Summertime is just about upon us again. The time of year that brings us heat, bugs on the windshield, alligators and frustrations. You can limit the amount of frustrations if you plan ahead and prepare yourself. With over 4-million driving miles, I have seen too many summer vacations ruined, or gone awry, because people ignored a few simple procedures.
Whether your vacation vehicle of choice is the family car, or a camper that's been parked all year waiting patiently, these few suggestions will help keep you from having problems.
Replacing these parts while you are at home will save you time and money.
Tires
Inspect the tires. There should be good tread for traction for wherever you go. Check the tread for cupping and 'shoulder' wear. These could be indications of bad alignment or tire balance. Make sure the tires are not bald, and there are no belts showing. Check for bubbles in the sidewalls, as this is an indication of an inner-belt separation and this tire will eventually blow. If there are cracks in the side walls, or the tread is separating from the casing, the tires may be too old to survive another trip; replace.
Suspension
The suspension is the connection between the vehicle and the tires. A failed suspension on a rough road will "beat up" the vehicle, possibly damaging it beyond repair. I can relate many examples of this!
Coil And Leaf Spring: Take a look at the springs and their holders or pockets. Are there any cracks or flaking, and are the spring holders worn? Check to see if the retainers are in place. Make sure all U-bolts are tight. If the nut(s) will not tighten, the threads are stripped and the U-bolt needs to be replaced; they must be tight.
Air Ride Suspension: Make sure the airbags are not cracked or worn. Use a spray bottle with soapy water to check for airbag leaks and along the air lines and connections. A small air leak will only get worse.
Shock Absorbers and Struts: Very important part of the suspension system. Struts and shock absorbers keep the tires from bouncing up and down uncontrollably. Worn shocks make for a rough ride and steering difficult. Grab and see if you can move them; if they move, the shock, strut or rubber bushings may be bad.
General: Check that all the suspension components bolts are tight.
Brakes
Whether the brakes are drum or disc, check the pads for wear. The discs or drums should be smooth and not scored. Worn pads and scoring will lessen your stopping ability. Inspect the lines. Check adjustment.
Air Brakes: Check the cans, push rods, and brake assembly for worn, loose or out of alignment parts. Be sure the air compressor is supplying the full amount of air pressure.
Hydraulic Brakes: Check the master cylinder and fill the reservoir with fluid. Check pedal pressure. Check auxiliary units on trailers.
Undercarriage
While you're down there anyway, check the underside of your vehicles for holes in the bottom caused by rust or something else. A raccoon found a small hole in our camper floorboard that was directly under the pantry. Working at the hole he was able to help himself to a feast!
Windows
Check the windows of your vehicles for cracks and chips. Under the right circumstances, a small problem now can become much bigger later. If a windshield is cracked, that's a safety violation in most states, which could give a Law Enforcement Officer a reason to visit with you. Why tempt fate?
Windshield Wipers: Replace if worn or cracked. If it rains and you can't see, that's not much fun.
Engine Compartment
If it don't run, you don't go! This applies to auxiliary power units (generators & A/C) as well.
Timing Belt: Check your owner's manual to see if the timing belt needs to be replaced. On some cars it's required every 60,000 miles. The replacement should be done by a qualified mechanic and garage. I don't even touch this one on my car!
Tune Up: Have the injectors cleaned. Replace the spark plugs if it's been a while. Check wires for cracks and grounding. Check other parts depending upon age and condition of vehicle.
Hoses and Accessory Drive Belts: Check for cracks and wearing on the rubber. If your vehicle is more than five years old, and those items have never been replaced, you might want to consider doing so even if they're not showing any signs of wear. Cheap insurance.
Batteries: How old are they? Campers and power units have them, and if they fail, you could be left in the dark, literally and figuratively. My standard rule of thumb is to replace batteries at least every four years. Cheap insurance.
Fluids: Change the oil and filter before leaving on vacation if it's been over 3,000 miles. Have the antifreeze checked to make sure it's still good. Fill up the windshield washer reservoir.
Lights and Electrical Connections
Make sure all your lights are working. In most states, this is a biggie for getting pulled over!
"Cheap Insurance" means that it would be less expensive to replace the item while you have the time at home, than to incur the costs in an "emergency" situation on the road, such as having to be towed. It's not actually an insurance, more like an indemnity: "security against loss".
For many people, this list seems to be excessive. To keep it in perspective, as a professional fuel tanker driver, I have to check this list every day, and inspect the tires every time I stop and get out of the truck. You're doing it before every trip will save you a lot of frustration and costs. It works for me!
I hope this helps.
Happy Motoring!
Sources:
- Doubletongued Dictionary
- Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-201.
Scott Murray - I have over 27 years and 4 Million miles of driving experience, most being in Class 8 trucks, which are also called Semis, Big Rigs, Large ...
Join the Conversation