Road trip time

quickster

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Well the time has come for the one way trip to S. Carolina. From Jersey to Myrtle beach area is approx 600 miles, and I 'm looking at two, maybe 3 fuel stops. I'll have about 1000lbs of tools and whatnot in the bed and cap, and I'll be pulling the Harley with a few assorted jacks, spare trailer tire and rim, potable air tank,etc on the trailer. I plan on doing it in one shot, probably about 12 hours @ 65 MPH. I'm bringing extra fuel, filters, coolant, brake fluid, water. Anything else I should definitely bring? I know Scotty did this a year or so ago, but he stopped on the way IIRC. Kind of nervous about the time at speed. Holding 2700-2800 for 3 or so hours straight makes me question my sanity on this trip in the first place. I'm thinking 3.5 to 4 hours between fill ups.
I did a run out to Pennsylvania today and last weekend with about 2 hours @ 65 mph both ways and all seems well. Just for my peace of mind I replaced the torque converter last week, and all seems well.
Anything else I should bring just in case, or check before I go? Thanks.
 

Big Bart

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Some thoughts -

Oil
ATF
Brake fluid
Gear oil
Diesel additive
Radiator hoses and clamps
Fan belt/belts
U-joints
Tire plug kit
Flares or safety triangles
Jumper cables
Flashlight
Clear hose to siphon in case you get a tank of bad gas.
Trailer wheel bearings, seals, and grease.

You said 1,000lbs of tools but be sure you bring -
1) Multimeter
2) Test light
3) Breaker bar and socket for lug nuts (Truck and trailer.)
4) Filter wrench (oil and fuel)

These engines handle 2,600-2800 rpms very well so just keep an eye on your gauges and avoid running hot or low on fluids.
 

Laine D

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@Dane Rickford has been busy so I’ll say it for him. A little while ago he took a trip and I believe it was about 600 miles. He was running pretty close to 3000 rpm the whole trip if I remember correctly. I think he did all right on fuel too.
 

The_Josh_Bear

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If she's been taken care of at all and can handle a 2 hour trip, a 12 hour trip is no big deal. Engine is designed to run all day every day. Sounds like it's gonna get you there just fine. ;burnout
 

Scotty4

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Our first day was 640 miles from Bremerton, WA to Butte, MT. 4 fuel stops for me, nice and slow on Snoqualmie and Fourth of July Passes. That first day I was so nervous about driving a 35 year old truck that far that I only maybe did 65 at best.

Day two at 800 miles was easy, Butte to Platte, SD. I let my anxiety get the best of me when pulling Bozeman Pass into Wyoming behind a K2500 leaking oil, thought it was my truck and pulled over, was fine.

I really pushed it day 4 when I ran out of fuel (front tank only with bad sending unit and no odometer). That was Wisconsin to Buffalo NY. Had my foot in it at 70-75. Hit 86 once! The sound deadening really helped. Most obnoxious noise was the drivetrain gear noise coming in the back window echoing off the cap.

I had lots of tools in the bed and uhaul and really didn't need them thankfully. I would recommend a fuel can, some oil for make up in case, your fuel treatment of choice, and rags. I found the heat shield was rattling and drove me nuts so a rag shoved in there helped, still holding a year later. I removed my sagging headliner when I redid the interior so that loosened the metal trim above the windows which squeaked terribly, shoved a rag in there.

Take your time and enjoy the sites! Listen to your gut if there's amything abnormal, no need to be a hero and push thru. Lastly post pics!
 

quickster

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That is for sure. And having no AC, the window is down the whole time with the fly window out. I was thinking of the foam earplugs for real. I do it on the motorcycle for wind noise. I'm just not looking towards the run from anywhere in Delaware thru Quantico. The traffic sucks. Baltimore and DC are tough. I'm going to get flipped off so much for holding up traffic @ 65 mph I'll probably show up somewhere online.
Bart, I have all the things you mentioned. I have no choice- if I leave the stuff behind I'll get charged to dump it.
I sold my last dump truck, so I'm driving it to the next owner to pull the plates for dmv. You know that in Jersey if you don't turn in your plates , you get your DL suspended? Plus a 200 buck reinstatement fee? So once I get back I'm going to start packing the truck. Will take some pics.
 

snicklas

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Agreed, if it has been taken care of…. Run it. The only thing you are gong to hurt is your ears… LOL.

Towcat had F-Superduty wreckers and rollbacks, and the F-Superduty has 4.88 or higher gearing.. The rollback if it was moving it was on the governor…. His truck had hundreds of thousands of miles on the governor…. 600 is a drop in the bucket……
 

Old Goat

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Bug Window? Fly Window? What Window is that?

I know you are moving and need to haul all you own etc.....
I see the list of things to carry incase of break down, but man it is only 600 miles.
We are not in some 3rd world country, although the U.S. is turning into one the way things are going, and a good many are embracing it.

If these trucks are as dependable and bullet proof as we say they are, load her up and go for it.


Goat
 

quickster

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Goat, I need to take the stuff anyway. The movers are only taking a few things from the garage, but I have to take most of the heavy stuff. I'm actually having the movers take the tool chests. They are to big and heavy for me to take with everything else.
 

quickster

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Well, time to roll out.Just as a precaution, I put the truck in my friend's shop yesterday and put on new front rotors. I knew the old one's were glazed and pitted.
I think I got closer to a ton in back than 1000 lbs.Have about 12 hours to drive. Hopefully all goes well.
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5 oclock

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Best of luck Quickster! Not that you will need any. It should be in its element!
 

Stu Bailey

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Best of luck amigo! I think she’ll do just fine. I ran Jersey to Virginia Beach over the weekend and kept it around 65 most the way. Did the sample math with the tripometer and said I averaged 19 mpg. Kept it around 2300 rpms the whole way. Looks like we are getting a little rain possibly so hopefully the bridges if you take any won’t be too messy for you. Sounds like you got just about everything you would need in case of an emergency, road flares or snap glow sticks can be of help too if it gets dark and you blow a tire or something.
These trucks are amazing. I bought mine off Craigslist sight-unseen and then drove it from Alaska to New Jersey without any troubles. Had my pregnant wife and pregnant dog in the single cab with me o_O old truck never even stuttered!
 
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