Headed to Pirateland in Myrtle Beach next week. We'll be traveling from London KY. About 40mi north of the TN border on I75. We've done a couple 100-200 mile one ways but this will be our longest yet. Truck is an 03 V10 ECLB Auto. 5star tuned, 4:30gear, Thorley Tri Y headers.I'm towing a KF30BDS puma. I plan to get to the scales before I head out. The yellow tag says 8800 with a total just over 11k. I'm using a Max Brake Controller with and Andersen Hitch.I'd appreciate any tips whether it be truck, camper or route related!Thanks!

Don't sweat the details and remember a long trip is just a series ot short ones.

Have a great trip!You have the right equipment for a long or short trip!Fred.

Bring some money to pay for gas and enjoy the trip!

Let your credit card company know you're travelling so you don't have any surprises along the way with it being refused.

Sport45 wrote:Let your credit card company know you're travelling so you don't have any surprises along the way with it being refused.X2Also run it inside when you can. I noticed my card is more likely to flag if I run it a few times in a row at the pump.

First LONG trip with the V10 Tip? Suggestions? | Good Sam Community

rowekmr
Explorer
Jul 15, 2014
My maiden voyage on my 00 Ex w/V10 and 4.30 took us from IL to FL and back with no problems. Did that twice and other shorter trips. I drove slightly faster (rpm torque peak) to keep the trans from downshifting as much on the smaller hills. Another lesson learned was downshift the trans on steep declines to let the engine brake the load putting less strain on the brake system. It only took 2 brake applications on a steep one to get my new brake pads/rotors to fade. Never had problems out of the brakes after that. I saw some of Mike's posted dyno's for his tunes with headers and they were impressive you'll be fine!
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2014
Just got back from Pirateland yesterday. We took a side trip to Mt Airy NC. the trip on the WV Turnpike was awesome!!! My X had no problem climbing any of those mountains. I averaged 8 mpg for the entire trip. my best on flatland was 8.35 mpg. the worst was in the mountains at around 7mpg. let the engine do it`s thing. 5 star did a great job on the towing tune. Hope you get our site? we had an ocean front site #854. enjoy!

BTW, don`t be worried to let the V-10 rev, mine occasionally hit 4500 rpm on some of those hills.
Bedlam
Moderator
Jul 13, 2014
Find your peak RPM for torque and horsepower before you leave. When driving under load, let the tachometer dictate your speed instead of the posted limits. Remember you are on vacation...
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014
No worries, push the pedal and go
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014
4.30 axle will make it climb anything. never knew it was offered for this engine. It will run a ton of rpm's.

Have a great tow

chevman
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jul 13, 2014
spoon059 wrote:
Bring some money to pay for gas and enjoy the trip!

Maybe a little more than some, but sounds like fun! :)
yrusoslo
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014
One thing in your favor. SC has the cheapest gas prices in the country.$3.20 right now in MB
shadows4
Explorer III
Jul 13, 2014
Enjoy your trip. Boy, I miss my V10 powered Excursion. Was an awesome truck and mine was 5Star tuned 4.30 axle, all so. Good luck, John
carringb
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014
And yeah, I wouldn't worry about the motor. I tow about 20,000 miles a year with my V10, sometimes up to 2500 miles non-stop (well, except the many fuel stops!).
carringb
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014
Sport45 wrote:
Let your credit card company know you're travelling so you don't have any surprises along the way with it being refused.

X2

Also run it inside when you can. I noticed my card is more likely to flag if I run it a few times in a row at the pump.