Long trip Question.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,848
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From: north/central New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Long trip Question.
I am planning on going on a 5,000 mile trip in my 2003 Vette. It has 47,000.00 miles on it now so lets say it will have 50,000 on it when I leave.
So what do I need to do to my Vette to prepare it for the trip... new belts?? change spark plugs?? swap hoses???
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also for those of you have have done a trip like this do you have any advice for this type of trip.
So what do I need to do to my Vette to prepare it for the trip... new belts?? change spark plugs?? swap hoses???
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also for those of you have have done a trip like this do you have any advice for this type of trip.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
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From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
I did a 3300 mile trip and loved it, I took a spare tire with me other than that drive and enjoy. I did the trip solo and in 4 days, cant wait to do it again.First day I did 1100 miles, the vette is a very comfy travel car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Neosho MO
How's your tires? Are they at recommended psi? If your belts are in good condition, check them carefully, they can hide inner cracks, if fine, there is no reason to change them. Same as the spark plugs. If the engine is running fine, I wouldn't mess with the spark plugs. How close are you to an oil change?? If you're going into cold country, I'd check the antifreeze.
I have runflats, have have taken several 3000 mi journeys with it. If you're worried about your tires, perhaps a plug kit, and small air compressor, but with the tires being so hard, good luck getting a plug in it! LOL!
My advice... Don't speed...and enjoy the ride!! Remember the wave
I have runflats, have have taken several 3000 mi journeys with it. If you're worried about your tires, perhaps a plug kit, and small air compressor, but with the tires being so hard, good luck getting a plug in it! LOL!
My advice... Don't speed...and enjoy the ride!! Remember the wave
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JUst check the hoses, belts, air filter, tires, brakes, etc. - if they all seem OK just head out and enjoy the trip. I would take a cell phone and have some sort of emergency road service just in case.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 2
From: Resume Speed Tennessee
Just 50K miles? Change the oil, check the tire pressures and head out. Take a peek at RoadsideAmerica.com and make an 7,000 miles trip out of it! These are great dependable touring cars. Enjoy 
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Team Owner
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From: Columbus Ohio
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
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From: Freeport, FL
There are people with 100k and 200k miles on their beater Corsica's and what-not that hit the road with no worries, some break down and some don't. You have a low mile car that I'm sure you've taken care of, just go for the drive. If you think it needs something, you should probably do the repairs/maintenance anyways.
Have fun on your trip, take lots of pics for us
Have fun on your trip, take lots of pics for us
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
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New belt and hoses sound like a very good idea to me. Won't cost much and will certainly give you some comfort knowing they are new.
I'd be sure to have a kit along for plugging a tire in case of a nail, screw, etc. I take my small jack out of my daily driver too, it WILL work to lift one corner of the car in an emergency and of course 19mm socket and crank handle.
I always carry and extra serpantine belt too. The spare tire someone mentioned isn't a bad idea BUT will take up alot of precious cargo space.
I always have a couple dollar store rain pochos in all my cars in case of any emergency, they can of course protect you from rain, act as a ground cloth. For $1, they can be tossed after use..
I'd be sure to have a kit along for plugging a tire in case of a nail, screw, etc. I take my small jack out of my daily driver too, it WILL work to lift one corner of the car in an emergency and of course 19mm socket and crank handle.
I always carry and extra serpantine belt too. The spare tire someone mentioned isn't a bad idea BUT will take up alot of precious cargo space.
I always have a couple dollar store rain pochos in all my cars in case of any emergency, they can of course protect you from rain, act as a ground cloth. For $1, they can be tossed after use..
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 112
Likes: 38
From: Central Fl
We took a 5600 mile trip a couple of months ago and can't wait to do another. Reading the thread, all seem to have good ideas, but there are a couple of things I always take.
1. One of the soft nylon bras and mirror covers for bugs and the northern interstates and four lane roads that have more debris than we have on gravel roads down here.
2. Got a portable/plug in CB to find out about traffic. The trucks know when to detour when there is a slow down.
3. Just in case stuff such as flat fix, gallon of potable water, duct tape, qt of oil, spool of wire. Your own sponge, detailer and cloths for car wash.
You didn't say where you are heading but if in the northern states where the EZ passes let you bypass the toll lanes its a must. I got mine in the mail from NY State for free and put $25.00 in the kitty and its good in a dozen or more states.
1. One of the soft nylon bras and mirror covers for bugs and the northern interstates and four lane roads that have more debris than we have on gravel roads down here.
2. Got a portable/plug in CB to find out about traffic. The trucks know when to detour when there is a slow down.
3. Just in case stuff such as flat fix, gallon of potable water, duct tape, qt of oil, spool of wire. Your own sponge, detailer and cloths for car wash.
You didn't say where you are heading but if in the northern states where the EZ passes let you bypass the toll lanes its a must. I got mine in the mail from NY State for free and put $25.00 in the kitty and its good in a dozen or more states.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
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From: Lacombe Louisiana
LOL Some of you guys sound like you are driving Model T's! Your Corvette is just as reliable as any other modern car on the road,and truth be told,unless it is minor you won't be able to fix anything along side the road anyway!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
At 50K miles, your car is just getting broke in. Just check your tire pressures and be wary of your trip vs weather conditions as this car isn't great on snow and cold temps will cause the tires to break lose a lot more.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 112
Likes: 38
From: Central Fl
I do agree the Vette's are as solid as a rock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Life is a game/Golf is serious. IA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
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From: Belleville Il
Around 50K,,it might be getting time for belts and hoses. If you have been keeping up with your routine maintenance,,and tires are good,,YOU'RE good to go!! The wife and I LOVE this car for road trips!! My FRC has the M6 tranny,,and it loafs along at 70-75 cruising speeds getting a nice quiet 30ish MPG!! That's how I got my C5,,,the wife roasted in a hot July trip in my big block Shark,,,,now I have BOTH!! These are GREAT road cars!! In a couple of years when the wifey retires,,,we plan of roaming the good old USA in it!!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
There's nothing like seeing the USA in a Chevrolet (Corvette, that is...).Follow the advice from the other forum members, AAA is good to have for emergencies, carry a cell phone, and most importantly, put on a big smile
'cause you're going to enjoy the ride. Last year we drove our 2000 coupe for 8,223 miles on a trip from New Hampshire to Mt. Rushmore, to Sedona, to New Orleans, Savannah, and then back home with nary a problem. We drove on new non-runflat Hankook tires and had no spare or tire repair kit. Picked up a screw in the left rear tire the day after we got home though. Something to be conscious of during your trip will be the number of people waving while you're on the road and the people curious about your trip in a Vette. You will make a lot of new friends in a Vette. Have a ball and be safe!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
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From: Lake Mary Florida
I hoping to make a 4K round trip to NM this coming August for my daughters wedding. I'll have about 60K on mine.
You should be fine, at worst change the belts because of age. Hoses, depends on what they look like but probably will be just fine.
Good tires, fresh oil change and hit the road. If no run flats carry a couple fixit fill up cans. Maybe a few hand tools if you feel the need. Cell phone, AAA card perhaps and some cash, a camera and enjoy the trip.
You should be fine, at worst change the belts because of age. Hoses, depends on what they look like but probably will be just fine.
Good tires, fresh oil change and hit the road. If no run flats carry a couple fixit fill up cans. Maybe a few hand tools if you feel the need. Cell phone, AAA card perhaps and some cash, a camera and enjoy the trip.
Last edited by Jet-Jock; Nov 15, 2010 at 06:11 PM.