Moving my W250 1000 miles, things I should consider

[David Vandercook]

Hey y'all,
I'm looking at moving from Arkansas to Nebraska in a month or so, so that will obviously involve moving all the vehicles up there. I plan to drive the dodge there with my boat instead of trailering it to get more done in one trip. It's been a great, reliable truck, but it's geared low so it revs really high going over 70, I always try to keep it under 65. Also I never take it out on long trips, it's always been a daily driver, work truck, off road toy, and a boat hauler, so it usually only goes somewhere between 5 and 60 miles at a time.
Road noise is terrible, ride quality is terrible, gas mileage is terrible, just not a highway rig. A bit nervous too about taking it 1000 miles, should I be or am I just worrying too much? Also, any tips for making the trip more doable or things I should be checking every now and then?
Thanks

 

[rzr6-4]

You "know" it better than any of us, but simple things to suggest would be a gallon of oil, couple gallons of water (used as coolant or drink if it strands you), jumper cables, a basic set of hand tools, and zip ties. Spare tire of course with a jack. Between my ram and my sierra I've limped home several times with those items. I try to keep these things in the toolbox all the time, but more like a qt or two of oil and 1 gal of water, but if you are nervous then might as well carry a bit more.

What brings you to NE? Work? I'm currently south central but I've lived in a few different areas.

 

[jtpasto]

I have an 87 W250 with I think 125000 miles. I have made four 1400 mile trips and it hasn't broken down. I do keep the speed at 65 to 70 mph even though the speed limit is 80 mph. Check it over for any loose or missing fasteners and make sure the rubber parts, belts and hoses, are in good shape.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Hey y'all,
I'm looking at moving from Arkansas to Nebraska in a month or so, so that will obviously involve moving all the vehicles up there. I plan to drive the dodge there with my boat instead of trailering it to get more done in one trip. It's been a great, reliable truck, but it's geared low so it revs really high going over 70, I always try to keep it under 65. Also I never take it out on long trips, it's always been a daily driver, work truck, off road toy, and a boat hauler, so it usually only goes somewhere between 5 and 60 miles at a time.
Road noise is terrible, ride quality is terrible, gas mileage is terrible, just not a highway rig. A bit nervous too about taking it 1000 miles, should I be or am I just worrying too much? Also, any tips for making the trip more doable or things I should be checking every now and then?
Thanks

As long as you’ve kept up the maintenance, just set the cruise on 60 and relax.

 

[David Vandercook]

As long as you’ve kept up the maintenance, just set the cruise on 60 and relax.

Cruise? What is cruise?

 

[David Vandercook]

I have an 87 W250 with I think 125000 miles. I have made four 1400 mile trips and it hasn't broken down. I do keep the speed at 65 to 70 mph even though the speed limit is 80 mph. Check it over for any loose or missing fasteners and make sure the rubber parts, belts and hoses, are in good shape.

Thanks, glad to hear someone else has gone this far, that's encouraging. I'll go through it pretty thoroughly and do some fluid changes this week in preparation.