road trip
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Captain
Joined: May 2011
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From: Central Florida
road trip
Hey guys. Getting ready for the 1st road trip for the Dodge. Going from FL to TN pulling a 6x14 high top trailer. Going to load it up in TN and bring some stuff back to FL. I hadn't intended to use the truck but Uhaul's are really expensive and I have the truck now lol. I bought it about a month ago. In preparation for the trip I've changed all fluids, plenum gasket, water pump, timing chain, all new hoses, belt, front brakes, and checked over pretty much everything I can think of. I've got a weight distribution hitch and trailer brakes. I don't plan on going much more than 60 or 65 with OD off. Trailer weighs about 2400 lbs unloaded and honestly I thought it would pull it better lol. You can really tell it's there 
and I'm sure the 3.55 gears aren't helping. It does have the factory tow package and trans cooler. Any suggestions or anything else to check before I head out? I don't want to be posting a stuck beside the road thread!! Thanks!
and I'm sure the 3.55 gears aren't helping. It does have the factory tow package and trans cooler. Any suggestions or anything else to check before I head out? I don't want to be posting a stuck beside the road thread!! Thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,376
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From: Clayton MI
Sounds like you pretty much have things covered. Check out the serpentine belt, make sure it is in good shape. Tires are at the correct pressure. (go a couple pounds higher in the rear, to compensate for the trailer....)((noticed you put a new belt on there... good plan. Bring the old one along, just in case, if you still have it.)) Have you looked at the rear brakes? What size tires ya got?
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Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 652
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From: Central Florida
Yep old belt is in the tool box. Along with some tools, duct tape, etc. Tires are aired up to max. Tires are stock size I think- 245/70/16's. Rear brakes looked good and no leaking. Also repacked all the wheel bearings on the trailer and the ones on the front of the truck when I did the brakes. She's still using some oil even after the plenum fix but not nearly as much as before. I'll have extra oil and antifreeze and keep an eye on them. I don't think she's goinng to like the mountains- especially on the way home loaded down lol
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,376
Likes: 4,209
From: Clayton MI
Prolly not. 
Just leave overdrive off though, and you should do fine.
Have you had a look at the brake line that passes over the gas tank? Towing is going to stress your brakes, and having a loaded trailer behind you when it fails would not be any fun at all. (of course, having it fail even WITHOUT a trailer behind you, wouldn't be much fun either....)
Just leave overdrive off though, and you should do fine.Have you had a look at the brake line that passes over the gas tank? Towing is going to stress your brakes, and having a loaded trailer behind you when it fails would not be any fun at all. (of course, having it fail even WITHOUT a trailer behind you, wouldn't be much fun either....)