Introduction

[NEIN11]

hey everyone,

my name is chris and i have been a lurker for almost a year now. i have a 1996 80 series 170k with no mods so far. this has been the greatest vehicle i have owned for hauling all my toys, driving up to the mountain for snowboarding and an all around good time.

i am moving to orlando florida from portland oregon in about 3 weeks and am wondering if anyone has recomendations for the trip. i just had the differential/transfer case fluid changed, the transmission flushed, the fuel filter changed, an oil change and the front brake pads changed and a rotor resurface. none of the truck rental companies will allow/have the equipment to tow the cruizer so it looks like im going to have to drive her out there with a trailer in tow. i just read the thread on towing and am hoping that a uhaul trailer with a minimal amout of stuff wont cause too much problems as i just have the stock hitch.

any advice would be appreciated.

thanks for all the great information you guys share on this forum. as a former 20 year honda owner its really been helpful.

chris.

 

[GXO]

Have a blast!

I would make sure your front bearings are tight (jack up, grab 12 and 6, wiggle...if you hear a metallic knock, get it fixed).

I would also make sure your cooling system is in perfect shape. When was your last flush and fill? Cooling and towing are key.

I would recommend signing up for the cruiser assistance club. If you get stuck you can have a spreadsheet of help all across the country.

 

[valentine]

Chris,

Good luck on your trip!

If there's anything you run into on the cruiser & need an extra set of hands, shoot me a message. I'm just across the river

 

[JerryLX450]

none of the truck rental companies will allow/have the equipment to tow the cruizer so it looks like im going to have to drive her out there with a trailer in tow. chris.

Hmmm ... so not even U-Haul truck will let you tow the cruiser why, because of the cruiser weight?

 

[NEIN11]

yeah, its because of the weight.

dankunz...how do i sign up for the cruizer assistance program? ill have to check the maintenance records of the previous owner to see last coolant flush. i should have checked the bearings when it was on the lift for oil change last week...DOH!!

thanks for the offer Valentine. ill let you know.

i have to add, i hate to move from the beautiful pacific north west, but i have a good woman waiting for me and she promises no more than 4 years in florida.

 

[KliersLC]

Have a blast!

I would make sure your front bearings are tight (jack up, grab 12 and 6, wiggle...if you hear a metallic knock, get it fixed).

I would also make sure your cooling system is in perfect shape. When was your last flush and fill? Cooling and towing are key.

I would recommend signing up for the cruiser assistance club. If you get stuck you can have a spreadsheet of help all across the country.

X2 on all of this.
Any wiggle at all in the front end needs to be addressed.

MAKE SURE your fan clutch is operating up to spec. Your guage will not show an overheat until it is too late.

X100 on the CAC

Also,
Please, please, please do a thorough inspection of your trailer.

I know you aren't towing a car, but a lot of the cargo trailers have this same coupler. https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=90693&highlight=double

Good luck,
Dan

 

[Live4SkimLC]

here's an early welcome to the florida area. I'm in melbourne, about an hour southeast of orlando.

 

[NEIN11]

Thanks for all the replies guys! Ill check all the things you suggested and make sure to take a CLOSE look at any trailor im thinking about renting.

 

[DTAYLOR]

Thanks for all the replies guys! Ill check all the things you suggested and make sure to take a CLOSE look at any trailor im thinking about renting.

Be aware that you are right in the red zone on the Head Gasket issue. Read up on the many HG threads here and make a decision on doing it now (before the trip) or sometime after you get there.

This is a weakness (IMHO) of this truck. I have the same model (96) and went all over last year from vacation in Colorado to working the storm in South Louisiana. Fortunately, my Hg didn't blow on the road.

I would hate to see a LC brother have one blow on the road.

Good Luck!

DTaylor

 

[Brentbba]

You'll have no trouble with a midsize trailer with the cruiser and the stock hitch. Just don't plan on going up hills and mountain passes very fast.

 

[lathamb]

Don't plan on going fast period. I just did the Dallas, TX to Philadelphia, PA trip with a loaded tandem axle U-Haul. Was fine on the flats but tricky in the hills of Kentucky and West Virginia. Did several long stretches up hills at full throttle doing 50 MPH. Used lots of gas too. Made it just fine though.