Long Trip Help
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 57
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From: Yorkville IL
Long Trip Help
So I put the 'Vette up for the winter this weekend, bummer. Anyway, I will be working on a few non rolling items while she is sleeping. Weatherstriping and such.
Anyway when she is done sleeping in the middle of March, I want to drive it from Chicago to Panama City FL for vacation. What should I look for and if you can think of anything what should I do to her to ensure I have a great trip and no mechanical issues. Anything?
Anyway when she is done sleeping in the middle of March, I want to drive it from Chicago to Panama City FL for vacation. What should I look for and if you can think of anything what should I do to her to ensure I have a great trip and no mechanical issues. Anything?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Change the vital fluids, check belts, hoses, etc. and just drive it!
I've driven my 92 several times on 1000+ mile trips. They are meant to be driven. I don't carry anything extra, track events I just have the track box with a couple of hand tools and tourque wrench. Vacation- just pack what I need to wear, chair, cooler and off I go.
I've driven my 92 several times on 1000+ mile trips. They are meant to be driven. I don't carry anything extra, track events I just have the track box with a couple of hand tools and tourque wrench. Vacation- just pack what I need to wear, chair, cooler and off I go.
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Wheel bearings heat up on long trips and can leave you stranded. Have yours ever been replaced? Like the others said, belt, hoses. I'd do an oil change, fuel filter, tranny service if it's an auto. Tire pressure and check for nails etc. Enjoy the trip 
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St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Driving a 78K mile (well maintained) Corvette on a long trip is not any different than taking your brand new family sedan.
If your reasonably sure all mechanical items are in good working order, and the normal wear parts have been attended too then you shouldn't have any more concern than if you took off in your new caddy.
I am sure everyone here loads their trunk down with oil, belts, plugs, ect. every time they go somewhere.
If you try and guess what part your might need, pretty good chance it will be some other part. And if you were so concerned about that part, you probably should have replaced it before the trip. And we know you can't take everything with you.
Best thing to have is your triple A, credit card, and a cell phone.
If your reasonably sure all mechanical items are in good working order, and the normal wear parts have been attended too then you shouldn't have any more concern than if you took off in your new caddy.
I am sure everyone here loads their trunk down with oil, belts, plugs, ect. every time they go somewhere.
If you try and guess what part your might need, pretty good chance it will be some other part. And if you were so concerned about that part, you probably should have replaced it before the trip. And we know you can't take everything with you.
Best thing to have is your triple A, credit card, and a cell phone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Driving a 78K mile (well maintained) Corvette on a long trip is not any different than taking your brand new family sedan.
If your reasonably sure all mechanical items are in good working order, and the normal wear parts have been attended too then you shouldn't have any more concern than if you took off in your new caddy.
I am sure everyone here loads their trunk down with oil, belts, plugs, ect. every time they go somewhere.
If you try and guess what part your might need, pretty good chance it will be some other part. And if you were so concerned about that part, you probably should have replaced it before the trip. And we know you can't take everything with you.
Best thing to have is your triple A, credit card, and a cell phone.
If your reasonably sure all mechanical items are in good working order, and the normal wear parts have been attended too then you shouldn't have any more concern than if you took off in your new caddy.
I am sure everyone here loads their trunk down with oil, belts, plugs, ect. every time they go somewhere.
If you try and guess what part your might need, pretty good chance it will be some other part. And if you were so concerned about that part, you probably should have replaced it before the trip. And we know you can't take everything with you.
Best thing to have is your triple A, credit card, and a cell phone.
Just drive it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,355
Likes: 2,280
From: Central Maryland
Also:
Check the air in your spare tire. They're usually flat because they're a nuisance to check and they're out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Make sure you have the jack, lug wrench, locking lug key, etc in the car.
I carry a tire gauge, battery terminal wrench (5/16), small wire brush for battery terminals, and sometimes a small digital volt/ohm meter. Also a leatherman multi-tool, small flashlight, and that's about all. It's just not worth loading the car down with lots of stuff, especially given how little cargo space there is in my ragtop C4.
GPS and/or good maps, cell phone, Ipod and/or satellite radio receiver, and AAA card are good to carry.
Check everything out before you go, and relax on the road. C4s are great road cars. They love to eat up the highway. I've driven my ragtop as far as Key West and Maine on numerous road trips covering 16 states. I've had the coupe as far as Key West and Upstate New York. They were a joy to travel in.
Happy Trails!
Live well,
SJW
Check the air in your spare tire. They're usually flat because they're a nuisance to check and they're out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Make sure you have the jack, lug wrench, locking lug key, etc in the car.
I carry a tire gauge, battery terminal wrench (5/16), small wire brush for battery terminals, and sometimes a small digital volt/ohm meter. Also a leatherman multi-tool, small flashlight, and that's about all. It's just not worth loading the car down with lots of stuff, especially given how little cargo space there is in my ragtop C4.
GPS and/or good maps, cell phone, Ipod and/or satellite radio receiver, and AAA card are good to carry.
Check everything out before you go, and relax on the road. C4s are great road cars. They love to eat up the highway. I've driven my ragtop as far as Key West and Maine on numerous road trips covering 16 states. I've had the coupe as far as Key West and Upstate New York. They were a joy to travel in.
Happy Trails!
Live well,
SJW