I'm getting ready to take a long RV trip from Virginia to Alaska then back around the western US - total distance will be about 12,000 miles. Should I plan to do an oil/filter change during the trip or not? The RV is a 23 ft standard trailer weighing about 7,000#.

 

If it were me I would put in a synthetic oil (assuming you haver over 20k miles on the engine) with the premium Fleetguard filter and not worry about changing it while on your trip. Might even help out with the fuel mileage a bit.

 

I always change as close to 7500 as possible when towing, syn or dino. My trip to Alaska was 15,700 on the truck. I did a change in Anchorage - - nice dealership there that seemed to do a good job. My Newfoundland trip, I carried oil and filter with me and found a truck repair that would do the change for me - - cheap and no mess. I climbed right under with him to make sure he knew what he was doing.

Bob

 

Change it. On a trip like that it's a good idea to pull it on a rack and look things over anyway. Might as well change the oil, get a grease job, ect. That's a long trip. Have fun.

 

Bring a filter and stop at a good truckstop.

 

Definitely change the oil at the scheduled intervals. You will be subjecting the rig to severe usage, and operating in dust and dirt. Oil is cheap.

As a bit of advice, pick up a set of those clear plastic headlight covers if you are driving on the Alcan. The rocks tossed up by other vehicles will wipe out at least one of your expensive headlight units somewhere along the trip on gravel, if you do not protect them.

 

i would change it,bring your oil filter with and buy the oil up there at a wally world or something.good luck and have fun...

 

I would be just as worried about the fuel system. I would definetly use a fuel additive as you never know about the fuel quality you will encounter on your trip. Change the fuel filter before the trip and carry a spare filter. I am using the Power Service and Marvel Mystery Oil mix (12oz PS + 4oz MMO/ tank) and it really quiets down the Cummins and seems to keep the lift pump and injectors healthy. I save those black Techron bottles from my gasser and pre-fill them with my PS/MMO mix and store them in the 1 Gal Zip Lock bags and its mess free and there is nothing to measure on the road as they are 16oz easy pour bottles.

Also itwould be wise to start out with a new air filter and carry your old one as a spare.

Just for the record, I use Delo 400 and change it every 5,000 miles. It will go longer but since I change it myself its not that expensive to do. My biggest fear is not that the oil will break down that soon, but that it could become contaminated with fuel, moisture, blow-by soot, etc. due to short trip driving. However, given your going to be doing a lot of long hi-way driving and you're towing a relatively light load, it's ultimately you call as to how conservative you want to be. If I was running Dino oil I would change it out on your trip. If synthetic, I would probably not change it at 12k but would monitor oil level each morning. However, if you really want to baby your cummins...put in synthetic and change it half way through your trip!

If you want to further research what oil to use and review some UOA/VOA Analysis the BITOG is a good source of much detailed oil info: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

I did a similer trip way back in 99 and had my oil changed in Alasaka (Anchorage) and also in Oregon I was trying to change around 4500 to 5000 miles at that time. I would not worry about the qualty of fuel any more in Canada than we do here in the states this is just my opinion have fun on your trip.

John