Organizing an Idea

[Amalgamation]

People who have gone on road trips, what do you plan for? Never done so alone, it seems rather straightforward - go where I want so long as I can afford it. Right now I'm saving up money until I make my mind up, still have a few months of warm weather left. No real commitments where I live, so I could spend quite a while away from home. The job I have now I'd simply put my two weeks in and return when I'm ready, considering places with high turnover rates love people who already know their shit.

I've been thinking about buying a decent van, throwing a bed in the back and calling it good. Go hit different camping spots, do some fishing, shit like that.

This thread is open to ideas, stories, and advice.

 

[Captain GhoulAgain]

Done some small journeys like this in my younger days. Wished I had kept on doing it. Be sure to get a van, a mattress, and something to drink. Grab a couple fucks to hand out, and drive toward the horizon. Maybe some cash.

 

[Fentanyl Floyd]

Funny I've been fantasizing about doing something very much like this myself lately when I finish getting my shit together

 

[JG Ballard]

Go armed, and I mean heavily armed. AR-15, several glocks, maybe a .357 magnum. Maybe a dozen loaded mags and some extra boxes of ammo. And bearspray. Lot of fucking douchebags out there.

 

[gmah1959]

People who have gone on road trips, what do you plan for? Never done so alone, it seems rather straightforward - go where I want so long as I can afford it. Right now I'm saving up money until I make my mind up, still have a few months of warm weather left. No real commitments where I live, so I could spend quite a while away from home. The job I have now I'd simply put my two weeks in and return when I'm ready, considering places with high turnover rates love people who already know their shit.

I've been thinking about buying a decent van, throwing a bed in the back and calling it good. Go hit different camping spots, do some fishing, shit like that.

This thread is open to ideas, stories, and advice.

I have done nearly a million kilometres in road trips, having a reliable vehicle is the most important thing where parts are easily available. A tyre pump, full set of radiator hoses and fan belts and enough water on board to refill an empty radiator if a hose happens to burst. Good portable lighting, check on where the blackspots are where you wont get phone reception.A UHF portable radio is handy, most truck drivers out there are always willing to help if you have a problem and great for letting you know of potential hazards ahead. Have good tyres fitted and if you have non standard wheels fitted carry a spare tyre as replacement non standard tyre sizes may be hard to replace in small country towns.

 

[MATAMUERTOS]

I've been thinking about buying a decent van,

Ford , transit. 4 wheel drive.

 

[MysteryTraveler]

I take many road trips. I'm on one now in a national forest area (in NC, dammit to hell). Here are my tips, from hard experience. For what it's worth...

1. Pick a location where you can do things you like to do. I like solitude, lakes, and deep woods so I don't head off to the beach very often.
2. Stay topped off on your fuel, because you don't know where you might trek off to or how far.
3. Plan in advance where you will stay and eat, because it isn't fun trying to find lodging on an empty stomach at 2 a.m.
4. Use Google maps. Just do.
5. Take extra underwear and socks. I've gotten both wet when there was no reason to think it could happen.
6. Carry some cash. I've had TWO ATM machine fail on me within 5 minutes.
7. Have a plan for your trip, but don't be surprised it things don't go as expected. Don't let that upset you. Be determined to enjoy the trip as it comes. I was recently lost on a dirt road miles inside a dense forest and was jut sitting there looking at GPS WITH NO SIGNAL when a very capable motorcycle gang (club jackets and all) rumbled around the curve and past me one by one. I waved at one and then they all waved as they rolled by. It was the best part of that trip.
8. Carry a gun, if you have one and know how to use it.

 

[Guipago]

Epicurus, your going to open a VERY large rabbit hole & depends on how you want to travel, highways, backroads, 4WDing to places will be dependent on what vehicle you get, staying in camping spots, motels etc depends on finances & will also let you know what gear you need if your going to pull up & throw up a swag or if your going to want a fridge in the car for cold beer, which means wiring in another hi-amp battery to the car to run it or some camp lights, 101 things to consider. This 4WD show is full on, but gives you an idea what you need & some handy ideas, it may not be for you, but.
www.4wd24/7.com.au youtube

 

[Rick James]

People who have gone on road trips, what do you plan for? Never done so alone, it seems rather straightforward - go where I want so long as I can afford it. Right now I'm saving up money until I make my mind up, still have a few months of warm weather left. No real commitments where I live, so I could spend quite a while away from home. The job I have now I'd simply put my two weeks in and return when I'm ready, considering places with high turnover rates love people who already know their shit.

I've been thinking about buying a decent van, throwing a bed in the back and calling it good. Go hit different camping spots, do some fishing, shit like that.

This thread is open to ideas, stories, and advice.

Funny I've been fantasizing about doing something very much like this myself lately when I finish getting my shit together

The two of you should meet up. Brokeback Mountain style.

 

[djdeeds]

I take many road trips. I'm on one now in a national forest area (in NC, dammit to hell). Here are my tips, from hard experience. For what it's worth...

1. Pick a location where you can do things you like to do. I like solitude, lakes, and deep woods so I don't head off to the beach very often.
2. Stay topped off on your fuel, because you don't know where you might trek off to or how far.
3. Plan in advance where you will stay and eat, because it isn't fun trying to find lodging on an empty stomach at 2 a.m.
4. Use Google maps. Just do.
5. Take extra underwear and socks. I've gotten both wet when there was no reason to think it could happen.
6. Carry some cash. I've had TWO ATM machine fail on me within 5 minutes.
7. Have a plan for your trip, but don't be surprised it things don't go as expected. Don't let that upset you. Be determined to enjoy the trip as it comes. I was recently lost on a dirt road miles inside a dense forest and was jut sitting there looking at GPS WITH NO SIGNAL when a very capable motorcycle gang (club jackets and all) rumbled around the curve and past me one by one. I waved at one and then they all waved as they rolled by. It was the best part of that trip.
8. Carry a gun, if you have one and know how to use it.

Yep, you have some great tips. FUEL, never let it get below half and treat half as if it's empty. I was driving through snowy mountains a few years back and found myself with dangerously low fuel and there was an old crazy guy that myself and other drivers had no option but to pay this old crazy cunt an absolute fortune for a plastic container of petrol to get to the nearest fill up!! EXTRA CLOTHES! and as silly as it seems ... a bunch of coins and cash.

 

[Punisher_1]

Depending on what you want to do and how much you want to spend.

For one whatever you do make your plans and then give them to a relative in case some shit happens or simply check in with someone.

Simple stuff

Have your vehicle serviced to avoid breakdowns or flat tires
Bring a repair kit for your vehicle spare tire, fix a flat, jumper cables, tools, water, battery starter pack, battery pack for your phone, emergency lights, flash lights, etc.
Dont wander too far off the beaten path
Bring several changes of clothing including wet weather gear as washing clothing might be an issue to find a laundromat
Food and water do doubt you might want a converter for your van, large cooler, plenty of water
Maps. Not all places have cell phone reception
Protection, a knife or gun on your person at all times, whether it is animals or people get strapped.
Bear spray for well bears and people .... duh
Lock everything up, criminal faggots like to steal from parked vehicles and the like
Bring cash about $200 as you might not have access to an ATM or the like.
Do not trespass, know where you are don't piss off the locals.

 

[Amalgamation]

I appreciate everyone's feedback so far, wonderful advice, great things to consider. I likely won't need four wheel drive, it's usually pretty flat all throughout Michigan. I definitely won't need an AR-15, however I do plan on keeping a pistol with me during the trip. 'Murica!

@Rick James you wish Floyd and I would do the Eiffel Tower on you, just say it. You want the cocks of two young men. Hope you're well though.

 

[Rick James]

I appreciate everyone's feedback so far, wonderful advice, great things to consider. I likely won't need four wheel drive, it's usually pretty flat all throughout Michigan. I definitely won't need an AR-15, however I do plan on keeping a pistol with me during the trip. 'Murica!

@Rick James you wish Floyd and I would do the Eiffel Tower on you, just say it. You want the cocks of two young men. Hope you're well though.

goddamnit. Now I’ve gotta go to urban dictionary and type in “Eiffel Tower”.

I just looked it up. It says that a girl is supposed to be the one bent over receiving, and giving the bj. That will have to be Floyd.

 

[ReallyJess]

Stay with friends to save money. I stayed with friends and took them to dinner as a thank you. Much cheaper and great memories to add to the trip.

 

[yotgguitar]

I appreciate everyone's feedback so far, wonderful advice, great things to consider. I likely won't need four wheel drive, it's usually pretty flat all throughout Michigan. I definitely won't need an AR-15, however I do plan on keeping a pistol with me during the trip. 'Murica!

@Rick James you wish Floyd and I would do the Eiffel Tower on you, just say it. You want the cocks of two young men. Hope you're well though.

No.... you need to take something more powerful and accurate than a puny little pistol....

 

[Amalgamation]

No.... you need to take something more powerful and accurate than a puny little pistol....

What's your reason? Besides accuracy, because as far as I know that mostly depends on the user, not the choice of weapon.

As for power, I wouldn't really care to be on the receiving end of any bullet.

 

[Amalgamation]

Stay with friends to save money. I stayed with friends and took them to dinner as a thank you. Much cheaper and great memories to add to the trip.

No friends where I'm going. Closest store will be a ferry, and an hour away.

 

[Amalgamation]

I'm not quite sure that I'll be rewiring anything, or having anybody else tamper with whatever vehicle I choose. I'll keep in mind though the extra space I'll need for spare parts, water, etc.

 

[Dolly]

Ive done quite a few wild camping trips, in various converted vehicles... as in a van with a mattress and basics in. Ive had several overnights in the back of an estate car with 2 dogs and my bloke. As someone's already said, clean undies and socks.. if they're clean and dry, then the rest doesn't matter so much, Depending on the length of your trip, make sure you have a couple of shower breaks. When you travel across Europe theres a lot of Motorway services that have really nice showers, (any Germans on here will agree theirs are seriously nice ) and 10 euro a night camp grounds with showers. little things like being clean just make a trip more enjoyable for me. and one thing ive forgotten more than once a fekkin torch..

 

[mrln]

get yourself the rand-mcnally road atlas. as back up ya never know...
extra batteries for flashlights and a transistor radio. maybe even get a light with a head band,so you have light to work by thats hands free,preferably and wind up one (if possible) that doesnt need battery or electricity. bring rope. some knives/ax/hatchet of some type. maybe some M.R.E'S type of food or dry food. maybe a desalination device of some sort? extra blankets. maybe one them emergency outer space lookin blankets? extra t.p. for them emergency moments. and also,a compass. im sure youve thought of basic hand tools to tinker with the vehicle,if need be. maybe a can of fix a flat. and a reflective vest,road flares and them triangles also,in case of some night time emergency while on the road. but even to have the triangles during the day to help out.
i know it sounds like some fucking dooms day preppers list,but your going to be alone on the road,and you need to think like that. you need to be safe.
when are we leaving?