What to bring for camping trip?

[ATC]

Getting ready to go camping in a few weeks and I'm taking the Deuce. I think a small tent with an air matress in the rear will do just fine! This will be the first time taking her farther than 15 miles from home (about an hour's drive one way in a normal vehicle). I've owned my Deuce (off and on) for a year and a half and have never replaced anything on it. I've kept an eye on all fluids, the oil and filters were changed earlier this year, always drain air tanks, check and top-off axles (rear axle pinion seal leaks pretty bad).

I need to change the fuel filters (no clue when they've been done last), check brake fluid, and check/top-off trans and t-case.

Other than some tools and tire-changing equipment, what spare parts or specialty tools should I bring just in case? I will have several friends going with me in seperate vehicles, so it's not like I will be alone and stranded.

Also, I have a question about the air compressor. Mine leaks just enough to worry about. Does it have a seperate oiling system, or does it have a feed/return line from the engine? I noticed a couple pipe plugs on it similar to fill/drain holes and was curious...what are these for?

 

[6x6guy]

A cell phone and a list of towing companys, just kidding well maybe not- on longer trips you want to check all the wheel bearings for heat buildup- allways check your truck ( do a walk around before and after any lenghty road trips) I always encourage looking for leaks and fluid on the underside and ground for any problems that might ruin you day- don't forget these are 40+ year old trucks.
It dosn't hurt to keep some extra fluids such as oil, brake fluid, anti freeze and 90 wt gear lube just in case- there is never a good auto parts store around when you realy need them.

 

[SCSG-G4]

If you need hints as to what to check in a walk around inspection, download and print out GTA 9-1-185 (1-8 ) available in the "Resources", "Technical Manuals" section.

 

[rlwm211]

When you you have a leak that is of concern, why, or what reason would you say this?

The air compressor is lubed by the engine lube system. If there is a leak, you need to identify what is leaking.

A leak either needs to be fixed, or it is incidental to the system.

As to supplies to bring, that depends on how capable you are.

I have a unit maintanence manual in my deuce, the shelter on the rear actually, and I carry enough tools to take the thing apart if need be. Then again, I travel farther from home than many do, or at least don't do normally. I carry extra oil, lots of water and a gallon of DOT 5.
I also have an 8 ton jack, and blocking, two 8 ton jackstands, and a torque multiplier to deal with lugs and inners if I have to change a tire. I also have an air hose and tire inflator if I need to air up my tires for any reason.

How much you carry in terms of tools and supplies depends on what you are comfortable with. I use my deuce as a sort of tool shed so I carry this stuff all the time. Your case is certainly different.

In any event, you should be able to change a tire if you blow a front, or have a flat. Other than that, enough stuff to care a feed your deuce for the distance you are travelling.

You have had the truck long enough to know what she eats and drinks on a daily basis so be prepared.
　
RL

 

[ATC]

When you you have a leak that is of concern, why, or what reason would you say this?

The air compressor is lubed by the engine lube system. If there is a leak, you need to identify what is leaking.

A leak either needs to be fixed, or it is incidental to the system.

As to supplies to bring, that depends on how capable you are.

I have a unit maintanence manual in my deuce, the shelter on the rear actually, and I carry enough tools to take the thing apart if need be. Then again, I travel farther from home than many do, or at least don't do normally. I carry extra oil, lots of water and a gallon of DOT 5.
I also have an 8 ton jack, and blocking, two 8 ton jackstands, and a torque multiplier to deal with lugs and inners if I have to change a tire. I also have an air hose and tire inflator if I need to air up my tires for any reason.

How much you carry in terms of tools and supplies depends on what you are comfortable with. I use my deuce as a sort of tool shed so I carry this stuff all the time. Your case is certainly different.

In any event, you should be able to change a tire if you blow a front, or have a flat. Other than that, enough stuff to care a feed your deuce for the distance you are travelling.

You have had the truck long enough to know what she eats and drinks on a daily basis so be prepared.
　
RL

I probably shouldn't have said "leak." More like seep. There is usually just one drop hanging on the bottom of the A/C. Everything under the A/C is dry. Thanks for clearing that up.

I have plenty of tools to take. I was just wondering if there were any special, specific, tools I need.

I've got an air hose w/ gladhand connection
impact
lugnut/stud socket
3/4" ratchet w/ cheater pipe
1-2gal. 80W-90
10gal of water
5 gal. 15W-40 oil
bottle of DOT5
Bottle jack/wood blocks/jackstands
Plenty of wrenches and sockets up to 3"
Spare fuel & air filters
2 spare tires


Quite a bit of this trip will be off-road...nothing that requires 6WD though.

I am capable of tearing down and rebuilding every nut and bolt on the truck...but I'm just hesitant because I haven't been around diesel's too much, and well....the whole dang truck is still new to me (brake system, air system, compressor, and engine would be my weak points). Now gas engines...I've been crank and pistons deep in dozens of SB & BB Fords and Chebbies.

I downloaded all the important TM's to my flash drive months ago (I want to completely rebuild the brake & steering system this fall), but I haven't had the time to read it all. I planned to take it to work and print it all out so I could have a hard copy to keep in the truck...

 

[ATC]

RL

Guilford, NY huh? My entire family lives in Norwich/Preston

 

[rlwm211]

You are on the right track. Off roading is tough on the running gear, but should be fairly easy on the engine. My logic is that the engine works very hard at highway speeds hauling the weight of the truck with maximum resistance. Off road, you use spurts of power surrounded by idling and light work. The suspension will get a workout as will the brakes and possibly the clutch, but if you are a capable driver you should be fine.

Off road, you are using a very well built vehicle that was designed for anything but a highway. I would simply have plenty of food and drink for the truck, and yourself of course, and know that chances are you will make it and so will the truck.

RL

 

[Heavysteven]

Here a list of what I did before an hour trip
1. Check spring vents to axles tc and trans
2. Check all fuild levels. If they look brown change them
3. Lube air pack this is a must
4. Fuel filters need to be good.
5. Air Filter check or replace
6.grease all fitings, include in the bell housing
7. Spray lube on control cable into injector pump
8. Check belts

My thoughts good luck

 

[ATC]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to tackle as much as I can tomorrow before the rain comes...

 

[army70deuce]

Just a reminder, about the tent not the truck. Park on a slight hill with the tailgate down, if it rains that bed will hold water and you'll be soaked.

 

[ATC]

Just a reminder, about the tent not the truck. Park on a slight hill with the tailgate down, if it rains that bed will hold water and you'll be soaked.

Good tip, however I cannot sleep on an incline. I've tried many, many times while sleeping in the cab of my truck, back of a van, tent, camper, etc...

The only reason I'm taking a tent is because I do not have a canvas top... The bed does have sufficient drain holes front corners and side. And we try not to go camping when they are calling for rain

 

[Westex]

I worked on my Deuce most of the weekend at a 'remote location' here in Texas and we've had lots of rain. The thing that made it miserable was not the sun, the heat or the humidity; it was the bugs. Lots of 'em. So......don't forget camp fogger.

 

[rlwm211]

I went camping last weekend in the Adirondacks and was a blood sacrifice to the mousquitos that inhabit that region. Although the locals said the black fies were not bad, (No-See-Ums) I got bit in more places than I would like to think about.

The downside of your suggestion Westex is that using a "fogger' is probably illegal here in the socialist compound of the Adirondacks.....I would rather not find out if it is.,....

Great story though...
RL

 

[Westex]

I went camping last weekend in the Adirondacks and was a blood sacrifice to the mousquitos that inhabit that region. Although the locals said the black fies were not bad, (No-See-Ums) I got bit in more places than I would like to think about.

The downside of your suggestion Westex is that using a "fogger' is probably illegal here in the socialist compound of the Adirondacks.....I would rather not find out if it is.,....

Great story though...
RL

Had the No-See-Ums, too. Mosquitoes and the gnats! The remnants of hurricane Alex traveled up into southwest Texas (the trans pecos region) and dumped over a foot of rain over most parts on July 4th weekend. The resultant insect explosion was something to behold. At night, outside, I use a technique whereby I light up a Coleman lantern and hang it about 25 feet from my campfire. Get the camp fire roaring and then extinguish the lantern. Voila! Insect cremation. It actually works pretty good.