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DayByDay's avatar
DayByDay
Explorer
Jul 01, 2016

First long trip

This is our first long trip. We are going from Ohio to Florida pulling a travel trailer. The camper is a 2015 with probably around 300 miles on it since new. The question is is there anything I should do b4 leaving? Maybe repack bearings check air in tires and take tools required for roadside repair. I have a spare tire already.
  • Yes. Check your tire pressure before you leave. Many of us check our tire pressure every morning before driving.
    Take the tire gauge with you and always check the tires when they are cold, not driven for a few hours.

    If you don't have Roadside Assistance, definitely take the tools to change your tires.

    Check your lights and connections, then check them again when you stop for the night or for gas.
  • Heck a 2015 TT, you should do as prior poster suggested then keep it under 65 mph, right lane most of time except when I state goes to three lanes near a city then go to 2nd lane. Generally when near city I tell novices to follow the semis as they are going thru the city and know where to be on the highway. Relax and kick back enjoy the ride.

    Happy trails
  • I really doubt that the bearings need repacking already. Maybe give them a shot through the bearing buddies if you have them. Get a torque wrench, Harbor Freight actually sells a pretty good one, and bring some pieces of 2x6 or similar to change a tire if needed. I check my wheels when we stop using an infrared temperature gun to make sure the wheel bearings are all consistent.
  • Call me silly but I'd get a good GPS to take the pressure off the navigator. Search this Forum for ideas.
    You do have a spare tire, right?
  • Dick_B wrote:
    Call me silly but I'd get a good GPS to take the pressure off the navigator. Search this Forum for ideas.
    You do have a spare tire, right?


    I second a good GPS. Google map on my phone got me in trouble in two major cities Chicago & Lexington. On my trip down to NC memorial weekend.

    In both cases it showed the route and to stay on X road for so many miles. Then randomly it said exit now and wound up taking me on an unwanted tour of the city. And in the case of Chicago put me through 3 extra tolls that I had not intended paying. Finished by dumping me back on the road I was on in the first place.

    I will be picking up a GPS before my next cross country trip. No way I will trust an app on my phone any longer!
  • DayByDay wrote:
    This is our first long trip. We are going from Ohio to Florida pulling a travel trailer. The camper is a 2015 with probably around 300 miles on it since new. The question is is there anything I should do b4 leaving? Maybe repack bearings check air in tires and take tools required for roadside repair. I have a spare tire already.


    I have bearings checked every year. Since you are only one year old, you're probably OK this year.
    The rest should be everyday.
    Check air pressure before every trip of any distance.
    Keep tire changing tools in the trailer, including 2X4s or blocks, jack, etc for trips of any distance.
    I have a trailer tool box that stays in my trailer that is the envy of most shade tree mechanics. :) You never know.
    For long distance, if you have room/capacity, take two spares. It can be a bit nerve wracking to blowout a tire, change to the spare, then have to proceed to the nearest town/tire shop without a spare. If one tire of a set just blew out, how close is another one to blowing out?
  • I'm down in Florida now made the trip from Long Island, my second time doing it. I just bring everything I think I might possibly need. My TV is 7 years old and has 147,000 miles on it so I was a little nervous with it. I bring a Full assortment of tools, so I can fix just about anything, several 2x6 pieces a couple 4x4's and chocks, a floor jack, bottle jack, packing blanket to lay on ground, flashlight, flares, oil water tranny fluid wd-40, compressor filled with air. I figure if I have it I won't need it! And oh yea, duct tape...
  • humblerb wrote:

    For long distance, if you have room/capacity, take two spares. It can be a bit nerve wracking to blowout a tire, change to the spare, then have to proceed to the nearest town/tire shop without a spare. If one tire of a set just blew out, how close is another one to blowing out?


    This! We just had this happen TWICE in 250 miles. It's no fun whe you blow two tires and only have one spare... Especially with useless roadside assist services, and a family freaking out in the TV. I plan to buy a second spare before our next outing.