Road Trip Prep

[Geolander]

Got my '95 4runner a couple weeks ago, and pretty much the first thing I'm doing with it is a road trip halfway across the country (California to Kansas - 1600 miles) to take all my stuff to grad school. I had my mechanic inspect it before I bought it, and the dealership inspected it as well when I had the steering relay rod recall done. No mechanical problems other than sloppy shifting (manual trans), which I'm going to fix with the Marlin Crawler shift seat bushing replacement.

I already have an idea of what I need to go over on the truck before I leave:
- check fluids (coolant, diff fluid, brake fluid, oil)
- check tire pressure
- check radiator for cracks
- wiper blades
- spare's good; I already checked

Just wanted to know if I'm missing anything and what sort of emergency repair gear I should bring along. I was thinking that an assortment of tools, small compressor, and a can or two of fix-a-flat stuff would be enough. Anything else I should have?

 

[noneckrex]

while deployed to iraq the one thing i would always tell my soldiers is that when you your going to be on the road all day. Food, Drink, and Music are essentials.

You have a pretty good list. I MYSELF would go through and check any nut that works hand in hand with suspension and steering. All, shocks and lower ball joints.

make sure your brake fluid and steering fluid is topped off too.

 

[Rix]

Bring extra fluids.
oil, coolant, washer fluid.
OH... and some jumper cables. just in case.

 

[Geolander]

Thanks for the advice! Food, drink, and music will definitely be along for the ride - one of the things on my to-do list is installing my new head unit, and there's no way I'm driving across the desert without snacks and water.

I'll be sure to check the nuts. And I knew I was forgetting some important stuff - like fluids and jumper cables, doh! Thanks for the reminder RIX. The washer fluid thing also reminded me that I need to find the leak in my washer fluid system. It was dry when I got it with "Leaks" painted on the cap.

 

[noneckrex]

got me thinking about what i used to keep in my truck while in the military.

fire ext
flash light (one that straps to your head)
chem lights or flares...

more to come, my class is over

 

[Rix]

Thanks for the advice! Food, drink, and music will definitely be along for the ride - one of the things on my to-do list is installing my new head unit, and there's no way I'm driving across the desert without snacks and water.

I'll be sure to check the nuts. And I knew I was forgetting some important stuff - like fluids and jumper cables, doh! Thanks for the reminder RIX. The washer fluid thing also reminded me that I need to find the leak in my washer fluid system. It was dry when I got it with "Leaks" painted on the cap.

The bottle and/or pump often times get eaten by battery acid from bad batteries or alternators.
Sometimes they just dry rot, too.
Same with the washer hoses.

 

[KidVermicious]

Make sure your jack works. If you haven't picked up your compressor yet, get one that combos with a portable battery so you can self-jump if you need to.

 

[jwyshrek]

And don't forget your #0 and #1 grease...oh wait, sorry wrong thread...Stop! Voices in my head!

Seriously though, x2 on the food and water because crap happens. Those big western states are 'out in the middle of nowhere'.

Also, bring toilet paper/paper towels...you may laugh, but I've been to several gas stations (and even a rest area) where the 'paper' was nowhere to be found.

One more thing...if you can't afford a GPS unit, I would have a set of paper maps for the area(s) you are going to. Never know when you may have to take an alternate route.

take care out there.

 

[jwyshrek]

Oh! someone mentioned nuts...make sure you can loosen yours...lug nuts that is. Or have the means to removed them just in case you have a flat.

 

[Maritimer]

hatchet, knife, matches, rain gear

 

[Geolander]

Seriously though, x2 on the food and water because crap happens. Those big western states are 'out in the middle of nowhere'.

Yep, lived out here for 21 years now and done many road trips through the area, just never solo.

Also, bring toilet paper/paper towels...you may laugh, but I've been to several gas stations (and even a rest area) where the 'paper' was nowhere to be found.

Good tip; I've never had the misfortune of finding no TP in the bathroom, but why tempt fate?

One more thing...if you can't afford a GPS unit, I would have a set of paper maps for the area(s) you are going to. Never know when you may have to take an alternate route.

Another one of those obvious things I was forgetting. Thanks!

Oh! someone mentioned nuts...make sure you can loosen yours...lug nuts that is. Or have the means to removed them just in case you have a flat.

Got my trusty tire iron. I may toss in some pipe for a breaker bar though, just in case.

hatchet, knife, matches, rain gear

Check, check, and check. I'll have to steal my hatchet back from my parents camping gear...they jacked it years ago.

 

[t4r4life]

pack of rubbers for hot hitch hikers lol jk make sure to bring some racketing straps and tow straps, im sure you wont fall asleep but just in case if you do and run off the road

 

[noneckrex]

Pack an "assault pack" get a small back pack and put a canteen of water or a water bottle in it. Also include some baby wipes, nutri grain bars and put like 25 bucks in it too. If your rig brakes down and you have to walk (god forbid) you will want those things readily available.

No matter if im driving to work or to the gas station i always put my pak in my car. I keep my glock in there as well. (i have a permit) a knife another flashlight. extra batteries. matches, lighter, nut bars and a waterbottle, baby wipes (in case i go number 2 or to wipe myself down), I keep several d rings latched on too. My bag has a Camel Pak in it and I rinse and refill it every other day to clear out any built up bacteria. but I also keep that extra bottle of water just in case.

 

[Pikeman]

Cell phone and your chargers. Most of us wont leave home without the phone but we sometimes forget to bring the chargers(make sure your cigerette lighter works). I would also suggest a CB of some kind. This is not only good for long road trips but will be usefull on off-road trips to talk within your group.

 

[Geolander]

Pack an "assault pack" get a small back pack and put a canteen of water or a water bottle in it. Also include some baby wipes, nutri grain bars and put like 25 bucks in it too. If your rig brakes down and you have to walk (god forbid) you will want those things readily available.

That's a really good idea, thanks. I actually have a couple of little backpacks lying around that I could use for this.

I kinda would like a CB, but I don't think I'll have time to do a proper setup before I leave. I'm in PA until next Friday (the 5th), then I go home for 4-5 days to do all the mandatory trip prep (including re-learning how to drive a manual), and then I have to be in Kansas by the 14th. I'm not even sure I'll have time to install my head unit. I could pop it in with the head unit if I get to that, but getting all the wiring right would take a while I think, and I don't have the time to rip apart even more of my interior to get antenna wires and power routed. If you have a good way to do this easily without having loose wires all over the truck though, I'm all ears. Oh, and power from the cigarette lighter is out - that plug is already going to be dedicated to charging my phone and mp3 player.

Found some inexpensive quality tow straps on Amazon, so I might pick one up for extra insurance. The only ones I'd seen before today were the stupidly expensive ARB ones. I'm sure they're nice, but I can't justify $80-$100 for something I don't plan on needing any time soon.

 

[Rix]

Oh... just a thought....

AAA.

might be the best 100 bucks you ever spend.

 

[Geolander]

Oh... just a thought....

AAA.

might be the best 100 bucks you ever spend.

Yep, already on the books. I'm trying to convince my Dad to get his own membership so I can piggyback on my Mom's for a year. That'll let me get the premium membership, which gives me longer tows (one up to 100 miles iirc) and a bunch of other useful stuff for when I break down miles from civilization.

 

[Maritimer]

Oh, and don't forget your common sense. If the pavement ends and you weren't expecting it, check your maps before letting your beast do its work.

 

[Geolander]

Oh, and don't forget your common sense. If the pavement ends and you weren't expecting it, check your maps before letting your beast do its work.

Aww, dad, not even a little offroading?










But seriously, I know enough not to go wheeling alone, in an unfamiliar area, loaded down with all of my worldly possessions...no matter how tempting it looks...

It would be a doubly bad idea for me because it would be my first time wheeling anything bigger than a mountain bike.

 

[Geolander]

Any recommendations on a (relatively inexpensive) portable compressor or compressor/jump starter combo? I've found a few nice-looking compressors (I'm kinda leaning towards this Viair one: Amazon.com: Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor: Automotive), but most of the compressor/jumper combos I've seen have gotten pretty bad reviews. In most cases, the compressor just sucks, and that's the part I'm more likely to use. The well-reviewed ones are closer to the $150-$200 range, and that's a bit more than I'd like to spend. Should I just stick with a straight compressor?