I've got a 97 GMC 1500, 350, automatic, 4X4. It's all stock except for an Air Raid intake with a K&N filter. I'm sitting at 146,XXX miles. I bought the truck with 44K miles and converted oil, trans, and rear axle to synthetics. This has been the most dependable vehicle i have EVER owned. Average hwy-16mpg, in town around 14mpg. I change the oil between 4 & 4500 miles and the trans fluid and filter at about 50k miles. Here's my challenge, i'm moving from Denver to a small town in the middle of Kansas, about 400 miles one way. I've got a garage full of car stuff, and i mean quite a lot. I've made 5 trips so far towing a 22ft trailer, loaded. I'm guessing about 6,500 lbs and the pickup bed loaded with some of the lighter stuff. Just did and engine & trans filter and fluid change before this last trip and this last trip was the first time i have ever had to add any engine oil, only about a pint. Have not noticed any smoking or heard any new noises. Have not noticed the temperature gauge ever out of it's normal operation range, never felt any trans slippage. I still have a lot of stuff to move and really need this truck to stay together for probably another 5-6 or more trips. I try and stay around 60mph and seem to get between 11 and 12 mpg. And warmer weather is coming, so i don't want to over heat this truck.
Is there anything i can add, or should add, to the engine oil to help with compression or oil usage? Add anything to the coolant fluid? What would you do if you were in this sort of situation?
And of course this move could only take place now that gas prices have skyrocketed.

Mike

Do you realize that 10 trips equals 8 THOUSAND miles? Not only is your fuel cost around $2500 dollars, but what are your time and wear and tear on your truck (and trailer) worth? I would have hired a mover I think. But to answer your question, I don't think a pint of oil is anything to worry about. Keep your speeds in check, and watch your temp guage you should be all set. I have heard of people getting good results with a product called WaterWetter. Added to coolant, supposed to keep temps down. Good luck with the move..

You might want to check or just change the PCV valve it could be sticking and sucking a little oil through.

Welcome to Kansas! what part are you moving to?

I'd be renting a big U-haul (or whatever brand). Do it in one trip and put the miles on something else.

As far as your truck. The 350 is a darn reliable little workhorse. Burning a little oil is no biggie really, especially at 150k. Cat will pretty much eliminate any smoke you'd see.

That was my reaction too - for that many trips, rent a bigger truck and do it in one haul - cheaper, faster and less wear and tear on your truck.

Using a pint of oil under heavy towing conditions for a truck with almost 150K on it is nothing.

My 305 has been burning 1 qt in 3,000 miles since new (130,000 miles so far) and my 4.3 V6 did the same from 105,000 miles when I bought it to 235,000 when I sold it. In both cases they burned a little more when worked hard. What I'd be worried about is that high mile 4L60-E. I'd definately tow in drive rather than overdrive, especially as the weather gets warmer.

Thanks to all who replyed. I wished i could rent a large truck, but, i'm working on our house here getting it ready to sell and just a host of other things. I got layed off and only get part time jobs here and there. I'm also working on cleaning up a shop in Kansas. The town is Beloit, so i'll be just north of Blyne3. Maybe we can get together after getting settled in. Just so many irons in the fire. And Colo Kid, i definitely leave it in drive when towing. I tried it just once in OD for about 75 miles or so and didn't like that shifting back and forth. Once i get out east past Watkins and all the crazy local drivers, things really ease up. If i keep it at 60mph and it's not real windy, it hardly ever has to down shift. I'll get a bottle of that water wetter and keep it in the truck till warmer weather sets in. Thanks again to everyone for the comments.

Mike

A pint of oil is no big deal with that many miles, my 454 has over 300k on it and I average 1-2 quarts per change on an 5000 mile interval, though just to help the old motor die the last oil change went about 9500 miles the damn thing won't die the pics in my garage show that I am trying to kill it but damn cheverolet engineering. A pint is no big deal pull on.