Road Trip! Well, maybe

lecoqlecoq Wagonist
in General Civic Wagon Discussion
A friend and I are looking at driving from Calgary to Montreal in the next week or so, then I might continue on from Montreal to Florida...most likely Orlando since I got a friend that lives there. My friend will be driving his 08 Honda Fit and I will be rockin the WagovanM just looking to see if anyone has gone for a long road trip? How comfortable was the Wagon for long hours of driving? Any recommendation on things to bring?
I've got a list of things I'm going to bring like lots of music, GPS, food and drinks. Sleeping bag, some tools...

Let's get some feedback on this!

Comments

  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I've driven mine to Texas and back, Arkansas and back, both about 2500 mile trips. Took my wife's to Texas once, too. They were both comfortable- I'd say mine is more so because of the Integra seats. The only thing I find myself wanting is CRUISE CONTROL. One of these days....

    I carry the same toolbox that I always keep in the car- I can carry it in one hand and can do most anything to the car with it. Along with that I have:

    A full size, properly inflated spare tire. (and jack/ lug wrench of course)
    A spare working distributor
    A spare main relay
    A quart of oil (if you're running something odd/ synthetic)
  • Dash-N-CarsDash-N-Cars Senior Wagonist
    That's a damn good list bam! I've got my tools, spare, and two distributers in my wagon at all times.

    But as far as long trips, when I bought mine I had to drive 6 hours one way in it. The radio didn't work, nor did the heater...and it was around 39 degrees the whole way back. And surprisingly.... A very nice ride back. The 6 hours were quiet bare-able. I was grinning ear to ear most the way to have my very own wagon of course.

    But the wagon road very well, and the only thing I could have really used was an arm rest! But I would make sure your you have a complete tune up and brakes, fluids, gaskets, etc. are all topped off and what not. But I know you'll be driving more than 6 hours, but from my experience the gas mileage and overall experience was very nice. Have fun bud! :mrgreen:
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    bam-bam wrote:
    I've driven mine to Texas and back, Arkansas and back, both about 2500 mile trips. Took my wife's to Texas once, too. They were both comfortable- I'd say mine is more so because of the Integra seats. The only thing I find myself wanting is CRUISE CONTROL. One of these days....

    I carry the same toolbox that I always keep in the car- I can carry it in one hand and can do most anything to the car with it. Along with that I have:

    A full size, properly inflated spare tire. (and jack/ lug wrench of course)
    A spare working distributor
    A spare main relay
    A quart of oil (if you're running something odd/ synthetic)


    I don't know if I've mentioned this before... but I'm slightly obsessed with survival. Comes from my parents philosophy of always being prepared. I don't know who all knows what a 'bug out bag' is, but that's kind of what some of us carry. Along the lines of tools in the car.

    I'm curious what all tools people carry in their vehicles? Especially you bam. You carry a distributor? How do you package this in your vehicle?

    I've made the trip from WA to AZ and back more times than I can track. A handful of times alone. 1500-1800 miles +/- depending on where exactly I'm going. I love long road trips. There's something cleansing about them. At least for me.
  • Dash-N-CarsDash-N-Cars Senior Wagonist
    I have a junk box in the rear hatch of mine, it includes; two dizzys, some wiring harnesses, and a few extra radiator hoses. As far as tools, of course the jack and lug wrench set, but I also take a full 3/8 and 1/2 ratchet set with sizes from 2mm to 18mm deep well and shallow well.

    A box wrench set, hacksaw, couple of different phillips and flat head screw drivers.

    But as far as packaging like I said I just have a cardboard box with the dizzys wrapped in shop rags.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Distributor is just wrapped in a rag, inside the spare wheel. Since that and the relay are the 2 big things that can strand you and just might be hard to get in BFE...
  • lecoqlecoq Wagonist
    Thanks for the comments so far. My distributor is new, so is my cap and rotor, radiator, timing belt and water pump, alternator and belt, tires...and some other misc stuff. I'm hoping I'll be fine maintenance wise. I'm more worried about the lack of cupholders and armrest!
  • Dash-N-CarsDash-N-Cars Senior Wagonist
    Yeah man my arm was in dire need of a rest, my elbow started to hurt about an hour or two into the drive...lol I smell a fab job!
  • lecoqlecoq Wagonist
    Well, my friend left without me on Saturday...he was in a hurry to get to Montreal and couldn't wait for me to be ready to go. I might leave later this week and meet him in Montreal by Saturday or Sunday. It'll be a long drive alone tho!
  • FejFej Wagonist
    Farthest I've driven my wagon is about ~500 miles for a ski trip. 3 people and a full load of gear, about 150 miles of it was driven at 80-100 mph. No problems at all, comfortable at all speeds (105 felt as smooth as 65). Ran into a little snow right before the ski resort, no problems. Heavy rain on the way back, still went 70-80 with no problems.

    The wagons do have "cupholders" between the e-brake handle and the front seats, worked great even on the curviest sections of the highway, I've tested it in some rather gnarly sections of road. I didn't have any problems with the lack of an armrest.

    I always carry a small toolbox, with enough to do most everything(I could change an axle with whats in it right now), distributor or at least an ignitor module would be smart, main relay, quart of oil, pair of mechanic type gloves are always nice to have, chains are always good to carry if you are headed towards areas with winter weather. A can of Fix a flat would've been nice on my trip, I picked up a screw on the way back, had to stop 3 times to air up the tire. Had a 15" spare in the car but really didn't want to have to drive 50 mph for a few hundred miles.

    Also, a quick inspection of the tires, brakes, oil, cooling system, etc. For a very long trip I'd jack the car up and give the wheels a few good hard tugs (make sure everything is nice a tight in the suspension), and checking the axle boots for tears couldn't hurt.
  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    well...not very helpfull...

    I/we/us...get in, turn key and go...

    worry later...
    :mrgreen:
  • iboymaiboyma Wagonist
    If you make it to Orlando, that is my neck of the woods and would like to meet up
  • dr.gtsdr.gts Band Wagon
    i dont think i would use my wagon for a road trip. but im a collector kind of guy.
  • lecoqlecoq Wagonist
    Well...Little update.
    I drove the Wagon 4000kms from Calgary to Bromont (45 minutes South East of Montreal) It did great. The only issue I had was that the muffler broke off the pipe after 5 hours of driving. I stopped in a small town and had a muffler shop re-weld it for $33 and I was on my way. I used about half a liter of oil for the whole trip.
    Upon my arrival I had an oil change done and I noticed that my left front spring was broken at the second coil. I left the car at my mom's house and flew back to Calgary for business and I plan on going back in the next week or so with some new suspension pieces to get her rolling again. I miss my car already and it's only been a week. lol
  • clarkw23clarkw23 Band Wagon
    One of these is key on a long road trip for the win!
    http://www.amazon.com/Koolatron-12V-Tra ... 239&sr=8-5
    Cold drinks all the time.
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