Cross Country in the Cruiser

[PromontoryCruiser80]

I am driving from Blacksburg Virginia to Park City Utah in May. My 80 is stock, does anyone have any experience with driving a cruiser long distances. 2000miles. What should I expect for gas mileage? Any tips for long drives? What are a few pre trip checks I could do to make sure I dont have any suprises on the road?

 

[expeditionswest]

Good luck with your trip. Any cool stops or trails planned along the way?

 

[Brentbba]

Hell, if your fluids are good, your tires are good, pack up and go. Did 1400 over a 4 day presidents day weekend w/o issue.

Good book on CD will help pass the time quickly, unless the last CD and the last chapter in the damn 11 hour book is scratched so badly you can't finish the book until you get to the library to check it out and finish it!

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Promontory uh? Good luck with the trip, radar detector and Sirius Satelite are my two favorites. Didn't have them or any gadgets till a couple months ago but now wonder how I lived without them

 

[LabRat11]

My pre trip check list includes....

Check fluids, check hoses, check belts, check tires, check brakes, etc, etc....
Cary basic tools, extra fluids, spare hoses, spare belts (spares are the ones I swapped off last - not a permanent fix but in a pinch they will get me to the next auto shop).

Distant driving tips...
Books on CDs, music CDs, etc...
Break up the trip - don't drive more than 3 hours at a time - frequent stops for food, fuel, restroom, etc... and make a point to walk around a bit, stretch, high step, swing the arms, etc.....

 

[clownmidget]

Well in 1989 I started grad school in the east and did research in the west, so I've been back and forth across the country on every major east-west corridor multiple times. My biggest advice to anyone doing long trips is to just stop more. Stop and enjoy the characteristics of the trip. Check out a bit of local flavor. Take a few loops off the interstates that give you a break from the monotony of zipping by everything and staring at the pavement. It took a long time and several trips to drive this into my thick head but I am a much happier traveller now and arrive at my destination in a much better mood, better rested and not the tired, bitter, road warrior. You actually might discover a lot of great places to make destinations in the future too.

As far as preparedness, on trips like this it's good to become anal about your tire pressure. You'll discover, based on your load, there is a sweet spot for tire pressure that will optimize your mileage and comfort. So get a nice digital gauge, gives you something to play with while you're getting gas too. Random items like a good set of sunglasses and comfortable shoes become important too. We really dig the books on cd/tape too. Talk about a great way to catch up on some reading. But the sat radio (xm, sirius) is awesome too.

 

[PromontoryCruiser80]

Badlands is our first stop, then through colorado/rockies. Then down to the southern UT parks then up to Park City. I will check all my fluids, etc I have just insalled a sirrius in the 80 and I cant turn it off, i love it. Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Brentbba]

Safe trip sir!

Watch your speeds in Utah and be sure you are in the right lane unless passing. I know lonely sheriff's like to ticket out of state plates if you are cruising in the fast lane and you aren't passing someone (even if there isn't another car for miles!).

 

[Pete483]

I'd recommend books on tape. Also, check your PHH before you go so it doesn't blow, like mine did, going up a mountain in middle of nowhere TN. Other than that, I did about 1200 miles in two days with about 1000 lbs in the cruiser and towing a big uhaul trailer.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

I think Clown's got it.

Two summers ago my brothers and i drove from Denver to Washington D.C. in a weighed down 85 fj60. It really was the best few days of my life, but stop whenever you can. We stopped alot but for some reason we wanted to see how quickly we could make it back, now i wish we had just taken more time.

 

[Beowulf]

Greasy spoons.




Don't stop at all the Sonics, McDonalds, and Wendys. Drift off the main road and hit the mom-and-pop establishments along the road.

Take the CAC list with you.

-B-

 

[rusty_tlc]

Haveing driven across the US a couple of times I would do one of two things.

If I was interested in the destination I would get on the Interstate and drive Hell bent for leather. We can cover 900+ miles in one day if it's just me and the wife.

If I was interested in the journey I waould stay off the interstate. Not make a plan, just get a few maps and figure it out as I went.

Here is a big hint if you are staying in hotels, pick up a couple of the hotel chain registers, you can find them in the lobby. They list every hotel in a chain across the us. When you are traveling, around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, figure out where you are going to stop for the night and call for reservations. This is one of the good uses for a cell phone.

I would also join AAA if you don't already belong. Aside from road service you can get discounts at most hotels and attractions. Pop for the extended towing.

 

[RWD]

Only thing I'd like to add is make sure that your shocks are in good shape. I have driven from Chicago to the Florida Keys (1400 miles) 5-6 times now and the first time was with some worn out shocks. Felt like I was sea sick after 10 hours of bouncing. Changed them after that and no problems.

 

[rgsiii]

All good advice. I would suggest that if driving late at night, not to let the gas get too low. Some of the distances betweens gas stations can be quite long and then they may not be open in remote areas late. It can be a little upsetting to drive 30 or so miles with the low fuel light on.:whoops:

 

[tpattyII]

lot lizards help pass the time too

 

[Farley]

My 80 is still stock as well. . . The wife and I and packed up the dogs in our 97 and drove from home in Colorado to the Boundry Waters of Northern Minnesota - @ 1800 miles one way. We took our time and had a book on CD. The wife wanted to see the covered bridges in Madison County and I took a day to peruse the Cabelas in Owatonna, MN.

Like everyone has said check fluids, belts, etc. and I'll add wiper blades. Sounds silly, but we got caught in a downpour when we got up north - I was glad I replaced all the blades before heading out. I would have never throught a vehicle with over 120K would have performed so well, extremely comfortable ride.

 

[surfpig]

Haveing driven across the US a couple of times I would do one of two things.

If I was interested in the destination I would get on the Interstate and drive Hell bent for leather. We can cover 900+ miles in one day if it's just me and the wife.

If I was interested in the journey I waould stay off the interstate. Not make a plan, just get a few maps and figure it out as I went.I would also join AAA if you don't already belong. Aside from road service you can get discounts at most hotels and attractions. Pop for the extended towing.

It's the journey: take your time and enjoy. there is so much to see between here and there. If this is a one-only thing, make the time for it.

Enjoy, life is short.

 

[Mike S]

Couple things that have helped me on my long trips...

Take a cooler with bottled water, pop, fruit, etc.

Take a 2-1/2 gal jug pf water and a towel.

Carry a small bag with just your overnight stuff in it - for stops at motels.

Eat at local restaraunts - not fast food places.

Run on the top half of you gas tank.

Carry a GOOD pair of sun glasses, and a jacket and walking shoes in the truck.

Carry a flashlight.

Stop at least every four hours for 20 minutes of moving around.

Avoid driving at night, if you can.

Have a really nice trip.

Mike

 

[NMuzj100]

Rain-X the windows before you go. Helps with rain and bugs.

Tire pressure and check the air filter - that'll help the milage as much as possible.

Grab the free map at each state line. The State maps are usually better than Rand McNally with all kinds of great info. Some are real works of art made by geography lovers lavishly supported by someone elses tax dollars.

Don't be cheap on guide books. If you are going to be somewhere for a day or longer get a independent guide book before you go. The guide will tell you whats worth the time. The brochure rack at the front of your hotel will not.

Eat local. (that said don't eat anywhere with fewer than 3 vehicles in front) The gas station guy knows where to eat - ask him.

Don't price shop gas. You don't have time to figure out where the best local price is. You win some you lose some.

 

[re_guderian]

If you're not in a hurry and want to shave 30%+ off your gas bill, keep it under 65 MPH. I just did 900 miles in a lifted, bumpered, winched, rack'd, 305's and snorkel cruiser and got 15 MPG. I find driving with the cruise on at 65 to be so much more relaxing than just barrelling down the hgwy at 80. But if you're in a hurry, then do what you must. I wear slip-on mocs for foot comfort. Oh, and change your HG