Preparing for a trip October 23, 2019, 10:01:32 am We are heading off for three weeks, leaving tomorrow. We will wander up along the west side of California to the Eureka/Arcada area and take about 8 days to get there, visit my daughter and explore many of the new hiking trails she has found, and then head across the top of California and mosey down the east side on 395.It amazes me how long it takes me to prepare for a trip. Over the last few days I have:Fill gasoline, propane, and a half tank of filtered waterRepaired the electric step on the Lazy DazeChanged the oil and filter on the Lazy DazeChanged the oil and check the air filter on the generatorReplaced the grey water dump valve (it was getting a little sticky)Greased the four Zerk fittings on the steering linkageNew batteries in the LaCross clock/Indoor/Outdoor thermometer and sensorChanged the oil and filter and air filter on the JeepRotated the tires on the JeepCheck and adjust the Stay in Play in the JeepNew batteries in all of the flashlightsInstalled a Pressure Pro TPMSPrep the bicycle and load it on the rack on the Jeep.Check the Lazy Daze spare tireLoad toolsWash and Wax the Lazy DazeThis really doesn't eliminate problems on the trip. It just increases the chance that problems will be in a different area.What did I forget?Harold 6 Likes
Re: Preparing for a trip Reply #1 – October 23, 2019, 11:57:33 am Harold, I think you just need to relax now and take a vacation from your vacation preparations. Have a good trip! 3 Likes
Re: Preparing for a trip Reply #2 – October 23, 2019, 12:14:46 pm Thanks Greg,I was thinking of you and your bride when I rode through Tehachapi on 58 two weeks ago. I was taking the circuitous route to go around the closure on I5 due to the fires. Even so, the traffic was terrible! We stayed in Porterville and rode the motorcycle in the southern Sierras over the next few days. You live in a beautiful area!After 40 years of working, we are playing now as much as possible. I'll look forward to seeing you with your new Lazy Daze!Harold 1 Likes
Re: Preparing for a trip Reply #3 – October 23, 2019, 01:37:36 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - October 23, 2019, 10:01:32 amReplaced the grey water dump valve (it was getting a little sticky)Greased the four Zerk fittings on the steering linkageOnly four grease fittings? Do the ball joints have grease fittings? They can be added for a couple bucks and help prolong the life of the hardest working parts in the front suspension, usually the first thing that wear out. I have seen them go bad at 50,000 miles, when not regularly lubed.Our 2003 LD's ball joints lasted 110,000 miles before one loosened up, the were all replaced at that point.The dump valves can be disassembled, cleaned, lubed and returned to service or carried as a spare. One of our spares was pressed into service a few years ago when friend bumped and cracked his LDs black valve. Oh the joys of RVing! Have a good time on your trip, we love the North Coast of California. Larry 1 Likes
Re: Preparing for a trip Reply #4 – October 24, 2019, 09:27:27 am Used to be six zirks on front end of Ford's but maybe the newer ones eliminated ball joints as Larry implied. I know on my 94 F-250 I went through a couple of front ends before I decided you couldn't grease them too often and then that issue stopped. I went through front ends in 20k miles but I drive regularly in deep mud and or dust which is probably why. My 97 LD also had six.Getting ready for a trip is the fun part with the joy and anticipation and excitement of pre adventure. Getting home and detripping is the part that seems like work. Kind of reminds me of spring prep verses winter prep around here. Spring is getting out the lawn furniture, BBQ, garden hoses, bird bath etc which is fun compared to what I did yesterday afternoon which was to put all that stuff away plus clean the chimney, not near as fun and a bit depressing even.One other thing on greasing I learned the hard way. Don't scrimp on quality to save a couple bucks. Buy the best stuff you can get.