2000 mile round trip

[bensandars]

i am driving down to the south of France on the 13th May. The Griff has just been serviced, what other checks bar the obvious; oil, water and tyre pressure should I carry out before departure.

What essential items should I take with me as when I did the same trip last year i just joined the RAC, dropped a can of tyre weld in the boot and freed some margin on the credit card.

I do really look forward to this trip now I have the Griff.

[starmist]

Fit a towbar, and attach a trailer with a complete car in parts.

No only joking! I would take a spare belt (presuming serpentine engine), a set of useful tools, fuses, some terminal blocks, insulating tape, WD40 and a prayer book.

[Toffer]

starmist said:

and a prayer book.

...and a bible!

[sw2373]

After I bought my Griff at easter I brought it back to Germany with me which is a 1485mile one-way trip, all I had was a basic tool kit, tyre weld, a new fan-belt, fuses and 1 litre of Mobil 1..

I always keep the above in the car... Since I bought the car I have travelled 2100 miles, with no-breakdown!! (touching as much wood as possible here!!)

The car started making funny noises.. see my previous posts.. but hasn't let me down...

[simpo two]

I'd add some coolant to that list too.

[marco]

Hi

I've done this trip 4 times in a 4.0 and 5.0 Griff and it is a tremendous experience. I would consider also taking:

- a decent small toolkit, like the zip up ones Halfords sell (usefull for remocving the dashboard in French service stations!)

- a spare throttle cable (difficult to bodge)

- gaffa tape in case of any bodywork damage

- hat (its like driving in a loud frying pan)

Have fun



Marco

[DustyC]

marco said:

Hi - hat (its like driving in a loud frying pan)

Im following this thread as we are doing the same in September (except going to Spain or Italy too).
Will the frying pan effect still exsist in Sept? We were hoping it would have cooled off a little.

[Toffer]

simpo two said:

I'd add some coolant to that list too.

For you and the car!

[griffter]

Wire coat hanger(s) and pliers. You can make all sorts of useful tools, brackets and thingamewotsits that you never realised you never had.

[marco]

DustyC said:

Im following this thread as we are doing the same in September (except going to Spain or Italy too). Will the frying pan effect still exsist in Sept? We were hoping it would have cooled off a little.

I did Germany and Slovenia in Sept last year and it was no different. If you have the hood up/windows down you don't burn but the heat is horrific and if you have hood down you get a cool breeze (or slightly more in Germany ) and a burned body.

During my tests I concluded hood down, thin long sleeved shirt, long shorts, hat and 20 litres of evian was the way to go.

Either way, you'll have a great time!

Marco

[burriana500]

Here's the link to my "Taking Griff Abroad" thread from last year.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=9&h=&t=37733

Oh Adam, it was 110 degrees in August, so September allow for oooh, 95-100!

I used baseball cap, T.shirt, long sleeves were just too hot and 3/4 length lightweight tracky bottoms. Along with factor 25 every hour.

Daft but useful, take a packet of those moist wipes, they are brilliant for wiping all the dust and crap off your arms and face.

[DustyC]

oh poo.

Whats a good time of year to go then? Whats Oct like?
Cant go in May (too close) or June (its LM!).

[bensandars]

Ear plugs, for the long 100mph motorway sections..

I will probably get shot down for that statement, but when I did the trip last year (920 miles in one go only stopping for fuel) i found after an hour or so with the roof down on the boring motorway bits that the constant roar became a bit much.

Did I just that ....

Love the sound. it just nicer when you are accelerating or braking.

[DustyC]

I'll be taking the scenic route, even if it takes me a few days extra.

[trefor]

Also a pack of moist window cleaning cloths (you'll see them at the supermarket). Ideal for cleaning bugs off the windscreen at refuelling stops. After a nice fast blat through France you'll need them.

I second the wet-ones suggestion too.

And don't forget to put loads of sun screen on your arms/neck/knees (if wearing shorts).

[bensandars]

I would also keep to the twisties if I allowed myself more but it is a business trip and I should have flown down, but when you got a griff that needs exercising and should be able to get in 250-300 miles of twisties each way.

Window wipes sound an excellent idea.

[marco]

bensandars said:

Ear plugs, for the long 100mph motorway sections..

Ooh forgot those! I *always* use them on long holiday runs as they remove much more of the wind noise and you can magically hear the stereo better.

Note: Stereo?? Yeah well, I was doing a 14 hour straight drive so don't call me a ponce



Marco

[bensandars]

I pressume you mean the twin exhausts when you mention stereo..