As some of you may know, im about to head up to Rhode Island later this week. Its gonna be about 1400 miles round trip, give or take some.

How do you guys prepare for road trips? This may include anything from food, to truck maintenance.

What type of general maintenance (other than your normal) do you focus on before departure?

What fluids do you change in your truck?

I hope that this thread will help us keep a mindset of proper maintenance for our rangers.

(And hopefully it will help me out with some ideas lol)

 

Check tire pressure, oil level, coolant. Maybe throw a coat or two behind the seat...just in case. Oh, cell phone charger too. Have a safe trip!

 

Well, before I made my trip, with trailer, from chicago to daytona beach, 1236 miles, I did an oil change, should have changed my transmission fluid, checked and topped off all fluids, checked tires and tire pressures, rotated my tires, greased the ball joints, checked the air filter, inspected the underhood hoses, checked the drivebelt, checked the battery, inspected trailer wiring, and trailer tires. Of course, most of what I did has to do with where I was in mileage.

And food-wise, I brought chips, other kinds of little snacks, root beer, and some money for some burgers. Also, I brought a two-pack of 5-hour energy, just in case.

 

Im taking my jug of protein powder lol.

 

The truck is gonna suck down fuel fast enough you will need to stop to fill it up before you really get hungry.

I bring a real jack and tools, lights, gloves, and a change of clothes. Also I would bring any weather specific clothes that may be needed in an roadside emergency.

Oil change depending on where you are in your intervals, check every fluid you have including the diffs. Do not over look these as they will get hot on a long road trip.

Cash is your friend on the road, in the event you have an emergency.

 

may sound funny but my dad has never gone on a long road trip without a roll of duct tape lol but i would take a jug of windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, and if you have any spare rad hoses and tools required to change a hose

 

Drop the spare tire and check the pressure,lube the lift cable ,and remove all the accumulated crud from the inside of the rim.
Jack up each wheel and loosen the lug nuts 1/4 to 1/2 the way off , make sure the wheel will come loose from the hub and it's not frozen on. It's a PITA to find out with a flat that your lug wrench won't budge the nuts loose in the middle of the night or in a storm because some jackwagon went nuts with an impact wrench on them.
Have one spare,new headlamp bulb and some tail lamp bulbs.
Wash the windows inside and out and Rain-x the windshield and side windows.
Check all paperwork (registration,insurance card...) is in the glovebox where it belongs and UP-TO-Date.

 

Defiantly bring a jacket snow may fly you never know up here lol
Fill washer fluid
a cooler filled with sandwiches and drinks
Oh and as far as MPG enjoy it on the way up on the way back on the new tires it may suck a lil more

 

Buy gas before you get to New York. And don't look at our prices if you have a weak heart.

 

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Don't try and pump gas in NJ lmao they do it for you

 

filled up this morning 3.58

 

This.
I'll add, take some of each fluid with you too, just keep them in like a box or whatever, just in case you need to add some on the side of the road, your not wandering to the nearest parts store. I usually throw a blanket in the back on road trips that can have a dual roll: something to lay on if you have to fix something on the side of the road and something to keep you warm if your truck won't run.

 

Jacket, food and your AAA card.

 

seriously the way you guys pack it sounds like some of you have trucks that could barely make it to the local grocery store and back. not trying to offend anyone but thats a lot of stuff, and fluid changing for a trip thats really not to long. ive been going back and forth from pa to maine now for three years and i fill up on gas and make sure i have good music. and i stop once for food and fuel usually in southbury ct.

 

By the way you talk, i bet you've never had to tighten a bearing or change a tire on the side of the road.

 

better safe than sorry

 

I kind of have to agree with this. My truck is in good enough shape that I would drive it to Alaska and back and not worry about anything. You guys worry a little too much.

 

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Not me I would stock up on hubs, oil, random all parts credit card (never use it only for big repairs) cash. And more parts. My truck breaks like its job

 

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I would walk before taking your truck more then 10 miles. Haha

 

Bring some new tires with, extra suspension components, a few driveshafts,and an extra tailgate.

 

Well, considering that I have succeeded at slightly neglecting to check my fluids lately, I probably need to before I leave the house.

Bought some gear oil tonight. Going to change my rear diff. fluids (because it has NEVER been changed)

 

i'm pretty sure mine hasn't been either. 170k still going strong!!! lol.
i really do need to change mine, maybe this weekend.

 

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Don't forget the kitchen sink...lol. Really though, a truck that's driven everyday shouldn't have any issues going that far.

 

Lots of music is crucial.

 

I have beaten my truck everyday for the last 165k, I expect to break it some day. Being the parts on these trucks are built by the lowest bidder its better to be at least prepared.

This is how a -20 degree road trip ends, I would not want to get caught with my pants down If I can help it.