10 Tips On How To Prepare Your Vehicle For a Road Trip

We won’t start off by telling you that it’s that time of the year again, simply because we truly believe that it’s always the right time to go on a road trip. It doesn’t really matter what your vehicle of choice is – be that a car, a motorcycle, or an RV – you have to make sure that you’re fully prepared for everything that lies ahead.

The road is often times unpredictable and you never know what might happen. But there are still some things that you can do to minimize the possible unfortunate incidents and twists of fate. Some misfortunes are luckily avoidable. You have to do your part and reduce the chances of something going wrong. Take care of the things that are actually in your control and you’ll definitely get one step closer to fulfilling that long-sought dream of a perfect road trip!

Whether you’re stuck in a rut a little bit and need an adventure to get your juices flowing again, or you basically live on the road, it’s always good to stay ready and set. You want to make sure that your means of transport don’t let you down in crucial situations.

We give you some simple tips on how to prepare your Vehicle for a road trip. We will try to cover the three most common means of transport here: a car, a motorcycle, and an RV. Some of the tips can apply to all motor vehicles in general, while some are more specialized.

How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip

1. Make sure to get any major repairs done on time

You don’t want to wait until the last day to schedule a checkup of your car. The most common piece of advice is to get any major repairs done at least two to four weeks before you go on a road trip. This way you will also get a chance to test the car and see if everything is alright after the potential major repair or a heavy-duty service.

2. Check your car fluids

Even if you have performed a regular check-up and completed a major repair or a heavy-duty service just recently, you want to check the car fluids again. This is crucial if you are traveling to a destination that has a much cooler or warmer climate than the place you’re starting your road trip from. The coolant levels need to be optimal – the coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water.

On top of that, you also want to make sure that the motor oil, as well as the car break oil levels, are best or most favorable.

And the last, but not the least important – the washer fluid. Pour a mixture of concentrate and water in the washer tank and confirm that your windshield will stay clean at all times.

3. Check the tyres (including the spare tyre!)

Make sure that the tyres are properly inflated and also that a reasonable amount of tread is left. One way of recognizing that you need a new set of tyres perhaps might be this: take a look at the horizontal wear bars – if they are flush with the adjacent tread, you need a new set of tyres. Don’t wait to change them maybe after you get back from a road trip. A good set of tyres can really be a lifesaver.

That being said, you don’t want to disregard or overlook your spare tyre as well. The spare tyre needs to be in a good (preferably perfect) condition like the rest of the set. You also want to bring the jack, different wrenches, and other tools that can be helpful if something unforeseen happens.

4. Put all of the essential documents in the glovebox compartment

Documents such as proof of registration and insurance, owner’s manuals, maps, and other car and road-related items that might be useful should all find their place in the glovebox compartment. Even if you download a PDF version of the automaker’s manuals, consider having them on paper and in your car at all times. You never know what can happen with your phone, tablet or a laptop, if you’re carrying them with you. Paperback user’s manuals and maps don’t require batteries!

How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for a Road Trip

1. Make sure that your bike is suitable for long distance traveling

Not all motorcycles are designed for road trips. What you want to immediately check is if the motorcycle of your choice is comfortable enough. Finding the most convenient bike for your travel should probably be your number one priority. And although there are some things that you can do to make your beloved vehicle of choice more comfortable, we would still recommend that you rent a bike, if you’re not a 100% positive that you won’t be all sore only after a couple of hours on the road.

If you aren’t really sure which bike to choose, the general rule of thumb would be to choose a bike that has a softer seat, different handlebar, sharp headlights, and guards.

2. Pack light but make sure you’re loaded with additional bike gear

Even though you want to pack light and bring only the most necessary things because of the limited luggage space, you also want to equip your motorcycle with different accessories which can actually help you take more stuff with you. Things like luggage carriers for motorbikes are a great choice. Fix those saddlebags on the sides or back seat of the motorcycle, and fill them with all the essential tools and accessories for a road trip – for example, like the ones that you can find on websites such as MXstore among others.

After you have ’dressed’ your bike appropriately, you should put some proper motorbike clothes on your body as well. Stuff like riding pants, ankle boots, comfortable t-shirt, and jacket are all very important, but probably not as much as a full-face helmet.

3. Get an expert checkup

It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve owned a bike or stayed on the road – just like with cars, always get your motorcycle checked by a professional. Even if you know your bike to the core, a fresh pair of eyes can really help in case you’ve missed something.

How to Prepare Your RV for a Road Trip

1. Check the battery

This, of course, also applies to cars and motorcycles as well, but it’s very important to check the battery if you’re using a recreational vehicle for traveling. The battery in RVs often times carry the heavy load because there are many different appliances connected to it.

2. Fill in the tank

When you travel using an RV make sure that your tank is never empty. If you end up camping somewhere in the middle of nowhere, you definitely want to avoid dealing with an empty gas tank.

3. Water supplies

Having substantial water supplies is crucial when going on a road trip with your favorite RV. You need not only fresh, drinking water, but you also want to make sure that your shower tank is full.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – those were some simple tips on how to prepare your vehicle for a road trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a car, a motorcycle or an RV, it’s crucial to keep your vehicle of choice in top condition. That’s the only way to ensure that you’ll have an adventure of your life.

Be sure to remember that adventures don’t come calling – you have to go looking for them.