AdventurePoser

We are going to take a long cross country drive in our ragtop Z51, leaving Newport OR right after Labor Day. The plan is stay in motels and with people who will give us couch space for a night...

We'll head through the south, then up the BRP to New York, then west to home. Simple routes with a mix of interstate and state highways to keep it interesting. It should be a good trip-I'm planning on about 8.5K miles.

Marina and I are accomplished long distance motorcycle riders. She's been across country twice, and I recently returned from a Newport OR tide to Maine and back. Great fun.

So, while we are veterans at long distance moto-rides, we've never done it in a car. What are the tricks, tips, and hacks you've used in long rides in your Corvette? We'd love to hear your suggestions!

One specific question...I want to buy a bra for the car to protect the front end from bugs, chips, etc, etc. it has to be effective, not too expensive, and simple to install and take off as necessary. Simple to install is the key word here...

See you on the road!

Karlmiami

consider bra by novistretch. i see lots of members liking theirs

chefcg1

Sounds like a great trip, but I'm not a fan of any bras. Reason is dust, sand and road debris will get caught behind it then when you drive it acts like sand paper and will scratch your paint. If your really worried get your nose wrapped with xpel or 3m. Just my 2 cents.

Have a fun safe trip!

Steve Garrett

^^^ This....I won't travel on a long trip without my NoviStretch bra.

4thC4at60

Forget the bra... just respray the front clip every four, five years.... my Ferrari, as well as my C7, has rock chips, etc.... it's patina....

RFZ

my tips to you are do just as done on the bikes. only difference is riding in vette. plenty of room for 2 for what you need to bring. plug kit and compressor for emergency flat repair. my wife and i just did 4200 mile trip .good time! tunes if you get tired of radio/sirius what ever. rain- x for windshield,make sure car is 100% have fun , be aware. getting ready for bike ride now about 2200 miles.

forget the bra, put film if anything, 5500 miles on my ride now from new in april with no protection and i have zero issues on front bumper. clean bugs off every few days and dont tailgate .

kitesurfer

I've got a few cross country trips on bikes, both solo and with my wife. The wife turned my Concourse ride to Colordo into a Miata camping trip. The next year, we took the new vette to west va on a 6 day camping trip. The vette killed the bike rides for her.

Rebel Yell

That's going to be a great trip AP. If you want heavier protection on the front I suggest the Colgan Bra. After the GM Bra disaster, I ordered the Colgan. It's heavier than the GM with a thicker softer backing, and very easy to install. I've got over 10K miles using a bra like this, and never had a problem with scratches. The trick is a goo coat of wax, and a detail spray over that before you install the bra. These heavier bras protect your bumper from those high speed projectiles that come at you on the interstate. YMMV

Also, on our long trips in the Vert we usually pack enough for 4 days, and wash along the way. A soft sided duffel with side pockets works great, and leaves enough room for the wife essential bag along with a small cooler, and of course your car cleaning supplies. We also use a hanging bag for pants, shirt, etc., but not too many. That lays on top of everything else. It's a game of tetris, but very doable. Enjoy your journey.

BTW, while on the parkway if you're near Boone, NC the Daniel Boone Inn has a great buffet.

mschuyler

Novistretch for sure. After the first install it's easy on, easy off. Throw in the washer (by itself) and it comes out clean ready for another go. The amount of stuff it collects is HUGE! Not only is that stuff not getting on your paint, it's also not getting to the radiator and the inside of the engine compartment. It's a must for summer travel when the bugs are out in force.

Frodo

I was just thinking about the bugs and debris my Novistrech caught on my 5600 mile trip 2 years ago.

AdventurePoser

Thanks for your input. With 19K miles on the original tires, I'm going to put on new rubber before we leave the day after Labor Day and perhaps get the oil changed, though I'm still at 76%.

It will be an awesome trip...we'll head through the south (Marina has never been here) then tool up the BRP. We'll scoot across upstate NY and then head west, back to the Oregon coast!

jcsperson

If you're coming up I-85 in NC, you need to stop in Asheville and sample the beer culture there. There are loads of great restaurants there too. It's also the home of Biltmore. It's a must-see.







Here's my slideshow from my visit this spring.

mjdart

mjdart

mjdart

New 1957 Corvette enters at 1:03

LanceVette

Are you heading to I-5 South and passing through the Roseburg area?

CRABBYJ

Great trip planning resource.

PryOpenUr3rdEye

Passed a guy in ATL who had blue painters tape all over the front of his Hellcat.

Diff, but I guess it protects against bugs.

tome

I just got back from a long drive, about 1100 miles a day, and someone had suggested I change the seat adjustment every 45 minutes or so and it worked wonders. I never got uncomfortable. raised the bottom, lowered the bottom, raked the seat back, tilted forward, moved seat back. I was surprised how fresh it kept my body feeling.

vbdenny

All sounds good but what is the BRP? Bronx River Parkway? Heard to the GSP, CBX, FDR, and NJTP but not the BRP. What a trip. Pack lightly.