Long Tow
#1
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mississippi
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Long Tow
I have a 14 f150 XLT 4x4 screw 5.0
I will be towing a small camper (26' Jayco 4750 lbs dry weight) on a trip out west for a total of about 4500-5000 miles. I do have factory trailer brakes, oil cooler, sway control.
My truck has right at 60k miles on it. I've had the truck about 8 months now and love it.
Any advice on anything I need to do service wise to truck before leaving on the trip?
i feel pretty comfortable but have never towed this far and feel like I'm missing something.
I will be towing a small camper (26' Jayco 4750 lbs dry weight) on a trip out west for a total of about 4500-5000 miles. I do have factory trailer brakes, oil cooler, sway control.
My truck has right at 60k miles on it. I've had the truck about 8 months now and love it.
Any advice on anything I need to do service wise to truck before leaving on the trip?
i feel pretty comfortable but have never towed this far and feel like I'm missing something.
#2
Spare tire and lug nut wrench, cause thats what I alway forget till I see it sitting in the garasge right where I left it. A jack that is tall enough to get the tire off.
#3
Senior Member
change the oil with a good 100% synthetic
#4
Grumpy Old Man
Hand-pack the wheel bearings on the trailer. Use good wheel-bearing grease. You can use a bearing-packer tool to make the packing easier, but don't rely on just squirting grease gun grease into the bearings. If you don't know exactly how to handpack a wheel bearing, then buy an inexpensive wheel packer tool like this one and follow your the directions that come with it. Mainly be sure all the old grease is replaced by fresh wheel bearing grease.
http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-34550...intid=LIS34550
I waited too long to repack the wheel bearings on my 5er, and burned up an axle on a long trip. It cost me three days and some big bucks and skinned knuckles to replace that axle.
http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-34550...intid=LIS34550
I waited too long to repack the wheel bearings on my 5er, and burned up an axle on a long trip. It cost me three days and some big bucks and skinned knuckles to replace that axle.
Last edited by smokeywren; 06-01-2017 at 12:35 PM.
#5
2014 FX4 EcoScrew
^^ THIS - my TT didn't come with any tire changing tools and the ones from my truck did not fit. I carry a torque wrench and the correct sockets / extensions required along with a small bag of general tools.
I did an epic from Houston, TX to north of Toronto last year with my rig - Truck, TT, Canoe, two bikes, kids, etc. We were very lucky and had no issues.
Get the "Allstays" app - you can stay overnight in Cracker Barrels and we really enjoyed it (no Semi trucks allowed - ie. it's quiet).
If there is anything in your setup that is off like your WDH isn't perfect - it will annoy the hell out of you over 5,000 miles. Make sure you're dialed and happy with everything setup wise.
Good luck, safe travels
#6
Senior Member
+1 on the Spare, jack and all tools needed to address a roadside tire emergency. You don't need the wife to ride in the back because the tools are sitting passenger, but you should have them stored in a place where you don't need to unload a truckful of gear to get to.
other than a fresh oil change, the thing I can suggest is a good set of maps. Helps to see the states sometimes when planning routes than just trusting in a gps or phone that may go haywire
other than a fresh oil change, the thing I can suggest is a good set of maps. Helps to see the states sometimes when planning routes than just trusting in a gps or phone that may go haywire
#7
2014 FX4 EcoScrew
+1 on the Spare, jack and all tools needed to address a roadside tire emergency. You don't need the wife to ride in the back because the tools are sitting passenger, but you should have them stored in a place where you don't need to unload a truckful of gear to get to.
other than a fresh oil change, the thing I can suggest is a good set of maps. Helps to see the states sometimes when planning routes than just trusting in a gps or phone that may go haywire
other than a fresh oil change, the thing I can suggest is a good set of maps. Helps to see the states sometimes when planning routes than just trusting in a gps or phone that may go haywire
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#9
Senior Member
I was nowhere with a failing tire. Lugs were so tight I eventually ended up at a truck stop to get them broken loose.
#10
Senior Member
I have a 14 f150 XLT 4x4 screw 5.0
I will be towing a small camper (26' Jayco 4750 lbs dry weight) on a trip out west for a total of about 4500-5000 miles. I do have factory trailer brakes, oil cooler, sway control.
My truck has right at 60k miles on it. I've had the truck about 8 months now and love it.
Any advice on anything I need to do service wise to truck before leaving on the trip?
i feel pretty comfortable but have never towed this far and feel like I'm missing something.
I will be towing a small camper (26' Jayco 4750 lbs dry weight) on a trip out west for a total of about 4500-5000 miles. I do have factory trailer brakes, oil cooler, sway control.
My truck has right at 60k miles on it. I've had the truck about 8 months now and love it.
Any advice on anything I need to do service wise to truck before leaving on the trip?
i feel pretty comfortable but have never towed this far and feel like I'm missing something.