Is anyone else so OCD when going on a family road trip.....
Discussion
P-Jay said:
Me, obsess? No, I just take sensible precautions any in no way over think it....
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
Did your missus fall for your devil-may-care approach to life? Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
I think this is just prudent planning. Saying that, on our trip to Spa this weekend, I did oil check, tyre pressures and screen wash while we were in the Shuttle, a mile beneath the English Channel, but better late than never. I actually think a bit of grime, a few squashed flies, etc. are part of the appeal of a well-travelled car.
I do like to plan properly, though. Before a big trip, I produce a 'bible' containing any relevant information. This will typically include booking confirmations, maps, timetables, places of interest, etc. I would feel deeply uncomfortable going on a foreign motor racing trip without a bible of some kind. The main issue is allowing opportunity for any spontaneity when thoroughly planning a trip.
I do like to plan properly, though. Before a big trip, I produce a 'bible' containing any relevant information. This will typically include booking confirmations, maps, timetables, places of interest, etc. I would feel deeply uncomfortable going on a foreign motor racing trip without a bible of some kind. The main issue is allowing opportunity for any spontaneity when thoroughly planning a trip.
chevronb37 said:
...on our trip to Spa this weekend, I did oil check, tyre pressures and screen wash while we were in the Shuttle, a mile beneath the English Channel
You reckless hooligan! We attempted to invoke the Euro cut-out on the lights of an Audi A6 whilst mid-tunnel and got pounced on by the guards for having the bonnet open. "It's a fire risk Sir".
Attempts to debate why an open bonnet constituted a fire risk were shut down promptly.
Disastrous said:
P-Jay said:
Me, obsess? No, I just take sensible precautions any in no way over think it....
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
Did your missus fall for your devil-may-care approach to life? Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
Since we've met, I moved in, took her Son as my own, got married and eventually had a baby together my attitude has done a complete 180, well when it comes to the kids and stuff - left to my own devices I'm still a 36 year old teenager who thinks farts are funny and most things will "work themselves out in the end" but I can't stand the thought of letting them down so I tend to massively over-think these things - thankfully I'm okay when things don't go to plan - my Dad isn't like that, he's exactly the same with planning family trips, but goes supernova if the slightest detail goes wrong, that's the trait I will hopefully never get.
Depends on the car - if you're using a daily driver you're already aware of any issues/foibles so that makes it a little easier. If you're regularly putting hundreds of miles on the car every week, a big trip isn't such a big deal.
My gf is Scottish so we're frequently doing drives from London to the Scottish borders. 400 miles or so. Check tyre pressures, check/top up water/oil/screen wash as well as a cursory glance for anything out of the ordinary (leaks etc). Interior is usually clean anyway so won't make any special effort on that. Windscreen gets cleaned (both in and out). Winter may require front/rear lights to be cleaned as well. Exterior otherwise I'm not bothered about. I also like to have a full tank of petrol from the night before.
For a Euro road trip, worth having a bit of oil and water in the boot. I did for the E30 (as well as jump leads). Documents (passports, hotel booking print outs, insurance docs etc) in a plastic wallet which goes in the glove compartment. Road map down the side of the seats.
I quite enjoy the prep but certainly don't go overboard.
My gf is Scottish so we're frequently doing drives from London to the Scottish borders. 400 miles or so. Check tyre pressures, check/top up water/oil/screen wash as well as a cursory glance for anything out of the ordinary (leaks etc). Interior is usually clean anyway so won't make any special effort on that. Windscreen gets cleaned (both in and out). Winter may require front/rear lights to be cleaned as well. Exterior otherwise I'm not bothered about. I also like to have a full tank of petrol from the night before.
For a Euro road trip, worth having a bit of oil and water in the boot. I did for the E30 (as well as jump leads). Documents (passports, hotel booking print outs, insurance docs etc) in a plastic wallet which goes in the glove compartment. Road map down the side of the seats.
I quite enjoy the prep but certainly don't go overboard.
Our family car, an SMAX, is my wife's daily drive and kiddy bus so whenever I get in it, whether going on holiday or to the shop, I have to clear it out of all the st that she somehow amasses - empty water bottles, banana skins, parking tickets left on the dash, the lot.
When going on a road trip the car gets an inside and out clean (not a concours prep, just a tenner at the local hand car wash will do). I then enjoy it getting splattered with flies and road dirt on the holiday - the point is the battle scars have to come FROM THE HOLIDAY, not carried over from the proceeding weeks if you know what I mean.
Part of the holiday ritual from when I was a kid was helping my father paint the headlights yellow - when I'm President of the EU I'm going to give the French their yellow headlights back!
When going on a road trip the car gets an inside and out clean (not a concours prep, just a tenner at the local hand car wash will do). I then enjoy it getting splattered with flies and road dirt on the holiday - the point is the battle scars have to come FROM THE HOLIDAY, not carried over from the proceeding weeks if you know what I mean.
Part of the holiday ritual from when I was a kid was helping my father paint the headlights yellow - when I'm President of the EU I'm going to give the French their yellow headlights back!
g3org3y said:
Depends on the car - if you're using a daily driver you're already aware of any issues/foibles so that makes it a little easier. If you're regularly putting hundreds of miles on the car every week, a big trip isn't such a big deal.
My gf is Scottish so we're frequently doing drives from London to the Scottish borders. 400 miles or so. Check tyre pressures, check/top up water/oil/screen wash as well as a cursory glance for anything out of the ordinary (leaks etc). Interior is usually clean anyway so won't make any special effort on that. Windscreen gets cleaned (both in and out). Winter may require front/rear lights to be cleaned as well. Exterior otherwise I'm not bothered about. I also like to have a full tank of petrol from the night before.
For a Euro road trip, worth having a bit of oil and water in the boot. I did for the E30 (as well as jump leads). Documents (passports, hotel booking print outs, insurance docs etc) in a plastic wallet which goes in the glove compartment. Road map down the side of the seats.
I quite enjoy the prep but certainly don't go overboard.
This is the most sensible compromise IMO and how I go about long trips. My gf is Scottish so we're frequently doing drives from London to the Scottish borders. 400 miles or so. Check tyre pressures, check/top up water/oil/screen wash as well as a cursory glance for anything out of the ordinary (leaks etc). Interior is usually clean anyway so won't make any special effort on that. Windscreen gets cleaned (both in and out). Winter may require front/rear lights to be cleaned as well. Exterior otherwise I'm not bothered about. I also like to have a full tank of petrol from the night before.
For a Euro road trip, worth having a bit of oil and water in the boot. I did for the E30 (as well as jump leads). Documents (passports, hotel booking print outs, insurance docs etc) in a plastic wallet which goes in the glove compartment. Road map down the side of the seats.
I quite enjoy the prep but certainly don't go overboard.
P-Jay said:
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
Enjoy. Pleney lift is all-new, just over 3 mins to the top and bikes go INSIDE the large cabin, 2 at a time.Lots of trail development on the Supermorzine side and also Mont Chery.
Got almost a week of solid rain, braking bumps became stepdowns on Pleney... so as usual prepare for the worst.
996TT02 said:
P-Jay said:
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
Enjoy. Pleney lift is all-new, just over 3 mins to the top and bikes go INSIDE the large cabin, 2 at a time.Lots of trail development on the Supermorzine side and also Mont Chery.
Got almost a week of solid rain, braking bumps became stepdowns on Pleney... so as usual prepare for the worst.
P-Jay said:
996TT02 said:
P-Jay said:
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
Enjoy. Pleney lift is all-new, just over 3 mins to the top and bikes go INSIDE the large cabin, 2 at a time.Lots of trail development on the Supermorzine side and also Mont Chery.
Got almost a week of solid rain, braking bumps became stepdowns on Pleney... so as usual prepare for the worst.
I drove out in an e92 M3 a few years back, threw the bike in the boot and headed for dover, great times.
P-Jay said:
Me, obsess? No, I just take sensible precautions any in no way over think it....
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
P-Jay, are you me? Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
Driving to Italy on August 16th (1250kms). My two front tyres were near the wear bars so I've had two new ones fitted. I pre-programmed the Satnav with the Villa address about 6 months ago Have had all the hi-vis vests, spare bulbs etc. in the car since Christmas. We are leaving at 5am and I have told the owner of the villa that we will be there between 18.00 and 18.30, and barring a nuclear war, we will.
P-Jay said:
Me, obsess? No, I just take sensible precautions any in no way over think it....
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
Blimey, that's a lot of palaver. I drove to Morzine last weekend, and my preparations consisted of, er, filling the tank. Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
2 new front tyres, there's a small cut in one of them, the MOT guy said it was cosmetic, part of the bit that protects the rim and they're only 2 months old - but hey - I'm taking a tiny little baby - MY tiny little baby.
Even though it's mid-point through it's service interval, I'm changing the air filter - because I somehow know it needs it.
I know the exact time we need to leave, the exact time I need to wake up and the exact order I need to pack things in the boot - both the things I can pack the night before and the things we need the morning before we go.
I've pre-programmed the sat-nav with the ferry port, the supermarket in Calais we're going to fill up at and the final destination - I don't really care too much about the cost - but I can't make the trip on a single tank with a bike on the roof so.... if you're going to stop - lets optimise it! I've told the guy who we've rented our chalet from the approximate time of arrival - I say approximate - it's be +/- 15mins if I have may way.
I've made a mental note of the intervals between service stations and the ones with baby centres I want to use to stop for feeds etc.
I know the tyre pressures I need for the extra load (in fairness they're inside the petrol cap cover)
I'll give it a good clean inside and out and fill the washer bottle before we go.
I know exactly what things I need to comply with French driving rules, AND all the BS ones that people trying to sell you stuff tell you, you need.
Everything else (oil level, washer bottle etc) is just part of the normal weekly check.
I can do the whole journey on one tank if I keep below 80mph, so refilling's not an issue. I have a tag for the peage tolls, so none of that collect-a-ticket-and-then-find-it-again stuff, which always seemed to occur when my wife was asleep. Now I just slow to about 10mph and keep rolling.
Packing the car - took an hour before we left, including putting a rack of 3 DH bikes on.
Timing - it's Eurotunnel, so turn up whjen you like, within reason.
Arrival - it's my own chalet, so who cares when I arrive.
In short, a truly stress-free journey. And I got to drive through the night and watch the sun come up, which is always a wonderful sight.
996TT02 said:
P-Jay said:
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
Enjoy. Pleney lift is all-new, just over 3 mins to the top and bikes go INSIDE the large cabin, 2 at a time.Lots of trail development on the Supermorzine side and also Mont Chery.
Got almost a week of solid rain, braking bumps became stepdowns on Pleney... so as usual prepare for the worst.
GR5 was riding well - not too many people on it , and it dries quickly, but the National run down to the Lindarets bowl area by the goat village was pretty much unrideable.
Edited by longblackcoat on Tuesday 29th July 14:14
We've just taken our '63 Riley on a week long, 632 mile tour. I just checked the oil and water before we left then called in to Tesco to fill up and away. I opened the bonnet twice to check fluid levels during the week (both OK). No fuss, no worries, just enjoyable motoring for the sake of it.
Like most others, I just check the tyres and fluids before I go.
That said, I self-maintain my vehicles and usually check all the above every few weeks anyway.
This time around I did clean the car but wished I hadn't. I'm currently in the south of France and the car was filthy before we left the UK!
That said, I self-maintain my vehicles and usually check all the above every few weeks anyway.
This time around I did clean the car but wished I hadn't. I'm currently in the south of France and the car was filthy before we left the UK!
996TT02 said:
P-Jay said:
Driving to Morzine I the Alps on the 23rd of August.
Enjoy. Pleney lift is all-new, just over 3 mins to the top and bikes go INSIDE the large cabin, 2 at a time.Lots of trail development on the Supermorzine side and also Mont Chery.
Got almost a week of solid rain, braking bumps became stepdowns on Pleney... so as usual prepare for the worst.
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