Towing from IA to TN in January

Planning to tow a small UHaul trailer to Knoxville in January. Doubt it'll be the full 1600# likely much less. Will be my first time doing a trailer trip of that length. Any other time it's been a far lighter load, and less than 20 miles. You know where this thread is going, but real quick.

I just did the trip last week with this truck and holy crap was it the best long distance drive I've ever done. My daytime job is work from home and my chair is crap. I stopped only to get gas and pee, no numb butt. Hell, when I got in Knoxville I took a nap in the truck and I was still comfortable. Amazing.

I've already done oil and filter (was not YZZD and was almost a year old), plugs (they were gross), ignition coils (6/8 cracked), air filter, drain and fill on the transmission (semi-gross), replaced the corroded and cracked MAF Sensor.

I'd like to do a full brake job on it. Z36 kit up front, all new drums/shoes, upgrade lines to stainless and a full bleed and replace with Bosch 5.1 (was recently done with Dot 3). I'm thinking preventative differential.

I'm thinking while I'm under there might as well give the 'ol O2 sensors a quick change-a-roo.

I already have plans for new wheels, tires, alignment. Currently 265/70/R17 Grappler G2's. Looking at BF Goodrich KO2's.

Would there be anything else you would do? Maybe give the differential fluid a replace? Maybe an oil change right after the trip, since I've now put 1700 miles on the oil I've got?

I'm no Professional Hand Model...so I'm a ways off from ripping it apart and stuffing food insulation in there, but maybe this Spring. Definitely would like to reduce some of the wind noise so I'll be stuffing what I can in some cracks and crevices. Part of that might be the crap roof repair that was done by body shop previous owner chose.

 

I'm not a religious hauler, so I don't have much advice to offer there.

Seems to me that you've done good things, and have a good plan.

Others with your engine, and more hands on experience with it than me will chime in shortly. I'm sure of it.

 

You’ll be good on the tow. Just take your time. I recently did a 500 mile round trip with ease. Towed a double axle (electric brake) weighing about 4500lbs. total.

All New o2’s will shock the crap out of you with the better torque feel and gas mileage, in my case. Not sure how old yours are but for under $200 you can do all 4 in a day. My exhaust fumes now smell like steam versus the old oily gasoline tinge. Something beautiful has happened. I feel wurrld peas happening but not sure.

New brakes if you need them. Most improvement is getting the parking brake adjustment proper so it sets your rear drums. Diff fluid is easy and a no brainer.

If your prior engine old history is unknown, then another quick change would be nice to see if the detergents are cleaning gunk that had built up in prior years. Back to back changes are recco’d with unknown history when switching to synthetic old.

Thats funny about my food insulation. Stuff looks and acts just like the OEM. Truck is super quiet. Light and free. I did use some butyl rubber in places.

 

Honestly, I think you pretty much have everything covered. Are you moving here(to Knoxville)? If so, welcome! It would be sweet to have another 1st gen member here.

 

Your truck will handle 1600 lbs like it’s not even there. I’ve towed 5000lbs 600 miles through the black hills, and close to 10,000lbs 250 miles with my truck.

now I wouldn’t recommend towing that heavy, I only did it out of necessity, but it illustrates what these trucks are capable of it you take it easy and go slow.

 

Sounds like you've got it all dialed 100% !
Only things I can think of are the 'DUHH' items like tire pressure, wiper fluid, and new wipers! LOL
Safe travels, and enjoy!

 

when did you last change timing belt? Timing Belt, Water Pump, and Radiator are the only things I ever heard of making sure you are up to date with.

 

Straight through for me it was around a 10 hour drive, but there were...speeds...involved that I won't do with the trailer. So I'm planning to break it up into two days and aim for the larger half of driving on the first day.

That's actually the goal! Last week I drove in and did some in person visits. Will be doing an apartment for a bit until I'm certain where I want to buy. Wheels in motion, but lots to check off before January!

We'll have to meet up for a burger or something! You were the one that told me about Fluid Film. I bought it, just need to apply it....and get the skid plates ordered/installed! Maybe I'll get it applied this weekend and order those a bit sooner.

That's good to hear! The truck is still "new" to me, and as I was driving into Knoxville last week I was constantly smelling hot brakes on all the massive hills at 3AM. I had a momentary freak out wondering why my brakes were burnin' up because I was cruising with very little traffic/brake need. Then I realized it was all the semi brakes I was smelling. Hoo-boy!

I won't have a massive load of furniture that I'm moving. Largest item will be my "desk" that I made out of a solid core door slab. Heaviest item will either also be that, or the wallmount rack I have for nerd equipment.

True story: I picked up a set of Bosch Icons the night before I left last week, because I had no idea when the wipers had been replaced last. It rained probably 75% of my drive down, and 50% of the way back. It wasn't until I was three hours from home that I finally took the time to replace the wipers. MASSIVE difference! Should've done it before I left. Excellent wipers so far.

Timing Belt was done within last 20k miles or so. No confirmation on the water pump/radiator. I did notice some pulley noise that I need to resolve too, but it's fairly intermittent.

I appreciate you all helping me figure out how to spend my money (make the trip safely)! I've been hammering the RockAuto and AutoZone sites waiting for them to show up in stock. With a gift card, rewards and the 15% coupon...the purchase was about $300 for me today on AutoZone with free shipping. Couldn't beat it. There's also a small $15 rebate right now (ends 10/31 it seems) so I'm sure there'll be something to get with that soon enough!

 

I'm in! Maryville/Knoxville

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKie-vgUGdI

 

One quick question, how fast do u go with o/d off? At 60mph unloaded with it off I'm at like 2,700 rpms.. seems a little high for only 60mph.. is it okay to hold 3,000 rpms for hours?

 

I’ve been driving tow with OD On for years. I do not turn it off unless strong head winds or going up inclines when I feel the gears toggling back and forth.

To your questions, not sure.

 

I've been told to never drive with o/d off very strange! Thanks phm

 

Yes. The manual says do not do it. Listen to the manual and not me.

 

Incredible! These suckers in 02 were running 3500 rpms for hours on end lol, I guess I dont have to worry about 3,000

 

I remember that 1-2nd slip this guys talks about. It went bye bye with the new 12 hole injectors. I keep it in D with OD on all the time.

I can see why he shifted on the stalk if in the mountains.

 

if the trans starts hunting, turn O/D off. if it hunts then, go the next gear down. gear hunting builds up a ton of heat that will cause it to fail..