2,000+ Mile road trip coming up in July - What are your favorite quality-of-life upgrades?

[Tar Heel Wrangler]

There are quite a few gas stations in OBX that have free air. I do find my Smittybilt compressor works faster though and no waiting.

Sponsored

 

[Kevin_D]

Original Dramamine (NOT the, "Non-drowsy formula.")
Puts restless kids right out.
I've had better luck with a good cooler than a 12V refrigerator.
And apparently my butt fits the JT's seats, as I can typically drive all day (upwards of 1,000 miles) just stopping for gas.

Kevin

 

[bd100]

For forward facing kids, whoever is in the back seat center is less likely to get car sick than whoever is sitting at the side behind those huge head rests. Being able to see outside ahead helps. And fresh air.

We got some seat back protectors which hang from the head rest of the front seat to protect the back of the front seat from being kicked by kids in back. And they add organizer slots and such for water bottle, pads of paper, etc.

Some pockets attached to the roll bar can hold sun glasses. The mesh door pockets are a good place for bottles of bug zap / sanitizer. There isn't much storage, so anything you can do to add more can help. We have a cap on the bed so no problem there, but you still cannot access that stuff while driving.

Full bottles of water for all. And push it. It's easy to get dehydrated on a trip, especially if going to altitude. No caffeine if going to be going up high. And spend a day or three at 5000 feet before going higher. Check local stores for bottles of air to treat altitude sickness. Apparently pilots use them too.

Remember, everyone needs food, water, litter box, and sleep! Switch drivers and rest. Bring some small pillows. At each rest stop, ask if anyone has to stop. Get out and run everyone around a bit each time. If the kids are crying, stop and get out and get food and drink. Had a baby who was miserable until we got him out to crawl on some grass and filled up with taco. Then he was good to go.

A better GPS. We have a Garmin RV series, which has the usual stuff but also adds extra databases like Four Square and Trip Advisor ratings, Plan RV parks and services, truck stops, rest stops, repair places, several sets of camp site data bases including Ultimate Public Campgrounds, KOA campgrounds, national park entrances and visitor centers and points of interest, History Channel historic places, etc. These extra databases help with restaurants, museums, groceries, tourist traps, things to do, etc. You can easily see what's available by category, ahead along your chosen route, or you can find cool museums or caves or hiking places in your area. Interestingly, our older model has all the above plus the ioverlander database, but the latest models lose ioverlander unless you get their Overlander model which then loses Foursquare and Trip Advisor.

Watch the fuel level. These trucks only warn at 1/8 tank or less, and I like to refuel at 1/4. In the open west or parts of Pennsylvania there are places where refueling at 1/2 is probably a good idea.

If hauling a heavy load long distance at speed, at each stop touch the tires and add air if the back tires are much warmer than the fronts.

Change the wiper blades before the trip if they aren't fresh. Top off the washer fluid and maybe bring extra. Some places get big bug swarms.

We have a hard top with head liner. It's louder than a car or minivan, but not too bad.

If you have time, take the back roads. Or even just a smaller road parallel to the interstate. Some beautiful country out there on the state highways. Get a paper atlas which marks scenic roads and take them whenever possible.

Edit: If your truck doesn't have them, you might want to add USB and 12V ports to the back of the center console. You can find them off the shelf at RV or boating places, and you can find the install and wiring instructions here in the interior mods section of the forum. The 12V port can power handheld DVD players all day long, but realize time spent staring down increases the chance of car sickness.

 

[GoolsbyMD77]

Where OP will be accessing/exiting the beach there’s an air up station right there not even a quarter mile away. Don’t burn money on air up right now. You will need air down etc.

Since this is about making the drive not driving on the beach… I’d bring my 12v fridge and jackery and pre make foods to save money that way. A small pillow and a plug in office chair heated/massager cushion of driver seat.

 

[thetruth1983]

Just to piggyback on this thread, I'm planning a trip from Houston to Colorado Springs at the end of this month. It will be my first long distance drive in the gladiator. I'm curious how well the built in GPS works compared to using google maps through Android Auto. I've used the Uconnect GPS a few times in the city but the interface is a little clunky. It might be more tolerable using it for a long distance since I shouldn't have to stop to change addresses much but I'm curious to see if anyone has any experience with it long distance. I have a 20 Overland with all the creature comforts and the 8 inch screen.

 

[Jcsii]

Avoid Atlanta,
I think my last trip to Houston from Charlotte we went via 80(?) through Georgia.

I installed the Seat Jackers on mine, I like them but some do not. I am 5'10" and not an issue. They may be if you are taller.

Sunshade is also nice with a top down.

I know its off topic, but if you have the time I highly recommend Brasstown Knob in Georgia. A little out of the way but takes you through the mountains.

 

[Main Line Willys]

I just finished a 1600 mile round trip from Philadelphia PA to Savannah GA this past week in a '22 JTR. Prior to the trip, I installed new Bilstein 5100's in the front. The factory Fox shocks were too soft in my opinion. I also installed the Terra Acoustic front speakers.

My advice is to get the suspension dialed in. The easier and more comfortable you are, the better the ride will be.

I would also try to map out potential stops that you and your passengers would enjoy.

And of course most important - Have Fun!

 

[Jab1719]

I think the gladiator will do just fine on the drive and once you get on the beach it will have been worth it. I leave this weekend for OBX and will take my gladiator for the first time. Compared to my JKU this thing will be a dream. Rear seats are more comfortable and my kids will have power and vents in the back! There is an air up station close to the beach access in Corolla but it can get a little crowded. I have a compressor so I’m not worried about airing back up. Enjoy! The beach is awesome!

 

[Dmc]

Just got back from a 5,200 mile trip. SW Florida to Utah. As others have said the 12v fridge is very handy, I also have a hard bed cover to keep everything somewhat safe and dry.

 

[ZoMojave]

A seat pad/cushion and a dead pedal.

Definitely install a dead pedal.

 

[six_speed_sarge]

Definitely install a dead pedal.

I have a manual, I don't think a dead pedal will fit with the third pedal.

 

[fourfa]

No, definitely not lol

FWIW I installed a dead pedal in my auto and meh, no big deal for me. I’m tall with very long legs, I kinda liked having all that open space but also kinda like being able to brace on the dead pedal. It’s really gonna depend on your personal dimensions

 

[Jimbos]

Hi Friends,

I've had my '21 Sport for about a year and a half, and we're planning to drive it from Louisiana to North Carolina in July for a vacation with my extended family. Now, usually my wife's Honda Pilot would be our road trip car (it's got a lot more creature comforts and gets better mileage on the long drives), but with the opportunity to drive on the beach in the Outer Banks, we couldn't pass up the choice to take the Jeep!

That said - it's about 2,000 miles round-trip (with two young kids in the backseat), so I'm curious - what are your favorite quality-of-life upgrades you've done to make your road trip a little more comfortable? For reference, I've got about as base of a Sport as it gets (three pedals, soft top, etc - only add on was the rear LSD) and the only real "upgrade" I've done so far is a bedliner and a Bulletpoint phone mount.

Looking forward to seeing what y'all suggest - appreciate ya!

Trips to California and Florida from Illinois last year. We found adding a Wifi hotspot was well worth it.

 

[Lunentucker]

Seat jackers
A case of paper towels
A case of glass cleaner

 

[AyeCantSeeYou]

Custom sound system. If someone is riding with me and I get tired of listening to their mouth, I turn it up and drown their misery out.

Sponsored