Toolkit for Road Trip - What are the Essentials?

[texas993]

As I prepare to fetch my future 500E, I wonder if there are a few "must have items" to bring.

I will be driving from Santa Barbara to Dallas - about 1,500 miles if I go the direct route. And there is not much between here and there if I have any problems.

Here is what I will definitely bring:

• Radar Detector
• Credit Card
• AAA Card
• Tunes - hmmm, how is this going to work with a standard radio?
• Camera

I wish that I could bring some tools. But I will be flying to Santa Barbara and getting some basic tools on the plane won't work too well.

Do I need a few spare parts, like a OVP relay, a hose or two, fluids, etc?

The owner states that he would have no fear in driving it across the country. And all services are current. It will go to the shop prior to delivery for inspection and oil service.

Thanks!

 

[gerryvz]

Don't take the boring I-10 route to Texas, unless you have friends or business in Phoenix/Tucson. Rather ... go to Las Vegas, pass through Flagstaff, visit the Grand Canyon (if you haven't seen it), then stay a night in Albuquerque, then come on in through Amarillo and Wichita Falls, and drop down into Dallas.

Honestly, I think you don't need to bring tools and such for a trip of that length. Just make sure that all of your fluids are topped up when you leave -- hydraulic, power steering, coolant, motor oil.

 

[texas993]

Thanks Gerry. Good route suggestion. I plan to stay over in Santa Barbara, drive to Scottsdale (lived there 7 yrs ago) and stay a night, then to Santa Fe and/or ABQ, then home as you suggest. I have done that I10 route before and it is terrible.

The route that I am planning doesn't have any great driving roads, but the road between PHX and ABQ is interesting.

I know that there are some simple parts on my Porsche that are must-haves for any trip. Some relays, key batteries, etc that are easy to have, but very difficult to obtain when on the road. Sounds like those are not needed with this car.

 

[szvook]

If time permitting, try to find a good shop and have the car checked out before you leave. Maybe a PPI can be done.

 

[gerryvz]

I would buy a simple cassette adapter for your iPod to make do for this trip. They are $20 and probably your best bet.

 

[vatc5637]

I would buy a simple cassette adapter for your iPod to make do for this trip. They are $20 and probably your best bet.

They do work well, but just be prepared, if the cassette player mechanism is sensitive, it may spit out the "cassette" piece frequently, which can quickly become annoying. If you have them already, a set of rechargeable portable speakers (or boombox) will do in a pinch, until you can get things permanently sorted out. Enjoy the ride!

 

[texas993]

Good suggestions on the tunes. Thanks! I have one of those cassette adapters and I will pack it.

 

[gerryvz]

Good suggestions on the tunes. Thanks! I have one of those cassette adapters and I will pack it.

Hopefully it will work OK with the car's cassette mechanism. Mine worked just fine with my E500's cassette for the year or two that I used it. The same adapter isn't liked very much by my 560SEC's Becker though.... but I had it retrofitted with the Becker factory iPod adaptation, so it's a moot point these days.

 

[bing]

Don't forget chips and soda..lol ! These cars are made for road trips/touring so I wouldn't worry.

 

[texas993]

My favorite road food is: pork rinds (seriously), beef jerky, Chocolate, skittles, and water. Weird, I know. Because I never eat that otherwise!

oh, and my wife is going with me! Got the kids covered for 5 days. We will spend a couple days in Santa Barbara, couple of days in Scottsdale, and a lot of miles on the road. Can't wait!