Help me prepare for a 2400 mile trip!

[sleepycruiser]

At the end of June I am driving with my 5 year old from NC to Iowa. Round trip we are looking at 2,400 miles or so. Driving 2 days then staying a week and then driving back 2 days.

We just got the GX....I had a mechanic check the coolant and front diff. Those checked out. Brakes ok. Oil changed, transfer case and rear diff oil changed. I changed the engine air filter and cabin air filter.

Alignment/rotation scheduled before we leave.

I cleaned the engine bay....and looked for anything alarming since it has 130k on it, but everything cleaned up nicely and seems to be good to go. Checked the air temp coming out of the vents and it was coming out at 43 degrees...so seems like that is in the proper range.

Since I haven’t taken a GX on a long trip before I just thought I would check to make sure I am not forgetting anything.

I am going to grab a cheap Bluetooth dongle for the OBD port just in case.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GXO]

I just drive mine 3300 a few weeks ago. Let the big dog eat. I have another 1500 this month then another 2000 in July. All good, it's a GX.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Check the battery and alternator, but you are looking good for that long trip. You got all the basics covered.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Good idea. Battery seems fine, but it *looks* rough....I might replace it just because. It probably will need replaced within the next 6 months anyway.

 

[little_joe]

Sounds like you're good to go! You did the necessary checks, replacing battery if condition is unknown is a great idea - otherwise, enjoy the journey!

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

I would really like to hear post-trip comments about how it went with your 5 year old. I've got two little ones and we'll be road tripping longer routes the minute they can handle it. We just did 4 hours non-stop and they did good, but they are 4 and 2, so still young!

 

[GXMac]

I would really like to hear post-trip comments about how it went with your 5 year old. I've got two little ones and we'll be road tripping longer routes the minute they can handle it. We just did 4 hours non-stop and they did good, but they are 4 and 2, so still young!

We traveled from Southern Cali to Dallas (about 1300 miles each way) last November with a 5 and 2 year old. We split each leg and stayed at a hotel about halfway of each leg for the sake of the 2 year old and made sure to stop every 3 or 4 hours to eat and stretch and fill up the GX's tank, of course.

We drove about 72 to 75 mph and averaged rouhgly 17 to 18 mpg with a 1.5" lift and 32" Cooper AT3 tires.

Coloring books, tablets with headphones, and light on carb and salt snacks as well as wipes, paper towels and a small cooler we could access from the front were our best friends.

 

[ZiaMan]

Assuming the timing belt has been replaced?

 

[sleepycruiser]

Yes, at 92k

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Radiator in a GX can leak, so it's a good idea to bring a gallon of distilled water. Wax the truck, at least the front bumper and hood, because it'll be covered in bugs by the time you get home. Check wiper condition. Figure out how you'll entertain yourself, and whether CDs will be enough. Also, how you'll charge your child's devices. Raise tire pressures to get better MPG, with gas being so expensive these days. Finally, decide whether you'll rely on the truck's nav or whether you'll be using your phone nav. If phone nav, have a way of securing the phone where it's easily visible.

I wish you a fun trip!

 

[sleepycruiser]

Radiator in a GX can leak, so it's a good idea to bring a gallon of distilled water. Wax the truck, at least the front bumper and hood, because it'll be covered in bugs by the time you get home. Check wiper condition. Figure out how you'll entertain yourself, and whether CDs will be enough. Also, how you'll charge your child's devices. Raise tire pressures to get better MPG, with gas being so expensive these days. Finally, decide whether you'll rely on the truck's nav or whether you'll be using your phone nav. If phone nav, have a way of securing the phone where it's easily visible.

Definitely have the kid supplies in check.

I ordered updated NAV discs....we had version 7.1 I think.

Good call on the wipers....rear needs replaced definitely.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I upgraded my Nav disc too, but I'd still use Google Maps ANY DAY over the GX nav system. Night and day difference.

 

[GXMac]

I upgraded my Nav disc too, but I'd still use Google Maps ANY DAY over the GX nav system. Night and day difference.

Waze is also a good idea to help you avoid speed traps.

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

What's your suggestion on PSI and how does it relate (best guess) to MPG?

Radiator in a GX can leak, so it's a good idea to bring a gallon of distilled water. Wax the truck, at least the front bumper and hood, because it'll be covered in bugs by the time you get home. Check wiper condition. Figure out how you'll entertain yourself, and whether CDs will be enough. Also, how you'll charge your child's devices. Raise tire pressures to get better MPG, with gas being so expensive these days. Finally, decide whether you'll rely on the truck's nav or whether you'll be using your phone nav. If phone nav, have a way of securing the phone where it's easily visible.

I wish you a fun trip!

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

Cool, good to hear about that. Yes food is essential and stopping here and there. But those were 650~ mile legs, so probably 8-10 hours each leg? Those are long legs, but it went ok? That's reassuring...I'm itching to get out into the woods and we are a few hours at least to anything.

We traveled from Southern Cali to Dallas (about 1300 miles each way) last November with a 5 and 2 year old. We split each leg and stayed at a hotel about halfway of each leg for the sake of the 2 year old and made sure to stop every 3 or 4 hours to eat and stretch and fill up the GX's tank, of course.

We drove about 72 to 75 mph and averaged rouhgly 17 to 18 mpg with a 1.5" lift and 32" Cooper AT3 tires.

Coloring books, tablets with headphones, and light on carb and salt snacks as well as wipes, paper towels and a small cooler we could access from the front were our best friends.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

What's your suggestion on PSI and how does it relate (best guess) to MPG?

I run about 40 psi on highway trips but I figure everyone's recommended psi will vary based on model of tire, ride preference, and load.

Under-inflated tires have been convincingly shown to lower mpg, but over-inflated tires have a less demonstrable effect on mpg. Some say over-inflating doesn't help at all, but I'm in the camp that thinks pumping up the pressure just a bit likely does more good than harm.

YMMV, literally.

So just make sure they aren't low, and anything beyond that is preference.

 

[GXMac]

Cool, good to hear about that. Yes food is essential and stopping here and there. But those were 650~ mile legs, so probably 8-10 hours each leg? Those are long legs, but it went ok? That's reassuring...I'm itching to get out into the woods and we are a few hours at least to anything.

Yea, it went well for the most part; the GX is really comfortable. I tried to drive in the evening and night as much as possible so the kids could sleep. I don't usually drink caffeine so half an energy drink or a small coffee were very effective in keeping me going.

 

[GXO]

A couple big gulps of water can actually wake you up as well as caffeine.

 

[Sleepy]

Keep kids plugged in and they do great. Movies, books, video game stuff. Just plan on lots of stops to stretch legs and hit the bathroom. I have completed two road trips over 6k miles pulling a pop-up camper. I recommend multi day layovers between spots if something cool to see. I try to avoid 2 days in a row where all you do is drive. My kids first big trip in the car for more than 2,000 miles was two week trip from Iowa to Yellowstone and back with lots of stops in between. Ages where 3, 3, 6 and 9. Since then we have gone to California and back to Iowa and a couple years later to Maine. They love road trips. Good to start them young.

 

[GXO]

Completed the Rubicon and drove from Tahoe to delta, CO. Ran like a champ! Have one more leg to complete to Ouray, Dallas TX, and Atlanta next month.