Pre Trip Check

[PNWMuseumman]

Hey all,

I have a 600 Miles road trip coming up this weekend. Headed to Bend Oregon to hit the Ale Trail for a buddy's bachelor party. As I'm getting the denali prepped. I figured I would throw a post on here and see what sorts of things you all do for pre-trip prep just in case I am missing anything. I've attached the usual list of what I check and sign off on before heading out.
**The one side third row is specific for the trip, but the rest is pretty standard for all trips.

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Doubeleive]

check for any screws or nails in tires, inspect under vehicle drivetrain with a flashlight for leaks or missing parts, belts & hoses condition (including the front/rear heater core T's by firewall passenger side). and I always take into consideration the estimated remaining brake pads before a long trip.

 

[PNWMuseumman]

check for any screws or nails in tires, inspect under vehicle drivetrain with a flashlight for leaks or missing parts, belts & hoses condition (including the front/rear heater core T's by firewall passenger side). and I always take into consideration the estimated remaining brake pads before a long trip.

That's a good thought, I don't know why I didn't think to include checking the belts / under carriage. The brakes is a good one too, those I know are good, I did a ful brake job last summer - Calipers, pads, discs. Only thing I didn't do that I wish I had is the SS lines. That may need to happen this summer.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

For me:

1. Pack of various fuses.
2. Go through the actual process of removing the spare (to make sure everything releases as it should and all tools are present).
3. Flat wood block cut to add potentially needed support for jack on bottom, and one for extra lift on top if needed (depending on the scenario you're in and what the road surface looks like).
4. Simple but fairly complete tool kit
5. Zip ties
6. Duck Tape (made from real ducks)
7. Contractor bag (thick garbage bag)...to use with the duck tape if a window breaks or stops rolling up.

 

[Doubeleive]

That's a good thought, I don't know why I didn't think to include checking the belts / under carriage. The brakes is a good one too, those I know are good, I did a ful brake job last summer - Calipers, pads, discs. Only thing I didn't do that I wish I had is the SS lines. That may need to happen this summer.

one other thing I always do (aside from anything else) is have some cash in my wallet just in case........kind of like going camping and bringing TP, it's helpful for anyone that may be hesitant to give you assistance (or to thank them if they do), or if the ATM system isn't working, or if like my luck the bank decides to freeze your card on a Sunday night because they "detected suspicious activity" (traveling).

 

[PNWMuseumman]

one other thing I always do (aside from anything else) is have some cash in my wallet just in case........kind of like going camping and bringing TP, it's helpful for anyone that may be hesitant to give you assistance (or to thank them if they do), or if the ATM system isn't working, or if like my luck the bank decides to freeze your card on a Sunday night because they "detected suspicious activity" (traveling).

↑ 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.

 

[Fosscore]

Great info here. And like that spreadsheet checklist as well.

Same stuff I did before my 2000 mile trip last week. And I did drop the spare to make sure it went up and down and that it was aired up. I see a few things you guys added that I will include on the next excursion. Thx for the reminder.

Had tool box and brought the big lug wrench. Jumper cables are always in there. Cash on hand is golden and plenty of water, road snacks and blanket just in case cell reception died in the mountains at night, in the rain and no travelers in the meantime. Or the radiator needed a top up.

Mine was just in the shop getting new tires and an alignment so in one hit the general undercarriage look over was completed. Can't be too cautious on the long road journeys.

Have fun and take some nature shots of the truck.

 

[ivin74]

You all have great ideas, I'm writing them down for my next trip.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Make sure you have a portable air pump, just in case you have a slow leak, and maybe 1-2 cans of fix a flat. Never know. I used to travel 200 miles a day for 8 yrs, just to go to work then home.

 

[Doubeleive]

I carried around a can of fix-a-flat for probably 10+ years, never got a chance to use it I think I finally tossed it only time I have ever had a flat was in my driveway so I would just take it off and get it patched. I've had AAA roadside assistance for 15+ years which always pays for it's self in discounts or tows or tows for a friend, it's funny you can check priceline and all the other "discount" websites and then log into AAA and find places cheaper than any of them.

 

[Wolfbraid]

↑ 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.

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]

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]

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]

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...

 

[corvette744]

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

 

[PNWMuseumman]

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]

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

 

[Tonyrodz]

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.

 

[adriver]

Clean the glass inside and out. Make sure I have my 5 hour energy drinks, and my own roll of toilet paper.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Clean the glass inside and out. Make sure I have my 5 hour energy drinks, and my own roll of toilet paper.

Def the tp.