As a collector, I’ve hauled wood-wheeled wagons and stages from California and Delaware to North Dakota, Texas and countless other places in between. Most of the time, the journeys have gone off without a hitch. However, there have been some tense moments that changed the way I look at traveling – especially when it comes to pulling a trailer with cargo.
Due to the length of this subject, I’ve posted a brief entry on our blog but included the complete, feature-length story here. Even with the expanded nature of this article, these tips and preparations should not be thought of as a full and/or comprehensive list of considerations. It is my hope, though, that some of these points may be helpful to others. Since every trip can have different requirements, I encourage everyone to do their own research to determine how to best approach a particular trip.
With that said, a strong part of any travel itinerary should be the planning and preparation phases. Below are some things that I’ve made a part of my routine. These thoughts are in no particular order...
1) PLANNING – From rest stops and gas stations to directions, accommodations, parking lot sizes, lighting considerations, food places, construction issues, and roadside helps, the actual ‘planning’ portion of a trip is a HUGE and CRUCIAL area of consideration. Segmenting all parts of a trip and preparing for each BEFORE leaving can make a vast difference in your travel experience. If you’re towing a trailer, this type of early groundwork can save some real headaches. As an example, I’ve been caught in multiple places where little to no room existed for trailers at a particular hotel. Likewise, sometimes the entry and/or exit to an inn can be so sharp and steep that getting in and out is nearly impossible without dragging the end off of the trailer. Reviewing satellite imagery of a hotel can be helpful since it will show the layout of the parking lot and surroundings. Similarly, asking for a room facing the parking area you’re using is a good security measure and evaluating the businesses reviews can also be extremely helpful. One other tip for overnight stays with a trailer...Don’t wait too late in the day or early evening to get settled into a hotel. Why? Well, the combined length of your tow vehicle and trailer mean you’re going to need additional space to park. Pushing your luck to get a few extra miles down the road will only increase the competition for a suitable parking space when you finally get there. It’s easier to get up earlier to make up any distance you may feel was lost by stopping earlier. Plus, there’s usually less traffic on the road during the earlier hours.
Securing sufficient hotel parking space often requires some pre-planning.
2) CHECKLIST – As part of my planning steps, I keep a checklist of topics and items (many of which stay in my trailer and I regularly confirm the items are still in good, working order). By streamlining the process with a checklist and pre-packed items, the preparation time for most trips is reduced.
3) VEHICLE & TRAILER PREP – Good travel plans also include necessary maintenance checks to the tow vehicle and trailer. I typically try to keep a close eye on the trailer wheel bearings, electrical system, brakes, springs, hitch, and even the flooring. Likewise, prior to long trips, I like to get a fresh oil change on the truck while also checking all of the fluids, condition of the tires and correct inflation. I also doublecheck the tightness of the lug nuts on the truck and trailer. Other considerations include making sure you have the correct, well-maintained spare tire(s), basic flat-fixing materials, wooden blocks, straps, ropes, lights, fuses, and also, don’t forget to have your truck and trailer registration and proof of insurance with you. Whew! There’s an endless array of safety checks and materials that can be important to have on hand.
A well-maintained trailer is essential for safely hauling early American vehicles.
4) NEVER TRAVEL ALONE – Safety should be of the utmost priority anytime you’re on the road. So many things can happen and, unfortunately, sometimes do. Lonely roads, poorly lit gas stations and rest stops, road rage driving, sudden engine or transmission issues, dodging road debris, and even dealing with excessive fatigue can all lead to problems we’re ill-prepared to handle without help.
One of my more harrowing yet educational moments on the road happened roughly a decade ago. I was on an extended trip and traveling by myself. I had broken several of my cardinal rules, including a pledge to always refuel at or near the half-tank mark. Now, the lack of attentiveness had led me to a remote portion of interstate with minimal traffic and no cell service. The sun was sinking, and I needed gas in the worst way. In short, I was in trouble and began to pray for a station. Mile after mile came and went with no hope in sight. I had turned off the air conditioner and was babying the speed. Finally, after fearing the engine might begin sputtering at any moment, I topped a small hill and off to the left was a tiny, near-deserted gas stop that looked like something from the 1940’s. No other signs of life were anywhere in view. I hit the offramp and breathed a huge sigh of relief. It was a short-lived celebration, though. After inserting my credit card and paying for the gas, I noticed the digital dial was barely moving. Click. Wait. Click. Wait, wait. Click. After a few minutes of gas barely trickling, I think I’d racked up about sixty cents worth of fuel. I hung up the hose and reset the pump. Once again, I waited as the gas slowly seeped from the nozzle. At this rate, it would take at least an hour to fill the tank. Plan B required me to abandon the first pump and back up to the only other one. This time, everything worked, and the fuel flowed freely. Finally, things were looking better or at least I thought. It was about then that an old station wagon came roaring in from a dirt side road. A cloud of dust enveloped the machine creating a choking brown wall that swallowed everything in its path. As simply as I can put it, the car made Clark Griswold’s family truckster look like a multi-million dollar Bugatti hypercar. The rough, rusty, dirty and dented shell of this beast was beyond startling and the appearance of its two occupants was equally disturbing. The whole scene was starting to feel like something out of a Mad Max movie.
Eventually, the man’s partner came back outside. They both looked as if they hadn’t showered or shaved in a month of Sundays. I took a deep breath as they got in their rattletrap to leave. But then something else happened. They didn’t leave! Watching out of the corner of my eye, they pulled about thirty yards away, into a dry, dirt-filled, empty lot next to the station. Pointing their car toward the side road, they immediately began fidgeting with something in the front seat. I couldn’t see what they were up to. Maybe they were unwrapping a pair of candy bars, but I didn’t think so – and still don’t. It was now near dusk, and I was about to leave the solitary station to get on an equally secluded highway. I tried to convince myself that I was overreacting and being too paranoid. As I pulled the receipt from the pump, my heart was pounding but there was only one direction I could go. I felt safer on the move rather than being boxed in around an isolated station with no phone service or business traffic.
As I pulled out, the old family wagon wasted no time, immediately pulling in after me. Tucked close behind my trailer, the two strangers tracked me back to the lonely interstate. Now, my mind was racing, and I felt no doubt as to the nefarious intents. As I approached the onramp, they turned with me. I floored the truck, pushing the fresh fuel into the injection ports and forcing the pistons into heavy labor. The enclosed trailer was fast-tracking to keep up. I was hoping to get settled in with some other traffic. Unfortunately, the road was completely abandoned. I traveled a couple miles and despite the excessive speed, I could only manage to hold about a quarter mile lead. I wasn’t shaking them but it was a race I couldn’t afford to lose. Even so, at this pace, the transmission was going to get hot in a hurry. Then, just as I topped the next hill, an offramp appeared and low-and-behold, a pickup truck was sitting at the bottom of it. In a split-second decision, I took a chance and shot off the road, hurtling down the ramp and pulling up to the truck in front of me. Staring in my side mirror, I noticed the old wagon slow down but still continue on the interstate, hopefully seeing that I was no longer alone. The truck on the offramp then turned onto a side road and disappeared. After waiting a few minutes, I gathered my nerves and reentered the interstate. Again, no traffic. Settling back into legal highway speeds, I strained my eyes toward the darkening westward horizon. I was on high alert. Would they be stopped, waiting somewhere? Still no traffic but, after traveling a few miles, I saw a car headed toward me, going in the opposite direction. As it got closer,can you guess what I saw coming back on the other side of the grassy median? You got it! The same ultra-rough, crusty station wagon. They had circled back and were now east bound. I pushed the accelerator harder, unafraid of a speeding ticket. In fact, I would have welcomed the sight of law enforcement. The dusk of that late summer afternoon quickly faded into night, and I never saw the duo again. I remain convinced of multiple miracles that day. The uneasy moments were another reminder of the value of a traveling companion and the security of a cc permit. In multiple ways, I no longer make any road trips alone.
Well-lit and well-trafficked stations can offer added security to travelers.
5) STAY ALERT AND CONSTANTLY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS – I once found myself in the midst of a police chase and subsequent crash that literally happened just feet in front of the car I was driving. To be clear, I wasn’t part of the chase, but it quickly enveloped our vehicle. Prior to the sudden escalation, my wife and I were happily engaged in conversation with Doug Hansen and Jim Patrick after us just finishing a series of impromptu presentations at a museum in Kansas City. Whether you’re on the road or have just stepped out in a parking lot, things can happen quickly and being alert is one of the best safety precautions a person can take.
6) CARRY SUFFICIENT TOOLS & SUPPLIES– As I’ve shared before, some things never leave my trailer. Tools, jacks, chocks, locks, ropes, ratchet straps, magnetic signal lights, flashlights, fuses, jumper cables, and a gas can are all good items to keep close. Each of these things, and more, are continually checked and confirmed to be in good, working order. It’s a prepped system that allows me more time to plan the trip and less time wondering if I have the necessary tools I might eventually need.
Whether it's a need with the tow vehicle, trailer, or cargo, the right tools at the right time and place are a good asset to have.
7) KNOW THE AREA YOU TRAVEL – Sometimes through inattention, lack of familiarity, or even detours, we can find ourselves surrounded by challenges. These stresses can come in a variety of forms, including that of ending up in unsavory parts of both rural and metropolitan areas. Having a fluid understanding of the roads, accident reports, distances, stopping places, and overall geography around us, including where reputable fuel stops, hotels, and travel assistance can be obtained, can all play a role in the enjoyment of road trips.
8) COMMUNICATION – Good communication is also an important asset during any trip. Letting other folks know where you are, where you’re going, and where you expect to be at certain times is an essential part of safety on the road. Likewise, regular check-ins with family and friends can help pass the time on a long journey while giving others a good understanding of your progress. Additional communication-related items to consider taking along are an extra cell phone charger, dash cam, and activating your phone’s tracking feature. Even Apple Air Tags can provide an added measure of comfort and confidence.
9) CONTINGENCY PLANS – No matter how you look at it, the open road is not always open. Floods, snow, ice, wrecks, and debris can cover roads. Construction can cause serious delays and detours. Trailer troubles, sickness, or any number of unforeseeable challenges can create multiple levels of havoc. Having contingency plans and being ready to shift directions can add to the fluidity of the travel experience.
Some travel routes can hold all kinds of surprises, including height restrictions.
10) CLOTHING– I’ve been in places with sunshine and warm temperatures that rapidly devolved into windy, snowy, and bitter cold conditions. I’ve also seen rain and storms seemingly pop up out of nowhere. Having spare clothing handy and especially weather appropriate attire and accessories can be a game-changing lifesaver.
11) GENERAL COMFORT – When my wife and I make longer car trips, we often take a small cooler with snacks and beverages. It’s just easier – and cheaper – than loading up on things at a convenience store while getting gas. Other things to think about taking in a trip bag or backpack are cough drops, gum, antacids, lip balm, pain relievers, a first aid kit, tear off cloth towels, rain gear, and small flashlights. Even something as innocuous as a retractable back scratcher can make long drives more bearable. Don't laugh until you've tried it!
12) CONSTANT TRUCK/TRAILER OBSERVATION – While in route to your destination, keep an eye on things like the transmission temps of the tow vehicle, truck and trailer tire pressures, lug nut tightness, trailer hub temps, trailer lights and signals, hitch and safety chain condition, and, of course, your fuel gauge! After all, somewhere, that rusty ‘truckster’ from the fourth point above may still be running the roads.
Lastly, as I shared in the beginning, even though this is one of my longer stories, it should not be looked upon as a complete list of considerations and preparations to make for a trip, especially those involving towing. It's merely a few thoughts that experience has taught me to take into account during my own travels. My hope is that these points provide some helpful food-for-thought in your own trips. All the best!
Ps. 20:7