A lot of people believe that we should all take at least one road trip in our lives, and it’s hard to deny that logic. As well as helping you to avoid that lingering fear of flying, traveling ‘through’ rather than ‘over’ is a sure way to embrace your trip by its horns and hold on for dear life, and hopefully personal transformation.
Yet, if you’ve never been on a road trip before, you probably have a lot of questions. What snacks should you pack, for example, and how can you possibly tell whether your vehicle is well-suited to this way of travel? Unfortunately, the first answer comes solely down to personal tastes, but we can help with a more definitive answer to your second query with this list of the three top things you’ll want to ensure from your vehicle before you get going.
# 1 – Reliability is Worth a Thousand Bucks
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a reliable vehicle is a road trip 101. You’ll certainly struggle to reach any kind of peace of mind if your engine claps out midway through the chorus for ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. The fallout will be especially bad if you’re in the middle of nowhere, and will leave you wondering why you didn’t just get on that damned flight!
The age and general condition of your vehicle must, therefore, factor in your pre-trip plans. As well as getting a general check-over from a trained mechanic, you’ll want to tackle DIY tasks like battery replacement if your current one is older than five years, fluid checks, and, of course, tire tweaks.
# 2 – Storage Space Speaks Volumes
You’ll need your worldly belongings along with you in the car, including clothes, entertainment, and all-important snacks. It’s also advisable to bring along breakdown and first aid kits, as well as emergency blankets and the like. So, you’ll need to check your vehicle has enough cabin space to keep you going.
The general consensus seems to be that you’ll need at least 400-500 liters of space, but honestly, more is definitely best. For instance, if you have a truck with a generous trailer, you won’t have to skimp on supplies at all. You could even fit a tent and sleeping bag to boot! Simply make sure that you invest in protections like spray-on bed liner and locks to ensure your cabin space is truly up to this trip! If you have a smaller car with no space to swing a metaphorical cat, perhaps look into a more generous hire option?
# 3 – Better Prepare for a Breakdown
There’s no telling how your car will hold up, so you’ll also need to get ahead with roadside breakdown cover. Simply make sure that your cover is inclusive to even rural areas, so that the pros can bail you out of even the stickiest roadside situations!
It’s true that road trips can change your life, but only if you lean into the best possible experience by considering these crucial vehicle-based priorities in advance!
