Seeking Road Trip Advice - Prep & Packing

Hi Everyone! In May, I�ll be embarking on an epic road trip. The total trip will be about 4000 miles for me, start to finish. I will start/end in MN. Along the way will be MN, ND, MT, WY, CO, UT and back again through SD. The car is a 2003 996 C2 with 90k miles and runs great! I�ve owned it since Nov 2020, so I have a little history and decent baseline. I have a heated garage and the rest of MN winter to prep for this fun trip. I�ll be staying in hotels for half the trip and at my brother�s house in Denver for the other half. Camping equipment is not needed. I�m looking for advice on: 1 - Car Prep - What would you do to get the car ready? 2 - Tools - What would you pack in the frunk? About #1 - Already done: New tires Good brakes Fresh coolant New water pump Fresh air filter Wipers are new Fresh oil (after winter storage ends) Fresh MT oil (after winter storage ends) About #2 I�m mostly a DIY guy. If you can think of a tool, I probably have it and can bring it - tell me what to not leave behind! Planning to bring 12V air compressor & tire plugs Spare is aired up and ready to go I�m driving alone in my car. The frunk and back seat are available for tool and parts storage Will probably bring a charged battery booster (I have one, so why not?) What should I prep on the car and what tools/parts should I bring with?

It sounds like you have a solid plan and are doing the right things. An oil change before hand is always a smart idea. I have probably done at least two dozen 1000-6000 mile road trips and another 75+ 500-1000 mile trips in the last 5 years. Mostly in the '88 944 and 2014 C300 I used to own. The '88 944 was a total beater. One time, I took it into a Porsche mechanic for an alignment and he described it as the s**ttiest 944 he had ever seen and was amazed it was still on the road. I carried just about every tool I owned in the hatch just in case, in addition to a spare DME and DME relay. Thankfully, the car was actually surprisingly reliable and I never needed much. But I sure was happy to have all the tools just in case, even though the couple times I did need something it was usually a screw driver or electrical stuff (wire, electrical tape, etc) that saved me. Then in the Benz, I only packed the spare and factory jack/lug wrench. I figured the car was so new that if something went wrong the odds of me being able to fix it on the side of the road were very low. I haven't owned my 996 long enough to give you any specific advice on tools, but so long as your car is well maintained an generally reliable I wouldn't worry about having too much beyond the factory tool kit, jack, and spare. I'd probably throw in a basic metric socket and screw driver set. Make sure you have torx bits! Also, I have thankfully never needed it, but AAA is nice to have. Their towing is way better than most insurance companies. You get 100-200 miles depending on your membership instead of the 5 miles my insurance company gives me.

+1 on AAA you can also specify a flatbed for a Porsche rather than something that could potentially damage the car. Great thinking on the air compressor to tune your tire pressures and also a digital gauge if you are going to do it at gas stations. Weather/temp changes have an impact on tire pressure as you drive. If you don't have PPCM+ yet then getting an Aux cable or your Becker is nice to have music or podcasts in the cabin. The rennline phone mount is great albeit expensive. If you plan to drive at night make sure headlights are pointed properly - this often regresses or gets overlooked Great idea on the windshield wipers - I have found that wipers these days don't last more than a year or so. I like the curved ones to the windshield. If you have a wheel lock for your lug nuts make sure it's easy to find and accessible in case you blow a tire I've had good luck/ROI with road warranties on my Porsche tires are expensive. Make sure your comprehensive car insurance covers windshield chips from other cars on the road. Chips are common on long road trips. If you do use the replacement glass service make sure they don't use the cheap glass which weighs more. If you are using a cig lighter charger for USB they are notoriously unreliable, good to get a quality one and even better to get one with 12V monitoring digital readout so you can keep an eye on your battery/alternator status - use these in small airplanes as well You can fit large case luggage and case carryon in Porsches but its annoying and risks scratching the interior getting it in and out. Easier to get several soft and smaller duffel bags and a backpack for laptop/tech supplies. When travelling I use 4-5 small duffel bags. Its super nice if you get to a hotel for one night to just bring a little duffel with just what you need rather than a big piece of luggage which means lots of packing and unpacking - another airplane tip. Credit card or fuel card with cashback bonus for fuel purchases. In 12 years and 70,000 miles my 996 has only stranded me 3 times. Blown tire, Alternator, and Fuel pump. So I would expect it to be pretty darn reliable on the trip. If your engine "moves" a bit when you rev it maybe change motor mounts.

Bring half the stuff, and twice the money. Seriously though, sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!

I guess the other thing I'd add if not done already, is what is the state of the battery and how old. How old is the alternator?

For tools, I'd suggest in getting a tool box like this: Amazon Amazon and filling it with some common tools. It fits quite a bit and I'm able to store just about most of the tools I use for 90% of work. On the top I'd throw in a few spare fuses.

Enjoy the trip. Bring a breaker bar with a 19mm for lugs in case you get a flat. A jack wouldn't hurt either to make it easier, and in case you need to get under the car. The rest of the stuff - you're fine. Bought an e46 m3 out in Mesa, AZ with 207,xxx and drove it back to Philly on the guy's word. The e46 actually has a charged piston on the positive end battery connector that ignites and pops the connector off if you ever get in a bad enough accident to set the airbags off. Little did I know that this connection was spotty - think I was in Denver, CO up in the mountains in heavy snow when the lights on the dash started flashing out of nowhere and the car died. Panicked for 10-secs but after some roadside troubleshooting and fidgeting with the battery connectors, she ran fine. Happened again when I got home to philly which is when I finally figured out about the battery thing and had to buy a new connector - car was in an accident prior to my ownership obviously... but i knew about that because I found the guy's instagram page prior to sale and he had a picture of the thing in an impound lot. But hey, got a great deal on it but then I wrecked it a year later. Goodluck with your trip.

Great tips so far! I didn�t even think of my volt meter or other electrical items & fuses. Also AAA. I have roadside assistance with my USAA insurance. But I�m not sure what towing distance is covered. If it�s inadequate, AAA is probably worth it.

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Change the oil, tires and brakes. Pack a breaker bar, a jack and a 19mm socket. Bring a fifth of JD and a pack of Marlboro Reds for when all hell breaks loose and you're stranded. half the fun is not knowing if you're going to make it (but you will)

1 - Proper tire changing equipment (but keep it basic) and a new can of fix-a-flat and a plug kit. (just in case you get more than one flat) 2 - AAA Premium membership (don't leave home without it) 3 - A good credit card or two, just in case 4 - A really good first aid-kit 5 - Fire extinguisher 6 - A good backpack with a few things in there to keep you semi comfortable and dry for 3 days, including some food and water (and something like a Life Straw), a good bushcraft knife and good handgun and holster (one you are familiar with), with at least two backup mags and a box or two of spare ammo (I never leave home without that bag). The 5th of JD also sounds like a good bet, and maybe a few good cigars to go with it. I'd pack a comfortable folding chair for those awesome roadside vistas. Kick back, pour and light up and enjoy and refresh !! Focus on having to change a flat. Beyond that, with a properly maintained car, you should be fine. I would search out where the nearest Porsche Indies are along your trip route, so if something else happens to your car, you'll know where to tell the tow truck driver where you need to go. It's a road trip and your's sounds like a fun one. Have fun, be safe and enjoy it.

This is what I normally carry: Multimeter, a handful of zip ties, some electrical tape, tire plugs, fix a flat, air compressor, small 3/8” socket set, hex/Allen wrench sockets, torx sockets, e-torx sockets, set of combination wrenches, nitrile gloves, t-shirt that can get dirty, 6’ wire, wire strippers, needle-nose pliers, breaker bar & lug socket, a NOCO lithium jump starter, a small bottle of orange hand cleaner, and paper towels. It all fits into a Craftsman Toolbag, except for the compressor, fix a flat, and NOCO jump starter.

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Backup mags and a box or two of ammo? The dude's going to Utah, not Syria.

I have a 2,000 mile road trip planned for this summer. I was planning to bring: - Myself - My car - My girlfriend (if she behaves) - Our clothes Don't overthink it. You'll be fine.

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This is about what I pack. Add a multitool (Leatherman/Gerber) to that list. That being said, in all the road trips I have taken in the 996, the only tool I have ever used is the headlight release wrench thingy because a turn signal bulb burned out. Good luck and have a blast!

Best wishes for a great trip. Have a trip plan, and tell someone not on the trip about it. I always take some coolant, and a quart or two of oil… along with some various denominations of cash. Small collapsible chair. Car owner’s manual. Appropriate spare fuses and/relays. Multi tools are really useful, along with a good flashlight or two. I always pack some microfibers and spray detailer as well, along with a tool roll, some self adhering tape (useful for split hoses), duct tape, small tire compressor and tire repair kit or can of fix a flat, and check the spare is properly inflated (60 pounds) when you double check the tire changing tools and wheel lock key. AAA card, and a labeled ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact in your phone. I also pack a battery jump kit (useful if the phone tries to die when you call AAA), or you have a dead battery and need to access the engine to jump the car via the the fuse box. Useful knife or two, and 360 degree situational awareness does wonders towards a successful trip. Reading this, it sounds like a lot, but my wife and I comfortably travel in our 911 with this level of stuff, and bring home more than we left with! Good luck!

I would add a phone battery pack. For the views small cooler dry ice packs beers some IPAs, I would add a good bottle of bourbon. Take some oil, coolant, some Techron. Have 🤩 fun.

Hundreds of things could happen, or not. Over thinking this can get out of hand, and quite frankly, you don't want to bring a trailer along with you just to hold everything as a "just-in-case" . Just make sure all of your service, maintenance and replacement parts are done properly way in advance of the trip. This will give you time to drive it and make sure a glitch hasn't occurred after parts have been replaced. This always happen when you least expect it. Bring your laptop with Durametric and the essential tool kit. Everybody gave you a good list. Bring a AAA card and identify where the local Porsche Dealerships are along the path you are taking and their hours for parts and service. Why? Because they have the parts that you will need and depending on the complexity, the service you will need. While I prefer to use my Indy not a dealership, when you are on the road, and you need parts and possibly service, the dealership is typically the quickest solution. Enjoy the trip. Edit: if you haven't already, I would replace your light switch and light bulbs or at least have spares just-in-case. They will eventually go and you don't want them to go in the mountains, on a winding road, at night. Happened to me, on the PA turnpike passing thru Pittsburgh on my way from Chicago to Phila at night. Couldn't see a damn thing when the switch went. Both front lights were dim. Pulled off at the next exit. Got a hotel room and next day drove to Phila. Stopped at the Newtown Square Porsche Dealership, they popped in a new switch and I was out the door and able to drive at night. All within 45 min.

If your car is properly maintained, I would not sweat 4000 miles. Without the road trip, are you expecting a break down, deferred maintenance to be problematic? That being said, there are a few things that I always carry in jeep, porsche and ATV: Compressor - $20 tested to be working is fine Tire plugs - sometimes it is easier to plug a tire than to change it, especially a rear flat on a 911 where you are supposed to move the front tire to the back and put the spare on the front. Tire sealant as a last resort. Basic tool kit - mine is about the size of 4 cassette tapes. Include electrical tape, duct tape and electrical tester. First Aid Kit. Oh, and what most people don't have in the car are 5 or 6 maxi pads. Old school ones. Great for if you get a major cut, major scrape etc. We started carrying them especially hunting in the backwoods especially in case of a gsw. Paid up AAA On long trips, I make sure I have a few bottles of water, snacks, blanket or two. I use my phone religiously for gps. I would carry a map or two. Free from AAA. Some have mentioned, know where the porsche dealers are or more importantly where they are not. One of the things that has always concerned me about having a 911 is finding a rear tire on a road trip. HMM can't see everyone stocking a 285 30 18 Road trips are so much fun. ENJOY. And how bad can it be? 1979 I was 11. Mum, Dad and me drove from Toronto to Miami. IN A RENAULT. Think about getting parts for that....

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True, to a certain extent. Never say never and there's nothing wrong having all your bases covered.

Well if you're going to carry, be intimately familiar with the local laws for every state you're traveling through. It can get hairy in certain places if "proper" procedures aren't followed.

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I 100% agree with that. A carry permit that has reciprocity for the states you are traveling through is a very good thing. Either that or legit LE Creds.

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Good points. ^^ I have taken many long distance cross-country trips over the years in my 1972 911E and 2002 C4 Cab. Other than the factory tool kits, I have not taken much else with me, and never needed any. Of course, I keep my cars in well-maintained condition at all times.

Meh, I got pulled over in CO with a fake plate on my old e46 m3. Told the officer (statey too) I just bought the thing in AZ and showed him the bill of sale and title. There's really nothing efficient/serious they're going to do there other than wish you well on your way - unless you're a complete d*ck. If any encounters happen with police, I have never gone wrong with addressing them as sir, ma'am, or officer, and prefacing every move I make verbally communicating "I'm gonna reach in my back pocket for my wallet" etc etc etc.... Also, if you get pulled over at night, throw your interior lights on and your hazards. I would make the officer aware that you have a firearm in the vehicle proactively as well.

I'd bring a spare IMS bearing in case you need to do a quick roadside change. On a serious note I usually travel long distances with a gallon of premixed coolant on board since Porsche coolant is not something typically found in most auto parts stores. Pretty much everything else can be bought on an as-needed basis. Have fun!

I hear AAA is now offering roadside IMSB replacements

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That's AAA Plus. Basic only gets you an RMS and external inspection of the IMSB.

Which package comes with roadside hookers and blow?

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I think you're really onto something here.

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That's for the Ferrari owners.

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There�s a hoe house across Del Rio Texas in Cuidad la Cuna Mexico. My best friend once for his birthday booked a trip thru sex tours . Anyway for his birthday he went from Houston to there in a bus drinking all the way. It was his birthday 🎂 present 🎁, he spent a week in a hoe house eating kitty 🐱 cat for breakfast lunch and dinner. If you want a more expensive experience go to Amsterdam red light district, then you�ll see the merchandise displayed as prime Ribeyes on your butcher shop glass display. Central America has so many spots, I should write a red traveling Guide, add to that Martinique. French Guyana and Guadalupe, that�s something I really miss from my international trips, � Man doesn�t live on bread along�.

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That�s a good one right there. I bought my car in Dallas, and drove it home to MN ~ 1,000 miles. I had an indie do some service prior to pickup, including coolant flush. I found out down the road that the car was about 2 gallons low. In a pinch, all I could find was the green coolant to keep the level up. I had to do a full system flush when I got home after mixing coolant types. Thanks everyone for chiming in! A goldmine of ideas here!

Depending on the advice you take, you may need to bring some penicillin along with the firearms. The forum is always good for a chuckle.

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Handgun, a few back up mags, a bush knife and� a fifth of JD� sounds like a great combo�

Use soft sided luggage such as duffel bags. Use a soft sided tool bag, not a box. They pack so much better in small spaces and its a long standing recommendation from sailors bringing stuff onto small boats.

ODBII reader, just in case.

The trip is completed, and was [mostly] a success. The only hiccup was unexpected snowy weather in late May. We ended up running about 3,000 miles, instead of 4,000. It was very fun! On a trip like this, I love to be over-prepared. Happily, I was. On the list below, I needed / used NONE of it. But I was more comfortable knowing it was in the car, should it be useful. AAA Air compressor Tire plugs Tire pressure gauge Premixed coolant Battery booster Spare key Bailing wire Electrical connectors Wire Voltmeter Lug socket 19mm Can of fix a flat Fire extinguisher Zip ties Allen sockets E-torx sockets Wire stripper Pliers Paper towels Leatherman Engine oil Cash Band aids Black gorilla tape Utility knife Phone battery pack OBDII reader Electrical tape Torx bits 3/8 drive ratchet Socket set Fuses Flashlight

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Glad it went well and you were over prepared. Good pics!

This past weekend I had to go from Chicago to Pittsburgh, which was about 7-8 hours.

I just did Madison to Pittsburgh (and back) this weekend too! I only saw one other 996 on the trip (going westbound through Ohio when I was headed east). My drive went fine other than a small animal I hit late Friday night (I think it was hit by the car in front of me first) I believe the only damage is a new crack in the front splitter, but I'll be taking a closer inspection today

This past weekend I had to go from Chicago to Pittsburgh, which was about 7-8 hours. I don't know what you like to listen to in the car, but I grabbed a few episodes of The Nerdist podcast and downloaded an episode of Radio One's Essential Mix. Alternating Nerdist, Essential Mix, Nerdist kept me entertained for about 4.5 hours, and that was just downloading 3 things. Maybe those aren't your particular cup of tea, but something along those lines can help the miles fly by. I usually travel with dbauskunft.com , and I do this on train rides to keep me from getting bored and tired. Sfe traveling!

We've come a long way since these days. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...6a-travel-kit/ Though, to be honest, I can easily see Porsche producing these again. Gotta grab that cash!

Hello there. Since there are more than 40 replies on road trip hacks, I’d like to share some advice on cruise trips. Tbh, I’d always been a fan of road trips until my last birthday. My friend got me a cruise ship ticket as a birthday present. My feelings were actually complicated. I mean, I was both happy and puzzled at the same time. You know, I watched the Titanic movie, and I know how it ended up. Anyway, I went on the voyage. The main feature I found out then was cruisetimetables online service. My friends advised me on it so I could track my trip. So, that was my happiest 30th birthday. Sorry for interrupting. I hope it will be useful. BW

I would also do some Google research to create a list of stealerships and local indies that work on Porsches along the way. I used to drive from NJ/PA to Phoenix, which made having two lists beneficial....one for the stealership/indies and the other for Nancy's pit stops.