Hey guys,

Looking for advice on what maintenance to prioritize. I have a 2018 3.5 EB XLT (tow package) with around 47k miles.

Every summer I tow a 9,000 lb travel trailer about 1,000 miles total. None of the major services have been done yet, and I want to get it ready for the heat.

Between these three, what should I do first?

Transmission fluid & filter / Coolant flush / Spark plugs


Any other services I should jump on right now (like diff fluid) considering the heavy towing?

Thanks!

 

Transmission would be first and spark plugs.. Just had this done as my dealer just because i did not feel like laying in the engine compartment.. Coolant i would just test and see where it sits i have never changed coolant unless it looks muddy or Fales on a test..

 

Flush brake fluid.

 

flush out radiator fins of fuzz
change transfer case oil (it gets bad quicker than you think)
change rear axle fluid to something like Amsoil 75-140 because the rear end will be running hotter
check brakes
replace headlight bulbs if it is not led
check front wheel bearings and tie rod ends
align if tires are feathered
check air in spare for once and make sure it descends after years of possible corrosion
check lug nut torque
air filter and cabin filter
check transmission lines for corrosion
check upper ball joints in front a arm

 

Thank you!! Why headlight if it is working fine?

 

Thank you!! Why headlight if it is working fine?

 

Headlight bulbs because they don't seem to make it to 100k and I have replaced mine twice now. They are an absolute pain to change going through the wheel well above the liner so I would replace them on your own time and not in a time crunch later. They would probably be just fine to leave alone, but they don't burn forever especially with daytime running lights keeping them on all the time also.

 

None of those services is due at 47K miles according to the maintenance schedule in your manual.

 

There's no way I would have DRLs activated with incandescent bulbs, for the reason you just stated.

 

None are scheduled but the truck is 8 years old and been through some winters in Canada. Sure if you are going maybe 100 miles (I mean 160 kilometers), don't do anything. If you are instead pulling a travel trailer barn in the wind with weight and wind resistance in the mountains for a month, I would check and do some things. Also check the date codes on the tires and I personally would not run anything over 5 years old under stress and heat. You can get away with not doing things and temp fate, but there is always that one time you kick yourself for skipping something when time and money are not of your choosing. On a trailer, I would also take an extra set of bearings and grease and if going a long way, tools.