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Towing Long Distance - 975miles each way...

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Old Jun 8, 2009 | 09:49 PM
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Default Towing Long Distance - 975miles each way...

All,
I'd thought I'd drop a line before friday when we head out to South Carolina for our week vacation. We'll be towing the 28' TT about 975 miles each way over a couple of long days of driving. The trailer is only a couple of years old and has been towed long distance last year to Colorado (about the same miles). This will however be the first trip with the RAM as last year was with the Jeep. Looking for any suggestions for the trip.

Setup: Weight Distribution/Sway Control & Air Ride Bags (found 60lbs works well with trailer)

Stuff I've done/will bring with...
Bearings & tires checked on trailer
Air pressure in trailer, spare & truck tires & spare
4 way wrench
Air pressure gauge
Jack for trailer
Oil changed in Truck
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 07:51 AM
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Since you pulled it with a Jeep last year, the Ram will have no issues. Your setup sounds good to me.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 09:41 AM
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Diff and tranny fluids changed in truck??
Are they near to a change?
Al.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 10:33 AM
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Pick up an infrared thermometer and check wheel (drum) temperature on the trailer at something like 50/100/250/500 miles. A hotter-compared-to-others temperature could indicate wheel bearing problem, brake dragging, poor load distribution, etc.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 06:48 PM
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Check the torque on the TT tires.I pull a TT often and at times i have found loosened lug nuts.Doesnt hurt to check them quick in the moring before ya take off.It only takes a minute.I alos carry a couple cans of fix a flat.Even though ya have a spare if ya get a nail you can put a can in to get ya someplace safer to change it.Its no fun changing a drivers side tire on a interstate
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 07:34 PM
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I'm assuming that you have working brakes on the trailer as well!!
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 09:11 PM
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Guys thanks for all of the good ideas.

1. Yes brakes on the trailer are in good working condition
2. Thanks for the fix-a-flat, yes I don't want to be on the highway swapping a spare!
3. Truck only has 15K miles so I think I'm good on diff's
4. I have a IR gun, that's a good idea just to check temps to make sure everything is good before a major problem occurs...
5. Any idea on gas mileage? I'm hoping for 10MPG am I dreaming?
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 09:21 PM
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Well, IL to SC is all downhill ;-), so you may get a bit better than 10 mpg. Problem is, ya gotta go home. :-)
 
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 09:39 PM
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how much does this bad boy weigh that you're towing?
 
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by RamV102001
I have a set one ton of bridge stone duellers 4 pair p265/70R16s on a set of one ton mojave racing rims the rims are pretty new in good condition and the tires have less that 100 miles on them 8 lug combo im asking 600 for everything. chicago area names brad 630-689-3915
How about you stop posting in everyone's threads about your damn rims and tires for sale. Make your own for sale thread. Ban!!

Anyways, I don't think 10mpg is wishing. On my last trip with a 4,000 lb horse trailer I ended up getting 13mpg there and 12 mpg on the way back. This was about 100 miles. I did average 14mpg once with 35" tires all the way down to Ohio. But that was going about 45mph all the way down on black ice.
 
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