Two roads trips planned this summer

[Stark999]

So we are planning 2 trips this summer, one to the south of France and the other to Tuscany and Florence in Italy.

Now not travelling with the trickle charger but will be driving every day - do you think we should be ok?

Also some people get battery charging units for trips - I’ve seen Shmee advertise one, any point?

Thanks

[M1AGM]

Unless there is something wrong with your car and or battery it’s unnecessary. And where would you be plugging it in anyway?

[alscar]

No different to using the car every few days at home but no need.
Maybe carry a NOCO type starter booster just in case.
Tim uses a CS ONE from CTEK I think but whilst that doesn’t need plugging in it does need charging itself every so often.
My rule of thumb for all our cars is if not been driven for 3 weeks then on the conditioner they go.

[NDA]

I've travelled across France in a variety of cars (including a Vanquish) that normally sat on trickle chargers at home.... I've never taken a charger with me - and never needed one either. Unless your car is going to sit for a week or more unused (or your battery is old and knackered), you won't need one.

[markcoopers]

i have had occasional use cars for years, from classics to modern, They all sit on a Ctex in the garage as a precaution and touch wood have never had an issue with a battery of low voltage errors. However for every road trip i never bother taking them on account that i have serviced and looked after before hand and the act of daily driving is far better for them than a conditioner.

For road trip i do however make sure i have tyre pressure gauge/pumps and some emergency stuff, warning triangle and above all a good RAC/AA cover including onward costs etc. Yes i have had to use that occasionally (Morgan in Belgium on route to ring seized the alternator) ( threw a half shaft out of a Westfield taking the upright with it in France almost at Le Mans)

[Stark999]

Def taking a tyre pressure machine, vests and a triangle. And have got the AM breakdown cover

[Mr.Tremlini]

There seems to have been a bit of battery scare-mongering over the years... Often what you read would lead you to believe the battery can`t last a week or two without being hooked up to a trickle charger, which always seemed to me to be an unreasonable assessment.
Over the years I have gradually extended my "not using a trickle charger" experiment, and the longest it (`07 Vantage) has gone is 53 days and that was in winter and it started first pop on a six year old battery.
I can do without the palaver.

[LTP]

If your battery is good and you're driving it every day or so, travelling reasonable distances so the battery gets topped up you won't have an issue. Even leaving it for a week, you'll be fine.

[V8 Minotaur]

I hope you’re doing the Tuscany trip once the alpine roads are open - it’s wonderful.

[camel_landy]

Stark999 said:

So we are planning 2 trips this summer, one to the south of France and the other to Tuscany and Florence in Italy.

Now not travelling with the trickle charger but will be driving every day - do you think we should be ok?

Also some people get battery charging units for trips - I ve seen Shmee advertise one, any point?

Thanks

Ha... That's the direction I'm heading in for my trips this year too.

As others have said, it'll be completely unnecessary for a road trip. Maybe a little NOCO boost pack as part of a toolkit but as you're driving it daily, you'll be fine.

As for Shmee 'advertising' one, I'm guessing he's probably on commission. Did he give you his personal discount code??

M