Holiday trip

Giant · December 19, 2006

So who is going out of town for the holidays? Me and my wife are headed back to WI from VA. 1000 mi one way. I've been getting the Yukon ready for the trip. I put on new fuel filter, new air filter, TB Cleaning, checked tire preasure and wear, and have double checked all my fluid levels. And I plan to get an oil change before I go.

I wouldn't do the filters before a trip normally, and I wouldn't do the oil change unless durring the trip I'd run over, but because I just bought the truck a couple months ago, I'm not sure when the last time those things were done.

What do your pre-trip check lists look like?

My tires have tread and are at 40psi all the way around. My fluid levels are good, and I'm ready to rock.

rossn2 · December 19, 2006

How many miles on the vehicle?

Check Antifreeze protection level, check belts and hoses, how are the windshield wiper blades and fluid level. And, emergency flashlight, blankets, etc.?

So who is going out of town for the holidays? Me and my wife are headed back to WI from VA. 1000 mi one way. I've been getting the Yukon ready for the trip. I put on new fuel filter, new air filter, TB Cleaning, checked tire preasure and wear, and have double checked all my fluid levels. And I plan to get an oil change before I go.

I wouldn't do the filters before a trip normally, and I wouldn't do the oil change unless durring the trip I'd run over, but because I just bought the truck a couple months ago, I'm not sure when the last time those things were done.

What do your pre-trip check lists look like?

My tires have tread and are at 40psi all the way around. My fluid levels are good, and I'm ready to rock.

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Giant · December 19, 2006

94k miles, belt looks good, washer fluid is good, wiper blads are shot.

I'm going to get new blades before we go.

Also, I checked the belt but I was just looking for noticeable cracking, chaffing from rubbing, or if it is loose from stretch. To me it appears fine. Anything else I should check? OH, and NEVER a sqeak or whistle out of the belt it's nice and silent.

carneyman · December 19, 2006

I'm currently en-route to Colorado Springs from Nacogdoches, Tx (about 900 miles). I'm at my parents right now in Dalhart watching it "snow". Everything has checked out on my pickup and come sunday I will be hitting the road again!

95Sierra2500 · December 19, 2006

Usually before a long trip I just do normal maintenance checks, and if needed an oil change/tire rotation. In other words, check your belt(s), tires, wires and hoses for any signs of cracks or rubbing, check fluid levels (including differentials), inspect everywhere for leaks, etc. etc. Just the simple stuff, because that's USUALLY where small things will add up and bite you in the ass. If there's a major problem that's going to get you, chances are you aren't going to detect it without completely disassembling your truck.

Giant · December 19, 2006

Is it hard to check differentials without a lift? Anything to be checked will probably be done sitting on its tires, so not a lot of room to work under there.

Also I don't have a TQ wrench. How important is it to TQ the top dif plug to exact? Or can I just crank it down with a socket and forget about it?

different_seasons · December 19, 2006

check the psi in the spare too

Giant · December 20, 2006

check the psi in the spare too

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Always sound advise. Had a flat in my caddy... not only did I have to empty the trunk to get to it (had half of what I owned) but the donut (my god its a 50k car when it was new and they can't give it a full sized??????? my camry was less then half of that new and it has got one). Luckly I was in town about 100ft from a station with a pump, but could have been nasty.