2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission should I go??

[ChrisOlson]

Hello TDR Members.



I have to go to Florida from Bellingham Wa. I will be spending a month in The Tampa Area with my ailing mother. then returning to Phoenix for 2 weeks for visiting other Family members. then returning the toyhauler to Bellingham WA. then the truck back to Juneau Alaska

I will have about 70 days to do all this in. with fuel prices at a low right now and another opportunity to have 60 days to do this in very slim, I am thinking that I will drive the whole thing. I love road trips. So about my truck

99 quad cab 4X4 ctd Auto. 98000 miles.

truck has mild bombs transmission upgrades, gauges, has been serviced very regular. and all fluids have been changed 3 times in the last 40. 000 miles.

I monitor fuel pressure carry a spare Lift pump and tools and the truck has seen 80% of its life in cold weather. with a few spurts of hot weather in Montana. the trailer weighs about 9000 lbs loaded with the harley. I use the B&W turnover ball to tow the trailer generally on short trips 500 miles or so.

I have driven cross country before but with a much smaller trailer off the bumper hitch. The truck stays in the garage most of the time when not in use

my concerns.

I drove the Haul road in 07 this beat up the truck pretty hard had to replace all the shocks.

VP44 I do use additives. I realize that there is no crystal ball for VP 44 failures but I hate being broken down on the side of the road.

wheel bearings all have been serviced last 40K miles. still a small nagging concern.



So I am throwing out a call for Ideas, comments or what ever you have to say I look forward to all replies,



thanks in advance



Chris

 

[NavyDoc]

These are the kind of trips that define events in your life. Given the tings you are planning to do and certainly have time to unwind your head...

I say absolutely do it, come what may.

 

[icman95]

Change the damn lift pump to an aftermarket one. Your sig says 6 lps. For what you paid to replace them you could have put in an aftermarket set up, thereby avoiding you worrying about it and having little risk of breaking down from this. The stock ones are horrible.



I pulled my toyhauler with origianl shocks for one season, and that was all. The next season I put on aftermarket shocks and it was a different animal. I used Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Everyone will prefer their own brand of shocks, but these worked well for me. Turn them up when hauling, down when empty. The truck rides like a Caddy with trailer on.



Don't miss an opportunity to do a trip like this, will be great fun. You get to meet so many interesting people along the way and this is what really makes the trip a success. Even if you were to break down, you'll might find the good in the people who come to help you. Put a CB radio in your truck and you'll have an even better time.



Happy trails.

 

[dseabaugh]

My truck has a lot more miles than yours and when my wife and I are able we go. It sounds like you do try to take care of your truck. Just make sure the transmission bands are properly adjusted, & use synthetic oil in EVERYTHING. I do not hesitate to put a few thousand miles on a trip when we can. Just got back from a 1200 mile round trip last night. No issues; just set the cruise on 75 and go. This is our first long trip together in 2 years. You never know what fate will throw at you that may keep you from having this opportunity again. A year ago this time neither one of us expected to still be alive in 2009 and I am only 51 years old. My father-in-law was just like me..... work 60 hours per week, there will be time for vacations later. Annurisms ( sp??) & cancer ended that before he ever got to go on any too. When I got home last night, I saw my DR. had called for me to call him back 11 times in the 4 days I was gone, so it might be a good thing we left when we did. I take my own fuel with me so I don't have to buy any on the road.

 

[WDaniels]

Are you going to take the ferry down to Seattle or up to Haines then drive down?

WD

 

[GSchlegel]

You mentioned you have the B&W turnover ball and a toy hauler. Is your trailer a 5th wheel? If so, I've heard stories of problems with 5th wheels converted to goose neck. Supposedily the frame can't handle the additional flexing do to the longer moment arm.



Thought I'd just through that out.



Gene

 

[ChrisOlson]

Thanks for all the great replys.
answer to questions

Iceman95
lift pump- I carry 2 I always have access to a replacement at any cummins shop along any road or freeway. takes me 10 mins to change with the relocated lift pump kit.
I have ranchos 9000 I keep them on 6 right now when I put the trailer on you suggest I turn them up to what all the way? I also have airbags with in cab controller.

Dseabaugh,
I have Amsoil in front diff, transmission, transfer case, and rear diff. But I am hard stuck on delo 400 15 w40 for the engine I am an engineer onboard ships and I work with diesels from 200 hp thru 10000 hp and all in between Delo 400 15w40 has done some amazing things. like you I also have lukes links and DSS I have some play in the steering box it is managable.

Wdaniels
My trailer is stored in Bellingham so I will take the ferry to Bellingham load the harley in the trailer and go from there. I have done the drive from haines and skagway several times as well as from Prince rupert canada down into Montana.

GSchlegel
thank you for your input on the fifth wheel to gooseneck I to was concerned with the conversion I took it to A trailer specialist after the purchase and had the wheel bearings and brakes serviced and parts that needed to be replaced,replaced. I talked at length about the conversion and was given a clean bill of health on the frame and hitch.
here is a picture of my set up.

Picasa Web Albums - Glacier Gal - 2001 Forest R... ]

I have all the required gauges trans temp,pyro, boost, and of course fuel pressure gauge.

so keep the comments coming
thanks for all the input.

Chris

 

[icman95]

I have ranchos 9000 I keep them on 6 right now when I put the trailer on you suggest I turn them up to what all the way? I also have airbags with in cab controller.

Well, tough call on that one. I do turn mine all the way up for my trailer, and keep them on 5 when empty. Actually, the fronts are always on 5. It's the backs that I change for towing. There are a few differences, though that might keep you doing what you do. I don't have air bags like you, so that may make a difference. Also, you said fully loaded your trailer is 9000 lbs. Mine is around 13500. The extra weight might need the extra control from the shocks. The reason I choose the settings that way is because my neighbor had his set that way and liked the way it worked, so I tried it at his suggestion and liked it, too.



As far as the lps go, I know that it's an easy change out, but if my info is correct, they are about $150 a piece ( I get this info from a buddy with a 98. 5 who went through 4 of them before finding the FASS system). That means you've spent $900 on lps whereas I spent $450 on a FASS aftermarket lift pump system that is tons more reliable that the stock one. I'm sure the cost of aftermarket systems have gone up recently, but can't be as much as 6 lps.



Either way, keep us updated. Perhaps entries and pics from the trip. Sounds like a good time.