So I'm planning a family vacation to Yellowstone next year and was wondering if anyone had any advice for me. I plan to pull a new travel trailer with my 04 F150 FX4. So far all I've had to do to the truck is change the brakes all around about 5 years ago. Calipers on the front, twice on driver side. Drained transmission fluid and replaced filter. Replaced transfer case fluid at same time. Typical oil changes every 3500-4500 miles. Occasionally once a month fill up the tank with non-ethanol gas. So what else should I do before I take my family on a long camping excursion like this? One thing I should really ask. Last few times I've taken the trailer up to the mountain for camping, the truck acts like its not getting enough fuel when I get to the camping spot. Lower RPMs and hard idle almost as soon as I stop. I was thinking about using a fuel injector cleaner such as Seafoam but don't know if that will help. Any advice is appreciated because I have to get this resolved before the big trip.

 

How many miles on the truck? I'd do the following if it were mine.

Plugs / cops
Tranny fluid and filter (depending on when the last change was / should be every 30k)
All fluids
Fuel filter (every 30k)
Air filter
Clean maf
Clean tb
Serpentine belt
Test battery and alternator voltage
Check fpdm

And run some techron through the tank. I wouldn't put seafoam in there, or anywhere.

 

How much does this trailer weigh?

 

I would replace the FPDM above the spare tire IF it has not been changed! Dorman FPBM are coated and comes with spacers and bolts for $57.00 Ebay

 

sorry glc, FPDM not FPBM. I corrected myself. LOL

 

Do not use Seafoam. Use Techron.

 

Dorman FPDM's have a high failure rate.

 

Make reservations for your camping spot in Yellowstone! As I recall, Fishing Village offers full hookups if that's your style. The others are all "boondock" spots. DO NOT arrive hoping to find a vacant campsite if you don't have reservations! You won't find one.

Now is the time to find out how far in advance you can make reservations. They go pretty fast.

Check out your new travel trailer on a short trip. You don't want any unpleasant surprises in the middle of Yellowstone.

- Jack

 

Agree, Seafoam is not as effective as Techron, or Gumout for high mileage engines that has PEA (polyether-amine). Even STP complete fuel system treatment has PEA now according to their label.

 

You get what you pay for. I've had a few Dorman products fail on me and don't waste my time with their stuff anymore. Not to mention, their customer service was terrible.

For an important part like the fpdm, I wouldn't cheap out on it.

 

glc, it weighs 5600

 

Well within limits, shouldn't be a problem.

 

what other products are there other than Dorman for the FPDM?

 

Get the updated OE ford motorcraft version.

 

I have used dorman products on all of my customers cars, trucks for the last 35 years and they last as long as OEM stuff and in most cases longer. failure rate is the same because it all come from CHINA!