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Cross country road trip.... the chronicl #: 742

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 12:19 pm

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Dusten
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May 6th I will be heading out from Washington to Norfolk, Va. I am getting transferred out that way for the final 14 months of my career.
I am making the drive in 9 days. That is how long I am alotted for travel, and I am paid for that much, so by god I am taking it.

I am taking the ranger. Prior to the trip I have replaced all the brakes, suspension, new tires, valve cover gaskets and added a new stereo and speakers. All fluids are getting flushed, or were recently flushed prior to the trip.
I will be packing extra fluids. Basic tools, along with an obd2 device and forscan.

I have my trip mapped, and some attractions along the way. I am only driving about 350 miles a day so i have plenty of free time, and am driving alone. I will attach pictures of my route today, and will post pictures of the drive along with a running log of my findings, and how the ranger does.

Prior to the trip I plan to find either a bed cover or canopy for the ranger. Being its a stepside, its become a pain in the butt.

I plan to hit up deadwood, mount rushmore, the pro football hall of fame, and Washington DC on the trip.

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 12:28 pm

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Dusten
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Looking at fuel mileage over the last 20 fill ups, I am averaging 17.2mpg. The truck averages 17.5 for the time I've owned it, but lately its been struggling to see that. I estimated 17 even for my trip to help estimate fuel costs.

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 12:29 pm

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Dusten
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and the last 20

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 03:35 pm

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MaDMaXX

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With tanks being emptied and filled when the truck is still fully hot, you should see a slight increase in economy.

Regardless, subbed for the pics and updates :)

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 05:45 pm

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Undrstm8ed
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Should be a great trip.. shy of Mt Rushmore in S Dakota, S Dakota will be a boring part. May wanna stock up on some Redbull's and turn up the stereo a bit... The West side of the State is a bit fun but midway to the East side... mehhh lol. Should be an amazing time nonetheless.

When you're averaging the 17.2 mpg, I'm assuming that's combined Hwy/City driving but is that at traffic speeds (75-80mph)? I would bet if (not so much on your trip per se`) if you dropped your hwy speeds to that 60-65MPH you would pick up a couple to few mpg but most peoples time isn't worth it... so they say.

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 06:08 pm

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Dusten
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I use the ranger to commute.

Around here, state patrol is always out in force. No way I could get away with going 80 lol

So, I commute 7 miles from home to the freeway, this is typical back road, 35-40 mph stuff, no lights.

I then do 19 miles of freeway, in a 70mph zone. I do 70-72mph.

I then have 12 miles of freeway that is 60mph. I go 60-65

I then have 12 miles of 55mph divided highway with lights. I probably have to stop at 2-3 red lights.

I then have about 15 miles of 50mph back highway that is usually 45-55 depending on traffic.

The one trip I managed to do in the truck that was all freeway, all 65mph I hit almost 20mpg. But I think it was a fluke. Based on the higher speeds of the highways I will be on, and the fact I am sight seeing I think 17mph is pretty reasonable.

The truck is well maintained and recently tuned up.

Last edited on Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 06:09 pm by Dusten

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 06:57 pm

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What engine and 3rd member ratio?

I have a 3.0L with the 373 LS. I am running 18.5-19 mpg city and 20-21mpg highway if I am not towing anything.

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 06:59 pm

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Dusten
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Ya, I know i could have done better with a 3.0, but I didn't buy the truck for fuel mileage lol. Honestly I bought it for my oldest to drive, but he's already fucked that away

4.0 3.73

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 07:08 pm

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The truck weighs 4400 ish as it sits, and I Figure with tools and my gear, we'll be close to 5000.

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 09:54 pm

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JAMMAN

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You are going to pass within a few miles of the rock & roll hall of fame in cleveland. Worth seeing if you are not in to country LOL.

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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 10:01 pm

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Dusten
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JAMMAN wrote:
You are going to pass within a few miles of the rock & roll hall of fame in cleveland. Worth seeing if you are not in to country LOL.

I'm already doing the pro football, don't have time for both

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Posted: Fri Apr 27th, 2018 07:51 pm

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Dusten
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Added a few stops to the trip to include the lewis and clark caverns in montana.

I leave next sunday in the morning. I finished up my work on the ranger, and she's road trip ready.

I'll post all my pictures on here, but if you have an instagram you can follow me there too.

https://www.instagram.com/lightningdusten/

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Posted: Sun Apr 29th, 2018 11:21 pm

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Here is picture 1.

My stuff is packed with the exception of a tool box.

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Posted: Wed May 2nd, 2018 09:25 pm

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Scrambler82
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If I don't get back before you leave have a great trip !
Should be interesting, gas milage... it is what it is... its aRanger and Rangers DON'T get good milage.

Good Luck on the trip !

Post pictures along the way.

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Posted: Wed May 2nd, 2018 10:00 pm

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Safe travels. PCS moves always have their challenges. Coast to coast roadtrip...now that's living!!

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Posted: Wed May 2nd, 2018 10:15 pm

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1qaz wrote:
Safe travels. PCS moves always have their challenges. Coast to coast roadtrip...now that's living!!
The family isnt going so no real challenges like a normal pcs move. I'll be loading up the truck tomirrow with tools and such. Its really sinking in that im leaving.

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Posted: Wed May 2nd, 2018 11:56 pm

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PCS move: an adventure in making gross profit. You need to be at max weight when you leave.

Also there used to be a program that gave up to 6 weeks of uncharged time to find local housing. There is also the married unaccompanied quarters. Use the system to your advantage.

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 12:09 am

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Dusten
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Tsquare wrote:
PCS move: an adventure in making gross profit. You need to be at max weight when you leave.

Also there used to be a program that gave up to 6 weeks of uncharged time to find local housing. There is also the married unaccompanied quarters. Use the system to your advantage.
False on all accounts now.

The money paid out for moves was drastically cut. Its easier to just let them move you. Besides, the pcs move money is taxed. I hover right below the 28% tax bracket. I dont need to be pushed over by a move

Im navy, our unaccompanied quarters is the ship.

Housing tdy is 9 days now. Im moving unaccompanied, so it doesnt apply.

Last edited on Thu May 3rd, 2018 12:11 am by Dusten

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 12:21 am

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As an example. I need two uhaul 26' trucks, plus two car trailers. Thats 7,000 in rental equipment. The government would only pay me 10k-11k for the move.

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 07:52 am

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Dusten wrote:
1qaz wrote:

Safe travels. PCS moves always have their challenges. Coast to coast roadtrip...now that's living!!
The family isnt going so no real challenges like a normal pcs move. I'll be loading up the truck tomirrow with tools and such. Its really sinking in that im leaving.
Now it makes sense...keeping that nice house in WA. You'll be done and back in no time. Deployments are just a part of military life these days.

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 08:02 am

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Have a safe trip. By saying last 14 months, dose that mean you are retiring from the work force or ending a contract of a job?

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 10:50 am

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Dusten
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NoPower wrote:
Have a safe trip. By saying last 14 months, dose that mean you are retiring from the work force or ending a contract of a job?

As im only 37 I doubt I'll retire permanently. My wife and I are looking at the possibility of stay at home dad. Between pension, disability and not paying daycare I would not lose much income. When I retire from the navy next year we'll have almost no debt. Juat my mortgage. So it'll be a matter of finding work I like, as opposed to work I want.

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 03:36 pm

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I was Air Force and retired in '04. I was only able to PCS twice back in the 80's. Both times I made out. On one of them I was able to used a little known program that gave up to 6 weeks of uncharged leave to do the PCS and find/move into new quarters off base. Things have changed.

Also check with your state on the benefits to Veterans. In GA if you have a 2 & 1/2 ton or 5 ton truck with pintle hook on your military drivers license you can test out and be exempt for on road CDL license. The "on road" part of the CDL is the difficult part of getting the license.

On another note, your security clearance will stay active for 2 year past your ETS. Depending on your job in the military you can make some stupid good money as a contractor. Once the clearance goes inactive it can be difficult to get it reactivated.

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 03:39 pm

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Dusten
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Tsquare wrote:
I was Air Force and retired in '04. I was only able to PCS twice back in the 80's. Both times I made out. On one of them I was able to used a little known program that gave up to 6 weeks of uncharged leave to do the PCS and find/move into new quarters off base. Things have changed.

Also check with your state on the benefits to Veterans. In GA if you have a 2 & 1/2 ton or 5 ton truck with pintle hook on your military drivers license you can test out and be exempt for on road CDL license. The "on road" part of the CDL is the difficult part of getting the license.

On another note, your security clearance will stay active for 2 year past your ETS. Depending on your job in the military you can make some stupid good money as a contractor. Once the clearance goes inactive it can be difficult to get it reactivated.

I dont have a military license. I work on electronics and physical security. I've driven a destroyer before if that counts? I've fired the 5"...

As far as clearance, I have one but I wont look for a job that needs it. I'm looking to be as far from a government job as possible. I'm serious about stay at home dad. Working part time at home depot maybe. My wife makes phenomenal money and I don't need to work.

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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2018 03:44 pm

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Got my tool set packed. Also have a Bluetooth obd2 reader and my tablet with forscan
Basic wrenches both ratcheting and non. Screw drivers, wrenches, hammer, dykes, multi meter and other odds and ends.

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