Need someone to check out a wagon.....

Check to make sure there's a good spare tire and that the jack works properly. If not, bring a fix-a-flat kit with the air pump. I bought one at a NAPA for about $30. I found out that the bumper jack didn't work on my ride home with my Fairlane - at 2 am in Liberal, KS. Cost me an overnight at a motel and a tire because I had to drive on the flat tire to the Ford dealer the next morning who changed it for free! Nice dealer. How long of a trip is it back home?

 

- gas money......

 

I was thinking, cell phone, credit card, Snickers, water, candles and a blanky and maybe a co-pilot.
Fingers crossed, hope it turns out well.

 

About 600 miles

Blanky might not be a bad idea, in case I get stuck out in no mans land....
I'll be doing this trip solo though......and I prefer Kit Kats to a Snickers.
Candles? Fannie, they've got these things call 'flashlights' now, don't 'cha know?

 

Hope this goes well for you KK. Looks decent in the picture.

What I have done in the past is hit the local Walmart so I'm not transporting a bunch of stuff and buy the elcheapo toolkit that comes with sockets, pliers, hammer, screw drivers, various and sundry other small things (electrical tape and a few connectors, wire strippers/cutters. I also buy a cheap blanket and pillow just in case - all stuff that goes to the charity place when I'm home and hopefully unused but a time or two............

I also buy fluids - engine and trans fluid, a case of drinking water I can use in the car if necessary, windshield cleaner - windex usually and some paper towel, duct tape is almost mandatory to have and some clear plastic (a window goes down, doesn't go up, oh oh), a couple of bungee cords, the spare tire in a can as noted above, battery cables, I take a good flashlight with me and spare batteries for it.

I have forgotten in the past to take something for a blinding headache - not sure if it was the pressure around the trip ahead, the realization that what I bought was not what I thought i was getting (a long embarrassing story), and finding a place that had something stronger than an aspirin in a tin can was a problem.

Fannie noted goodies but she forgot the carrots, celery, vegetable juice (hey, it's tough being a vegetarian on a diet)

 

Thanks, Barry. That's a good list.
Now it's wait and see what the inspection finds........

 

dont forget the beef jerky!

 

GASP Not animal flesh - eeeeeeuuuuuuuuwwwwwww. Next thing you'll be talking about pulled pork or prime rib or even fried chicken - all parts of critters that were enjoying life until someone decided they looked good enough to eat.

No, no, no, no - take carrots instead. They even make your eyesight better

All seriousness aside - A1A is sort of right - you want to snack on things that will keep you awake and give you energy, stores easily, won't smell up the car (or cause you to do the same), and the containers are easily disposed of, or recycled for something else you need it for (eg: putting water in the radiator, putting water on the windshield to clean it if the washers don't cooperate).

 

I've got a routine I follow on long trips......

Have to pack a cooler to keep my insulin in anyway.... I keep the liquid intake to a minimum to avoid those frequent stops caused me much trouble in the past. Granola bar or a Planter's Peanut Bar (like brittle) - if I can find it. I keep a stash of Starburst Fruit Chewys in the car to suck on.

 

KK, Fannie is right. Candles. Not only do they give light, but heat, should it turn cold on you. A candle can literally keep you alive. Of course, if you're not careful, they can also burn you alive, but we KNOW you'll be careful. Make sure you have both kinds of transmission fluids. Mercon for the AOD and Type F for the power steering. Mercon will work if you must use it, but Type F is much better for the steering. The Mercon can cause a questionable seal to let go, and then manual steering, with the resulting damage to the pump. (Don't ask, long story. Just trust me on that one.)

 

Yes, you are certainly a veteran in the automotive sense. I sure hope this works out for you in all ways - the right car, the right price, and a decent and fun road trip.

 

So when is this inspection? I think we are allmost as excited as you, KK.

 

Haven't heard anything yet. I set it up Thursday via on-line, so it probably won't be done until Monday at the earliest. Big company has to farm out 'assignment' to local ASE-certified inspector.

 

I am floored that none of our members stepped up for you.

 

I think a lot of members don't check in on a regular basis, I am here daily and would gladly help anyone out if I could.

Hope that it checks out and you get the kar KK