Am i crazy (Driving 69 Satellite from Kentucky to Oregon)?

[WileE]

Hell, I did plenty of stupid things in my younger days. Actually, still do. At least I hope I made the OP aware of the seriousness of tire condition. Having seen & experience bad results from tire failure, I'd hope to raise his consciousness. At least, tread depth. Don't go sailing on the highway in the rain on bald tires. Good luck and safe travels.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Hell, I did plenty of stupid things in my younger days. Actually, still do. At least I hope I made the OP aware of the seriousness of tire condition. Having seen & experience bad results from tire failure, I'd hope to raise his consciousness. At least, tread depth. Don't go sailing on the highway in the rain on bald tires. Good luck and safe travels.

In a couple of his earlier posts the O/P mentioned checking the tires... At no point did he say he wouldn't replace them if they needed replacement.. He did say he was gonna try to do this on a budget, not that he couldn't spend money but that he was doing it without burning through cash....

There's a difference between broke & frugal...

Thank you for all the tips.

Tires are said to be ok but i won't know until i get there. Hopefully they're in decent shape and don't have flat spots or dry rot. Good question about the spare too. I'll have to check that.

I will definitely add some fuel line and clamps to my list. Ordered a couple fuel filters but might not be a bad idea to get a couple more. Also have a spare fuel pump.

I'll check the points but leave them alone. I do have an extra set of points and condensor but they aren't originals. Just some stuff from rockauto.

 

[68BabyBlue]

I've flown out and driven 3 cars back over the last 25 years, had another shipped, there are arguments for and against both. But without question, the most memorable experience was the '66 Imperial I drove from San Diego to Chicago in 1996. Had checked the car while visiting San Diego for a conference, bought it 4 months later when the weather in the mid-west finally got decent. Tires were good, but wheels leaked some, so previous owner had installed tubes.

I made a point not to cross the desert in the heat of the day, ran at night when things cooled down. Drove through a blizzard on Vail Pass in Colorado (glad I had good tread), but made it back to Chicago in 5 days, stopping to see friends along the way. Great story for the last 25 years. I wouldn't repeat it today (at age 67), but the younger me craved the adventure. Look forward to the story of your journey when you get back.

 

[1STMP]

Be careful who you ask that question toooo... I bought this trailer in Feb 1990.. still the original tires. I also drive my Superbird regularly and her tires are now 31 years old as well. Almost 3500 miles this past summer. Also drove it from Atlanta Georgia to Alexander City Alabama during the Aero Reunion, winding through Eleanor Roosevelt State Park and out on the express way chasing a Daytona at over 100 at times. (can you note there's a bit of Scottish in my blood? )
View attachment 1090099

With six of them on there, at least you
have backup if one blows. The trailer
also looks well maintained. You also
know the history of the tires, as to what
they've been subjected to.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Good luck on the road,,, whereabouts are you now? If you hit 1-80 in nebraska and have a problem, I would be happy to show up to help. if you get further west, I have a good friend in central nebraska heading west and is a long time mopar owner and mechanic.
It is always good to have a plan,,, and we have lots of tires! Lol

 

[mopar 3 B]

Old tires are a crap shoot. Without knowing
how well an inherited set of tires was
maintained; ie, run at proper pressure,
rotated as recommended by manufacturer,
were they "curbed"? Tires can have
problems that may not be visible, or
discernable at first glance. Sure, tire
distributers want to make boat loads
of cash selling unsuspecting customers
a brand new set of tires. If the OP is
attempting a cross country trip on an
unknown set of tires that have been
"unused" for this length of time, I'd at
least, have them checked out. I hope
he knows an honest tire dealer. Therein
lies the problem.
I know where you're coming from. I had
a set of tires on a CJ7 that had less than
10,000 miles on them. Garage kept, perfect
shape, but couldn't trade them in because
they were deemed to be too old. I would
have trusted those tires because I knew
their history.

If you want to look at things that way life is a crap shoot. So you just going to stay in bed, moan and what ever or get up get moving and live life. Quite worrying about the negative and think some positive. Life is just to dam short for anything else.

 

[monaco66coupe]

after selling real estate for 27 years, I see now it took covid to really screw up the normal housing situation. too few people moving, too many wanting a house. and real estate companies scraping to get agents to find Inventory. You can't Invent sellers,,,, so they try to Push you along with higher prices and a chance for more Income. I finally told the broker today, that all the money in the world will not buy you an extra minute!
So I quit the relocation business, and just concentrate on my long term clients, and work on my Charger.

 

[1STMP]

If you want to look at things that way life is a crap shoot. So you just going to stay in bed, moan and what ever or get up get moving and live life. Quite worrying about the negative and think some positive. Life is just to dam short for anything else.

If you want to look at things that way life is a crap shoot. So you just going to stay in bed, moan and what ever or get up get moving and live life. Quite worrying about the negative and think some positive. Life is just to dam short for anything else.

I didn't think I implied anything negative.
I too, was once 10 foot tall and bullet
proof. The OP can and probably will do
what ever he wants. Out of experience,
I'm offering some advice. Simple as
that.

 

[66 Sat]

I agree. The OP should at least perform
the basics.

Which he said he's gonna do. You'd swear he's flying to the moon with some of these concerns. Don't forget your mask either - that will protect you from just about anything...

 

[Kern Dog]

If you want to look at things that way life is a crap shoot. So you just going to stay in bed, moan and what ever or get up get moving and live life. Quite worrying about the negative and think some positive. Life is just to dam short for anything else.

 

[1STMP]

Which he said he's gonna do. You'd swear he's flying to the moon with some of these concerns. Don't forget your mask either - that will protect you from just about anything.

The mask would be a good idea. It'll
keep the OP's lungs clear of brake dust
while he's changing a blowout. /s

 

[Sam69sat]

Good luck on the road,,, whereabouts are you now? If you hit 1-80 in nebraska and have a problem, I would be happy to show up to help. if you get further west, I have a good friend in central nebraska heading west and is a long time mopar owner and mechanic.
It is always good to have a plan,,, and we have lots of tires! Lol

Thank you very much for your offer of help! Starting the drive either April 4th of 5th.

 

[Sweet5ltr]

Don't even need to read this to say 'it's a bad idea' - at least without A/C . Driving to Daytona, roughly 100-ish miles away is enough for me cruising at 60 MPH (@ 2,800 RPM) on the interstate. We're now looking at getting A/C for our daily driven (classic) Dodge truck. I'll suffer all day in a 'hot rod' or 'muscle car' but not in a cruiser or daily-driver style vehicle.

What I would personally bring on a long road trip -
rechargeable work light & headlamp
2-spare WIX fuel filters
3-5' rubber fuel line w/ clamps
aluminum floor jack & jack stands
5-quarts of ATF (Type F)
5-quarts of 10W40 conventional oil & filter
5-gallons of water
1-quart of brake fluid
1-pint of diff fluid
RTV (gasket maker)
1-quart of power steering fluid (if applicable)
Roll of Gorilla Tape
Gloves
Shop Towels
Tarp
2-dozen Zip Ties
TOOLS!

 

[Sam69sat]

Don't even need to read this to say 'it's a bad idea' - at least without A/C . Driving to Daytona, roughly 100-ish miles away is enough for me cruising at 60 MPH (@ 2,800 RPM) on the interstate. We're now looking at getting A/C for our daily driven (classic) Dodge truck. I'll suffer all day in a 'hot rod' or 'muscle car' but not in a cruiser or daily-driver style vehicle.

What I would personally bring on a long road trip -
rechargeable work light & headlamp
2-spare WIX fuel filters
3-5' rubber fuel line w/ clamps
aluminum floor jack & jack stands
5-quarts of ATF (Type F)
5-quarts of 10W40 conventional oil & filter
5-gallons of water
1-quart of brake fluid
1-pint of diff fluid
RTV (gasket maker)
1-quart of power steering fluid (if applicable)
Roll of Gorilla Tape
Gloves
Shop Towels
Tarp
2-dozen Zip Ties
TOOLS!

I'm more worried about the cold since i won't have a heater (bypassed hoses). Could get kinda cold driving across Nebraska and Wyoming if i go that route. I'll be alright though, plan on driving during the day for the most part and where i'm from it can be winter 8 months out of the year so i'm used to it. Thanks for the list. I added a couple of those things i forgot about.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Thank you very much for your offer of help! Starting the drive either April 4th of 5th.

The big gorilla in the room here is the weather.In april the big storms are on the east side of the rockies, and you will be pulling some real altitude. 318 engine? It will pull ok, just don't get in a hurry.
800miles or so to Jackson Wyoming, very high 8000+ or so? and windy.

 

[Sam69sat]

The big gorilla in the room here is the weather.In april the big storms are on the east side of the rockies, and you will be pulling some real altitude. 318 engine? It will pull ok, just don't get in a hurry.

Yep, keeping my eyes on the weather forecasts and road conditions across that region. If it turns bad i've thought about taking the long scenic route more south. Maybe part of Route 66? That would be cool. I think...

Edit: and yes, 318

 

[monaco66coupe]

Yep, keeping my eyes on the weather forecasts and road conditions across that region. If it turns bad i've thought about taking the long scenic route more south. Maybe part of Route 66? That would be cool. I think...

Edit: and yes, 318

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but the southern route thru flagstaff is just as bad. I was taking a car to Phoenix on 26 march 2003, and I-40 was closed from tucemcari to Just east of flag.
it took a couple days in a hotel to see the road open. then it was 35 mph until I hit I-17 southbound off I-40(10 hours)

 

[Nevada dan]

I'll keep an eye out if you swing down this way , good luck to you

 

[Sam69sat]

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but the southern route thru flagstaff is just as bad. I was taking a car to Phoenix on 26 march 2003, and I-40 was closed from tucemcari to Just east of flag.
it took a couple days in a hotel to see the road open. then it was 35 mph until I hit I-17 southbound off I-40(10 hours)

Yeah, it is pretty high there. I guess i'll just have to play it by ear. I'm hoping for a window of good weather but you never know in some of those places. Even where i live in Oregon i've seen it snow in July. Just woke up to snow a day or two ago but it's usually melting off by mid morning these days.

 

[Fran Blacker]

A longer way more chances for breakdown.