Upcoming road trip: Ft. Riley, KS to Florida Keys

[sigo]

MWMULES makes the occasional trip up to Riley as well. He may have a contact in the area.

 

[gerrykan]

I found a tow company about 15 min away that is going to go get the truck and move it to their yard

If you receive good service from them, you should post their info for others that may need assistance getting a truck from that location.

 

[belmor]

If you receive good service from them, you should post their info for others that may need assistance getting a truck from that location.

I absolutely will tomorrow if everything goes well-very helpful so far!

 

[belmor]

This will be the route home.

 

[MWMULES]

If you have problems around KC let me know, I should be home Sunday. I was out at Riley today but do not have anywhere close to stash the truck till Sunday. I'm 2 hours by car east of there.

 

[wreckerman893]

If you want some advice from a former long haul trucker I would take the southern most route you have marked on that map.
You will hit a lot less mountains.
If you make it on that time line you are one tough hombre.
If it has the 250 Cummins in it make sure you have hearing protection.

 

[MWMULES]

I used to travel the route you have mapped to the GA rally and last year took the other route into NE Arkansas to Memphis it was much nicer and took overall 30mins longer. From MS on it's a gentle down hill slide to Atlanta. Plus no going down through bob sled run/mountain pass in southern Tn / North Ga.

 

[belmor]

Thanks for the advice! I drove truck for 7 years but didn't run that route much, good idea to cut across. Do you guys think that the southern route still has good access to services (roadside service, tire, etc)? Looks like it is a lot less interstate, which is fine since the truck will only go 55 anyway. The map program figures it out at the speed limit-I am figuring 33-35 hours total drive time.

 

[wreckerman893]

Interstate 22 runs from Memphis to Birmingham but I know it's not complete at Birmingham.
There are plenty of services along the southern route.

 

[belmor]

Baby steps.

The truck is off Ft. Riley and at the towing storage lot. Glen made me an great deal on a set of bed sides and troop seats. The driver said the truck drove good, no issues from the base to their yard. I fly in Sunday at 10:35 and the tow company is going to pick me up at the airport and take me to the truck.

Definitely taking the Southern route home.

I my next update will probably be from the road-hopefully on it and not next to it LOL.

~B~

 

[turnkey]

Great on getting the rig off the base....Have a great and safe trip home.

 

[Rmtaunton]

I am in atlanta so if you need help or place to crash give me a shout
Robert

 

[icecreamman]

With the weather in the high nineties on most of that route, I'd be doing as much night driving as possible.

 

[painter paul]

Did Jerry help you out with recovery and storage at his tow lot next to Easy Jacks?

 

[belmor]

Flew in fine, got to the truck. Could NOT get it jumped off. Spent 2+ hours replacing batteries and it still would not start. Worked on it another hour before finding the manual engine shutdown tripped on the engine (was pushed in in the cab). Got it running and stopped all along the way to Kansas City trying to find air for the low tires. Finally found a trucker with the glad hand air chuck. While airing tires found oil running down the frame and dripping on ground. That was a loose filter on the passenger side. Tightened that up now I am in Advance Auto parts off 435 charging my phone before temping this again.

 

[Rmtaunton]

Good luck and keep on trucking

 

[marchplumber]

Flew in fine, got to the truck. Could NOT get it jumped off. Spent 2+ hours replacing batteries and it still would not start. Worked on it another hour before finding the manual engine shutdown tripped on the engine (was pushed in in the cab). Got it running and stopped all along the way to Kansas City trying to find air for the low tires. Finally found a trucker with the glad hand air chuck. While airing tires found oil running down the frame and dripping on ground. That was a loose filter on the passenger side. Tightened that up now I am in Advance Auto parts off 435 charging my phone before temping this again.

Stay safe!! Good eye on the filter...one of those mobile phone chargers might be a good investment. Praying that "Murphy" is now occupied elsewhere!! Keep us informed.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Good luck. Many of todays jump boxes have USB plugs, might be worth having for your phone.

 

[belmor]

While I was waiting to charge my phone at Advance Auto a lady came in who does aircraft upholstery. GO didn't mention that the entire top was unsewn from the part that holds it in the front-thus blowing off going down the road. We took the truck to her shop and she took the top off, fixed it and put top back on for $20. Much better ride now but delayed me big time. Right now I am in Joplin, MO about to catch some zzz' before heading out again in a few hours.

 

[belmor]

I am considering leaving the truck in Louisiana at family's and flying home Tuesday, then go back and get it later when I can take more time. I have 1400 miles to go and HAVE to be at work at 0900 Weds. That's not leaving much margin for error.