Here are a few tips and thought starters to consider since it’s still a little bit early to actually leave, but it’s coming fast and there are a few things you can do to make your trip safe and a little more comfortable.
#1: Clean Matters. Did you know that the cleaner your vehicle is the better it runs and the better the mileage? Well maybe, maybe not.
However, starting a trip in your cleaned-up car is like getting a rental. Also, the only thing you need to clean up after the trip is the new stains crumbs, and trash, not the old stuff so it will be easier. Need help getting ready Visit billmarshdetailcenter.
#2: Clean your house. What? Rusty are you kidding me? No, after a long trip away the last thing you want to be reminded of when you arrive home is your old life before vacation. Clean it up real good and when you get home it will be like checking into a fine hotel.
#3: Staging. Pack up everything you can the night before. All the things that you want in the car, where you want them based on your strategic seating plan. Water bottles, cords, bags luggage, dry goods, etc. If it needs to be inside, stage it by the door or convenient location. This way when it’s time to go, you just get up and go.
#4: Prep talk. If you are traveling with kids, then have your plan for the departure laid out in advance — what’s packed and what to grab.
Give them the smallest amount of items to remember so when they are getting ready, you can check the lights, pack the rest, and “we out”!
#5: Pack Snacks. We covered this last year in “how to manage downtime on the road”. But I don’t know what it is about traveling, the minute I get in the car I’m starved. So pack up breakfast sandwiches, snacks, fruits, whatever, so you don’t have to stop, spend an arm and a leg and then some… as well as losing precious time. Remember, every minute you are not driving is a minute later you arrive.
#6: Consider adding some storage. I’ve been obsessing over a new mid-2000s traveling addition to the Fender Family Fleet so I’ve been doing research and there are a lot of cool rooftop or rear hitch storage options for all vehicles that are pretty cost-effective. This extra room will make packing and unpacking easier, plus give you and your passengers some extra breathing room. Plus you can bring back more stuff.
#7: Add some rear seat entertainment. (See tip #6 regarding obsessing). There are many reasonably priced options for temporary or permanent rear-seat entertainment. Let’s face it. Our bar for entertaining ourselves is much lower when in the car. Remember the license plate game or eye spy?
So dust off your old DVDs and let them enjoy. Wouldn’t you rather them watch a movie than play on their phone? Also, if you are upfront you can listen in and it’s like books on tape. Helps pass the time.
#8: Goody bags for kids. We called them shore bags. Fill some type of bag with “stuff”, (usually something they can use throughout the time away).
We would pick up silly stuff, games, toys, tools, mini speakers, whatever. The rule was you couldn’t open it up until we got to a certain point in the trip. For us, it was Maumee OH, just over the line. Then they could open up. Sometimes all at once or something new could be pulled out every 100 miles.
It was fun for all, as I never really knew what they were getting, and of course, no one shared with me.
#9: Almost last but not least, get your vehicle road ready. It’s been a long winter(ish) season and you probably need some stuff done. Having the peace of mind you had it looked at and serviced will remove at least some level of stress and you can focus on the task at hand. Make sure tires are safe,(winter tires off?), oil fresh, fluids topped off, air filter, cabin air filter, etc. Leave your home knowing you have done what you can do to eliminate any issues. Get a FREE WELLNESS CHECK at brakeandalignmentplus.com
#10: I thought about just doing nine, kind of a cliffhanger article but decided against it. The task at hand: Have fun. Enjoy, Relax, talk, and have a great time. No matter if traveling with a few or a crew, these are the days you’ll treasure for a long time.
Keep It Clean and Keep It Movin.’
– Rusty Fender
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