Posted by Paul Cook on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 10:37AM :
In Reply to: Feasible to drive a B-1-PW 150 miles posted by Dave on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 7:30PM :
The one reality that has the ultimate effect on our great trucks is that every original piece or part - including any NOS part we have just installed - is subject to metal fatigue. The metallurgy has improved so that replacement parts made of up-to-date materials will be more dependable.
That said, I expect I will stress my truck more during some off-road driving at the Texas POWER WAGON Reunion three weeks away than you will on a 150 mile road trip. Obviously, I will trailer 278 miles each way to the event. That is a matter of time and comfort. I also will not be camping out – as a matter of comfort. (I am older than any VC, WC, or PW.)
It makes no difference to the truck whether you are at mile 15 or mile 150 of the trip. After 15 miles, everything will be at about normal operating temperatures. If all the lubricants and coolants are doing their job, every mile after that is the same. Be sure to consider ambient air temperature because that also affects tires. I would not try 150 miles at Death Valley on the Fourth of July. Even then, the truck might do better than I would.
Any vehicle might break down any time, any where. The dfference with an old POWER WAGON is that you cannot get parts or have it repaired just any where. You have to plan for that.
I assume this is not a “shake down” drive. As long as you know the truck is reliable and has been properly serviced, go for it.