Driving ~6400kms for christmas, Anything mechanically I should worry about?

[99Yuk]

My Wife informed me that we are going to Newfyland for Christmas for two weeks to spend time with her family. That's great, two weeks at the inlaws. There's a reason they are called goofy newfy's...Something about 'kiss the cod', 'screeched in', and 'jig's dinner'? My first time going...sigh...and with my wife, two 9yr old boys, and two dogs....sigh...

It kinda sucks because it means no more modding my Yuk until I get back and pay for Christmas, etc... This trip is not cheap....And do I really want to kiss a cod, or eat the cod's eye? Remember wikipedia says a Cod is a fish....



It's about ~6400kms(3976 miles) roundtrip from where I am.

Here's what I've already done to prep. Did I miss anything? Are there mechanical things that are prone to breaking on long trips?
- Garmin windshield mount GPS
- program 2m radio for newfy repeaters. (safety)
- put on four TigerPaw snow tires (already installed)
- change oil before I leave, and when I get back.
- installed 120v LED Blue Christmas lights to roof rack(non-flashing).
- installed two airplane landing lights(Maslack Supply Special) in the front grill in front of rads, triggered to come on high beam.
- installed two roof rack soft cargo carriers.
- installed hitch mount cargo carrier.
- safety kit w/includes;
+ roadside flares
+ one bottle each of the normal fluids.. ie brake, power steering, transmission oil, motor oil, washer fluid
+ Towing chains
+ Tire chains
+ Fire Extquinisher
+ two jerry cans of fuel
+ small CDN Tire tool kit
+ small 12v air compressor
- Bell mobile internet stick and Acer One Netbook for acces to road/weather reports, and to play movies for the boys on route.
- 12 extra hours to reach the ferry in case of road closure, accident, breakdown, etc.
- I'll have our Grumpy old guy Mechanic at our auto garage take a look at the truck to make sure it's safe again, and grease things again.

Anything that I am missing?
This is the first trip that I've taken the Yuk on for more than 8hours on the new motor. I'd rather spend money and take precautions than sit on the side of the highway.


Thanks!

 

[blueflamed03]

ok, how far is 6400kms in miles?

 

[drowndindreams]

i think its just below or right above 3,000 miles. (3000 miles to graceland = best movie ever)

take along with you a knife for cutting puroposes, and some block patches, some liquid steel, if something in your hood cracks, say goodbye to newfyland (where is that btw) or if you develop a crack in the heater core than goodluck lol


i didnt see the miles lol its 3976 miles, like LA to NY

 

[Cartwright]

ok, how far is 6400kms in miles?

4,000 Miles. That is one hell of a drive.

 

[Bad bow tie]

It seems to me you got more than enough for a safe trip. I did a 4000 mile round trip back in August and didn't have half the stuff you're taking along. I think the only thing we had that you have listed is the GPS and the hitch mount cargo basket to carry the backpacks. haha The only other thing I can think of is lots of blankets and warm clothes in case you get stranded in no where Canada.

 

[99Yuk]

i think its just below or right above 3,000 miles. (3000 miles to graceland = best movie ever)

take along with you a knife for cutting puroposes, and some block patches, some liquid steel, if something in your hood cracks, say goodbye to newfyland (where is that btw) or if you develop a crack in the heater core than goodluck lol

Haha Sorry, It's actually Newfoundland Canada, but we just call it newfyland...

It's in the top right corner of our country, allegedly it's the closest North America land mass to Europe?

It's an island, and it's far, far away donkey....

Sorry, kids watching too much Shrek...


So what's Liquid steel? Like JBWeld or something?
Ooohh, knife and blocks are good, come-along might be usefull too!

we call it the people living there goofy newfys because in 08, I flew my wife and kids out there for the summer... right, the plane coming back was over 16hours late... Why? Because the person who runs the refueling truck ran into the wing of the scheduled plane, and they had to wait for a replacement plane from Alberta! HAHAHAHAHA Only in newfyland does a refueler hit the plane!!!!!!






---------- Post added at 06:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:15 PM ----------

It seems to me you got more than enough for a safe trip. I did a 4000 mile round trip back in August and didn't have half the stuff you're taking along. I think the only thing we had that you have listed is the GPS and the hitch mount cargo basket to carry the backpacks. haha The only other thing I can think of is lots of blankets and warm clothes in case you get stranded in no where Canada.

yup, check...

I swear my wife is bringing every comforter and pillow we have...
I'm glad that someone gets to sleep on this trip. It's about 24hours to the ferry, where she graciously will let me sleep for 8 hours, then drive another 12 hours to get to her parents house.

 

[blueflamed03]

4,000 Miles. That is one hell of a drive.

OUCH....i'd fly, that's a LONG haul in the cold!

 

[99Yuk]

OUCH....i'd fly, that's a LONG haul in the cold!

Ya, that was my first thought too, that or take a train....
But last minute pricing on a Christmas flight???? RETARDED!!!!

So, driving it is....

 

[blueflamed03]

I feel for ya man, pack blankets, back up battery,etc, you never know if you were to break down.

 

[drowndindreams]

jb weld and the big pack

 

[clean454]

duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude! good luck u my friend are way more brave then me. id stay home i hate driving long distances lol i kno its fam but passsss! haha have fun and be safe and cautious there are alot of dumb ass people out driving!

 

[AtomicHoe094]

was the motor you put in already broken in? Not sure if that would be good on the motor driving that far. might wanna change your oil half way thru each way..

Would you hit any tolls? DUDE! buy a Ezpass! it saves me like 3 bucks to get home and back from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. and its a lot quicker especially with the holidays and tons of ppl at the tolls>

Air pressure in the tires are good and the spare. lots of music! head light bulbs just in case. case of monster or redbull to keep you up.. haha

 

[1weasel]

duct tape. Lots of duct tape. It has many uses, especially with children...

 

[Hoodon]

Hahaha! have fun in all the snow! Where in Newfoundland are you going? A flight there would be okay, but you could be stuck in weather at an airport. The drive will be exciting though!

I think your list is good, bit overkill but totally solid. You should add a few things though to help you with the journey to Canada and the Maritimes:

-Advil. And lots of it! Newfies know how to drink.
-Translator. I'm assuming your wife is from Newfoundland, so she can tell you what the hell they are saying ,"i'se da by'e da bulid da boat, not.. ur's da by's dat sails er!.."

Dont forget your camera. You will see some amazing views, plus you can share them when you get back.


Fair weather to you and snow to your heels!

 

[Rollin Thunder]

holy shit, I thought my 2000 mile trip to chicago 6 times a year was bad. Thats one hell of a trip. I dont like flying, but I would for a haul like that lol. But its like 1800 miles each way. make it fun, stop when you see somthing cool, check in to a cool hotel when you stop for the day, etc. Also canada is cold and wintery drive safe and dont speed!. Really any issue you may have if the truck is sound would happen to even a new one.

 

[99Yuk]

duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude! good luck u my friend are way more brave then me. id stay home i hate driving long distances lol i kno its fam but passsss! haha have fun and be safe and cautious there are alot of dumb ass people out driving!

I can't pass, the father-in-law has cancer, soooo, I have to make the trip with the kids before, you know... ...so I just suck -it-up and say 'yes, dear, we are going.'

---------- Post added at 11:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------

was the motor you put in already broken in? Not sure if that would be good on the motor driving that far. might wanna change your oil half way thru each way..

Would you hit any tolls? DUDE! buy a Ezpass! it saves me like 3 bucks to get home and back from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. and its a lot quicker especially with the holidays and tons of ppl at the tolls>

Air pressure in the tires are good and the spare. lots of music! head light bulbs just in case. case of monster or redbull to keep you up.. haha

0kms on the install, about ~10,000kms now
yup, for the most part broken in, lots of oil changes already, and switched over to full synthetic....

No tolls in Canada really, if you exclude the 407...

Spare bulbs! Never thought of that one either. That's easy to bring out with me.... except for the hids, but if one of those blows, I should be able to pop the original back in...

Music - check! Redbull - check! A case and a half!!!!!

---------- Post added at 11:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 AM ----------

duct tape. Lots of duct tape. It has many uses, especially with children...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA,, I'm really likeing the duct tape!

'If the women don't find ya handsome, they should at least find ya handy!' - Red Green!

---------- Post added at 11:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

Hahaha! have fun in all the snow! Where in Newfoundland are you going? A flight there would be okay, but you could be stuck in weather at an airport. The drive will be exciting though!

I think your list is good, bit overkill but totally solid. You should add a few things though to help you with the journey to Canada and the Maritimes:

-Advil. And lots of it! Newfies know how to drink.
-Translator. I'm assuming your wife is from Newfoundland, so she can tell you what the hell they are saying ,"i'se da by'e da bulid da boat, not.. ur's da by's dat sails er!.."

Dont forget your camera. You will see some amazing views, plus you can share them when you get back.


Fair weather to you and snow to your heels!

Were going to the bottom on the Burin Peninsula? Close to the bootlegger islands? St Pierre and Michalo?


HAHAHa, I've been told that I'll need a translator! And ya, lots of tylenol.

I've checked the Newfy liquor board, they import booze from Ontario! And I did a stock check with the closest liquor store to where I'm staying, and they have 157 bottles.. I called the guy to confirm, and I barely made out that he said he wouldn't run out for the holidays.. I said good enuff!. I'm set!


9 days before we go!

 

["350Vortec"]

Have an all in one jumper pack? Saved my ass many times before. Mine has the jumper cables, Power inverter, 12v car jack, air compressor built in. Oh and a flashlight built in.

 

[Black_Rain]

Cut an access panel to the fuel pump, bring a spare one with you.

 

[bsamoul]

Bring a gun and go hunting haha

 

[ravingmadman]

Have an all in one jumper pack? Saved my ass many times before. Mine has the jumper cables, Power inverter, 12v car jack, air compressor built in. Oh and a flashlight built in.

+1. Also a serpentine belt, and a u-joint. They're cheap, and you con't BS your way with duct tape if one goes. You also might want to check your coolant temperature rating with a hydrometer. You may also wish to pack an extra gallon of undiluted coolant. I also keep an assortment of hose clamps in case I'm out in the sticks and the heater core goes, or something stupid.

That's a heck of a trip. You know you can always ping us for help if you get stuck somewhere. Supposing your phone works...