Cross-country Trip

[RyanH]

In September I'm planning on driving from Santa Barbara, CA to Elberton, GA for a business trip my dad has gotten me in to going on with him. I've decided that since I've never driven cross-country, and I've always wanted to, that this was as good an excuse as any. Before then I plan to replace all the rubber bits in the suspension and the related pieces (shocks, etc.). I'll have all the fluids changed just before I go, and probably take a case of Mobile 1 along and do a quick oil change before the drive home (is that overkill?). What else do you all do when planning for a long drive like this?

I realize I'm way ahead of myself at this point, but if I don't plan it out and budget money NOW, it won't happen at all and I'll end up having a terrible trip.

Any advice you guys can offer would be appreciated.

[maxnix]

Well, obviously you plan a day at T-3 to have them go over the car before your return.

[bmwkiller]

...take a case of Mobile 1 along and do a quick oil change before the drive home (is that overkill?).

Yes. I'm sure you'll get lots of differing responses, but a 6 or 7k round trip, all highway, isn't going to stress your oil anywhere near what stop and go city driving and short local trips will do. I've driven from Seattle (Olympia actually) to D.C. and back numerous times in various Alfa's that I was very much into at the time, as well as my diesel pickup (diesel being a dirtier runing motor), and I never bothered with mid-trip changes. Do it before you leave, and don't worry about it until you get back. As for the other stuff, like bushings and shocks and all that....well, is it broke currently? People who generally haven't done may long trips tend to be more worried about it than they need to. If your car is in good running condition, simply driving a long distance isn't suddenly going to thrash your bushings or shocks. Same with fluids. Unless their due for a change anyway, I never bother.

What else do you all do when planning for a long drive like this?

My trips are through the north, usually in the cold. Trying to adjust a dual point distributor in a '71 Alfa Berlina in Februay in the dark, under a street light behind a bowling alley in Montana requires different preparation then driving through Texas in the fall. That being said, think about what could stop you right where you are versus what would be annoying but not impede progress. Bad shock --> annoying, but you'll be ok. Blown radiator hose --> you're dead in the water. Lots of places along your route where you don't want to be broken down.Personally, I'd take a basic tool kit, extra belts, extra hoses (or replace them and take your old ones as spares), gotta have duct tape, some gasket sealant, a jug of antifreeze, a jug of water, a blanket, a basic first aid kit, and a cell phone. I would also get under the car before the trip and check for any leaks. Things like dripping transmission lines/hoses can be a bummer in the middle of nowhere. What you take depends on how comfortable you are with your own abilities. Adjusting those points in Montana sucked, but I knew it was something I could do so I didn't really sweat it. Your experiences may be different, in which case your list of supplies will be too.Good luck.

[maxnix]

I've driven from Seattle (Olympia actually) to D.C. and back numerous times in various Alfa's that I was very much into at the time,.....Trying to adjust a dual point distributor in a '71 Alfa Berlina in Februay in the dark, under a street light behind a bowling alley in Montana requires different preparation then driving through Texas in the fall.

Oh yeah, I remember and love those cars. Always had a SnapOn ¼ drive with a 10mm wobbly and 140mm exension so I could adjust the distributor timing.

My 72 GTV is in a state of suspended restoration.

[elwesso]

I agree about extra belts and hoses... id do a onceover on every major system.. Change all your fluids... Change the radiator hoses and Tstat, consider doing plenum hoses too... Make sure your fuel system is good.

The more extra electronics you have the better. I might have a VOM handy, and some various alligator clips...

[RyanH]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I always carry a tool kit in any car I am driving. I like the extra belts/hoses idea, I hadn't thought of that.

I also like the VOM idea, and I'll have my laptop and I keep my CONSULT usb cable in the glove box, so I'm good on the ECU/TCU code reading front. Said laptop also has a copy of the FSM on it.

bmwkiller, I think you're right, I'm totally over-thinking prep for a long trip.

And I do plan on seeing about getting some time at T3, once I have firm dates for the biz thing. How could I go so near ATL and miss that opportunity? Hell, since my dad is flying in, I'll probably be getting to Elberton a day early so I can pick him up from the airport in Atlanta so he doesn't have to rent a car this time around.

[bmwkiller]

Always had a SnapOn ¼ drive with a 10mm wobbly and 140mm exension so I could adjust the distributor timing.

My favorite tool, from a sentimental standpoint, is the distributor wrench I had made in Rapid City, South Dakota. Got a 10 mm box wrench and had a muffler shop heat it, bend it, and add about 10 inches of muffler hangar rod with a 'T' handle at the end. Ugly, but practical. That to me is what makes it fun. Breaking down makes it a "road trip". Everything else is just a "long drive".