Okay, so next weekend im going on a small road trip (about 200 miles or so, with a 4 hour break after the first 100 miles) and i want to make sure that my truck wont break down on me during my trip. Any suggestions as to what to do to insure a break down free trip? lol. I know that the plugs and wires are good, ive got almost 1,000 more miles until i need my next oil change, and the fuel filter and air filters are clean. Im probably just being paranoid, but any advice? Or am i fine as is?

 

i would say you're fine. anything that will leave you on the road, with all maintenance up to date, will be impossible to predict.

 

Check all your fluids and how are your tires ??

You don't know how happy I am to have a well stocked first aid kit in my truck.

 

Check an top off fluids. Fill er up with fuel an take off.

In all honesty if your worried about breaking down due to a 200 mile trip, then your truck has some issues

 

i know that my truck is mechanically sound, ive just been screwed on my last lifted truck i bought and im just paranoid that its going to happen again. The only fulid that i would think is suspect would be my coolant, and my truck never over heats and its not leaking any, my radiator hoses are fine, so i think im just being paranoid......oh, my upper ball joints are going bad, but i dont plan to be doing anything that would wreck them, just freeway driving.

 

check and top off all fluids ( oil, trans. coolant, brake, battery, steering,washer etc)
check your tires for any cracks wear or bubbles
check your serpentine belt for cracks wear or threads coming out the side
check your brakes
grease the front end if you have greasable fittings
look for leaks on engine and transmission
inspect all bulbs
do a load test on your battery and if that shows any problem check the output on the alternator
make sure radar detector and stereo are working properly
enjoy your trip

 

Lance, i'm like you...always thinking something might go wrong with my truck. it's got the 4x4 off road package, the bigger tires, lights, etc... yet i hardly ever go off road for fear an axle will break, a tire will lose a bead, anything...whenever i have to go more than say, 60 miles i wonder if my truck is really up to the task (i know it is, though)
i guess what i'm trying to say is that your not alone in your worries.

 

Well put. I'm the same way. I made a 400 mile trip the other day, and didn't havea single problem. 178,000 miles, and she still runs like a top. One thing that I try to do is travel in the morning, or later in the evening....when it's a little cooler outside. Easier on the tires and truck. I'm sure your truck is fine...and your not alone in being paranoid. Let us know how the trip went.

 

200miles isn't much, I wouldn't sweat much. I am taking my Ranger 2,500miles to Nevada at the end of the year with a u-haul trailer, about this time next year I'll be taking my 1972 Barracuda on the same journey! Have some faith! lol

Best bet is to make sure your belts and such are good, really nothing to can do to 'prevent' breaking down unless you have current issues/noises with something. Have a good basic set of tools/fluids with you, cell phone.