I drove my 05 Chevy Avalanche from CA to the east coast and back multiple times and it had over 200k miles. The only trouble I had during my travels were power steering went out in OKC. Parked it over night, had a local Indy look at it, he flushed power steering fluid in the hydro boost and all was good the rest of the way. Another time, the front wheel bearings started making noise in Lafayette LA, local Indy shop replaced both fronts for $700. And that’s about it. Looks like you are set with all your prepping
Traveling with high mileage vehicles
- Thread starter tblt44
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I sometimes drive way back of beyond. If a belt broke there I might find a mechanic or at least someone with the right tools, but it would take days (at least) to get a replacement belt. I replace belts while they're still working. So if the new belt broke for some reason I have a functional belt in the well at the bottom of the trunk. It doesn't cost anything to save an old belt and they don't weigh much or occupy any usable space, so why not?
When I was a kid my friend's father was a small town service station owner/mechanic. As part of a fill at his service station you got the windshield washed and an under the hood check. I know he looked for wonky belts.
I've never broken or lost a belt. But hoses - I've burst a couple of those over 60 years of driving. And exhausts - the exhaust on my Volvo broke and started dragging a couple of times, and always on trips. I took to carrying wire and pliers in anticipation of "the next time".
I keep fluids, sometimes belts if I have them, spare headlight, every size of fuse, a spare ICM- i feel a must, I pack my sockets, wrenches, couple screwdrivers, torx bits & allen wrenches, breaker bar, battery impact, tire plugs and a battery tire inflator. Good luck on your trip
Not super high mileage (150k) but we drive Georgia < - > Maine a few times a year in our 2010 Cadillac DTS and have had zero trouble on the road. Well maintained since new. It’s a super comfortable cruiser and the Northstar turns in 25 mpg when it’s nothing but highway.
So, after driving to Sutherlin, OR and back through the wilds of Nevada and NE California, and going to Flagstaff and back Thursday, I just discovered the coolant return on my coolant tank is broken. Ordering a new reserve tank now.
The coolant tank is almost free, $ 18.95. Is there any reason to buy a new cap for $ 34.95?
And that's the beauty of it. Remember the Subaru ad, where a young couple selects a campsite, by finding one where there is no cell phone reception? As much as I love visiting loved ones in the South East, there is something special about true wilderness, where you may not see or hear another sole.
These are the places where it is wise to be ultra prepared. Tools, tire patch kit, spare tire(s), tire inflator, battery jump starter, coolant, plenty of drinking water, food. Be ready to spend the night (or two, or three) if necessary.
Oops, the VW tank is $ 65.95 and the $ 34.95 cap fits it. The off brand tank is $ 18.95 and the cap for it is $ 10.95. I am going with the VW parts.
Ha! I purposely drive my high mileage vehicles, to save wear & tear on the newer ones.
I keep thinking the first place to figure out remote (like remote REMOTE) parts delivery via drones will make a fortune.
Sat phones are not that exotic anymore so you can call for help, but for guys 'wheeling in the backcountry it'd be cheaper and faster to have parts delivered rather than wait for a specialized wrecker ($$$$$$). Obviously there's a weight limit but belts, hoses, sensors...maybe u-joints and some axleshafts?? I mean a lot of this is no heavier than groceries or other stuff being considered for drone delivery.
Stolen from Moab Off-road Recovery website, these guys don't show up for free:
I keep the old one also. A defect in the belt may not show up right away but still be a defect. "infant mortality" - somber name I know. Same as any manufactured part - likely fail early in its expected life or not until its pretty much worn out.
I put 1,500 miles on a 211,000 mile Jetta last week without a care.
Still haven't put the new clutch in it.
Still haven't put the new clutch in it.
Nothing says true wilderness like 2 lesbians and their dog driving a dirt road in a subaru outback
You are also on the East Coast. You got practically NO WHERE THAT'S TOTALLY ISOLATED.
Every vehicle I have has over 200K or is old as dirt. I have driven cross country with multiple rigs over 200K and some over 250. I always have a good spare tire, jack, tools, and a jump pack. Other than that I keep fluids handy and make sure i check the vehicle over before i leave. Have repaired a few cars in parts store parking lots over the years but that has been rare.
You are right on both counts.
There are remote spots in the area.
I have an Ultragauge in my old Focus https://ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/...n8AawGiyFDvsPdRt8R3RB8hO3C8kOL4BJiTqaWvtMDpUz
You can see the real time sensor outputs so you don't get surprised by an issue as you can also set alarms for whatever value you like. I set high and low voltage alarms, so you can see a beginning to fail alternator long before you battery is dead. You can watch the real temperature, check pending and existing trouble codes and clear them.
I caught a slow leak of coolant, with the temp only rising to 220F(it never normally gets above 215F), and I've had alternator problems, so I've got the alarm set at 13v, so you know right away when the alternator has quit charging, with lot and lots of battery charge left to drive for 45 minutes(with all the extra electrics off), or stop and diagnose what's going on.
Also on some cars you can see fuel pressure, so you can hopefully see when a fuel pump is beginning to act up long before total failure. They also have a version that can read manufacturer specific data like trans temps.
I think its a great gadget to have actual functional gauges for the important stuff especially on an older vehicle.
