Prepping for long road trip!

UPDATE 1/2/2016:

Looks like we will also be doing another trip in April. Wife is going to fly out to Oregon to see family and I will be driving solo there to meet her. Then we will be driving back through California, with stops in Vegas, Sedona, and then coming through NM back into Texas. Double the trip, double the fun!


So in June the wife and I will be doing a pretty long road trip in my 15' DCSB Taco. So I am beginning the extra prep now! Since I am a huge camper and outdoors guy, I keep a lot of this stuff in the truck at all times.

The current route will be from DFW,Tx through the panhandle up into Denver for few days. Then on up into Jackson Hole WY for a few days. Then plan on going into Salt Lake City for couple days, and then into Sedona AZ. Once we stay there for few days, we will head back across AZ through NM and back into Texas.

Wont be doing any wheeling or camping on this trip unfortunately. Mainly visiting friends and checking out cool places to hike along the way.

What I want to accomplish with this thread is to make sure bases are covered as far as prep goes, and comfort also. I know how some of the areas we will be driving in may be paved roads etc, but there will be some remote locations. I know the weather in the mountains can be crappy at times in the elevated areas, so prep will be done for this also.

I am veteran at packing for being stuck in the middle of nowhere for days, but I am always open to others ideas and suggestions.

COMFORT: Any ideas on how to make the seats a tad more comfortable for my wife? She likes to sleep most of the road trip, so blanket and pillow are covered, but any ideas to make the seat more comfy? Plenty of tunes loaded on the ipod is key!

SAFETY: Current setup is Fire Ext, Box of flares and couple of things that make reeeaallly loud bangs when you pull a trigger keep a can of loud as F Air horn and whistle (certain places make you have one when on kayak). Also have 3 LED Maglites (with extra batteries) and 1 large battery/solar powered box light. Extra keys for the truck mounted in certain areas on the truck. Also have laminated maps of the states in which we will travel. I plan on buying an Ultra Gauge to help keep an eye on things.

RECOVERY: I always have 4 (10k lbs) Ratchet straps, 2 very strong recovery straps/ropes with large hooks, some nice chains, a dumbass can of fix o' flat, 2 pairs of nice jumper cables, and jump box. Also keep shovel and Axe on board.

REPAIRS: Currently have a very nice socket/wrench/pliars/cables/clamps/ohm meter setup that can basically handle most repair jobs. I also have on hand multiple replacement parts : Plugs,Coils,belts,hoses,truck battery,altenator,water pump,gaskets,bulbs,fluids (including gas),jb weld,6 ton jack (no lift on truck so no highlift yet) couple jackstands.

I am thinking of purchasing a steel wheel/tire setup to have a second spare on hand. I currently run BFG ATs.

SURVIVAL: Currently keep a decent supply for about 2 days of dried food,jerky,water, and canned goods. I keep change of clothes, jacket, beanie for my bald ass head, blankets and of course pillow! I keep multiple items to start a fire if need be. I also keep a large tarp to form a shelter if need be. Keep some Hot Hands and Cold Packs on hand too. Since I am a medic, you know Ive got a nice medical aid kit We have a nice Sat Phone, and GPS that works well in remote areas. Aside from the guns, we have couple cans of Bear Mace. Also have solar powered phone charger that is waterproof along with the phone case being waterproof.

I keep majority of these items inside the cab of my truck behind the seat on a home made molle setup i built (ill show pics later when I can take them) and they can be quickly removed in the event I need to.

So Any and all Ideas are appreciated! I am sure I have left out some of the setup I have and I will edit as I think about it more. I cant wait to take pics of the travels that happen

 

You have a lot of stuff. Well prepared. I need to add a couple of things to my truck. I would suggest a good tire repair kit and an air compressor. Sounds like a great trip.

 

ahhh yes I forgot to put I do have a repair kit, and I will soon be purchasing a bottle/compressor Kit.

 

I would just make sure that your maintenance checks are all up to date and that you have checked your spare tire for any leaks or for lost air pressure. In fact if I were doing a long trip like yours I would put my spare on the truck and drive around with it for a few days just to be extra sure it's fine.

Carry water, beer, sun screen, and a cell phone. Wear your seat belt at all times and secure gear in the truck-bed well.

Don't fill the truck up with a bunch of things you'll never use.
Bear mace? For the dessert?
I think you have been a medic too long and have seen too much weird shit lol. Or maybe you have seen just enough, who knows.

 

I have checked the spare, and its good. The idea of driving around on it seems smart, Ill try it out.

Bear Mace for the mountain region, and I will also have my pistol.

I have been a medic waaaaaaay too long and seen a lot of weird shit

 

I have spent a lot of time working in an ER and I have to remind myself sometimes not to be overly freaked out about random things.
The emergency medical field will turn you into Aunt Josephine from Series of Unfortunate Events LOL

Tip: Never walk around with a fork in your mouth.

 

Yea after 15+ years, the thoughts that cross my mind I am like

 

I'm jumping on this thread for ideas.

I did 5200 miles at the same time and some of the same places a few years back. Scariest times were in WY at Togwotee pass and driving through Rocky Mtn National Park. It was crazy as hell up there. Every small town is a speed trap, so watch for that!

We also had some weather issues in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas (tornadoes). Good weather app, radio, and awareness of the timing of the storms helped us.

It's great to see the country on a road trip. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thx.

 

Nice @GratefulTaco ! Reminded me, I need to get the CB Radio installed!

 

What's yer handle, good buddy?

 

For what sounds like a civilized road trip in a very new-ish vehicle, I think you are over prepared.

Related to your maps. State maps are fine for a high level view, point A to B. But when you get to an area that you want to do a little side exploration, nothing beats a local map. It will show stuff the state map won't, and it will show stuff that a GPS may recognize, but your GPS 'field of view' isn't enough to let you pick a special route.

That said, laptop with GPS software and a USB receiver is a pretty good substitute for that local paper map. DeLorme makes a great one.

You didn't mention cooking, other than fire. How about a small crockpot mounted in the bed run off your power outlet. Have a meal ready when you hit your destination, even if it's just a lunch?

 

Seems like I am over prepared, but like I said, Most of this is always in the truck because of camping. Hell, to some people, Im not prepared enough!

I need to check into the Delorme, thanks for that info.

Crockpot eh? Sounds like a good idea to make some chili in for when we get there

 

Not a big deal but I'd ditch the recovery strap with the hooks on it in favor of a strap with loops on the end and a set of good quality D rings. I've seen one personally and I bunch of times I've read about those straps or the hook failing causeing an extremely dangerous projectile. Also at that point you are still stuck with no strap haha

 

Ahhh yess I will add this to the list

 

Better over prepared than under prepared.

Once while packing for a drive to Honduras I grabbed a propane torch and solder. When something made a small hole in my radiator in Mexico I was grateful I had it. Soldered it up beside the road. It looked like a bird beak had punctured the radiator, we ran into a bunch of birds earlier that day.

Another time I borrowed my friend's International Travelal to haul stuff, it blew a freeze plug and the head gaskets. Fixed that one beside the road too, took two days. Had to hitch hike to town for parts.

So I go with over prepared as it's saved me more than once.

 

Sounds like you made excellent preparations and are getting good suggestions here.

Regarding your objects that make loud bangs, review the rules for each state you'll be crossing. You're good with a loaded, concealed firearm in NM as long as it remains in your vehicle. Once out of it, it cant be concealed unless you have a CCW permit good in this state.

Several years ago I had a buddy get rousted by the LEO in Utah because of a loaded weapon concealed in his vehicle. Not sure what the current rules are there or in other states, but it's worth looking into.

 

Maybe a yeti?

 

stash some cash?

your list is pretty solid.

some rebar tie wire, zip ties,? and just so you know, you can start a campfire in a wet blizzard with a road flare. it's great when all else fails.

 

Ive got a Texas CHL, Good looking out!

I got one them chilling in the bed right now

Ive got multiple zip tie lengths, but will add rebar wire!


Keep it coming folks!

 

Didn't notice first time thru but I didn't see one of the most important items. DUCT TAPE