prep before towing 2k miles

What all should I be looking at doing before we start this 2500 mile trip pulling our 3500lb (4500lb fully loaded) camper. I have changed the diff fluids and transfer case fluids, new spark plugs and engine air filter, I will be doing a alignment and wheel balance in a week. should I look into changing the trans fluid? The truck has 76k miles and I do not know if its ever been done.
Thanks

 

Yea might as well change the trans fluid for peace of mind. Looks like you got most of it done.

Check the brakes too maybe.

 

I would definitely get some fresh trans fluid in there. If you can’t do a full flush, then a couple of drain/refills are cheap and very very easy.

 

+1 for the transmission fluid change.

May want to grease your u-joints as well, often an overlooked maintenance item that will take extra load while towing.

 

Set up break controller, test trailer breaks, make sure the trailer sits level, test trailer lights

 

I bought my 2009 with 118k, changed EVERYTHING fluid wise, then took it from Louisiana to Montana with max load on the trailer (Uhaul car hauler and a subaru).

As said in post #4 do the u joints. As far as trans fluid go with what the auto guys say, mine's a manual.

If you haven't done it I'd swap out the brake fluid due to age.

Your truck will do fine. I didn't have a single issue. Good Luck!

 

Cant stress thos more.
Hopefully you have trailer breaking

 

Change the transmission fluid.

Check the brake fluid, pads, rotors, shoes, and drums...replace as necessary.

Check the truck tires (including spare) for proper tread depth, air pressure, and confirm that the tires aren't old and rotting.

Grease and inspect the u joints.

I assume you've had a recent oil change or will be changing it prior to your trip.

When towing keep it out of D to keep the transmission temps in check. If you plan on towing regularly I'd highly recommend monitoring your transmission temp (I use an ultragauge) and potentially installing a larger aux transmission cooler.

 

Replace the serpentine belt and put the old one under the back seat.

I agree on something to monitor trans temp. Scangauge or Ultragauge.

 

No I would wait till after the trip to do the tranny fluid at 100k. No need to do it before. The trip will wear the fluid more than daily driving for 75k miles. I would do a full flush after the trip.

You’ve done everything I would have before the trip. Except I’d add an oil change if you are coming from a cold area.

If you have not done a brake fluid flush I would consider it.

 

I have a brake controller and I have a bully dog gt tuner to monitor temps

 

This right here! You definitely should keep it in 4. It's easier on the transmission, keeps oil pressure up and more coolant flow.

 

I vote for at least a drain/fill on the trans to make sure the level is correct. Plus that way you can get an idea of what condition the fluid is in. You never know what the PO used the truck for.

A brake fluid flush isn’t a bad idea, some people claim you should do it annually, some say every other year. I think the most common interval is when a brake job is done.

Don’t forget to check your spare tire, it’s probably original and most likely has some cracks and dry rotting. I think it’s recommended to inspect/replace the spare every 5 years regardless of use.

A power steering fluid flush is quick and easy too while you’re at it. It only takes about a quart of Dex II or III ATF. Running high RPMs while towing spins the PS pump faster and heats the fluid up more than typical driving does. On a truck that tows a lot I would definitely recommend a PS cooler. In a nutshell, this is the procedure:

The only other thing I can think of is Spark plugs. The 1GR-FE (single VVT-i) calls for the spark plugs to be replaced every 30k miles.
Edit: just saw in your original post that you changed them.

How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE)

 

Im not sure if I am being redundant (sorry if I am) but I would do the following:
-serp belt change, examine (3) pulleys ($35)
-tranny drain, pull pan, change filter, examine magnets & clean, install new pan liner gasket, add new fluid 4-5qts, warm up & bleed out excess fluid
($100)
-flush brake fluid & check your front/rear brakes for wear (front is easy, rears you need to dismount wheels & pull drum covers) ($10-20)
-cabin air filter for your lungs ($10-15)
-the radiator is 1st due at 100,000k, then 50k thereafter, but if you are going so far & pulling weight, you may opt to do this early
better safe than sorry & fresh rad fluid is never a bad thing ($40)
-fresh wipers if needed & top of windshield washer fluid & check all exterior bulbs/lights

good luck!

 

Don’t neglect the trailer bearings, the trailer having issues will put a damper on your trip as quickly as your truck can.
Spend some time taking apart the hubs and inspecting and repacking the bearings. I always travel with a spare hub/bearing assembly and required tools for the job. And make sure you have a jack that can actually lift your trailer high enough to service. Don’t assume your truck’s jack can do the job.
Good luck with your trip!

 

so have a B&M 70268 cooler on the way and im going to order the trans filter and get trans fluid to do that this weekend, what should I see for trans temp while towing? and for the trailer I am not worried about the wheel bearings since the trailer is a 2019.

 

Also does anyone know of a good tailgate lock that works with the back up camera? Since we will be traveling it would be nice to keep people out of the bed because we will have a lot of expensive gear in the bed, more or less for peace of mind.

 

I’d say normal is about 100°F over ambient temp. Try to stay under 200° for the most part. On longer climbs you’ll likely see 220-230°, I would try to make sure it didn’t exceed that by much. The trans temp warning light comes on just past 300° (302°F, I think) at that point you’ve likely done some damage. Keep it in 4 and watch the temps, you’ll be fine. GM says max trans temps are 270°F, that’s getting pretty warm though.

 

On another topic, should my leaf springs be flat with no load almost to the point where the leaf spring is bending the wrong way as compared to regular leaf springs.
I called my local Toyota dealer and was told that they were replaced under the leaf spring tsb in 2016.

 

Normal, the factory leafs suck on these trucks. If you’re gonna tow a lot I’d suggest adding airbags. The TSB leafs on my 07 were as flat as the 10 year old factory leafs.