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Road Trip Essentials
DapperRob - 9/7/15 at 04:04 PM

Not being one to do things by halves, I've owned my Striker for under a week, and next Fri-Sat I've got a 700 mile road trip up to the Isle Of Lewis to do!

With the BMW 1'er I could be a bit blase and go for the 'if we think we might need it then chuck it in the boot' attitude, but of course that's a no now.

What are your kit essentials when planning and packing for a long road trip in your kit car?


R


gaz_gaz - 9/7/15 at 06:10 PM

Can of tyre weld and an RAC nembership.
When I done 3k miles around the alps I took a small tool kit with common spanners. Few screwdrivers and that was basically it.
car was faultless though.


DapperRob - 9/7/15 at 06:15 PM

Good start - tick and tick to both of those. My biggest fear is breaking down (though no reason why it should) in the arse end of the Scottish Highlands!


sdh2903 - 9/7/15 at 06:31 PM

Least you'll have a nice view!!


HowardB - 9/7/15 at 07:09 PM

light bulb with two wires, and a 30' coil of wire.

Handy for finding electrical faults, and the wire for fixing looms, or at a push recharging a flat battery,...

Also as said tyre weld, and breakdown cover. Mobile phone. Hi-viz vest, perhaps a fuel can if you are not familiar with either the consumption or the capacity of the tank,..

Most important is a map,......

oh and for the view a camera.


ian locostzx9rc2 - 9/7/15 at 07:11 PM

As said small tool kit and spare bulbs Tyre weld AA or rac membership 5ltr of fuel and if you get one made in time a half hood .


ian locostzx9rc2 - 9/7/15 at 07:14 PM

As said small tool kit and spare bulbs gaffer tape cable ties. Tyre weld AA or rac membership 5ltr of fuel and if you get one made in time a half hood . Lightweight clothes lots of layers sunblock and sunglasses and bottles of water .


DIY Si - 9/7/15 at 08:37 PM

A tent and a gas stove. If you do break down in the Highlands you'll need them before RAC man arrives!!


trextr7monkey - 9/7/15 at 10:05 PM

Midge repellent and net if you are planning on spending much time hanging about.
Phone charger /12v accessory socket fitted


morcus - 9/7/15 at 10:14 PM

Emergency blankets. I bought loads of them as end of season stock at TK Maxx a couple of years ago and they are great for if you're stuck outside in the cold and will fit in your pocket un-opened.


bi22le - 9/7/15 at 11:04 PM

2 x cans of tyre weld. The first may not be enough or not seal / work. That's what happened to our group on the way to the ring.

I also went for a bonkers long trip just after getting my car, my first ring trip was about a month after i got my car.

Read my blog, it may help.

I put every thing in a large kanoe watwr proof bag and bungie corded it on the back.

I would not worry about a jerry can.

East plugs, sun glasses and sun tan lotion is a good idea woth this weather.


anthony1 - 10/7/15 at 07:29 AM

Recently completed an almost 900 mile Highland trip...........all of the items/ideas mentioned make complete sense!! I bought an OVERBOARD waterproof bag and carried that on the top of the boot between the roll cage , also Green Flag cover , I have also got a couple of cans of tyre repair . However after a lot of deliberation , and a recent split tyre on the tintop , decided that a spare wheel would be a good idea. Also fitted an additional 4 gallon race fuel tank , plumbed in to be able to refill the main tank. Enjoy your trip.........and the stunning scenery......


keithjardine - 10/7/15 at 12:57 PM

In addition to the above; instant silicone gasket, rad weld x 2, k seal, assorted jubilee clips, nuts bolts and washers, selection of tools and screwdriver, oil, empty container for water (plenty of rivers and an odd Loch if you need water and no point carting it with you).

If you have not already take the road over The Quiraing; it is fabulous! https://goo.gl/maps/uUmyS


SJ - 10/7/15 at 01:02 PM

quote:

Most important is a map,......



What century are you in?

I haven't used a map for years!

Stu


DapperRob - 12/7/15 at 05:20 PM

Thanks folks. Good to know I've not omitted anything obvious. Going to be varied weather by the looks of things - ~30degC when we leave Northamptonsire on Fri, and mid-teens and wet when we arrive at Stornoway!


quote:
Originally posted by keithjardine

If you have not already take the road over The Quiraing; it is fabulous! https://goo.gl/maps/uUmyS

Interesting, definitely; we're off to Isle of Lewis to see the in-laws, and had previously got the ferry via Ullapool but we've booked the Uig (Skye) to Tarbert (Harris) ferry this time. Did it through the night in one hit before (~700 miles!) but that was in the Beemer.... now stopping off at Shap in the Lakes on the way up to break the drive and enjoy the scenery.

R


HowardB - 12/7/15 at 05:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SJ
quote:

Most important is a map,......



What century are you in?

I haven't used a map for years!

Stu


Ah well. ... maps... not just for the route you want, but for the picture of the surrounding area that even the best sat navigation won't give. Want to see the topography. ... map,... how far away the coast is..... map....interesting b-road you've never seen before. .... map


I swear by and at maps... they are an amazing tool in the right hands.


SJ - 12/7/15 at 05:52 PM

I'm sure you are right, but good or bad I just tend to rely on sat nav and Google maps now. On the Google maps front I'm buggered if there is no 3g though.

Stu


nero1701 - 12/7/15 at 05:55 PM

An American Express card...

Problems...Call the number on the back

Problems fixed for you!!!


gremlin1234 - 12/7/15 at 06:03 PM

I am surprised no one has said a torch


DapperRob - 13/7/15 at 06:26 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nero1701
An American Express card...

Problems...Call the number on the back

Problems fixed for you!!!


Tick.Never tested it, though.

Talking maps / 3G (Scottish Highlands!), has anyone tried the Ordnance Survey app? Have downloadable maps I believe.


sdh2903 - 13/7/15 at 06:31 AM

On navfree app you download the maps too.


keithjardine - 13/7/15 at 09:29 AM

Hopefully his link works.....
This was our second RHOCaR trip to the highlands
http://www.rhocar.org/index.php?showtopic=40599&st=0


trextr7monkey - 13/7/15 at 09:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
I am surprised no one has said a torch

Good one we have given up on conventional torches and use the cordless LED inspection lamps from Maplins


DapperRob - 14/7/15 at 11:23 AM

I've just had a genius thought... vacuum storage bags (as long as you have a vacuum at the other end!).

Off to Argos I go...


adithorp - 14/7/15 at 01:03 PM

You can roll them and get most of the air out and as long as the kit inside isn't too stinky you can just suck it. Beware of storing them in too confined a space; they can leak and expand and then removing them isn't as simple.

Aldi had large dry bags on offer a couple of eeks ago and probably still have a few in stock.


DapperRob - 26/7/15 at 11:20 AM

So that went (mostly) well! We were meant to break up the return leg from the Cairngorms into 2 days, via Jedburgh. However having already been soaked to the bone twice (note - car is undriveable in the wet without a roof! Water on the inside of the windscreen, rain hitting the eyeball at 40mph... no fun.) we decided it would be more sensible to take out time and hammer out the return leg of 480 miles whilst it stayed dry. Got home at 10pm with very sore bums!

Certainly didn't miss any essential kit along the way, though discovered my 2.0 Zetec likes chomping through oil... hmmm.