3k Mile trip on 295k 6.5

[eastwestbound]

Hey y'all,



Apologies if I didn't take the right channel, looking for sage advice as I prepare to haul 6500lbs over 3k miles. My truck is a well maintained 96 2500hd. All the trouble spots have been amended (lift pump, efi board moved) and she's had regular oil changes her whole life. We're about to move the family across the country towing a travel trailer.



My question is this: what would the diesel gurus prepare for and what should I double check now? I'm hoping the response will be "hell, she'll love the beating" but I'm cautiously optimistic. Chime in if you have the time.

[a5150nut]

PMD
Serp Belt
Fuel filter
Pick an easy route 80 has some long grades 40 is probably flatter
Take your time, don't try to keep up with the big trucks but if you find one thats about your speed they make a good wind break.


Enjoy your trip!

[Yukon6.2]

Make sure your cooling stack is clean...
Leaves dirt ect build up between the radiators plugging vital fins and air flow.
Heat is your enemy,if you can remove your catalytic converter for testing purposes of running cooler for the trip that would help a lot as well.

[CoyleJR]

Check the harmonic balancer.
Have a safe trip.

[arveetek]

Replace the radiator! The plastic end tanks get brittle over the years, and can pop at the least opportune time. I went through my rig front to rear, top to bottom, before heading on a 3K mile Yellowstone trip in 2018. The stock radiator left me stranded on a mountain grade due to the plastic end tank exploding. She was running pretty warm, but not overheating.

Here's a thread on my ordeal if you care to read about it:

https://www.thedieselpageforums.com/tdpforum/showthread.php?t=45699

In preparation for my long trip with 300K plus miles already on the drivetrain, I went all out and replaced all hoses, belt, timing chain, harmonic balancer, all fluids from front to rear, etc. I should have also checked my U-joints, but forgot about that and had one fail on me on the trip as well.

Casey