ROAD TRIP
Finished the drive up to WA to drop off my truck at Bill's so he can dive into the issue that I'm not getting near (wrenches associated with that job don't fit my hands).
Thursday (7 OCT) my brother Jack drove up from Ventura CA with an almost quick stop in Quartzite AZ to pick up his newly modified trailer from our brother Ted (former 6.5 owner and member '635'). Friday morning we loaded up the truck after buying a new wheel and tire because my the offsets on my current wheels and big tires were too wide to fit the trailer. Truck has an 80" wide track and the trailer is 77" wide at the fenders, spare tire mount and front rails. Used spare on the other side. New wheel looks good so.... Other issue was the now shorter front tires made the truck too long for the trailer as the cross member hit the front rail before the tires did and the rears were barely on the bed. A couple of 2x6s screwed together for the tires to rest on and we could pull it all the way up and had the room for the rear tires. Just barely as they about hit the fenders as well.
Short history on the Truck and Trailer: Trailer was originally 16' but got bobbed because of rust. Guy that rebuilt it added lights all around it cause Ted is a former flat bed, AKA 'Skate Board' long haul professional driver, and likes lights to include 'runway lights' on the bed. Still, at 13" 9" it would be fine as the truck's wheel base is 12' on center. Jack's truck is a 2017 with the LT5 DuraMax (BtFarm approved I'm sure) so it didn't feel the trailer or the truck at all. Fuel mileage was 23 with trailer alone and 13-18 depending on the grades.
$400 worth of new 3/8" chains and ratchet binders later and 6 hours behind schedule we were off on a 'hot shot load' non-stop 800 miles to Washington, darn near Canada. Next morning, after off loading we drove over the Cascades to visit with his mom, brother and sister-in-law in Sedro-Woolley. We then made a 'short' run to Pendelton OR where we spent the night and got an early start and spent the evening here on the deck enjoying steak and the full moon rising. Jack rolled out early this morning and after another 11.5 hrs he is safely home. Total driving distance since Thursday morning: 3727.1 miles.
Enjoy the pictures
Elberta UT, 27 miles south of my home.
SSDD, Same Smoke... Chugged and lugged but made it up.
"Fat bottom girls" may make the world go round but, fat tires don't fit between the fenders etc.
Short OEM tires don't allow the truck to get all the way forward either. A little lift needed.
Ready to roll.
Tight fit but the chains also acted as chocks.
Looks good under the lights, even with the paint scuffed with 220 for possible paint job in the future.
New Chains and Binders show off well too. Need a new tail gait light strip though.
View off the deck after 'Mission Complete' and some awesome steak.
