By: Ethan Rogers
Even experienced travelers create a list of essentials before each trip. Some have a standard list, repeated year after year, while others have their own unique one. It can be an unexpected surprise to learn about another crew’s travel preparations: you discover many new things you never noticed before.
1. A Properly Working Car
Before anything else, your car must be in perfect working order: tires for the season, working lights, and all the necessary documents. Pay attention to detail. Visit a service center, have all the components and assemblies checked, and off you go! If you’re shopping for a more suitable car for your trip, you can browse used cars for sale in Indianapolis at trusted dealers where pre-trip inspections are standard.
2. Car Insurance
Recently, the number of drivers citing high rates and neglecting to purchase auto insurance has increased. While compulsory motor third-party liability insurance is a mandatory requirement for every car, comprehensive insurance is a personal choice. For new drivers and expensive cars, having a comprehensive insurance policy is an extremely important (albeit rather expensive) addition. Comprehensive insurance will protect you from accidental stones thrown from under the wheels of trucks, as well as other accidents. Therefore, I recommend carefully reviewing your insurance policy.
3. Copies of documents
If you’re traveling with a group, make it a rule to create a list of participants, with all full names, passport details, addresses, and phone numbers of relatives for contact. Also, bring copies of your passport, driver’s license, and car registration documents. This can be useful for speeding up registration at various checkpoints and border crossings.
4. Spare tire
Some modern cars now carry an express tire repair kit instead of a spare tire. This kit contains a bottle of sealant to pour into a punctured tire and a bottle of compressed air to inflate the tire. I say that if your upcoming trip isn’t your last, be sure to get a full-size spare tire on a rim, or at least a small space-saver. This option is easy to use and will get you to the tire shop faster. Express repair bottles are more suitable for city trips.
5. Air compressor
An essential accessory for every car enthusiast. A compressor can, in most cases, even fix a flat tire. You simply need to stop periodically and re-inflate it before continuing on your journey. Maintaining the correct tire pressure will also prevent premature tire wear and improve handling. A sticker with the recommended pressure is usually located on the driver’s door. Tire pressure should be checked once a week during city driving, and once a day on long trips.
6. Drivers kit
Tow rope, gloves, a warning triangle, a reflective vest, a fire extinguisher, weather-related items, and a first aid kit. These items aren’t just a whim; they’re required by the Road Traffic Regulations for every vehicle.
7. Tool kit and knife
As soon as a multi-tool appears in your life, you always find something to do with it. I think all multi-tool owners will agree with this. The knife should be a regular one, not some super-tourist semi-hunting knife that might attract law enforcement and draw you into a corrupt scheme. Incidentally, the knife, whatever its type, should not be visible.
Almost all of us travel in modern cars, which require specialized service centers, but this doesn’t relieve us of the need for a minimum set of tools and the ability to use them. And don’t forget a jack!
8. Thermos
Always bring one! Make boiling water in the evening, when you have plenty of time, and in the morning you’ll have hot tea ready, brewing it in no time. Some people take two thermoses and even steam porridge the night before, a great way to have a hassle-free breakfast.
9. Inverter
A modern and useful thing, especially if you can’t live without 220-volt electrical appliances. Be careful, these appliances shouldn’t be more powerful than the inverter, and it’s best to have the inverter connected by a qualified electrician, using a relay fuse, to prevent the wiring from burning out if you get carried away.
10. Snacks and Rations
Everyone chooses what’s healthiest and tastiest for them. I know crews who go crazy for canned goods, but I also know those who love sausage and condensed milk. Don’t pack too much, but a 2-3 day supply of food is a must. It’s better not to need it, but if you suddenly need it and don’t have it, you’ll remember my words with bitterness. Store shelves sell not only canned fish, meat, and vegetables, but also soups and desserts suitable for travel. Personally, I’m in favor of soft packaging; it’s the easiest to recycle.
As you can see, I’ve got ten points. Do you need them? In my opinion, they are essential, but only practice will teach you how to use them or do without them. Have fun and safe trips!
