DeezPanthers1
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Re: WA to MD in JAN!!! Help!!
punomatic wrote: Why not go through CA, AZ, NM, etc.? All the snow birds seem to go to AZ, TX, etc., so the weather is likely to be better than I80 or I90. Yes it is more miles, but with better weather, you may be able to make better time so it comes out a wash. If I were making this drive, I would consider this route. This is honestly what we were thinking. We have plenty of time to come across, hubby is taking a month of leave. We need to leave enough time to find a place to live, but we defiantly have some leeway on our time to come across. I would rather have a nice calm trip that we can stop and see some sites, then be anxious and worried about the weather the whole time. We have 3 small children and 2 German shepherds so will need to make plenty of stops and don't want our entire day eaten up with driving. We want this to be a trip we will remember as a vacation type of thing. We will be saving money using the TT, instead of hotels. Also being able to eat home cooked meals instead of all eating out will save some too, so we have some extra money to play with the gas. Any more advice on that kind of drive? Thanks again.255Views0likes0CommentsRe: WA to MD in JAN!!! Help!!
donn0128 wrote: I90 east, I82 south, I84 east to I80. Fsrther south you can go the better for weather. Keep your eyes on weather. Wouldnt I90 be bad in Jan? We have only traveled it in the summer? Would it be safer to cross the mountains further south then come across? Thanks.255Views0likes0CommentsWA to MD in JAN!!! Help!!
So we are being PCSd (transferred)in Jan to MD. We will be taking our OR roamer 310bhs (TT). My Husband has a F350 diesel TV, and I will be driving my minivan :o We have not had to travel in the winter months like this, for a trip like this, and am very unfamiliar with the routes. We moved here from NC, but it was in Sept. and we did not have a TT. We want to make it a fun family road trip, and I want my kids to see some awesome sights along the way, as it will probably be the last cross country move for us (not a guarantee though;) We obviously want to avoid any really bad weather. We are NC coastal natives and moved here near Seattle, so we are not pro snow drivers in the least. Hubby is a bit better than me, but after a really bad accident in college, putting me upside down in a creek, having to be pulled out by the fire department, I get a bit of anxiety driving in icy, snowy conditions. We also don't want to add a week to our drive time, bc of my fear. Do any of you have any good routes, or ideas that we could do. Also, any tips, ideas or things to see on our way would be greatly appreciated. TIA.5.6KViews0likes40CommentsRe: 2004 Ford F-350 diesel
Well we found out they said they replaced the whole engine, we didn't get all the details as we didn't have too much time. After hubby read up he has decided to go with a Chevy/gmc. Honestly I was leary as his last ford blew up in our driveway a few months ago. It was a very old ford but still, it wasn't even running when it caught fire and by the time we got the extinguisher it just exploded.505Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2004 Ford F-350 diesel
jerem0621 wrote: Bill @ Powestroke Help is in the business of Powerstroke failures and how to prevent them and of course fix them. He has a lot of good info for free but just beware that he is still in the business to make money. Bulletproofing is something that is pretty unique to the 6.0 PSD. The 6.0 was Fords first shot at really trying to meet more stringent emissions regulations and make big HP to keep up with market demand for more power. Navistar built the 6.0 PSD for Ford based off of one of their engines designed for medium duty work. You can find Navistars versions of the 6.0 in buses, MDT trucks, etc. those versions didn't have near the problem that Ford had in the Powerstroke version. Ford had to add a mountain of emissions equipment to sell the 6.0 in the light duty truck market (F350 and down) AND Ford decided to crank the computer programming up to exceed the head pressure that Navistar built the 6.0 for. Poorly engineered emissions equipment (much better in 05-07 6.0's) plus higher combustion chamber pressure than what the DESIGNERS intended lead to more than some owners having catastrophic failures in their 6.0. Given the popularity of folks adding engine tuners to the 6.0, which was essentially a factory hot rodded truck...to add even more power and you had folks popping head gaskets right and left. Bulletproofing adds aftermarket parts that are designed to be better than the factory. Soft head bolts are replaced with hardened head studs, Emissions equipment is either deleted (not recommended) or replaced with "Bulletproof" components. The engines are routinely tuned to match the bulletproofing. Monitors are recommended to be added to the 6.0 so the operator can keep close watch on many parameters on the truck...and educated owners knew what temp ranges, voltage ranges. Etc to look for and when they see a parameter out of whack they know something is wrong. Basically, they fix things before they get stupid expensive. Just know as a Ford man myself...many people choose to Bulletproof their 6.0's back in the mid 00's buy trading them in on GM or Rams or Ford V10's. I personally recommend looking for a 06-07 GM Duramax... Or an 03-07 ish Ram Diesel. They both have minor issues but will put you ahead on this bulletproof mess. Basically...consider buying a truck with a much better reputation. Many 6.0's that were bulletproofed had to re-bulletproofed because there are many ways for the 6.0 to fail. Like I said..Ford is my Go-To... But when I choose my Super Duty it had a factory bulletproof V10 in it. Thanks and good luck. Jeremiah Thank you.505Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2004 Ford F-350 diesel
Mont G&J wrote: I highly recommend watching the you-tube video about the best Ford diesel year as explained by a mechanic that specializes on Ford diesels. What year Powerstroke is best? Thanks for the link hubby is watching a lot of his videos. So it seems if we go with a ford we will need to bullet proof it. Can you all tell me more about this? Is bullet proofing a good idea for any brand diesel or just the ford? Would it still be a good idea to do if we get a dodge, gmc, or Chevy? I want to make sure we leave money in the budget if so. Any input would be great.505Views0likes0Comments2004 Ford F-350 diesel
What is everyone's thoughts on this year/model? We were originally going to stay away from fords as we heard their older diesels had engine problems, but hubby really likes the look and drive of this one and the price is great. So tell me the good and the bad. Thanks. 2004 f3505KViews0likes37CommentsRe: Think we have found it....Grand design Solitude 365 DEN
tcamper wrote: Have friends that have a very similar floor plan in another brand and it is working very well for them.... with 2 teenagers (and always company) Can I ask what brand your friend has, I haven't really seen this floorplan else where except for I think it was an OR roamer. Thanks.265Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pretty sure we picked our 5W, now we need to pick a TV.
mkirsch wrote: Don't worry about driving a dually in Seattle traffic, or any traffic for that matter. I love driving my dually to work because everyone takes the ditch when they pass by. Plenty of space even in heavy traffic. Nobody comes near me. And no, it's not because of how I drive or a problem with the truck. :B Good to know. Too funny We are starting to get concerned about the fresh water capacity too. I don't get why a camper that big, would have such a small tank. We are going to keep looking, though his one is still at the top of my favorite floor plan list. Thanks everyone, for all the help and tips. You all are great!439Views0likes0Comments
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