Road Trip essentials??
06-16-2016, 01:38 PM
#1
Road Trip essentials??
Getting ready to take a couple of road trips in the C7 this summer and looking for recommendations on things to take & expect. I'm used to taking road trips on a motorcycle, but a car is way different. I have a car cover, although I may not use it (it may draw more attention). I also have wheel locks (locking lug nuts). Thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
06-16-2016, 02:34 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: Northern California
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St. Jude Donor '15
All I during are a few clothes and a credit card. It's a freaking awesome road trip car, enjoy!
06-16-2016, 02:48 PM
#6
Team Owner
Detail spray and a micro fiber towel.
06-16-2016, 04:55 PM
#8
Team Owner
I can't stand driving a dirty car, especially a Corvette. Your car is going to get dirty(and collect a ton of bugs), so for me, the most important items to carry on a road trip is my car cleaning supplies.....then my clothes, etc. In the least, I clean the bugs off the windshield and the nose of the car EVERY evening at the motel.
two gallon bucket
7" tall plastic stool
two wash mitts(new one for the painted surfaces and an old one for the wheels/ tires etc.
three or four old cotton towels + a plastic trash bag for the wet ones.
Windex and a small towel for the windshield during the day.
spray detailer
car soap
I turn the stool upside down and the bucket sits within the four legs of the stool. Then the remaining stuff fits in the bucket. Takes up around 8" x 10" X 15" tall space.
Surprising how many motels will let you use their water/hose to wash your car. Here we are crossing Lake Champaign on a ferry and our cars were filthy. That evening, the owner of the motel in Rutland, VT got out his hose and every car got a bath.
If they won't, I use the room's ice bucket to hold my soapy water, and my two gallon bucket and the room's plastic wastepaper baskets to hold the clean rinse water. And I do it in their parking lot.
Even if I use a commercial self service wand type car wash, I use their wand to knock off the loose dirt, etc, and rinse the car, then I fill up my bucket with clear rinse water using my car soap and, using my mitts, wash my car in their stall. I then use their wand to rinse the car with clear rinse water. then I use my 100% cotton towels to wipe the car down. Looks almost as good as if I were doing it at home in my driveway.
Oh, and I carry a 6" X 8" X 18" soft duffle bag loaded with a aluminum jack, a 1/2" drive torque wrench, an extendable break over bar, 19mm deep socket with 4" extension. Small metric socket set and several screwdrivers. 4 lifting pucks(made from hockey pucks). 4' x 6' plastic tarp. Hand cleaner.
Also, in an out of the way corner of the hatch, I carry a gallon of water/dexcool mix and a quart of Mobil1 oil. Also carry another dozen bottles of bottled water.
To make life easier, I carry a mid size cooler with four bottled waters, some orange juice, some skim milk and a plastic container of deli meet. In a small bag, I carry a plastic cereal bowl, a plastic spoon and knife, some breakfast cereal, some bananas and wheat bread.
In the front cabin, I carry two packages of fruit and gran bars, paper atlas, camera, spare batteries, paper hard copy of the trip itinerary with copies of motel conformation emails, CD's, and my bag full of meds(most important item of all). In the cubby hold in the back, I carry extra batteries for my FOB's. I also carry an extra key in my wallet.
anything else I might need during the trip, there is always a Walmart nearby.
two gallon bucket
7" tall plastic stool
two wash mitts(new one for the painted surfaces and an old one for the wheels/ tires etc.
three or four old cotton towels + a plastic trash bag for the wet ones.
Windex and a small towel for the windshield during the day.
spray detailer
car soap
I turn the stool upside down and the bucket sits within the four legs of the stool. Then the remaining stuff fits in the bucket. Takes up around 8" x 10" X 15" tall space.
Surprising how many motels will let you use their water/hose to wash your car. Here we are crossing Lake Champaign on a ferry and our cars were filthy. That evening, the owner of the motel in Rutland, VT got out his hose and every car got a bath.
If they won't, I use the room's ice bucket to hold my soapy water, and my two gallon bucket and the room's plastic wastepaper baskets to hold the clean rinse water. And I do it in their parking lot.
Even if I use a commercial self service wand type car wash, I use their wand to knock off the loose dirt, etc, and rinse the car, then I fill up my bucket with clear rinse water using my car soap and, using my mitts, wash my car in their stall. I then use their wand to rinse the car with clear rinse water. then I use my 100% cotton towels to wipe the car down. Looks almost as good as if I were doing it at home in my driveway.
Oh, and I carry a 6" X 8" X 18" soft duffle bag loaded with a aluminum jack, a 1/2" drive torque wrench, an extendable break over bar, 19mm deep socket with 4" extension. Small metric socket set and several screwdrivers. 4 lifting pucks(made from hockey pucks). 4' x 6' plastic tarp. Hand cleaner.
Also, in an out of the way corner of the hatch, I carry a gallon of water/dexcool mix and a quart of Mobil1 oil. Also carry another dozen bottles of bottled water.
To make life easier, I carry a mid size cooler with four bottled waters, some orange juice, some skim milk and a plastic container of deli meet. In a small bag, I carry a plastic cereal bowl, a plastic spoon and knife, some breakfast cereal, some bananas and wheat bread.
In the front cabin, I carry two packages of fruit and gran bars, paper atlas, camera, spare batteries, paper hard copy of the trip itinerary with copies of motel conformation emails, CD's, and my bag full of meds(most important item of all). In the cubby hold in the back, I carry extra batteries for my FOB's. I also carry an extra key in my wallet.
anything else I might need during the trip, there is always a Walmart nearby.
Last edited by JoesC5; 06-16-2016 at 06:17 PM.
had a great trip. Taking mine to Colorado, Utah and California in September 
06-16-2016, 05:32 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
As others have said.... credit card, a few clothes..... wash the car off at a spray-wand place.... leave the cover at home.
In more than 600,000 miles in Vettes over the last 26 years and more than 300K miles in Porsches before that I have never had anyone mess with my car - same thing goes for the Ferrari - (20+K miles) - drive 'em, enjoy 'em.... have a great trip.
In more than 600,000 miles in Vettes over the last 26 years and more than 300K miles in Porsches before that I have never had anyone mess with my car - same thing goes for the Ferrari - (20+K miles) - drive 'em, enjoy 'em.... have a great trip.
06-16-2016, 07:27 PM
#14
Team Owner
A suggestion.
If you know where you are planning to spent the nights, when selecting a motel use Google maps, street view, plus the close up satellite view to look the area over carefully. Pick motels on their location. Also use TripAdvisor.com when looking for motels.
If you know where you are planning to spent the nights, when selecting a motel use Google maps, street view, plus the close up satellite view to look the area over carefully. Pick motels on their location. Also use TripAdvisor.com when looking for motels.
Last edited by JoesC5; 06-16-2016 at 07:28 PM.
06-16-2016, 08:28 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Radar detector.
06-16-2016, 09:42 PM
#18
Instructor
I am heading out to drive Hwy 1 on 7 July! DO you recommend top off? For the vet that is my wife is optional
Is there any section that should be avoided for traffic?
What is the best time to make the drive?
Thanks
06-16-2016, 10:31 PM
#20
Drifting
Getting ready to take a couple of road trips in the C7 this summer and looking for recommendations on things to take & expect. I'm used to taking road trips on a motorcycle, but a car is way different. I have a car cover, although I may not use it (it may draw more attention). I also have wheel locks (locking lug nuts). Thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
If you can tour on a bike you'll have no worries touring in the C7. Cell phone, credit card, a little cash, pack light, and you are good to go. Have fun!