Accessories for a 10hr drive?

[RET2]

Give your copilot a bottle of Nyquil and a big Gatorade for you and lett'r rip Taterchip.

 

[xeuxaz]

I generally want to avoid mounting system that simultaneously charge my phone. I want the option to not charge while still using my phone. On a long drive, i don't want my phone to be bouncing off 100% charge for hours and hours.

For me, windshield mount is just yet another thing that blocks view. I already have a V1G2 radar detector and dash cam...and tollway sticker...don't need another thingy stuck to windshield.

The other thing is ventilation. Any mount the blocks the back of phone can contribute to overheating the phone...esp if you driving into the sun. The sun will cook your phone...add to that, your phone is constantly working due to navigation...(and add to that if you are simultaneously charging your phone while navigating)...and your phone screen will probably be max brightness for you to see...aka recipe for overheating.

That is why (after a few mis-buys) i have settled on the one above. Just went on a road trip last month. The AC Vent mount was ideal. Despite sun (hot summer!!), charging, navigation for hours, my iPhone 14 Pro never even got lukewarm! When my phone got near 100%, i just unplug from charging. Once it got down to 60% or less, i plug it back in.

Optimized charging in iOS and Android prevents it from bouncing off 100% FWIW.

 

[sleepycruiser]

seat jackers

Exactly what I did before my 16 hour one way trip last month.

These are the ones I used:

URLWALL 1'' Seat Spacer Lifting Rear of Front Seats, Adjustable Driver Seat Riser Lift Kit, Seat Recline Kit Replacement Compatible for 2005-2020 Toyota Tacoma, 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser (Black) https://a.co/d/jbKwYI5

 

[Artie]

I’ll second the window cleaner. I use a spray bottle with a 3:1 water vinegar mixture, this cloth, and a fine piece of steel wool for the most determined bug guts.

Also, we enjoyed having a way to refill our water bottles in the car. We really justified the cost of the yeti gallon jug… we bought a second one for our next big trip. It will probably hold ice for days but we emptied it almost daily, we have 2 adults and 2 young kids.

As far as the seats go, no complaints from us. Ours only have 20k miles on them but we’ve done multiple 600+ mile days and one over 1000 miles and the seats are great.

Our audible account has been great as well as long as all the passengers can agree on a book.

 

[Millennial]

Caffeine of choice, water, and some snacks in the cool box. Download a couple of favorite Spotify playlists in case you hit cell reception dead zones. Figure out where your wallet and keys will go so that you’re not sitting on them the whole time. The RoadTop CarPlay units that are reviewed in a couple of threads here are great for music and navigation. Tennis ball to roll around on your back or under a leg if you get any sore spots or cramping. Review the thread on here about the reserve in the fuel tank so that you don’t force yourself to stop prematurely when you see yourself getting into that last quarter of a tank on the gauge. Check tire pressure before setting off.

 

[PatrickBateman]

This place is awesome. Thanks for every comment!!!!

Just ordered the seat jackers, will bring the tennis ball, ordered the trashcan. Also looking through some of the threads for “under 100”

 

[Millennial]

This place is awesome. Thanks for every comment!!!!

Just ordered the seat jackers, will bring the tennis ball, ordered the trashcan. Also looking through some of the threads for “under 100”

The tennis ball fits well in the cupholder on the door.

 

[bloc]

At 135,000 miles mine is less hydrophobic then new Rain-x is the bomb

If you like streaks all over your windshield.. sure.

The extreme hydrophobic nature of it means even windshield washing beads up then dries leaving streaks. With good blades/inserts (OEM is the best, but is not what is sold at dealers) it makes an extremely thin film that evaporates before beading and leaves no streaking.

I have bought a number of cars where they rainx'd the windshield and have had to polish it off. I hate the stuff.

 

[sleepycruiser]

If you like streaks all over your windshield.. sure.

The extreme hydrophobic nature of it means even windshield washing beads up then dries leaving streaks. With good blades/inserts (OEM is the best, but is not what is sold at dealers) it makes an extremely thin film that evaporates before beading and leaves no streaking.

I have bought a number of cars where they rainx'd the windshield and have had to polish it off. I hate the stuff.

Besides OEM, what are the go-to wipers? I need to go ahead and replace all of mine.

 

[Sinister]

Besides OEM, what are the go-to wipers? I need to go ahead and replace all of mine.

OEM, nothin better IMHO.

 

[04UZJ100]

If you like streaks all over your windshield.. sure.

The extreme hydrophobic nature of it means even windshield washing beads up then dries leaving streaks. With good blades/inserts (OEM is the best, but is not what is sold at dealers) it makes an extremely thin film that evaporates before beading and leaves no streaking.

I have bought a number of cars where they rainx'd the windshield and have had to polish it off. I hate the stuff.

THIS.

 

[bloc]

Besides OEM, what are the go-to wipers? I need to go ahead and replace all of mine.

Genuine Toyota all the way. And make sure your source actually gives you that. Some sub in the aftermarket stuff (with a Toyota logo)

Also note that if your blades are OEM you can put new inserts into them for about $10 each vs buying whole blades. In Texas sun my blades last two years, inserts about one.

 

[Leelanau]

If you like streaks all over your windshield.. sure.

The extreme hydrophobic nature of it means even windshield washing beads up then dries leaving streaks. With good blades/inserts (OEM is the best, but is not what is sold at dealers) it makes an extremely thin film that evaporates before beading and leaves no streaking.

I have bought a number of cars where they rainx'd the windshield and have had to polish it off. I hate the stuff.

If you apply Rain-x according to directions, it never leaves streaks. It leaves your window crystal clear. It works so well you don’t even need to turn on your windshield wipers if you are traveling more than 45 mph.

The people who have hazing or streaks must not have followed the very simple directions. People freak out that cannot get rid of the haze and try to polish it off. A wet towel removes the haze instantly.

It’s this simple;
1. Start with clean windows
2. Wearing rubber gloves (rain-x is like rubbing alcohol and is harsh on your skin) use a folded piece of paper towel saturated with rain-x and using circular motions, apply it to the entire window surface.
3. Let it dry to a haze
4. Repeat with a second application of rain-x right over the previous application.
5. Let it dry to a haze
6. ***Using a sopping wet towel, wipe off the haze and use a dry towel to finish (this is the step you must have not done)

You windows will be crystal clear and repel water for about 4-6 months, vastly increasing visibility and safety during any rainy conditions.

 

[bloc]

If you apply Rain-x according to directions, it never leaves streaks. It leaves your window crystal clear. It works so well you don’t even need to turn on your windshield wipers if you are traveling more than 45 mph.

The people who have hazing or streaks must not have followed the very simple directions. People freak out that cannot get rid of the haze and try to polish it off. A wet towel removes the haze instantly.

It’s this simple;
1. Start with clean windows
2. Wearing rubber gloves (rain-x is like rubbing alcohol and is harsh on your skin) use a folded piece of paper towel saturated with rain-x and using circular motions, apply it to the entire window surface.
3. Let it dry to a haze
4. Repeat with a second application of rain-x right over the previous application.
5. Let it dry to a haze
6. ***Using a sopping wet towel, wipe off the haze and use a dry towel to finish (this is the step you must have not done)

You windows will be crystal clear and repel water for about 4-6 months, vastly increasing visibility and safety during any rainy conditions.

It 100% leaves streaks, when applied perfectly and frequently, when you use the windshield sprayer and wipers for instance to clean bugs or debris off the windshield.

This is because the stock wipers even when brand new on a perfect windshield, leave an extremely thin layer of fluid behind.. without some snakeoil to cause it to bead up, it evaporates away and you notice nothing. If it beads like crazy, the soap/dye solution in these beads dries and leaves streaks.

Yes, when applied correctly rainx itself doesn't have streaks, but it causes other scenarios to leave streaks that don't without.

Enough people love this stuff that I gave it a fair shot, multiple times.. but if you appreciate crystal clean glass, it jjust doesn't work as well as high quality wipers on a clean windshield. Unless you can find a way to keep bugs from hitting the windshield. So far I haven't heard of rainx being that magical.

 

[Leelanau]

It 100% leaves streaks, when applied perfectly and frequently, when you use the windshield sprayer and wipers for instance to clean bugs or debris off the windshield.

This is because the stock wipers even when brand new on a perfect windshield, leave an extremely thin layer of fluid behind.. without some snakeoil to cause it to bead up, it evaporates away and you notice nothing. If it beads like crazy, the soap/dye solution in these beads dries and leaves streaks.

Yes, when applied correctly rainx itself doesn't have streaks, but it causes other scenarios to leave streaks that don't without.

Enough people love this stuff that I gave it a fair shot, multiple times.. but it just doesn't work as well as high quality wipers on a clean windshield. Unless you can find a way to keep bugs from hitting the windshield. So far I haven't heard of rainx being that magical.

I’m with you that the factory wipers are high quality and work great. I have never experienced the streaking issue with rain-x. I have on occasion experienced chattering of the wiper blades after applying rain-x (almost like the windshield was squeaky clean). That problem is easily resolved by wiping the wiper blades with a thin film of 303, then a dry towel.

I think the windshield stays a little cleaner a little longer with rain-x, but bug guts still ruin a clean window and need to be washed off. It’s not magic in that respect. The magic of rain-x is that it eliminates the water smeering (thin film) that obscures your vision so badly during the rain. The glass itself stays clear between all of the racing beaded-up water that is running off the windshield. No matter how good your wiper blades are, they do not eliminate this reduction in visibility alone without rain-x.

 

[Sinister]

I Always use rain-x and never get any streaks (I also apply it on my rear window) I hardly ever use my wipers and never use them over 45/50 mph, even my wife thinks is neat not having to use them. I’ve been using it for 25 plus years, all with zero issues.

I even use on my job car.

 

[bloc]

Stock Genuine Toyota wipers allow me to outrun what my tires can do in the rain, which is good enough for me.

As for the streaks, definitely not worth reapplying just to show what I’m talking about, but I’m not making it up. I used to have pictures! Perhaps I use the washer more than most, which is what the rainx made streak.

The driving without wipers part is great, but not at the cost of having a truly clean panel the majority of the time when it’s dry out.

 

[Leelanau]

Stock Genuine Toyota wipers allow me to outrun what my tires can do in the rain, which is good enough for me.

As for the streaks, definitely not worth reapplying just to show what I’m talking about, but I’m not making it up. I used to have pictures! Perhaps I use the washer more than most, which is what the rainx made streak.

The driving without wipers part is great, but not at the cost of having a truly clean panel the majority of the time when it’s dry out.

@bloc, what you are calling “streaks” and what I’m calling “haze” is completely normal and desirable (during application). I am convinced that the difference between you (hater) and me (believer) is a 1 word error on the rain-x label’s directions. It says “Remove final haze with DRY cloth or by sprinkling with water and wiping with a paper towel until crystal clear.”

It should say “wet cloth” not dry, in fact it should say sopping wet towel! If you follow these directions and try to remove the greasy haze with a dry towel it will 100% cause streaking, consternation, and heartburn. The stuff just doesn’t wipe off easily at all…UNTIL you add water.

Once it’s fully applied, you simply apply water and wipe it dry with a clean towel.

 

[bloc]

@bloc, what you are calling “streaks” and what I’m calling “haze” is completely normal and desirable (during application). I am convinced that the difference between you (hater) and me (believer) is a 1 word error on the rain-x label’s directions. It says “Remove final haze with DRY cloth or by sprinkling with water and wiping with a paper towel until crystal clear.”

It should say “wet cloth” not dry, in fact it should say sopping wet towel! If you follow these directions and try to remove the greasy haze with a dry towel it will 100% cause streaking, consternation, and heartburn. The stuff just doesn’t wipe off easily at all…UNTIL you add water.

Once it’s fully applied, you simply apply water and wipe it dry with a clean towel.

You aren’t reading what I’ve been typing.

I can easily get rainx to be crystal clear after application. Zero streaks, haze, whatever else anyone would call it.

Later, when you use the vehicle’s windshield washer system, the wipers will inevitably leave behind an extremely thin layer of washer fluid. This is normal. It happens with new blades on new glass. If you pay close attentiok it happens when you clean the windshield with a squeegee too. In normal conditions this impossibly thin layer dries almost immediately leaving behind no discernible residue. But with rainx this ultra thin layer beads up, into a small droplet that when it dries does leave behind a noticeable imperfection on the clean glass. It can be removed easily.. but not with normal wipers and washer system.

My issue with the stuff is that a side effect of the great things it does while driving in the rain is undesirable behavior in other normal operating conditions, even when applied perfectly. In fact the more hydrophobic the glass is, the worse the issue I observe. IMO if users have very good vision and high standards for glass cleanliness they can’t beat clean, non-treated glass with high quality (in this case Genuine Toyota) wipers.

 

[Leelanau]

Ok @bloc that helps me understand where you are coming from. I haven’t seen what you are describing, but I am going to be on the lookout in the coming days to see if I observe the same.