Big journey pre-checks?

My first big journey is coming up in my 1998 SR5 (4WD) on Friday. It's a 1,100 mile round trip (570 there, 570 back)

What should I be checking before the trip? Any advice here would be great - already done the engine oil & coolant. Timing belt was last replaced at 180k miles in 2019

 

1) Tire pressure & Condition.
2) Fluid Levels.
3) Lights & Signals.
4) Brakes.
5) Wipers & Washer Fluid.
6) Battery Health.
7) Make sure you have a road side kit. (Flash light, jumper cables, road flares, tire changing tools; etc..)
8) Pack a blanket, a bottle of water and a energy bar. Incase you get stuck on the side of the road for a long period of time.

 

Basic tools. Also, check your spare tire and make sure you have everything to change the tire. We do a lot of road trips we have 76k miles on a 22. We have a rule of thumb that all maintenance must be done one month prior to the trip. No touching the car 1 month leading up to it. I’ve literally helped people broke down who didn’t check their spare or had a “new battery” installed the day before the trip. That new battery then failed. We also throw in a 3 day survival back pack. That’s more though for in case we get stranded on trails. But check your spare tire.

 

If you take your car to any oreillys or advanced auto they will do a free electrical test to make sure your battery, starter and alternator are working correctly. Any big box auto store by you will do it. Takes 10 minutes

 

+1 all of the above.

also:

• First aid kit (prob doesn’t need mentioning but..)
• Flashlight(s).
• Plenty of snacks and water. Since I always have my Jetboil on board I always have tea and coffee available )
• Blanket(s) doubles as padding for times when things just don’t want to stay put in the back.
• Map(s) Also pre-study your route and keep note of any alternate routes in case your main route has any issues. Never rely 100% on GPS!
• Got dashcam? Make sure the memory card has space on it! Also, mine has a shock sensor so if I see something worthy of taking note of I simply tap it to record…I can figure out where I was later on and pinpoint its location on a map.
• My bank has a very good fraud/security policy so when I’m on travel I use an app to notify them where I’ll be and for how long.
  
• Out here in California it’s still winter in the mountains (I just drove through a pretty good storm), carry chains and pack a shovel (small camp type is sufficient)
• Speaking of winter…adequate clothing, gloves, etc. I have a storm parka, snowboard pants and waterproof boots packed on-board for the winter months.

Be safe and have a great time!

 

Holy crap.

Just did 5k miles.

Only had water and blanket and a wallet. Everything is fine.

 

Bring plenty of cash with you!

 

It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Yeah she is only doing 1k miles but you don’t know the route she is taking.