As the days get longer and the nights get warmer, your travel instincts might be creeping up on you. Is it time to take some time off of work and go road tripping? Apart from booking hotels/Airbnbs and choosing where you will site see, you need to prepare the essential items that should be carried in your car when you are headed out on a road trip.
Some of these items are needed in case of an emergency, while others will make your trip go a lot more smoothly. Apart from the items you should carry, you should also get your vehicle checked and some preventive maintenance performed ahead of time. And if your car breaks down in the middle of your road trip, Titan Towing is only a call away.
Pre-Trip Vehicle Maintenance
Before you go on this road trip, it’s important to do some preventative maintenance. Here are some of the services that should get done before you head out:
- Tire air pressure and tire tread check
- Car battery is properly charged and without corrosion
- Brakes are in good working order
- Hoses and belts are in good condition
- Fluids checked and topped off
- Oil changed (if you are due for one during the trip)
Make sure you test drive your car to make sure that everything works properly. Are there any odd noises? Do any warning signs pop up? Do you notice any grinding or shaking? You want to ensure that everything is working properly before you take off.
What Should You Pack?
Even with all the preventative measures in the world, you can’t control outside forces. If your car has problems on the road, these are the items you want to have on you:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Owner’s manual
- Blankets
- Fire extinguisher
- Jumper cables
- Tire pressure gauge
- Reflective triangles or flares
- Battery-powered weather radio
- Tire iron and jack
- Extra gas
- Coolant
- Umbrella
- Sand or cat litter for traction
- Extra oil
- Screwdriver, hammer, multi-tools
- Ice scraper
This is the emergency roadside kit that will get you through many challenges. Apart from carrying items that protect your car, you need to pack an emergency kit for yourself too. Pack some bandages, ibuprofen, aspirin, allergy medication, antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, scissors, tweezers, and hot and cold packs.
Personal Belongings
With all of these vehicle and emergency items, you might forget to bring some of your own important personal belongings. Well, we have you covered. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, phone and laptop charges, prescription medications, driver’s license, insurance card, paper maps, bug spray, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, water, and non-perishable food.
What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down
What happens if your car still breaks down in the middle of the road? Don’t fret! Titan Towing is only a call away. We service the entire Dallas-Fort Worth area and we offer roadside assistance, as well as short and long-distance towing. Our team is available 24/7, and we hit the road as soon as you call. Titan Towing is here to help if your road trip doesn’t go as planned.
