Long Trips

Hello my fellow Tundra Enjoyers,

Wanted to get y'all's opinion/suggestions on long trips. Planning some cool road trips with hiking/camping involved here in the next few months. Currently have an '01 Limited with 158k miles. Timing belt and water pump were done at 150k miles. Upper and Lowball joints replaced as well as inner and outer tierods just a few thousand miles ago. New tires. Transmission was replaced by a Toyota dealership when the original owner had it with only like 45k miles on it (not sure why). I have new shocks and struts on it as well. As far as mechanics go, it runs like a top, just have a humming sound that comes and goes when its in Park that I haven't been able to figure out yet.

So, that brings me to the question. How have your trucks done on longer road trips and are there any suggestions you could make that would give me a little more peace of mind about taking it across multiple states/miles?

 

My truck has over 300 on her and in just the last 3 years has been all over the east. College Park, MD, Myrtle Beach, Augusta, GA, Fort Worth, TX. Maintenance is key.

 

I exclusively use mine for long trips, typically 600+, and the only thing that I ever wish I did but didn't was bring a spare lower ball joint. All other parts on the car can be run without or a temporarily solution can be found (e.g. running a cylinder low for a bad coil pack, clamping a brake line to a bad brake, running in 2wd for bad axles, etc etc), but if you lose a lower ball joint you are SOL. Happened to me, was lucky I had friends with me so we could run into town and get one.

I would say go on rockauto and get a bunch of "economy" line spare parts. Tie rods, LBJs, serp belt, just things that get beat to sh*t when you're on bad roads. You can pick up the bottom-of-the-barrel spares for a few bucks each, get some tools for them, throw it in a roadtrip toolbox along with spare oils and fluids and call it a day. Maybe bring an impact gun if you need to swap a tire.

 

I went from Amarillo to Sendona and back at 330k miles no issues.

About that sound, it's only in park? It's not the fan or AC compressor kicking on?

 

You should be fine. I would recommend having a Denso coil, outer tie rods on hand and a new radiator cap, some extra oil and coolant. How is your radiator and thermostat ? Fresh spark plugs would be nice and an inexpensive peace of mind

tire patch kit

 

Sounds like you did all of the important stuff. I'd check all fluids (differentials, transfer case, steering, brake) but other than that, you should be good.

 

Since buying my truck 2 years ago I have gone on 5, 1 month long trips that each have put over 3k miles on the odometer. Like others here have said, maintenance is key, and check your fluid levels. My only other word of advice is to check all your fluids, engine bay, and do a total walk-around on your truck before each major haul. For instance, before leaving on any day-long drives ALWAYS double check on your oil, brake fluid, power, steering, etc. as well as take a peak at your tires and suspension(mainly the front suspension).

I've never had anything go awfully wrong or had my truck put me in a tough spot that made me worry I wasn't gonna make it home - that's why first gens are the best.

 

Not an AC compressor kicking on. It only happens in Park and is only when the truck warms up. I posted a video on here a while back with the sound but others couldn’t really figure it out. It baffles me.

 

Ky to FL with 200k
Ky to Watkins Glen, NY with 230k
Ky to FL with 278k


hell, I didn't even bring my toolkit on the FL trip earlier this year. Total faith

 

Took my truck around the US last year, was about 4500 miles in a week and a half. No issues, truck did great. Here's the thread.
LINK

 

My mileage isn’t as high as the other posters but I drove over 2200 miles in June in mine. Tb, wp, rad, hoses, belts, etc all done in march last year.

 

Use back roads, no chain restraunts, and stop & stretch your legs.

 

What’s wrong with Chain restaurants? Looks tasty

 

Haha.

not gonna say it hasnt bit me, but i like to try mom & pop places when i travel.

 

Love a good greasy spoon

 

The pics below are from a 4,000 mile round trip his summer, the second half hauling a trailer with a tractor ('03 w/ 240K miles, trailer was just over 5K lbs).

I agree with the recommended walk-around before and after a day of driving. After the drive or during it's good to listen, look, smell, touch to see if there are any signals of something going wrong.
- Smell for over-heating, leaking coolant, etc.
- Look at the tires, under the truck for leaks, etc.
- Listen for hissing, over heating, etc.
- Touch wheels to check for excessive heat (or carry an infrared thermometer, etc.

Did someone mention greasy spoon? Donna's in Moorcraft, WY, recommended.

 

Last year, I drove from Memphis TN to Cheyenne WY (truck had about 90k). No problems other than my passenger side window wind deflector breaking off. Recently, I drove from Memphis TN to Deadwood SD (truck had about 95k). Video of the entire trip in the "Trip Reports" section. No problems other than my driver side window wind deflector breaking off.

Edit: I'm sure my mileage numbers above aren't exact. But last year's road trip, and this year's road trip were both done at under 100k.

 

I'm planning a trip to Florida next year. I always take the Highlander and do well on MPG and comfort but the Tundra feels like a tank and I'm playing with the idea of driving it there from New York. On the 2,800 miles roundtrip. Tundra gives me 15 MPG (186 gallons). Highlander 20 MPG. (140 gallons) at an average of $4.00, $560.00 versus $744 for the Tundra. I frankly don't mind the $184 difference. Following the thread.....

 

I drove from MT to Phoneix AZ....and back last winter....fully and I mean fully loaded....well over 300K on the clock. The first eight hours or so in 4WD and -20.

Don't know what to tell you, other than you have really low miles so i'm not sure what your worried about.

 

Similar scenario just happened for us. Big 4 person family trip from southern California to Arizona and we logged about a thousand miles. Did some glamping and my son had a 4 day hockey tournament. Lots of gear, luggage, mini fridge, food water. My wife's 23 Pathfinder was PACKED to the brim. Love that car, it's usually big enough for us, but this was just too much and we had to play Tetris a lot and dig stuff out. It averaged 23.5 on the trip which was great for a v6 7 seater, but when we do it again... I'm taking the tundra. We all felt cramped in there. I was a little stressed out moving stuff around. If it was all in the bed under a cover and the cab was free of clutter it would've been much more enjoyable drive. With the Tundra being wider it just feels a lot bigger in the cab and I think the Tundra's ride is a lot smoother. I'm sure the Bilstein 6112s help a lot. I would have spent another 100 bucks in gas, maybe a bit more. Worth it!

 

And you didn’t call?

 

I've found that our trucks are fantastic highway vehicles, considering that they're 15+ years old and a pickup truck. Smooth, quiet, and relatively economical. I average 17.5-18.1mpg at 70mph. You might get a little bit more with a 2WD. Mine has taken my grandfather, it's previous owner, on dozens of trips to St. Louis, which is a 7.5 hour drive. Personally it's taken me on numerous trips all over the midwest, rain, snow, hail, cold, no problem. One time my dad used it to haul upwards of 1000lbs of barnwood from Georgia for his furniture business.

I do carry tools with me, as well as spare fluids, but nothing much. I have total faith that it would drive for as long as I needed it to.

I'd recommend bringing some tools and fluids too. You don't need much:
-Cheap rachet and sockets
-Screwdrivers
-Adjustable wrench (maybe a few key box wrenches, 10mm, 12mm, etc)
-Pliers, big and small
-Quart of Oil
-Quart of ATF (also used in power steering)

 

Went with the Tundra and I’m absolutely loving the experience. Just made it to Florida from NY. Between the smooth V8 and the comfort of the seats, I’m happy to report I have driven the entire trip myself. Very impressed with my 2006, so much that I’m considering buying another FGT for my uncle.

 

If you're eating fast food on trips you're 100% doing it wrong.

You basically got everything covered my guy. Walk around before and after are super important. Carry some extra fluids.

 

Except Arby's. Arby's gets a pass.

 

We stop at Del Taco and Jack in the Box when we go out of town. We don't have either here.

 

I can concede this. Arby's, although dumb expensive, is always bangin'

That's a blessing in disguise

 

Can I be your uncle?

 

As others have said, it looks to me like you've got the bases covered. I will add that many of us own these 1st gens because of their longevity and reliability. They didn't get their reputation for no reason. Take that as some degree of permission to travel without worry.