USA TODAY International Edition
Car maintenance Here’s a checklist for your July Fourth road trip
Make sure to prep your vehicle before you go
Like millions of Americans, Derek and Denise Meredith are taking a road trip this Fourth of July.
In preparation for the 2,150-mile drive from Colorado to New Hampshire, the two filled up the tank of their Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup and stocked their 2019 Airstream Globetrotter with clothes, coffee and food for their dogs Moosie and Bear.
Derek says they plotted out their nightly campground stops in advance.
“We are staying in (Kampgrounds of America) parks. I basically laid out the whole route on the KOA app,” Derek said. “It showed us all the campgrounds on our route, about 300 to 400 miles apart and we made reservations before we left for each of those five nights.”
Derek says that flexibility is important, so he and Meredith are “never in a hurry.” They allow time for occasional McDonald’s stops and bathroom breaks for the dogs.
The family’s pickup that’s towing the trailer also is getting attention.
“We used a different app for a checklist that lets us customize the things that are important to us ... to make sure we don’t forget anything,”
Derek said.
The RV Checklist app, available on iOS and Android, comes with pre-populated to-do lists and you can alter tasks as needed.
The checklist reminds the couple to do everything from securing and stowing loose contents to closing the awnings andlifting the entry steps.
Whether you and those closest to you are headed along the scenic California coast, off the beaten path in Wyoming or toward your timeshare in Florida this summer, everything you’ve planned can be undone in an instant if you haven’t properly prepped your vehicle.
It’s common knowledge that preparation involves packing the right items – food, entertainment and water.
While taking care of passengers is crucial, your car’s needs can mean the difference between making it to your destination safely and being stranded in the middle of nowhere. The American Automobile Association predicts it will be rescuing nearly 367,000 motorists this Independence Day due to dead batteries, flat tires and other car troubles.
That’s out of 41.1 million Americans that will travel this holiday by car.
Here’s a road trip checklist with tips from the AAA: ❚ Battery: Hot weather can shorten the life of a car battery, so have yours tested by before you hit the road.
❚ Belts and hoses: Look for worn, cracked, blistered or soft belts and hoses. Be sure to turn the engine off first.
❚ Oil: Check the level and condition of the engine oil. The owners manual will have specific recommendations.
❚ Tires: Check tires for tread wear. Make sure all tires, including the spare, are properly inflated.
❚ Technician: Consider having your car checked before you head out.
Travel planning
If you’re a last-minute traveler, you have time to do the following:
❚ Accommodations: Reserve all accommodations in advance, but be flexible as emergencies happen.
❚ Emergency kit: Carry a kit with a flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, first aid materials and extra water.
❚ Entertainment: Pack books and games and make sure mobile devices are charged if you plan to use them.
❚ Fuel: Don’t let the gas level get below one-quarter of a tank. Fill the tank before you leave.
❚ Route planning: Plan your route ahead of time. Make occasional stops to avoid drowsy or fatigued driving.
❚ Safety: Make sure all the adults in the car are wearing seat belts and that children have adequate car seats and booster seats.