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Road Trips - prep?

tarafied1

tarafied1

Well-Known Member
Alright, I have about 5 months before the Hot Rod Power tour. We are going to do the "long haul" and go the full route. Close to 3,000 miles in just over a week which includes getting to the starting point and going back home. It will be in June so it will be hot.
So I know I should bring tools. The car has been realy reliable but I've never driven that much in a short span. What other things should I be doing, taking with, etc.?
 
Extra fluids; coolant, oil, brake fluid, can of fix-a-flat (emergency only).
 
Extra belts and hoses too. don't forget hose clamps. The all binding duct tape.

If you change the fluids and check everything well to make sure the hoses are right and such, you should be OK. Oh, a timing light.

Mel
 
Drive it now on longer runs to see how it performs. I would do several runs, gradually building the distance. Feeling uncomfortable on a long run is hard on you. That also builds up you seat muscles and lets you know just what YOU need for the trip.

Belts, cell phone, tow company numbers, Stangfix members along the way (especially those with trucks and trailers) along with items mentioned.
 
thanks, these are good ideas. I have driven it a couple of hours away and in all kinds of weather. The biggest concern is sitting in stopped traffic in the heat. I haven't been afraid to drive it anywhere, I just want to be prepared for the worst.
 
Run it down to me. I will put it to the test, then pass it on to Midlife to run for a bit and then you can pick it up, fully tested and ready for you...........

How many parades have you done? They can be a real test for overheating.
 
What other things should I be doing, taking with, etc.?
Click to expand...


AMEX, MC & VISA, preferably all three.


I've seen a lot of the power tour footage and it always seems like there's a LOT of slow speed driving/waiting. Be careful with that radiator/cooling system.
 
"daveSanborn" said:
AMEX, MC & VISA, preferably all three.


I've seen a lot of the power tour footage and it always seems like there's a LOT of slow speed driving/waiting. Be careful with that radiator/cooling system.
Click to expand...

+1

and upgrade your AAA membership to the Platinum version... you get 200 miles of free towing.
 
I've done both Power Tour and Mustangs Across America. Some of my best memories!

Pre-departure CLOSE check of all wheel bearings and seals is HIGHLY recommended. That's probably the #1 failure I've seen people experience.
As mentioned by others, cooling system needs to be at 100% - lots of highway miles and idle/slow crawl time will test it...

Finally, my personal experience says to check the rearend vent hose - make sure it's not kinked or clogged (or missing). Just cruising around town, you'll never have a problem, but several hours of highway speed heats up the lube, and if you aren't vented, the rear seals get taken out...

Always best to travel with a friend in another car as well. Share hotel rooms and you also have someone "there" in case of breakage. Especially good if you have similar cars and can cut down on duplication of tools and spare parts. A cheap pair of "1/2 mile" walk-talkies is nice to have (in addition to cell phones).

Finally, resist the urge to party too much... Nothing worse than 8 continuous hours of loud exhaust with a hangover. :vic :amaz

 
I use to load up with tools and a few spare parts, but don't anymore takes up too much room and you rarely have the correct parts if you do in fact have a breakdown. I do make sure that I have a good spare and a good lug wrench and a small bottle jack.

As other have indicated do a complete service before leaving including repacking front wheel bearings, check brake shoes and//or pads and wheel cylinders.

The best insurance is credit cards and AAA.

I'm a veteran of Mustangs Across America, Mustangs in Motion and The great American Pony Drive and my experiences helped me with the above ideas.
 
I don't go anyware with the mustangs without a fuel pump and coil in the trunk. In fact just last summer I was at a car show and my coil took a dump in the vert with no warning. Whear was my coil but in the other mustang. OOPS
 
Do you have a 3 or 4 row aftermarket radiator with a electric fan? They seem to be very good in slow traffic,(as long as the fan works)!
 
Here's a copy of the list of stuff I take on long road trips. I hope it helps.
X086.jpg
 
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John you forgot the "body man" on your list. Sorry couldn't resist. :scar

Take several sizes of ZipTies. always good for a quick hold.
Tire plug kit and small electric air pump. Slime (the tire fixer company) makes a small air pump kit that is sold at the chain parts stores.

Make sure your wiper blades are new..it will rain.

towels/rags.
 
thanks so much guys, this is exactly the stuff I need to think about. I do have a 4 row radiator and an electric fan. On the road it has never reached a hot temp, but at the 45th in Birmingham it did overheat when we were stuck in line waiting to park in Homewood. I discovered my fan was blowing the wrong way and I also raised the cap pressure from 13 to 16 and went to 75% water 25% antifreeze and water wetter. I have had the car in stop and go traffic to get into several Goodguys shows and Beachbend Dragstrip during peak hot weather this summer. The car didn't overheat but does have high underhood temps. I have considered the old trick of jacking up the back of the hood an 1" or so let air/hear out. I will go thru and change all the fluids and repack wheel bearings for sure. Zipties is a great idea! Thanks for the lists and the coil idea. I will have several credit cards paid off when I do my taxes this spring so I'm good there. I really appreciate the ideas!!! I have a spare that fits front and back and uses the same lug nuts. I will bring a tire plug kit and Slime or Fix-a-flat. I also bought the road hazard warrenty on the tires thru Firestone so that might come in handy. I only have one belt so a spare is a good idea. I can't use a bottle jack (too low) but I have a screw jack from a T-bird that fits under the car with a flat and I modified it so I can use a ratchet and socket on it. I have a cigarette lighter socket powered air pump, jumper cables, and basic hand tools that stay in the car all the time. I'm not a AAA member but maybe I should join!
Besides fuses, a coil and fuel pump, what Mustang spare parts if any should I bring? I like the spare keys idea I saw on Del's list. I carry brake fluid, a quart of trans fluid and oil as well as water all the time anyway.
Thanks.
 
SWMBO reminded me that a sharpie is a good thing that we always forget to take with us and always need.

John, you must be ab engineer! You are just way too organized!

Mel
 
"DEL65" said:
Here's a copy of the list of stuff I take on long road trips. I hope it helps.
Click to expand...

John, have you added plumber's strap to the list yet, so that we don't have to run all over hell's creation the next time SacBill's car explodes a pully?
 
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