Has anyone gone on a road trip?

[philo_beddoe]

Has anyone out the ever take their classic chevy on a road trip? Say 500, 1000 miles ot more? Is it safe with these old trucks? Are we allowed to do that? Lol,,,i'm thinking of going on a 5 hr. trip to northern VT for some wilderness camping and trout fishing. I do have a brand new engine, rad, water pump, hoses, etc, new tires. I should be ok. Any good road trip stories out there,,disasters, nightmares, breakdowns? Anyone go from coast to coast without a problem? Post your adventures...

[zieg85]

Should be no problem.  I was using my 84 back and forth 5 hours one way for several trips moving my initial stuff with a slight engine rattle.  My only issue was overheating due to a bad radiator.

[VileZambonie]

I used to take my 80 C10, my 74 GMC, my 84 K5 and my 88V10 Blazer to the cape. My buddy used to meet us up there in his 77K10 too. We never thought twice about it.

[philo_beddoe]

Ok, cool. Thanks Zieg, VZ, i was gonna ask you in a PM if its ok if i take her on a small trip? Like i need your permission...lol.  I dont want to wear out my sweet new 350.

[Irish_Alley]

ive taken my crew cab when it had the 350 on a 4 hr trip and taken the same trip with the cummins. just last month i took a 5hr trip then turned around and drove another 5hrs back home. so i was driving 10 hrs straight with a couple pits stops for fuel. but all in all if the engine is running smooth i would trust them more than a newer truck with the same miles just cause of electronics.

[philo_beddoe]

Yup, good point irish. A leatherman and some duct tape can fix a lot of problems on an old 77 square. But a new vehicle, with all the computer stuff. Forget it!

[philo_beddoe]

Back in 1995 i took an 86 S10 to western south dakota, had over 200k miles on it. Took 4 days, never went over 55 mph. When i got back to ma, the timing chain broke and the rear brakes locked up, so i donated it and they literally dragged it away skidding.

[FlatBlack77]

ive taken my 77 C10 on a few trips to my aunt and uncles place about 130 miles one way. route 30 in pa from east of gettysburg to the Indian Lake area. 2 or 3 mountains with some pretty steep climbs but very scenic.

only problem i ever had was when they were doing some major road work near Caledonia and it was about 90 degrees out and we were sitting in traffic for quite awhile and she started to get pretty hot. so i popped the hood and it helped some. when i got home i took the AC condenser off(only thing left of the AC system) and never had a problem since

thats pretty much as far as i ever go from home lol

[bd]

They're trucks.  They're built to be used.  My R10 has seen plenty of desert, mountain and coast usage, both on-road and off, not to mention many highway miles driving to and from the deserts, mountains and coast, at all times of the year.  118° with A/C blasting or 18° with heater roasting, bed empty or fully loaded - makes no difference.  Monitor the fluid levels, tire pressure, and if driving into the boonies - know where you can purchase fuel.  Be sure to carry a spare, jack and lug wrench - and for Heaven's sake, make sure there is adequate air in the spare.  Don't be afraid to drive it.

[Terryr85]

I drove my 73 from VA Beach to upstate NY once. The wore out old small block took 13 qts of oil and it died he day after I made it, but it made it

[Stewart G Griffin]

i wouldn't say it was a true road trip but i took the pickup about 500 miles roundtrip  to pickup a car using an open trailer.  Truck struggled to maintain 55-65 on the slightest incline with all that extra weight and was very nerve racking with tractor trailers coming up from behind.  Remember i have 2.56 rear gear and had a 305 at the time.

But the point is it made it.  And with everything in good condition it should do fine i think.

[philo_beddoe]

They're trucks.  They're built to be used.  My R10 has seen plenty of desert, mountain and coast usage, both on-road and off, not to mention many highway miles driving to and from the deserts, mountains and coast, at all times of the year.  118° with A/C blasting or 18° with heater roasting, bed empty or fully loaded - makes no difference.  Monitor the fluid levels, tire pressure, and if driving into the boonies - know where you can purchase fuel.  Be sure to carry a spare, jack and lug wrench - and for Heaven's sake, make sure there is adequate air in the spare.  Don't be afraid to drive it.

Good response bd, and some good advice!

[philo_beddoe]

I notice as long as your moving steady  things are generally fine, but racing around the hot city streets and sitting and idling in traffic, these engines get a bit hot.

I guess back in the 60's and 70's folks must have went on long trips, vacations and what not all the time. Like packing up the whole family in a station wagon and heading out on the open road. A lot of folks today think that was impossible or antiquated, taking a family down to virginia beach of florida or new mexico,,,or even wally world!  But they did it i guess, and in a carbureted V8.

I remember our dad took us to lake george, ny all the time, from mass In the old 68 impala, never had a problem.

[berserk]

I have only ran a 100 mile round trip to a lake with a friend and then to fish on my G ma's land. Truck did great, even got her stuck in the field and had to put her in 4hi to get out. That was two kayaks and a lot of gear hanging out the back.
On a side note, I always want to be prepared tool wise in case there is something that does happen. I would suggest pulling all your tools out and if your missing anything get fillers. I would hate being on the side of the road only needing long needle nose pliers, short standard screwdriver etc. and not having it to fix a minor problem that now leaves me stranded.

[Irish_Alley]

i have all my tools in my truck box and a couple spare parts. i would estimate $500 in the craftsman sets that i have. full set of wrenches SAE and metric full set of sockets and ratchets a set of Torques bits to 44 just cause i work on other things lol a set of screw drivers and electrical tools. used to work maintenance and my work truck i had a a tool box for plumbing electric and carpentry work. i still see a few tools that i like to have on my truck just encase i need them for some odd ball job. i keep brake cleaner which doubles at starting fluid and paint cans