A long-distance car hauling trip will be a memorable experience.
The secret to making it so for the right reasons lies in the preparation. Being miles from home base on the open road means it’s too late to turn around to fetch something or regret anything else.
Here are some car hauling preparation tips to make your long road trip smooth and trouble-free.
Table of Contents
6 Tips for a Car Hauling
1. Assess Your Vehicle’s Condition
Before you hit the open road, you’ll want to be confident your transportation survives without problems. Get that extra service — you’ll celebrate doing so when you safely reach your destination and will severely scold yourself if you don’t.
Check your tires, brakes and lights before you set off for additional peace of mind. It’s called long-hauling with good reason, and persistent doubts take your mind off the road.
Do the same for your trailer, whether you rent or own it. No amount of car safety is too much when you’ve thousands of miles to travel.
2. Use Equipment That’s Up to the Task
Match your trailer’s suitability with the load it’ll carry. The best way to do this is to compare its capacity against that of the cargo you’re hauling. Make sure there’s a comfortable difference in the trailer’s favor.
Consider any other load you might have in the boot or interior of the car you’re transporting and adjust its capacity accordingly.
As a general rule of thumb, aim to utilize a trailer with a GVWR of at least 6,000 lbs. to safely haul a vehicle. Pursuing other options is better than taking unnecessary risks while traveling across the country.
3. Plan Your Route and Pit Stops
You might have a primary route in mind to reach your destination within a specific time.
However, always be aware that weather conditions, traffic disturbances, and other unforeseen circumstances could hinder your plans. For these reasons, investigate alternative routes as backup plans to always have the best available options at your fingertips.
It might take extra time during the planning process, but it could save you time and stress on the road.
Identify landmarks on your routes and note the times you anticipate reaching them. You should include your fuel, food and overnight stops with these, and look at how you can combine them.
If you’re on a tight budget, Couchsurfing can provide a cost-effective alternative that allows you to meet new people.
Remember, though, that you’re driving long distances and on the road for many hours, so it’s essential to break regularly between overnighting to regather your driving focus and avoid over-tiredness.
If you need an unscheduled roadside ablution stop, take a few extra minutes to stretch your legs.
Research the road conditions on your routes. Are the roads in decent shape? Do you have to leave the highway often? Answering these questions provides extra traveling knowledge that might help you plan your resting times.
Also, follow your chosen routes online and note any indicators of heavy traffic times or construction work, for example.
4. Be Electronically Prepared
Make sure you have a GPS that gives you decent coverage and connectivity. Don’t rely on your smartphone alone. Instead, use it as a backup navigation device and include a physical road map as a further precaution.
If you can carry two smartphones, you’ll be alright if one loses battery power or malfunctions. Having a second phone minimizes the chance of breaking down and being stuck miles from nowhere without communication.
Consider installing a decent weather app on your smartphone. Although weather reports and predictions are more accurate than they once were, a weather app that regularly updates gives you time to plan if unanticipated bad weather suddenly surfaces.
Whatever you do, don’t forget your phone charger cable.
5. Pack Light and Essentially
If possible, try to resist storing additional cargo in the transported vehicle. Although doing so is sometimes unavoidable, reducing your trailer’s weight means you’re taking fewer risks while hauling.
Personal items in your car are less of an issue, but limiting these items to changes of comfortable clothing, personal hygiene items and snacks and refreshments for the road means you can drive feeling relaxed and clean.
Always carry enough water in your car, both for your hydration and for emergency vehicle use.
If you’re a problematic sleeper when away from home, consider taking pillows or earplugs, or maybe some CBD or mild sedatives if you’re familiar with them.
6. Enjoy the Trip
Pop some CDs or a flash drive containing music in the glove compartment. Music helps your brain function and provides some audial relief on long road trips.
If you’re feeling bored, tune in to the local radio stations on the way and enjoy something different. Communicate often with your friends and loved ones — you’ll relax more knowing they’re alright and give them a heads-up that all is also good with you.
There may be landmarks you’ve wanted to see on your chosen route. If possible, schedule some “you” time to take them in.
You never know when you’ll pass that way again, so make the most of your long road-tripping experience. Most of all, take your time on the road to enjoy yourself.
Make Your Long Car Haul an Experience to Remember
By preparing methodically and carefully, you’ll improve your chances of getting to your destination safely and on time.
Additionally, you’ll enjoy the drive more knowing you’ve made the extra effort to guard against potential mishaps while en route. In years to come, you’ll look back on your epic journey with fond memories and a sense of pride.
