Road Trip!

[rickh]

Well been preparing for a few weeks now...
Will be heading out on This Sat. 7/21
Route...
Omaha NE to Yankton SD
Then to Spearfish SD
Then to Buffalo WY
Then to Billings MT
Then to Yellowstone/Tetons WY
Then to Shashoni WY
Then to Kimbal NE
Then to Home
2,500 mile est
97 F250 HD 4x4 CC Pulling 22' TT and 250 gal of fuel onboard
All on 100% homemade Biodiesel
est fuel cost 242 bucks (includes fuel tax that I pay on my homemade fuel) compared to pump cost of 750 bucks!
and to the oil companies I say
Well gotta go find some air bags today and get them put on. With that much fuel and the tung weight, she sags a little to much!
After all loaded then to the scales to get her leveled out.
I am estimating a gross of 18 to 19k. Not to bad and under manufactures GCVWR.

95_stroker, looks like we will be passing through Casper.

Heres what I have done to the wifes truck to get it ready...
Tru Cooler 4590 Tranny cooler
Tranny Valve body by Ricther, sure does shift nice!
Tranny temp gauge on custom column mount
Tranny fluid and filter
Balls joints, tire rods connecting links and alignment
New shocks on a 4 corners
New brakes rotors and drums all the way around
New fuel pump and hoses and regulator orings
Oil and filter change
Probably a bunch of other stuff I already forgot I did!
Wish I had time (and the money) to put in a Ricther TC...
Well thats the plan for now.
Rick H...

Well found the air bags and got em on, well see how it does and if my fear of "Cracking the Frame" comes true or not!
Rick H...

 

[WD40]

Rick, it sounds like you are ready to go and have some fun. Take lots of pictures and share them with us when you get back. Good luck and most of all have fun.

 

[rickh]

FUN! I have never worked so hard and for so many hours as I have preparing for this trip! Adding the Travel Trailer required a lot of upgrade to the truck but I know in the end it is worth it. Right now I am "On Loading" the fuel. All 250 gallons of it! Will hook it all up on Sunday and run it out to the COOP for weight in.
Rick H...

 

[hheynow]

All 250 gallons of it!

Not having to stop at a dino dispensary is priceless. Have a great trip.

 

[rickh]

Ya but the 10 and 11 year old still have to do the potty stop thing. Oh wait, thats me I am the worse! I love my Diet Coke it does a body good! Or at least keeps these old bones motivated!
We normally do a 2,000 mile or less run so this year will be a challenge. Just got the fuel loaded and had to pump the new air bags up to 60 psi to level the truck, now gotta see what the trailer tung weight does to it. I am guessing another 800# which is not all that bad.
Ok I think I am ready! No wait, should I add a second tranny cooler? Maybe an EGT gauge for pulling the mountains, damn it never ends....
Rick H...

 

[clem]

Make sure your diff oil is up to the filler plug.be safe

 

[rickh]

Make sure your diff oil is up to the filler plug.be safe

Yep topped em both off. When I did the rear brakes I pulled the axles so some ran out and that prompted me to top them off.
When I was laying out my emergency bag, spare parts and special tools, my 10 year old daughter exclaimed, "Dad, why don't you just take a spare engine"
That was funny....
Rick H...

 

[WD40]

my 10 year old daughter exclaimed

Don"t you just love them 10 year old. LOL They see what's going on for sure.

 

[rickh]

Well I think the Travel Trailer is ready! But today I went to check the air in the truck tires and after close inspection I see some weathering around the rim bead and one has a split in the side wall, DAMN! Was going to wait until this fall for new tires. Sooo, back to the tire shop on Wednesday and get 4 new ones for the truck, ouch! 4 on the trailer Monday now 4 on the truck, the tire shop better treat me nice!
Getting the Firestone Destinations LT285/75R16 AT, 140 ea spun balanced and installed. I suppose thats about as good as it is going to get. Will keep the old ones to put on my 96, for some reason the right rear is bald??? Wonder why....
Rick H...

 

[WD40]

That tire guy should buy your lunch for stopping by so often. LOL