Upcoming road trip, is this service too much?

Taking my '14 Taco on a road trip in late July, CA high desert to Rocky Mountain NP. Will be me, wite, 2 kids, and will be towing my Starcraft Launch trailer, about 2500lbs dry. I will try to keep the trailer as dry as possible while towing, but with all other stuff we take, probably pushing 3500lbs or so.
Truck has about 77k on it. I recently changed the front and rear axle fluids and transfer case fluid myself. Easy enough. I don't want to touch the trans myself at all. I was thinking on taking it to the dealer and having the trans fluid drained and filled, not a flush. Also want the cooling system flushed out, brake system flushed and filled, and possibly the power steering. All these fluids, outside of level checks when oil changes were done during my service contract period, have not been touched.
I currently baby my truck. Daily drive is appx. 10 miles city, stop and go. First 30k or so did involve climing Cajon Pass or over the San Bernardino mountains 3-4 times a week. No mods, tires are slightly larger Dynapro ATM's. My only concern is that I will be towing up mountains for this trip, want everything to be in tip top shape. So am I being overly cautious, or is this service justified? Any other service suggestions before we go?

 

i'm not a tow expert. i think i would do the trip and do the tranny flush afterwards. just me.

the rest i would leave alone. i did do my power steering at about 100k because it looks so nasty.

 

TBH if you did the transfer case and diff fluids the tranny drain/refill isn't any harder. I would do that pre-trip and if it looks really dark, drive it around the block and do a second drain/refill. Brake flush too - it just requires some tubing from the bleed nipples to a bottle and someone to top off the reservoir while you depress the pedal.

The coolant you can also just do a drain/refill and go by the color of what comes out. It's a little trickier than the other fluids to refill without getting air in the system but a trick is to add tape around a narrow funnel, wedge it into the hole where your coolant cap goes and keep about 1/3 full while the truck idles up to operating temp. Once you feel the coolant lines getting hot from the thermostat opening you can wedge a plug into the funnel (wrap tape around a dowel or something), pull the funnel out and put the cap on. I've also had luck doing the burping method but it's slightly dangerous.

 

open the maintenance book and follow that.

 

As for other service, just rotate your tires pre-trip and check that the trailer lights and brakes are functioning.

Also check your truck brake pad wear and remember to downshift in Colorado - don't ride them. We have 20+ miles of 5-8% grades here that will burn up brakes like you wouldn't believe.

 

Brakes I recently did, so they only have about 10k on them. I hate doing drum brakes. I will change rotate the tires. Trailer brakes will be inspected as well.
Part of my hesitance to do some of this myself is that the truck is still under extended warranty. Bought the extended warranty and service contract when I bought the truck. Service contract is long expired now, and truck is under warranty until 100k. It's not that I am opposed to doing any of these myself. I just worry about the intricacy of some, especially the trans, and filling it properly, up to temp, checking the check light that it's full. It's not like the C6 in my old bump Ford. Too much margin for error, and voiding the warranty. I'd rather the dealer take that liability while its still under warranty.

 

Wow that's a long warranty if you're 6 years out at 77k. I would expect the stealership to charge at least $500 for the coolant, trans and brake fluid changes and the fluids themselves to cost <$100 depending on how many times you change the transmission fluid.

The transmission level check is pretty idiot proof - you just need to park the truck on a level spot and open the transmission level plug, let it dribble out until it stops. If it doesn't dribble, add a half quart to the fill plug, drive around the block and check again. I don't think there's a check light and I forget if you do that when its hot or cold but any guide will tell you. I just measured the fluid that came out and replaced with a little bit more than that and it dribbled like 1/4 of a quart.

It's a question of how likely you are to need the warranty and whether the dealership will void it if you self service (keep receipts and write mileage on them might help) vs. spending an extra $400+

 

I flushed all my fluids and 90k.

 

My truck is 13 years old with 204,000 miles on it. I've driven mine from GA all over the mountain west on several road trips to all of those places and more. Did the last road trip at 170,000 miles and I've not done half of that stuff yet.

I did have the diff and transfer case fluid replaced before the last trip. Along with new plugs and serpentine belt. I still have the factory ATF and don't plan to replace it until I rebuild the transmission in another 10-15 years.

 

You’re fine. No maintenance needed before or afterwards. This sounds like a 1 time deal so need to overdo it. Our trucks are tough. Now if you were doing this every month that’s another story.

Just go and enjoy. Don’t fall into the trap of think 1 trip will make that big of an impact on your truck.

 

If was me with the wife and two kids, I'd start fresh with everything. Just for peace of mind. And try to take care of everything at least two weeks before you leave. That way you can put some miles on the truck and you'll know the service you did is all good. Then when you get back, fresh oil and trans fluids. You're going to work that truck in the mountains.

I like what Marshall R said about the serpentive belt. Being in the high desert you need to check it for cracks and change it if you see any. With the wife and two kids that's the last thing you want to happen.

I know I don't have to tell you, but just in case I am. Use lower gears, especially going down those mountains and don't ride the brake. Save those "run outs" on the side of the road near the bottom of the mountains for the big rigs. (sorry that's the dad in me talking)

Enjoy the trip and listen to some Joe Walsh when you get there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x4El47O8Zs

 

You're overthinking this. If you have maintained your Tacoma and inspected ..... tires, brakes, belt, hoses etc, hookup and go. Towing 3500 lbs in the middle of July will put a strain on any Tacoma. Tow as light as possible.
Just enjoy the journey as well as the destination. If you ever decide to do it again, get more truck.....LOL

 

Would an upgraded trans cooler be wise? I know it would be a safe bet, but trailer is 2500lbs dry. Truck has factory tow package.

 

Seriously, don’t sweat this.

you don’t need to do anything to prep your truck for 1 trip beyond making sure the tires are aired and you have gas in the tank

 

My brother put the idea in my head that the factory cooler wouldn't be up to the task. He is generally more knowledgeable than me on towing matters, but can be a bit of a know it all.

 

You probably don’t need to do anything but if it makes you feel better and more confident then do all you mentioned. And do the new serpentine belt. I usually get a new serpentine belt at 100,000 miles but in this case I’d get one at your mileage of 77000. If a serpentine belt fails out in the desert or up in the mountains far from service , you are screwed.
I went on a 2500 mile round trip last year and I had all the services done that you list. Most of the services were not due yet but it gave me peace of mind and I was way more confident. Just do it and have fun without worries. I’d rather be overly cautious than broke down in the middle of nowhere.

 

I’d skip the Trans Fluid Drain/fill until after the trip.
I say this because you want the dealer to do it. It’s expensive and really isn’t doing “a lot to help towing”
You get maybe 1/3 of the fluid out on a D/F.
But that’s just me.

My one recommendation is the Serpentine Belt.
When it goes, it can end up taking out the Crank/Timing Cover Seal.
And that would be awful with 2 kids and a wife. It’s not “simple” fix that can be done on the side of the road.

BTW, I have the ATM Tires.
I have just over 73k on them.
I’ve hauled quite a bit of weight on them.
No idea the actual weights. But I’ve
had the bump stops sitting down right near the frame.
Which is probably too much weight. I run around 40 psi in them towing. And around 31 psi normally.

 

if you have the tow package your truck has a transmission cooler option on it, I believe it can tow up to 6500lbs. Should be more than adequate for 1 trip since you’re just a little more than half that at 3500lbs. Never underestimate our trucks!!!

 

I can only guess at the route you will be taking to Colorado, but if you have problems, they will likely be "heat" related (in July). There is not much you can do to a stock Tacoma (even with the tow package) to keep temps under control towing 25-3500 lbs. Not just the weight, but trailers are not very aerodynamic. Get a Scan or Ultra gauge (or similar) to keep an eye on engine temps. The factory temp gauge is a "dumb" gauge. Last June, my stock 2015 Sport, w/ tow pkg, no trailer, truck empty, saw 210 degree coolant temps (Scan guage) on I-8 from Ocotillo to the Jacumba turnoff (4,000 ft elevation change). Outside temps in El Centro were 100 degrees. During my return to the midwest, I saw similar temps on I-70 approaching the Eisenhower tunnel (11,000 ft), out side temps in the 90's. Tow in 4th (keep converter locked up). Turn off AC. Consider doing your "altitude" pulls early in the morning or late evenings, during cooler temps.

 

You’re gonna be just fine, just drive in 4th, especially if you’re in the mountains and it’s hot. If you want some peace of mind, install a scangauge or ultragauge so you can monitor your trans temps then there’s no guessing or uncertainty. Good tool to have anyways.

I’ve towed that weight for long distances in the same mountains in hot weather with more miles on the truck and it was fine. Was sure glad to be able to monitor the temp though, helps to adjust your driving habits while towing.