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Location: michigan | I just got back from hauling a horse from northern Mi to southern Ohio. About a 9 hr drive one way. As I was getting closer to home I started to reflect upon the trip and came up with a few helpful hints for the newbie and pro alike...1-know which side of the truck is your gas tank. Ok I know we have had this truck for a year and yet there are times I am concentrating too much on other issues such as other stupid drivers,curbs,cement posts and something that leads me into the next tip...2-Figure out BEFORE you pull in if you can even make the corner to get out. You only have a few seconds to judge the distance and location of the pumps ( and which side is the tank located) I learned to pull way to the front of the pumps to prevent someone from driving in and blocking my only way out. Then I am stuck waiting for them to fill their tank,or figure out how to use the credit card swiper on the pump and/or finish the cell phone conversation ( usually they are doing all three at the same time)3- don't eat anything prepared at a gas station unless its Subway,KFC or mcdonalds etc. I stopped at a station that also prepared grilled sandwiches and not wanting to make yet another stop at get some food, I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich which looked pretty good on the menu. When the gal dropped the frozen chicken fillet on the grill it sounded like a cermanic tile was dropped. Tasted like on too. Should have made the effort of eat real food. Settled for the twinky I bought for dessert.4-Stay in the fast lane no matter what. I can't count the times I was in the truck lane and had to move over to allow incoming traffic from the on ramp. It never failed that when i turned on my blinker the car in the fast lane sped up..leaving me trying to slow down or speed up enough to get out of the way. In slower in the boon dock travel it wasn't bad but get into city driving? nightmare. So i just stayed in the left lanes. Pissed off drivers-yes. Next time scoot over dork.5-Bring a dog. Normally I bring my faithful Lab to ride shot gun but this time I didn't. I found myself talking to the dog who wasn't there. At first I thought -whoops silly me but after 5 hours or so I was having a conversation with the passenger seat.I am sure people will have more helpful tips for the long haul.These are mine......you can add yours as well...
Edited by farmbabe 2011-09-19 5:20 PM
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Location: Northern Utah | Oh we could make a long list of things to learn. Glad you had a safe trip. Most modern trucks have a small arrow on the dash near the fuel gauge that shows what side of the vehicle the fill door is located. If it is not your regular vehicle, Make sure you know what type of fuel ( diesel or gas) it uses. Also most 2011 trucks will also need DEF fluid filled periodically. Know where your DEF filler cap is located. Since both fillers are located side by side on the new Fords. Make sure you put diesel in the diesel and DEF in the DEF. Like you, I always look for how will I exit the fuel stop in making my choice of where I should pull in to refuel. I'll pay a few cents more per gallon to pull into a large spacious parking area vs using a pump at a station designed to fill only pickups and cars. Also, Not all GREEN hoses are diesel fuel. BP in particular likes the color of green on all their pumps. Look at the actual pump you select, not just the color of the hose and handle. Know where your Jack and Lug wrench are located. If you spare tire requires a special adapter or key, Know where that is stored. Occassionally check your spare tire to make sure it is properly inflated. I hate climbing steep grades and coming up behind a slow moving semi that is crawling up the grade. Often trailers are prohibited in the fast lane, Leaving me to drive in the right or middle lanes, Cars won't let you merge over and you loose all your momentum slowing down. When you do get moved over to the middle lane, you can not pick up any speed on the grade. As you said, You are better off to stay in the next lane over from the slowest and not have to worry about trying to merge over. Same process for coming down the grades. Pick the speed you want to maintain for the downhill grade and get into the appropriate lane. My two cents worth. have fun |
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Location: New Salem, ND | You both have made such valid points. I don't have anything to add, except this is a great subject!!! Glad you had a safe trip.. talk to you all again soon, I hope. Happy trails! |
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Location: Central Arkansas | Always be aware of your surroundings! US Rider - don't leave home without it! Always know how you are going to get out of a place BEFORE you get into it! If I need to stretch my legs during a long trip, I usually pull off into a large shopping center, Costco, Walmart, etc, or a casino. They all are usually well lite and have good security. I DO NOT park in truck parking areas at the truckstops! Even those stores with the height bars over the entrances have a truck entrance! Lowes & Home Depots are other good areas. But, I try to always pick a 24 hr store at night in. Most of the time the security people will scoot over and I just tell them, I need a few minutes to regroup and they are ok with it. I prefer to stop for diesel fuel at stations where I pay at pump which is almost always on the auto side. I hate the big truck pumps. They are heavy , usually always have spillage to track thru, and you have to make two trips to the fuel desk. One to leave the card and one to pick it up. That has you standing in line twice! |
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Expert
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Location: michigan | That is one problem with a gas engine is you are forced to use the pumps people in small cars use and sometimes the corners are tight Unless its a place used by people with travel trailers or boats, most stations are not designed for trucks and trailers. I have pulled into and then left places I cannot easily navigate. |
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| If you are traveling down a two lane rural road at 65 MPH, and someone with a 25 year old 4 cylinder beater can pull out in front of you, they WILL. They will start out at about 20 MPH and get to 45 MPH (eventually). This is true even though you are driving a bright red one ton dually hauling a 25 foot trailer, so "seeing" you was not the issue. This will cause you to slam on your brakes and thus cause your horses to scramble and thus further cause you to cuss like a sailor. |
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Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | Me Too Bushy, If I can't do the transaction at the pump, I move, No need to stand in line twice. After sitting at a dead stop in traffic one July for an accident that shut down the interstate. I learned, I can't always flip a U turn and retreat to a previous exit. Sometime you just have to sit and wait for the emergency crews to clean up and reopen the road. July heat on horses in a Non-Moving horse trailer can be brutal. So I always make sure my water tank has water in it. At least I can go back into the trailer and dump some water over their backs to help cool them. even if I wouldn't dare let them out of the trailer. County Fairgrounds are my friend. When hauling for longer distances, I have learned to pull into most any county fairground, I can get my horses out for a stretch, hose them down if they are hot, or even let them make a couple of fast laps around the arena to burn off some energy. |
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Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | Oh yes those wonderful moments approaching a intersection and KNOWING that person is thinking-I think I can make it- with me saying..no you can't.. but they zip in front of me anyway causing me to brake and cuss. Now when I see this situation unfolding I start to slow down and cruise knowing I'll likely be braking. One thing I did start to do was to flash my lights...maybe they just don't see me barreling down but they might see the lights...worth a shot.On another note...while hauling a long distance,I don't like getting a horse out of a trailer..period. They are better off right where they are. |
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| Unloading horses - I was conflicted, then our last long haul was Texas to Colorado. We spent the night at a "horse hotel" but on the way up I did unload at a quiet rest stop - was a dumb move, the horses were too nervous to eat or drink, so we just loaded them right back up. So, my vote is to not unload anywhere except your overnight stay or final destination. I HAVE read, however, that even if you don't unload its a good idea to just stop and let them rest, as the constant effort for the horses to stay on balance, plus the wind and traffic noise, is stressful and tiring. |
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Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | My horses are better off getting to the destination as fast as we can meaning I only stop to get fuel and get myself out to walk,eat,bathroom...otherwise we just want to get there and get the horses off. Most of my travel is by myself so I don't want to put myself in a position of needing help. I have gotten good at replacing fuses,changing tires..etc... |
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| I carry an empty gas can in the bed of my truck just in case I need gas and I can't navigate the LQ trailer in the gas station. I have a V-10 and I trailer a lot of back country roads. I haven't had to use it yet, but I have it just in case I can't maneuver in a small gas station and it gives me piece of mind. I have the option of parking the rig on the street and getting gas from the pump, may take a few trips from the pump to the truck depending upon how much gas I need to get to the next bigger gas station, but it's better than hoping there's a bigger station further down the road. |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Brooksville, Fl | All of these are great tips. I might add that when there are 3 lanes, I prefer the middle. I don't have to worry about cars merging on and off of the road and the speed demons can go around in the outside lane.
Also, call in advance to the place you want to go and ask for the best directions for a large trailer. Never depend soley on your GPS. It will take you down dirt roads/trails/dead ends and places you just don't want to take a trailer down. I have found myself in enough situations without the help of my GPS :) My friends and I were to meet at a forest campground for a long weekend of camping. I called ahead and got directions from the ranger assuming my friends would do the same. We drove right to it without issue. Our friends, on the other hand, used only the GPS and ended up coming in on the Pink Trail....I can only imagine how THAT was. LOL. At least they didn't take off a tank or anything.
Oh the adventures we have traveling with our beasties! |
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Location: NY | these are all good tips thank you  |
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| I can't believe in all my years of hauling I have not thought of this. Have spent many a panicked mile looking for a station that had BOTH Diesel and room for me to pull in AND out. DUH! |
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Location: Grapeland, Texas | That is why we have started carrying extra diesel on long trips. Have had to use it twice on I-10 between Junction and El Paso. We take 2 five gallon cans. I have also heard a lot of people say to have 2 spares for the trailer. One of these days I am going to get me a second one. I have had flats in the past and was really worried about getting a new tire while out of the road. |
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Location: New Salem, ND | both the 2 spares and deisel are great ideas. While traveling a "short cut" from the Black Hills to Dickinson ND we bucked a hard wind and barely made it back.. A cousin of mine hit something on I-94 and had a double flat during the night, good thing they were not far from my place and I was able to go get horses and they could limp in with only one spare.. Like I said, great ideas all!!!!
Edited by dallyup 2011-09-28 12:00 PM
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Expert
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Location: michigan | My dad likes to camp ( no horses involved) and thought it would be a good idea to have one of those fuel tanks that set in the bed of the truck and you can pump out. One winter he bought fuel in Southern Ohio where its cheaper and then headed to northern Michigan. Problem was fuel in southern Ohio will gel in very cold climates ( the diesel doesn't contain additives for that) So when he filled his tank with non-treated fuel it gelled overnight in freezing weather. Had a devil of time getting it to start even when we pulled the truck into the machine shed and put the heaters to it. I don't think he ever thought about gelling. Now he does...... |
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Location: Nashville, TN | The best addition I've made to my rig is adding an additional fuel tank to the truck. In my case, it went under the flatbed and is a "midship" tank. Got it from transfer flow and it wasn't to hard to install. Now I carry 75 gals of fuel and I can choose when and where to stop and if it looks remotely tight around the pumps, I keep going. I can travel 12-13 hrs without stopping for fuel, if need be. The new tank removed all anxiety for traveling new and old routes. I usually fill up whenever I am disconnected from the trailer. I recently made a trip that I've made for years....I shaved an hour off the total time just because I wasn't stopping for fuel...which usually leads to food.....to the restroom.....etc. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | I have carried two spares for horse trailer for years. I have a bumper pull, so spare is stored in tackroom. I changed where it mounted on wall to the back corner:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1146452283049327220gJeXLp
I have my jiffy jack, and star wrench for changing tires VERY easy to grab in a hurry. The jiffy jack is mounted up high in a corner inside the tackroom, and the star wrench is above the spare on the wall.
I keep the access to the spares easy to get them in and out, and do not pack a bunch of stuff in the way of removal. From the time I step out of the truck to change a flat on the trailer, to getting back in and pulling away, it usually only takes me 10 to 15 min. by myself. This is due to knowing where the stuff is, and HOW to use it!!!
Another lesson I have learned is if you want it to rain on you, put hay up on the hay rack of the trailer without being well tarped or in good bale bags. And most bale bags will still leak around the zippers, so check for that if you do drive in heavy rain.
A bag of shavings can blow right off the roof rack if not tied down. (boy to they explode when they hit the road!)
never, ever leave on even a short trip without at lease one 5 gallon water container and a bucket to give water to the horses if you break down
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| I carry two spares too. Learned that lesson the hard way. Another item I carry is an emergency roadside kit with flares and those orange triangles. Was coming home late one night and my truck had a blowout on a narrow two lane road with no shoulder. I just knew someone was going to plow into the back of my trailer at 60 MPH. After that started carrying the roadside kit. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by naldo123 on 2011-09-20 9:40 AM If you are traveling down a two lane rural road at 65 MPH, and someone with a 25 year old 4 cylinder beater can pull out in front of you, they WILL. They will start out at about 20 MPH and get to 45 MPH (eventually). This is true even though you are driving a bright red one ton dually hauling a 25 foot trailer, so "seeing" you was not the issue. This will cause you to slam on your brakes and thus cause your horses to scramble and thus further cause you to cuss like a sailor.  |
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Location: All around the globe | I learned to leave with 3 cases of beer and 2 spare cases of beer for a weekend. So if you breakdown or have a flat you can just get drunk and be somebody. Also when you drink enough beer you can make your own air horn. |
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Veteran
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Location: Sumas Washington | I agree somewhat with the fast lane. BUT be aware that most state laws do not allow you to drive trailers in the left hand lane. The one thing I have learned in all my years of trailering is patience patience patience. When hauling it is NOT a RACE, be safe, be courteous and considerate. EVEN IF OTHERS ARNT. Remember the big rigs are out there trying to earn a living, be respectful of them.
Edited by gonzo1066 2011-09-29 9:21 PM
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | I've learned to always drive defensively. Many other drivers, through ignorance or an inflated self worth of driving abilities, have managed to invade my space and physically threatened to harm my travels. I have been thrust into defensive measures caused by the inconsideration of others. Had I not preplanned for some of their antics, I might not be typing this message now. I've almost wrecked because of people who left their thinking caps at home. When ever you leave a braking space ahead of you, someone will invariably cut you off as they try to occupy that area. People merging into traffic, will wait until it's physically impossible for you to stop, and then pull directly in front of you. In PA, drivers are genetically challenged, and incapable of knowing how a signal indicator is used. If it crosses the minds of a driver that a stalk is fastened to the left side of the steering column, it might be activated after the turn, to show the person they just cut off, where they went. "Be carefull" isn't an idle or meaningless saying. Following it may save your life.
Edited by gard 2011-09-30 12:37 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Plan well ahead as you drive. Know you have a right had turn coming up? Look ahead, plan how much room you need into possible other lanes, watch what the traffic is doing. Need to merge to the left at the split of two freeways? Plan ahead and get over where you need to be.
Watch traffic well ahead, and if you start to see brake lights for traffic way up there, take your foot off the gas, and consider if you are going to be coming to a stop.
While all this seems like common sense to some, I see so many who tow, do not look well ahead to the upcoming traffic light, and if it is red or green. They do not watch traffic, and are suddenly slamming on the brakes. They do not plan that wide right turn, and are not driving over the curb, or taking out corner street signs. |
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Location: NY | some body told me once "drive your truck as if everybody wanted to hit it" basically keep your eyes on what is around you |
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Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | Originally written by traveller on 2011-09-27 6:00 PM
I carry an empty gas can in the bed of my truck just in case I need gas and I can't navigate the LQ trailer in the gas station. I have a V-10 and I trailer a lot of back country roads. I haven't had to use it yet, but I have it just in case I can't maneuver in a small gas station and it gives me piece of mind. I have the option of parking the rig on the street and getting gas from the pump, may take a few trips from the pump to the truck depending upon how much gas I need to get to the next bigger gas station, but it's better than hoping there's a bigger station further down the road.
I carry the extra gas if I've not traveled the route before. Those new EPA gas cans are a pain to dump 5 gallons into the truck. They are so slow flowing.
Big PLUS on Not relying on GPS when driving a rig. People have died in the desert or wilderness stranded in their car from following GPS directions.
Some of those roads the machine says to use are barely passable for a goat. Forget getting a trailer through. |
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Expert
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Location: michigan | There is simply no way to prevent all problems on the road. No matter how prepared you are there will still be something,someday and somehow that throws a curve ball at you. I don't travel anywhere I can't get fuel so I am not going to carry extra. I don't camp without power and its always at a showgrounds, I don't rough it. I have made several long distance out of state trips and usually the problems are similar...stupid drivers,crummy bathrooms at truck stops and boredom. However with age comes a certain degree of wisdom and electronic devices that make life easier. I do like my GPS and of course cell phone. Check the oil,tire pressure and make sure the spare is good ( a second spare is a very good idea) I have been lucky as the worse thing that has happened has been a flat tire..well ok..my Ford broke down once but I was close enough to home is wasn't too bad. I admire those who haul on that road less traveled but it ain't for me. |
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| Whoops, I meant peace of mind, not piece of mind. I compete in AERC rides and I do travel to places I haven't been before, often by myself. I have US Rider also, haven't had to use it yet, knock on wood. All the advise about not depending upon GPS is really warranted, especially on the back country roads. My sister and brother-in-law live in northern Missouri. If you follow GPS directions to get to their home it will take you down a gravel road and tell you to turn left into a grassy field upon what might have been a trail back in the horse and buggy days, but it certainly hasn't been a road for at least the last sixty plus years according to my brother-in-law who is a native of that area. We all had a good laugh about that one, especially when another relative tried to find their home with his GPS and had to call to get directions. The guys in the city that came up to replace my sister's windows didn't find it so humorous, especially since they had a big truck that they had to figure out how to turn around. I have several examples where GPS has failed various people I know, including myself. Fortunately I learned early to back up GPS with maps. Which reminds me, I have one of those very comprehensive atlases for Missouri, a state I travel in quite a bit. It is as thick as a regular road atlas for the U.S., but it breaks down various sections of Missouri, showing all the county roads, etc., some GPS units that work off of satellites will give you similar detail. I bought it at Cabellas. It has been helpful when I am going into back country. Old county roads don't change that much unlike city highways so it has been pretty helpful for several years. Also, if I am going to a campground I make sure I have their phone number programmed in my cell phone in case I need help or directions, hopefully my phone will work and they will answer. But as we all know you can't always depend upon having cell phone coverage or someone asnwering the phone when you need them. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | While I do not always have a can of fuel with me, I want to add, just because you think you are not going anywhere you can not get fuel, does not mean you might not need to use a can of fuel.... I had my fuel like get a hole in it and drain almost a whole tank of fuel. Thankfully I was close to businesses etc., but had I been between gas stations, that can of fuel may have been what got me to the next exit as it was also running out the hole in the line.
I think I will go back to at least having the empty fuel can along, so I can get fuel in it if needed |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | Does not having updates current on your GPS have anything to do with "driving you into a one track cornfield?" |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Originally written by Gone on 2011-10-04 5:32 PM
Does not having updates current on your GPS have anything to do with "driving you into a one track cornfield?"
I wondered that too, and also what GPS units people had issues with. I used a Garmin NUVI (forgot the modle, but one of the mid to upper level ones) since about 2008, with over 25,000 miles of towing,and 11 different states and it only send me off track once, but they were good dirt roads. I also spend time to mark my destination not just with an address, but will pre-look it up on line with Google maps, satellite view then make sure where I mark it on the NUVI is the correct spot.
MY GPS saved my rear a few times. Mind you, this was before the Iphone. I had truck issues once, typed in the brand f truck, and it directed me to the nearest dealer. Flat tires a few times, and typed in TIRE and it directed me to nearest tire repair/sales location. Helped me find food and fuel. Have not traveled much this year to use the Iphone, but hubby finds his helpful in the same way I did my NUVI
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| I don't know about the window replacement workmen's GPS, but our relative had current updates on his GPS which was is the Nuvi, I think. He travels all over the country and in Canada, too, has the Canada version, and he uses it going to many out of way places as he does lots of hunting and fishing. He also has some hand held version, I think it is a Magellan, but he wasn't using that. This was not a road and has not in recent memory been a road. It should not have shown as a road on GPS. Even if you went down that area you couldn't get through, there are couple creek crossings that aren't passable with even a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I have a Nuvi which isn't updated, but I was using it to find a farm about 20 mies from Columbia, Missouri. It took me a very awkward way and said I was at my destination when I actually was about a mile away. These were all old rural roads, no new updates, shouldn't be any changes. The guy at the farm told me that other people using GPS units had had the same problem finding him. He told me a different way to go home which was much better and far more direct. Had a similar problem in North Carolina using my niece's GPS. Said we were at our destination which was a small town full of potters, we were out in the middle of nowhere on a country road about five miles from our true destination. I don't think her GPS was updated either, but the roads were old country roads that vastly predated her unit. |
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Lessons I have learned
