Long trip vehicle check list

On Saturday we take off for a week long trip to Manitoba goose hunting, about 1500 miles round trip. Taking the F350 diesel pickup and for some reason I am more worried about things going wrong this year. Here is my vehicle check list so far, what am I missing?

Tires rotated and pressure good(including spare)
Full DEF tank with gallon spare
Oil level good, changed 1500 miles ago
brakes good
2 quart of Howe’s fuel treatment behind seat
1 bottle 911 fuel deicer behind seat
Air cleaner good
Fuel filters changed 5,000 miles ago(both upper and lower)
Wipers good, one spare behind seat
Tranny fluid changed 14,000 miles ago

Every tool and spare part you own that can help when stranded.

I did 3 1,200 Mile trips this summer.

I was so happy when I got rid of my diesel, if anything, knowing that if I break down i can get it repaired… That day, by any number of repair shops in the area. Diesels… Good luck!

I didn’t take any of those long trips last two years just because of the diesel. Of course mine was the lemon 06′ 6.0

Good luck!

Long trips I pack for insecurities, a potential major issue can become not so much of an issue if your prepared for it. Sounds like you are well prepared, make sure the spare tire is able to drop down, sometimes the mechanism will rust leaving you with a spare that is stuck up under the bed of the truck. I like to either have a jack stand or a better jack that comes with the vehicle if space allows.

Kind of a bare-bones list for a Ford. Don’t you think you’d better take along a Ford-certified technician and his set of tools?

FORD. Fix Or Repair Daily. Found On Road Dead.

Not to start a Ford vs Chevy debate. Sorry, I can’t stop myself… I’ll be here all week.

Grouse

Taking a trailer? If so – add a hub/bearings/greese

On long trips, i pack a small floorjack and a cordless impct wrench/socket. Sure makes changing a flat a non-issue.

just lowered the spare down to check pressure in tire, good call on that.

Trailer is prepped including greased hubs and tire pressure check including spare

Grouse, you can expect some goose entrails in your mailbox next Sunday

I’m seeing key missing ingredient, spare tire with correct pressure

Definitely bring a cordless impact and a small floor jack as mentioned above.
I always travel with a bag of basic hand tools. They may not help in a breakdown situation but if you have some tools you’ll have a chance anyways.
Tire plugs and a small cordless pump or air tank will give you the option to repair a tire without having to remove it from the truck.
Having a spare belt is always a good idea.
If a breakdown happens, it’s very likely that you won’t be able to fix it on the road but if you don’t prepare at all, you definitely will be in tennis shoe mode if something happens.
Cars are cars and they break, new or old, all you can do is maintain it the best you can and hope for the best.

I just got back from a road trip of 3850 miles. I did have the oil changed while away and also picked up a nail in the front tire. 12.00 dollars to fix the slow leak was cheap and I was near a town.

Only thing I’d add to your list is a spare ignition key, especially if your truck requires one of the newer “programmed” keys/remotes. If you only have one and you lose it, not nearly as simple as just cutting a new key from a code book.

Huntindave wrote:

Only thing I’d add to your list is a spare ignition key, especially if your truck requires one of the newer “programmed” keys/remotes. If you only have one and you lose it, not nearly as simple as just cutting a new key from a code book.

Good call, that is on my list to put in the truck as soon as I get home!!

Maybe not smart on my part to say this, but I store the spare behind the license plate. I run one of the corner screws that hole the license plate on through a hole in the key. Then all you need is a quarter or nickel or what ever loose change to unscrew the key from its location where it is protected from road salt ect. so it does not rust.

Unless you have one of those fancy keypads for the doors on that ford then disregard my comment on spare key location.

Aaron Kalberer wrote:

Maybe not smart on my part to say this, but I store the spare behind the license plate. I run one of the corner screws that hole the license plate on through a hole in the key. Then all you need is a quarter or nickel or what ever loose change to unscrew the key from its location where it is protected from road salt ect. so it does not rust.

Unless you have one of those fancy keypads for the doors on that ford then disregard my comment on spare key location.

You are right, doesn’t work too well with one of these.

Check your Jack. Does it still work? Is it there? All the pieces? Will the spare on your truck drop down, or is the cable rusted solid? I just prepare for the easy fixes. Anything more and It’s going to be a bad day. Jump packs are handy too. I’ve used my volt meter and mapp gas torch more often than any other tools when on long trips.

Essential mid 90’s pop mix CD duh. Hanson, jewel, cranberries, mix it up with some good ol Garth, smash pumpkins, will make a guy want to break down just to JAM.

nhamm wrote:

Essential mid 90’s pop mix CD duh. Hanson, jewel, cranberries, mix it up with some good ol Garth, smash pumpkins, will make a guy want to break down just to JAM.

OH Boy,,,,,,,, didn’t take long for this thread to go downhill. Everyone KNOWS the only music worth listening to, was produced in the late ’60’s. The rest is just noise and filler.

Huntindave wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
Essential mid 90’s pop mix CD duh. Hanson, jewel, cranberries, mix it up with some good ol Garth, smash pumpkins, will make a guy want to break down just to JAM.

OH Boy,,,,,,,, didn’t take long for this thread to go downhill. Everyone KNOWS the only music worth listening to, was produced in the late ’60’s. The rest is just noise and filler.

Haha I was going to say Zeppelin I-IV, plenty of snacks a good coffee mug (like a Yeti, but generic unless you got $ like Matt Moen)!

Man, you guys travel dangerously. You’re forgetting…

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C’mon now Gill, we are a classy bunch here. Crust free is the only way to go.

I know it seems a little early,check the health of the anti-freeze.
crawl under and look at the universal joints, the rear joint especially,if you see rust coming out from where the cap and cross meet,time for a new one.
if your 350 has the two piece drive shaft,check the center carrier bearings rubber isolater,they are known for cracking and tearing after they get some age on them and they make a heck of a racket and vibration when they let go.

if you have never used the parking brake,dont try it now or while on vacation,if it works and is adjusted properly you are good to go.
as long as you havent been seeing anti-freeze,oil,or any other fluids on your driveway you should be fine,just keep an eye on things as the trip progresses.

one last think,have a good trip,come home safe and post a report when you get back !!!

Yes, the truck has the fancy key pad for entry and the spare key is in the counsel.

The radio has never been on since I bought the truck and won’t be on on this trip either. To me that is noise pollution and yes I know I am weird.

Wipes are packed Gill, good call.

Unfortunately I have used the jack 3 times this summer for the boat trailer, so I know it’s all there and works. I lowered the spare to check the air pressure, so that works too. Good tips!

Iowaboy, great points!!!! I park on a cement garage floor every night and there are no drip spots under the truck. I will check the other things you point out tonight. The truck is a 2014 with 120,000 miles and takes a 500 mile round trip every weekend to the farm, so this won’t be a big shock for it. Thanks for the well wishes and I will definitely file a report upon return.

Few things I do before every trip to WY or CO. Knowing I’ll be driving a lot of two-tracks, my suspension and drivetrain takes some abuse.

Lube everything (I eliminated all the maintenance free crap)
Wash/re-lube the air filter
Jack up front end and check end play in control arms/ball joints
Check for any slop in U-joints
check shocks for leaks
visually check seals on the yoke and axles for any signs of leaks
tires/spare
all fluids
windshield wipers
Spare emergency key secured to undercarriage

Travel Tote:
Small floor jack
Tool box
10K strap
chains
Bucket of Tire chains(for mountains when I go in winter)
jugs of tranny fluid, oil, coolant, windshield fluid, small grease gun…
spare bulbs, fuses, electrical splice kits, rubber fuel/tranny rated line and clamps.
Safety reflectors/lights
Cordless light, impact driver and drill with a few 6amph batteries

Sounds like a lot, but it all fits in 1 big heavy duty duty tote. All the things you hope you’ll never need

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Every tool and spare part you own that can help when stranded.

I did 3 1,200 Mile trips this summer.

I was so happy when I got rid of my diesel, if anything, knowing that if I break down i can get it repaired… That day, by any number of repair shops in the area. Diesels… Good luck!

I didn’t take any of those long trips last two years just because of the diesel. Of course mine was the lemon 06′ 6.0

Good luck!

I have a 6.0 that has 350,000 plus miles. Some are good some are not so good. If you decide you are missing yours let me know, maybe we can work out a deal.

I always try and travel with a smaller chain and ratchet straps. You can secure a lot of things with those until you get to a town. With only 120,000 miles the truck is just getting broke in. (these aren’t your grand dads trucks anymore)

All good stuff Randy, thanks!!

Yep Dutch, just finishing the break in procedure. This one has a long ways to go yet. Got a bunch of tie downs and heavy ratchet straps under the back seat.

Keep them coming, I am all ears(or eyes).

Last night I learned how to remove my spare tire. After hearing stories I was afraid I couldnt remove it form my 2013 Chevy but it was a piece of cake. Lubed everything while I had it down.

Dutchboy wrote:

I have a 6.0 that has 350,000 plus miles. Some are good some are not so good. If you decide you are missing yours let me know, maybe we can work out a deal.

Mine was costing me $400/month average in repairs… No good!!
Sold it at 214,000
It’ll go 350 if you can afford it!

BigWerm wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Huntindave wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
Essential mid 90’s pop mix CD duh. Hanson, jewel, cranberries, mix it up with some good ol Garth, smash pumpkins, will make a guy want to break down just to JAM.

OH Boy,,,,,,,, didn’t take long for this thread to go downhill. Everyone KNOWS the only music worth listening to, was produced in the late ’60’s. The rest is just noise and filler.

Haha I was going to say Zeppelin I-IV, plenty of snacks a good coffee mug (like a Yeti, but generic unless you got $ like Matt Moen)!

Yeti and Metallica…. caffeine and heavy metal is all you need.

Dang, some of you plan for Armageddon! If I packed all that, I’d have no room for the equipment I’m needing for the trip. LOL

I have one small bag that stays in my truck regardless of 5 mile trip or 500 mile trip. The only “special” things I do is check all four tire pressures and the spare.

ClownColor wrote:

Dang, some of you plan for Armageddon! If I packed all that, I’d have no room for the equipment I’m needing for the trip. LOL

I have one small bag that stays in my truck regardless of 5 mile trip or 500 mile trip. The only “special” things I do is check all four tire pressures and the spare.

Have you ever done a 3rd season elk hunt at over 10,000 feet? 60’s one day and 2 feet of snow the next. Miles and miles of crappy forestry roads. Your 30 to 50+ miles from any paved roads, No snow plowing or road maintenance of any type.

The O/P wasn’t asking for a check list to run up to the gas station that’s just down the street. When you start heading up to remote places that have ZERO cell service and your life can be at risk – common sense tells me to take 2-3 hours and give my life line a thorough check up. The roads I travel DO
damage your vehicle

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nhamm wrote:

C’mon now Gill, we are a classy bunch here. Crust free is the only way to go.

These are going in my hunting vests/jackets.