Looking for your modifications for long distance trips

[Ray]

We are in the planning stages for a long distance trip and want to drive the Roadster.

I know that there are a few of you out there with high mileage cars with several mega-trips under your tires.

Please share your modifications, plans, tips and tricks.

What spares/tools did you take?

Thanks,

Ray

[mrmustang]

The top three:

A top
Heater/Defroster set up
Wipers

Other items:
Intercom system (simple, can be found at most motorcycle web sites)
Closable fresh air vents (ducts to the front of the car for cooler, non engine compartment air)

items to pack:
Sunscreen
Hats that have draw strings to keep your head out of the direct sun
Water (LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER)
Clothes for all occasions (soft sided luggage is highly suggested)
Dress in Layers
Digital Camera to document the trip

Things to consider when prepping the car:
How old are your tires? (7 years is the safety limit)
How old are your suspension parts and bushings?
Are your brakes up to snuff, or do new pads need to be installed?
Have you retightened everything (suspension, fluid clamps, door hinges, door latches, hood latches, trunk latches, etc) since you build the car?
Exhaust leak, fix now
Flush all fluids, check for leaks now.

I'm sure I missed a few, but these are the items I could think of this morning. Not quite Ralph "The Traveler", but I do have over 100K miles in Cobras over the years....

Hope you find it helpful.

Safe travels.

Bill S.

[skullandbones]

Hi Ray,

I have been taking longer and longer trips but so far that only includes plus 200 mile and one plus 400 mile trip to HB. Still I feel better and better about the reliability of the roadster each time I push the limit out a little. But I am very hesitant to add wipers, heat/defrost, top, air, etc due to the nature of our climate out here in AZ and my feeling of cost to benefit ratio. However, I do like the idea and will probably do a much longer road trip at some point.

Here are my suggestions for take alongs (not purpose of thread but just for kicks) .
1. Spare serpentine belt: Mine is custom length and would not want to search for one in an emergency.
2. Spare relay for the cooling fan system. I have two separate system but one might go out.
3. The product "Spare Tire". I know it's not the best but I would also bring a patch or plug kit.
4. Spare shock: Mine is coil over shock and if the shock breaks, you are disabled. That's the only breakdown mine has experienced so far.
5. Duct tape: I have two different kinds. One is amazing for hose repair. For the same purpose, a couple of hose clamps and nylon mesh for temp
repair of coolant hose.
6. Coolant and water to refill if needed.
7. 2 spare spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor. I have had two episodes where one of those items would have been a quick fix.
8. Small hot rod jack: It weights around 20 lbs and is 18x9x5 inches and a light weight jack stand.
9. For my application only - I have a couple of components (bolts, washers, etc) that will allow me to convert the 5 link Watt's link rear suspension
to a 3 link with pan hard bar if the propeller malfunctions.

I did not use the frame mounts for the shoulder harnesses so I have nylon battery straps placed on the mount brackets for securing gear in the trunk. I also have a couple of small kits for electrical and mechanical high probability break down issues (Go with the odds!). I don't know how anyone travels with a hard case for clothing. If you do want that then a luggage rack is a good option. I like this thread. I'm sure there will be many things that will be suggested that are "must haves".

Good luck,

WEK.