Cross country trip

[Snakes709]

Recently loaded mine and the wifes bikes in a uhaul trailer and drove from Edmonton, AB to Halifax and back, dropping into the northern US. A total of 10,539kms and not a single issue other then my own stupidity of not getting my alignment done. I lowered my AT4 2” awhile back, got it aligned and then recently lowered it another 2” and knew i needed an alignment but last minute went on this trip. Which killed my 2 front tires. Other then that the truck did great. The uhaul trailer was causing more drag then i expected so the 10 speed was dropping to 9th or 8th gear alot when we were going 70-75mph. Used our truck bed tent and air mattress each night at truck stops. it was nice to visit the family and ride our bikes around Nova Scotia. If i can afford it, ill be doing the trip again this summer. 

Edited September 19, 2022 by Snakes709

[JimCost2014]

Put the front tires on the back until you see snow, lots of tread left, except in that one area

[seamus2154]

^^^^^ What he said...but get it aligned first.

[Snakes709]

41 minutes ago, seamus2154 said:

^^^^^ What he said...but get it aligned first.

 

1 hour ago, JimCost2014 said:

Put the front tires on the back until you see snow, lots of tread left, except in that one area

done and done. Rotated the tires the day after i got home and got an alignment done. Had to to back for a second alignment because once everything was within spec, the tires were rubbing. So i asked them to adjust the caster to 4.3L and 4.8R which is out of spec but no rubbing and wont effect tire wear. Ill pick up 2 new tires in the spring. Another month or two until my winter tires go on. 

[Phantom 4D]

Just out of curiosity, did you have it in tow mode? I pull a 20' enclosed with my 2019 Sierra loaded with two Spyders (Can Am). I tried with and without tow mode and found that tow mode is the best way to go. Had tow mode on my 2017 Silverado and it was crap. 

[Snakes709]

1 hour ago, Phantom 4D said:

Just out of curiosity, did you have it in tow mode? I pull a 20' enclosed with my 2019 Sierra loaded with two Spyders (Can Am). I tried with and without tow mode and found that tow mode is the best way to go. Had tow mode on my 2017 Silverado and it was crap. 

I had it in tow mode on fhe way there but not on the way back. Fuel mileage was the exact same but i found with it in tow mode it would drop more gears to accelerate/hold speed and drop more gears for engine braking going down hill. Total weight was 2900lbs, so not that heavy. 
 

if i do this trip again, ill probably rent a trailer from another company. There is a local one that has a single axle, nosed shaped and fiber glass so its only 900lbs. Vs. The 1800lb square shaped tandem axle uhaul trailer. 

[Phantom 4D]

On 9/19/2022 at 10:23 AM, Snakes709 said:

I had it in tow mode on fhe way there but not on the way back. Fuel mileage was the exact same but i found with it in tow mode it would drop more gears to accelerate/hold speed and drop more gears for engine braking going down hill. Total weight was 2900lbs, so not that heavy. 
 

if i do this trip again, ill probably rent a trailer from another company. There is a local one that has a single axle, nosed shaped and fiber glass so its only 900lbs. Vs. The 1800lb square shaped tandem axle uhaul trailer. 

2900 isn't much weight. The only time I had multiple shifting was going up mountains. I learned to take it out of tow mode before the climb. Worked better. 

[Snakes709]

2 hours ago, Phantom 4D said:

2900 isn't much weight. The only time I had multiple shifting was going up mountains. I learned to take it out of tow mode before the climb. Worked better. 

I think it was much weight either. I think it was more the drag the trailer was creating. I was actually shocked how it mainly wanted to be in 9th gear most of the time. What i also found is if it was accelerating either to get up to speed or to hold speed up a incline, it would go to 9th or 8th, once it gets there it would just stay in that gear when using cruise control. I would have to drop 1mph, let it upshift and then increase by 1mph. 

[cautious optimist]

I'm curious how you knew what gear the transmission was in? My dad's Ford has it on the dash, but my truck doesn't seem to tell me anything about this. 

[redwngr]

On 2/21/2025 at 11:16 PM, cautious optimist said:

I'm curious how you knew what gear the transmission was in? My dad's Ford has it on the dash, but my truck doesn't seem to tell me anything about this. 

 

 

The truck won't tell you this.

One of the aftermarket monitors is required.