Long road trip planned.

firedaniel · 05-07-2013, 08:58 PM

We are planning on a long vacation trip down to Big Bend area of south Texas in a few weeks There are long distances between any service centers dealers etc. I am putting a set of tools and items for any road side or campsite repairs I might have to do. My 06 6.0 has 220k miles and runs great. Just curious what you would carry if you where going to be in the middle of nowhere with your family and a RV.

NO3putt · 05-07-2013, 09:08 PM

All depends om handy you are. Are you concerned about TV or trailer? Must haves would include duck tape, small set of tools, extra fuses, some wire, distilled water for batteries, and most of all cell phone and credit card. Others will chime in, but would help toknow what kindof rig you have. Happy camping

firedaniel · 05-07-2013, 09:12 PM

Thanks I have a 06 F350 6.0 diesel with a Wildwood 26tbss. I'm can fix almost anything. I've just never gone this far out away from everything. Should be alot of fun We can't wait!

Having A Ball · 05-07-2013, 09:23 PM

Sounds like you have it covered! I am a fan of extra cash,fuel,fuel filters, and good batteries in your head lamp/flash light. Working in the dark is NOT fun.

Have fun and be safe.

thebrakeman · 05-09-2013, 09:00 AM

On our 2 week tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula last year, we were leaving a campground. Fortunately, I needed to dump the tanks. When I attached the dump hose, the whole valve/tube assembly was basically hanging by the long tubes themselves, resting on an axle. The large bolt securing the dump-valve hanger-strap was gone.

All that to say, I was glad I'd packed my cordless drill (charged) and a small box of 1/4"-drive self-tapping screws. 2 of these self-tappers secured the strap to the frame in fairly short order, and are still holding fine.

Be sure to look for that sort of thing (under and over the camper) before you head to any next destination.

slide5r4fun · 05-09-2013, 09:28 AM

Among the usual things I pack for any trip, I ALWAYS bring personal protection for myself and the family.

acadianbob · 05-09-2013, 09:34 AM

I'd guess that the most likely source of trouble would be a tire. You can help yourself by getting a tire pressure monitoring system. (Maybe you already have one.) They're only about $250 and provide a LOT of peace of mind. And if a tire starts going down, you an alarm and can stop before you have damage or the other tire on the same side gets overloaded. Most people don't carry 2 spares. Can't tell you how many tandem trailer I've seen alongside the road with BOTH tires on the same side flat. One goes flat, overloads the remaining tire, and then it fails also.

You might also consider AAA membership with the RV option.

I know this goes in a slightly different direction than your post's intent but these are things worth considering on a long trip.

Scratch · 05-09-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slide5r4fun

Among the usual things I pack for any trip, I ALWAYS bring personal protection for myself and the family.

+1. A good first aid/snake bite kit would also be handy where you're headed. Plenty of fresh water and maybe a five gallon can of diesel fuel.

thebrakeman · 05-09-2013, 10:21 AM

Oh, yeah, fuel stops. Don't try to stretch things too far. Staying 1-3 nights in several places over 2 weeks, I wanted to stop as little as possible. Our first day heading north, I tried pushing things, cause I thought I knew better than the trip computer. Everything was fine until the long uphill grade (like 5 miles) north of the West Branch outlet stores. Must have starved the fuel pump, and had to swerve back and forth to minimize the sputtering. 5 miles uphill to the exit, then another 3 miles to the gas station. I believe I put 22.7 gallons in a 22.5 gallon tank.
Don't be that guy!

firedaniel · 06-07-2013, 06:20 PM

Had a great time. Made it back with no issues.
Here is a link to my wife's blog about it.

http://watsonrvjournal.blogspot.com/...art-1.html?m=1

Thanks!

rattleNsmoke · 06-07-2013, 07:10 PM

Let's see....2006 6.0L diesel. Bring spare turbo, head gaskets and studs. Carry spare STC fitting, dummy plugs and stand pipes. Oh yes, an EGR and Oil cooler and you should be just fine. OK, kidding aside. bring basic road repair tools, credit card, blocks of wood a jack and lug wrench. I have a Super crew short bed 6.0L and on extended trips bring a jerry can of diesel just in case. Have fun and enjoy!

whj77372 · 06-10-2013, 04:26 PM

IMHO, it is to hot to visit Big Bend in June! There is a post on this forum, west, about a person who just got back from Big Bend and he has a picture of melted caulking. You can see it for yourself. Have you ever discussed going there in the summer with anyone? Good Luck

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