for a living.