Long trip tow vehicle maintenance

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

So, we're still newbies with a handful of trips / one year experience in the world of TT camping /traveling. So far our longest trip has been about 1000 mile round trip. We are now planning for a big trip that will end up being well over 3K miles, maybe closer to 4K depending on how it goes.
So what do most people do for regular service / oil changes on the tow vehicle in this scenario? Service it right before the trip and just let it run over the regular interval 'till you get home? I'm sure this is fine for our expected length of trip, considering the number of "never changed the oil in a gazillion miles" stories you hear around shops / vehicle discussions. I guess I'm just kinda thinking out loud that I wonder if some might take time out of a trip to tend to the vehicle a little and which way they do it?

[time2roll]

Check oil and top off every 2000 miles. Change if needed upon return. You can easily go 10,000 highway miles on that oil.

[BubbaChris]

I had high-RPM street motorcycles for a couple of decades and stayed on top of service. Was rewarded with excellent reliability and that set the stage for this part of my recreational vehicle life.

When I bought my TV this year, I had them throw in a pre-paid 3 Oil Change package that also includes tire rotations. I've used 2 of the 3 just to be "ahead" of the truck's needs because of the towing.

Next year, I'll probably spend the money to get the same package. That way if I have a big trip coming up, I'll just go get it taken care of an not think about the cost.

[tenbear]

When we went to Alaska, back in my TT days, we put 16,000 miles on the TV. We had the TV (F150) serviced 2x that I remember, maybe more.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

My truck gets 10K on an oil and lube change. 15K on fuel filters. My truck has 80K on the air filter and it's been changed once.

So for "me", I don't worry about it. We went on a 5,600 mile vacation trip this year and the OLM was down to 20% so I changed the oil out before we went. The fuel filter was at 40% so I left it.

40 years of towing and never a maintenance problem. I hope it stays that way. 🙂

[fairfaxjim]

For longer trips I like to have the TV serviced a week or two before the trip. Seems like something or the other gets found during that service and may require a second visit to the dealer to fix that. One time water pump and before our trip this summer the radiator had a small leak found a the "pre-trip" service. I don't worry much about going past the next service if it comes due during a trip that way.

[rbtglove]

I've always used full synthetic oil since we generally do a lot of mountain pulling. Change when the vehicle monitor says to and shouldn't have any problems, easily do a 3K trip on an oil change even with the reg oil.

[mabel]

I use Mobil 1 and change on a regular basis, start with fresh oil when I leave, and will have changed while traveling if it gets over 5,000 miles. Have never had to add oil. Also will check tires and pressure as I travel.

[tatest]

Back when we had 1000-1500 mile valve-adjust, ignition service, lube and oil change intervals, we would service before the trip, then take the tow vehicle in for service while the TT was parked at destination. I remember one time when it was over 100 mile round trip to get dealer service.

It would seem permanent lubes, hydraulic lifters, 5000-7500 mile oil change intervals would make it easier. Maybe it is a mental problem when the destination or halfway point comes up early for the service schedule, but I'm inclined to do it early, when convenient, rather than delay the service substantially past the schedule, since the interval has stretched so much longer than it was 50 years ago, or even 20 years ago.

[Fred_n_Jo]

My service is always scheduled at a Ford dealership wherever that interval comes up. I have had our truck serviced in MD, AR, WY, CA, and of course MO. The service in CA was in Petaluma and I had made reservations for the service by phone. Their van took me back to the Petaluma KOA after I dropped it off and then when they called to say it was done they came back to get me. This was a major service interval with oil change, transmission flush, and fuel filer change. When I got back to the dealership my truck looked like brand new as they had totally detailed it inside and out. When I went to pay the bill I told them that they must have thought I would not be able to pay the bill and had it ready to put on the showroom floor. Great service.

[fireman41]

Just start your trip with a fresh service and do the next one when you get home.
If you have a good clean engine your probably just going to toss good oil away any ways after 4000 miles

[rfryer]

I check for leaks, fluid levels, and condition of belts and hoses. Anything iffy gets fixed before I leave. With scheduled maintenance, if it’s close to the due date I’ll do it before I leave. Otherwise, I have it done on the trip when it becomes due. If it’ll only be slightly late when I get home I’ll just wait and do it there.

[cyntdon2010]

Change that Oil early, Don't even think of trying to save 35 or 45 dollars.

just do it!

[Mandalay_Parr]

Why not get it serviced wherever you are?

[wmoses]

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
So what do most people do for regular service / oil changes on the tow vehicle in this scenario? Service it right before the trip and just let it run over the regular interval 'till you get home? I'm sure this is fine for our expected length of trip, considering the number of "never changed the oil in a gazillion miles" stories you hear around shops / vehicle discussions.

Depends on your vehicle and how well it is maintained in the first place. I was on a 3800 mile round trip in August and my oil service went to zero while on the trip. I simply waited until I returned home and did the change them. But then my truck only gets Mobil 1 and the oil is changed whenever the computer says. I did nothing else to prepare for that trip other than air up the tires and check the coolant.