Pre Trip Check

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Wolfbraid

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↑ THIS... This would not have even crossed my mind. I almost never carry cash or even think about it.
If something happens and I need the cash I will now be bringing, I'm sending you a fruit basket. :jester:

Stash a little cash in the car somewhere, under the cupholder, or somewhere. Always good to have in case you lose your wallet or worse(are robbed)
Bring a Spare set of keys, hide inside(or outside) worse case scenario you lose your keys you'll have to have AAA open truck but you have a spare inside.
 

SnowDrifter

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I drive a ~550mi round trip fairly regularly. Once a month give or take. Generally I'll just give a check over for tire pressures, fluids, leaks. But that being said I do my own maintenance and have a good idea where everything else is from memory. Nothing is more than 100-150 hours/3-3.5kmmi of run time since I last laid hands on it (my own service intervals)

If you're not sure: Here's a good list



Rack it up, give a shakedown. Check for freeplay in wheel bearings, steering components, torque wheels and wheel bearings.

Check brake pads, calipers, hoses, brake fluid, e-brake actuation

Check tire pressure incl. spare. Check for foreign objects

Double check engine oil, p/s, trans, coolant, diff fluids, t-case, condition of air filter, make sure all intake hoses are secure. Give the engine a start and listen for any peculiar noises, check oil pressure.

Verify 4wd operation if applicable

Inspect radiator, WP, hoses, heater core connections incl. rear

Check belts

Check for any fluid leaks

Check wipers if it's been a while since you've used 'em and don't know how they're doing

Verify all exterior lighting

Check heat, a/c, defroster operation

Have battery/alternator tested and verify condition of cables and visible grounds.

If you have any check engine codes, take a peek and see if it's something you need to deal with immediately.

Check alignment if you've not done so recently.

If you don't have a roadside kit, I'd suggest getting one. Mine has a multi tool, blanket, flares, reflectors, air compressor, fix a flat. I also have a jump pack with me and a fairly extensive hand-tool kit I've pieced together.


Oh, and grab a clean, dry microfiber and buff the shit out of your interior glass. You'd be surprised the scunge that builds up without realizing!
 

SnowDrifter

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Oh and one more thing:

Make sure you have a ******' jack!! That one caught me by surprise on my last car. Went to use it and the thing's missing.

Make sure you can get into your spare dropdown tube (key lock) and give it a few spins to make sure you can let the tire down. They can seize up particularly if the vehicle sees any road salt
 

Beagleman

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I always carry a quart of oil wrapped in a clean rag in a sealed plastic bag, I do that in all my vehicles... you just never know...
 
OP
OP
PNWMuseumman

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I would have and do all thats listed-and i like to make sure you have a light with fresh batteries.

View attachment 217437

I have the same red mag light mounted there in my tahoe. I just grab it and throw it in the denali when I take it on trips. My wife didn't want one mounted under the glove box like that... Still not sure why...
 

petethepug

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It looks like u already left on ur trip. The air comp for a flat tire is up there on the list. Pulling the spare to master the process in muy muy importante. You’ll find out what’s missing from your change out kit and in my case you’ll see how the tools and jack were secured with actual nuts and washers instead of plastic wing nuts [emoji1645]! It took 30 with the right socket set to remove it.

Cribbing/wood, 2 pieces of 4x4 are a must if your not on flat ground. Verify ur spare is fully inflated too. Bring a set of gloves, small waterproof tarp and blanket for emergency or to lay on under/next to truck. Steel tools on snow/ice or sub zero weather sucks. Lastly buy a bag off eBay to put the muddy/filthy flat tire & tools in. You won’t be putting the flat tire back where the spare lives, it’s gotta be fixed first.

One of those portable lith ion jump packs is priceless for keys left in the on position in the ignition.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Tonyrodz

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It looks like u already left on ur trip. The air comp for a flat tire is up there on the list. Pulling the spare to master the process in muy muy importante. You’ll find out what’s missing from your change out kit and in my case you’ll see how the tools and jack were secured with actual nuts and washers instead of plastic wing nuts [emoji1645]! It took 30 with the right socket set to remove it.

Cribbing/wood, 2 pieces of 4x4 are a must if your not on flat ground. Verify ur spare is fully inflated too. Bring a set of gloves, small waterproof tarp and blanket for emergency or to lay on under/next to truck. Steel tools on snow/ice or sub zero weather sucks. Lastly buy a bag off eBay to put the muddy/filthy flat tire & tools in. You won’t be putting the flat tire back where the spare lives, it’s gotta be fixed first.

One of those portable lith ion jump packs is priceless for keys left in the on position in the ignition.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Those jump packs don't work well for me.
 

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