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San Francisco to Colorado

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cold weather anti gel

Leaving in 3 weeks for Crestone Co. and cold weather for three weeks; what needs to be done that is diesel specific for the change in climate and altitude?I have a 02 3500 ,4x4,auto and will be carrying a Lance 1030.
 
Put a coat, hat and gloves on your CTD :-laf



It just isn't that cold now and it is getting warmer every week. I would tell you to carry "just in case" items like extra fuel filter (The tools to install if necessary) and 911 anti-gel in case for some reason it gets really cold again. Bring a 100' extension cord in case you need to plug in. If you have chains, bring them too... . just in case



In terms of prepping your truck, I don't think you need to do anything out of the normal maintenance to make your trip. I travel a lot, and mostly what I do is visual inspections of hoses, belts etc. and then the normal required maintenance.



Enjoy your trip!!!
 
The fuel filter is the first thing you would check if you are having start up issues. This can be caused by dirtier than normal fuel at fuel stations along the way or fuel gelling issues. If the water in fuel light comes on, it seems to me that it would be good idea to drain, then replace the filter just in case.



This is purely a just in case item. I carry one cause I am on the road for 4-5 days at a time every other week. I don't want something simple like that keeping me from getting anywhere, and they are not the easiest to find when I am travelling in IA and NE. I haven't had to change mine yet, but I figure its just cheap insurance, and you will use it down the road anyway.



This is my first diesel, but it I have been travelling for a while, and there are certain things with any vehicle that I have always carried for insurance, but have rarely had the need to use.
 
You shouldn't have to do anything to a well-maintained truck except plug it in every night. However, the forecast today is for 2-3 feet of snow in SW Colorado. How are your tires?
 
DJennings said:
Put a coat, hat and gloves on your CTD :-laf



It just isn't that cold now and it is getting warmer every week. I would tell you to carry "just in case" items like extra fuel filter (The tools to install if necessary) and 911 anti-gel in case for some reason it gets really cold again. Bring a 100' extension cord in case you need to plug in. If you have chains, bring them too... . just in case



In terms of prepping your truck, I don't think you need to do anything out of the normal maintenance to make your trip. I travel a lot, and mostly what I do is visual inspections of hoses, belts etc. and then the normal required maintenance.



Enjoy your trip!!!



DJennings, you've been living in Omaha too long. Judging from our heating bills, February is the coldest month in Colorado. You'd think it wouldn't be that way because summer has been on its way back since December 21.



Look at it this way: from a meteorlogical standpoint the longest day is June 21. But the cooling cycle doesn't begin until a couple of months later. Same with the warming cycle: it takes awhile to slow down the cooling and turn back toward warmer weather. Hence, Februarys are colder than hell (no pun intended).



Incidentally, March and April are the snowiest months in Colorado. Happy motoring in God's Country but don't count on warm weather until June 1.
 
I have been in Omaha too long, but thats a whole 'nother story! Most of my travels are in IA/NE I only get through CO 1-2 times a year. I know its still snowy, but I didn't think it was that cold??? It's been 10-20 degrees warmer than normal here for the past week and looks like more of the same for the next 2 weeks. Hasn't been below 20 degrees in a while.



Besides, I did mention the stuff you might need if it gets really cold and snowy. :)
 
Omaha winters

DJennings said:
I have been in Omaha too long, but thats a whole 'nother story! Most of my travels are in IA/NE I only get through CO 1-2 times a year. I know its still snowy, but I didn't think it was that cold??? It's been 10-20 degrees warmer than normal here for the past week and looks like more of the same for the next 2 weeks. Hasn't been below 20 degrees in a while.



Besides, I did mention the stuff you might need if it gets really cold and snowy. :)



Nah, you didn't but somebody else did. My son lives in Omaha and he tells me when the grass greens up, just to p**s me off. Trees here at 9,000' don't bud until mid- or late May. We get (maybe you do too) stuff from the gas company showing kw usage, and February is always the most expensive month. There's a big drop in March and a bigger drop still in April, but that's because of solar heating as the days get longer. It just takes Mother Nature a couple of months to catch up. We take it all in stride and give thanks we don't live in Minne-so-ta, as their former guv used to say.
 
You know why all the trees in IA bend north? because MN sucks and MO blows.



I lived in Co. Springs for 3 years My dad was stationed at Peterson AFB and I was just a grade schooler). GREAT TOWN! I am in the bicycle business, and have been back a couple of times for different things. I will be in Estes Park for a sales meeting this summer and am definitely looking forward to the trip.



FYI, who mentioned the hat, coat and gloves???



Sorry about the thread hijack. I'm done now. Hwright. . Have a safe trip.
 
Sub zero,,, if you need it at all. Do you use any sort of fuel additive in your fuel now? All of them reduce the gel point of the fuel down below zero. I didn't have any problems running winterized fuel here (no additive) every morning. The 911 is actually poured into the fuel filter housing where gelling is most likely to create a clog. I wouldn't worry too much about that. I'd prepare more for the snow, than the cold.



You might PM Jeremiah and talk to him about driving those mountain passes and equipment necessary. He's from around your destination.
 
Driving conditions

Right now planning to cross the pass Montrose to Salida if its open and conditions are ok. Got new Bridgestone Revos on my 02,3500;with the camper we are about 11000+. 7000lbs in the rear; traction should be pretty good I hope.
 
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