Too many miles on truck before long trip?

[Tony_DiannesRV]

I have a 2008 3/4 ton, GMC with 180k miles. HATE the thought of replacing it any time soon, but am I crazy to try and plan a 10k cross-country road trip towing our 5'er?
-Tony

[Jarlaxle]

My friend did a round trip to Wisconsin this past March. He took his Toyota truck...it had 295,000 miles. (I think he just turned 300K with it.) His father did his annual Land Between The Lakes trip, towing his Airstream Argosey with his diesel Econoline, with just over 510,000 miles.

[Brisk]

ScottG wrote:
Thinking about it.. The only time I have been left sitting in the middle of nowhere is when I had newer vehicles still under warranty.
I would trust a well maintained rig with 200K just as much or more than a brand new truck with no miles. New ones are so complicated that it often takes some time to work the bugs out.

I agree 110%

[trail-explorer]

Lynnmor wrote:
Take the title along so that you can trade, sell or junk it if bad things happen.

Ditto.

[Crabbypatty]

Our k2500 Suburban has 198,000 and we dont hesistate to take it anywhere. Its still strong. The body is starting to go on the rear door and down low. We have broken down on long trips. Unexpected issues and both times found a nice chevy dealers nearby who helped us out. The last time they had to order the part so I called the cg and let us back in no problem. They air frieghted the part in. Next day limped up to the dealer with the TT and fam. Unhitched and they proceeded to play games and have lunch in the parking lot while it was repaired. We continued on after that. If its gonna happen it will happen on the road or close to home

You know your ride if it feels and sounds good and you trust it, take it.

[Mr_Beebo]

I'll bite and assume your GMC has the 6.0 Vortec.
The 6.0 is a strong and reliable engine. The transmissions are well built and durable. However, only you know the maint and or history of your truck.
I'm at 140k on my 2009. Runs like brand new. Has a couple squeaks, driver's door gets hard to close on cold mornings. I can trade up and pay x dollars or I can continue with what I own free and clear.
Besides pulling cargo and equipment trailers in my contracting biz, we pulled our RV to Myrtle Beach SC, up into the Smoky Mtns of Tn, and down into Arkansas, all last year, and without a hitch.
If you can afford it, then trade. If you are a cheapskate like me, keep your wallet in your backpocket.

[Grit_dog]

Not enough info to advise one way or the other.

[Hannibal]

I traded a perfectly good running and looking '05 Ram 2500HD with 120k miles on it for the same reason you fret over taking a trip. Reality is, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Ram and someone got a like new truck for $9k~. Not even a door ding. I followed it's whereabouts after trade in hopes it got a good home. I like our current F250 but I definitely didn't "need" a new truck. If there's nothing about your truck that's giving you any indication there's trouble brewing, I would say enjoy your trip. Our F250 now has 86k on it and I have no doubt about it going another 200k with proper maintenance and an occasional repair.

[ScottG]

Thinking about it.. The only time I have been left sitting in the middle of nowhere is when I had newer vehicles still under warranty.
I would trust a well maintained rig with 200K just as much or more than a brand new truck with no miles. New ones are so complicated that it often takes some time to work the bugs out.

[shelbyj]

If you are worried about a breakdown in the middle of nowhere consider getting sone kind of roadside assistance plan if you don't already have one. Like others have said just make sure the basics are in good shape and go for it. Bring some basic tools with you just incase. Any truck can break anytime so I wouldnt worry too much about.

[gcloss]

I have a friend who was towing his TT from upstate NY to Yellowstone NP with a Ram 1500 with high mileage. He blew a head gasket in Jackson Wyoming and was able to get it into a Dodge dealer. Long story short he wound up trading his Ram 1500 for a brand new Ram 1500 in Jackson Wyoming.

[MegaCab_PL]

I have 193k on my little 2006 Explorer with 4.6 v8, and since I have had it for the past 6-7 years and know every piece of it, and what was replaced and or not, I do not hesitate and just hook up the trailers I pull with it and go, maybe not 10k, but if you know your truck, I would not worry.
The way I look at it, if your particular truck was made on a "good" day, and it has gone 180k miles without major issues, then it will go another 100k. If they mess something on an assembly line because it was Monday, or just after holidays or something else, then you would have issues before you hit 100k.

[ib516]

What engine?

[DustyR]

agesilaus wrote:
Has it show any warning signs? If not I'd just give a complete service maintenance on it and take off. Might think about infrequent service items like changing the differential fluid and the transmission filter ect.

X-2

Do the 100K major maintenance and enjoy your trip. My brother and I both have older Duramaxs and we both have done this with no worry.

[Mote]

My 96 dodge has 313k miles. We're driving it 1600 miles to Yellowstone next summer hauling the truck camper.
For getting it ready I've replaced the tires, shocks, thermostat, coolant, all the belts and hoses and changed the transmission and axle fluid.
So I'd say it will be fine.