This episode is a check list/ recap of the series.  I hope this helps someone. It is more short and to the point than the last 2 episodes, so if you want more detail, you can check those out, or reach out to me.

The list of items I make sure are packed in my vehicle when I road trip:

• Printed versions of insurance and registration in my pink binder clip board
• A couple of checks stashed in pink binder
• Emergency contact phone numbers on paper stashed in pink binder
• The spare tire is pumped up and okay, (because I drive a truck, I have now started dropping the spare tire at home and putting it in the bed before I start my roadtrip)
• Spare tire tools and the wheel lock key- I personally will pack an impact gun and respective socket makes changing tire way easier
• Spare change and low bill cash for possible toll road and vending machines
• Pillow, sleeping bag and picnic blanket
• Cell phone charger and wall plug
• My solar powered flashlight, radio all rolled into one it can also charge a cell phone but it does take awhile
• Another lantern (El cheapo from TSC)
• A couple of garbage bags (2-4)
• Bug spray in driver door
• Window cleaner and rags
• Drink mixes that I can put in water and a couple of snacks.
• My clothes, (I put them in two separate bags 1 for vacation and 1 for the trip so I am not lugging a big bag when I want to change clothes during my trip)
• Beach towels
• A small tarp and 4 harbor freight magnetic part dishes (attach to truck roof and body and presto tent off the ground) whole thing cost less than $20.00
• 1 pack of water
• Vehicle battery pack charger (Harbor freight special that again can charge your phone in an emergency)
• My tunes yes, I still have CDS, and a book (never know when you get stuck in traffic or need something to do on a layover, I certain tunes for certain areas)
• Couple of cargo straps and a pack of zip ties, you can use them to tie down, as a wash line, mess with friends or saving a cat
• Small first aid kit. Band-Aids some gauze, and magic cream, tweezers, pain relievers and eye wash

Tips and tricks

• Discount Tire will patch a tire for free if they are able to do so
• Autozone will read check engine codes for free (don’t get excited, call us before doing anything)
• If you are at a rest stop or on the interstate, and stuck, there is a roadside service in most states, that will come and help you with some minor things (run out of gas, lock outs, and tire swap to spare tire. (that’s what that road service number is for)
• You can have a poor man cheesesteak, if you get a plain roast beef hoagie in middle of June, apply ketchup and rewrap, put on dash while driving west, in ½ hour pretty darn okay and hot. For like $6.00
• Check your car insurance, cell phone plans, or credit cards, they all might have some form of roadside assistance to help you out for free. Back in 2006 my ATT plan had roadside assistance that I could add for $3.00/ month at the time. One trip to Texas and back I used that sucker 5 times.
• Driving over the Rocky Mountains, make sure to open the windows a bit to help with pressure and take your time. We got altitude sickness going over.
• When driving west, make sure to get a hold of local news either by radio, or locals. Know what the brushfire risk is. I have only driven by the interstate after the fact of a brushfire but can imagine it would be scary if I was in the middle of it when it was happening.
• With Google maps, Siri and Waze, it is way too easy to poke and hope you are going the right way, I will look at a map before going to get lay of land and will print out the last couple of steps to my trip from MapQuest or Google maps, just in case cell service isn’t available, or like on my road kicks out and takes you to the wrong driveway.
• You don’t have to be a truck driver to use the showers at Loves’ or Pilot. Before paying for a shower, I do make sure the rest of the store is clean, because it does tell you what the shower area is like, use flip flops, and I use my own towel. It is literally no different than a county fair or campground shower.
• If your car temperature gauge goes up more than normal, or you are leaking coolant, unless there is no other way (you are in the outback of Yellowstone with no cell coverage), do not drive it. Up more than normal is if it usually at a ½ and now it’s 2/3 up stop driving! Do not let it even think of getting into the red range. When it is up more than normal it is overheating, if you drive it till it gets red it can go into limp or safe mode, shut off, and you could still wreck the engine.
• Check engine light blinking is bad- usually at this point your vehicle is running like crap, already. This is usually because the vehicle goes into safe or limp mode to try to protect the engine and trans. STOP driving it! Your problem is more than likely not going to go away, and you can damage the engine and/or trans by continuing to drive it. Call for a tow. If you have no cell service 911 is an option, calmly explain your problem and what you need and that there is no cell service. You won’t get in trouble.
• Do Not drink and drive ever but especially out of state. You are more likely to have a hard time proving it, but the cops do check the local bars and clubs, if they see an out of state vehicle, they plan to stop that vehicle a couple of miles away from the bar and club for a friendly reminder and check- up. My truck has been stopped when me and my friends went out at night, but since we had a designated driver, no problems were had, except an embarrassing interaction or two that has been fodder for reminiscing for years.
• Check out trippy.com for some places to check out. You might need to input a larger city close to you, but it definitely helps.

Security points and situational awareness:

• Have your documents ready, be respectful and courteous to law enforcement, makes your trip a lot easier.
• Don’t go flashing money, credit cards or high expensive items all over the place, doing so can make yourself a target.
• Follow your gut if you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation.
• Calling/ texting 911 works anywhere, but know where you are to narrow the area
• Make a check in plan with a dedicated person back home
• Be predictable with your purchases, it can be a way to track you if something were to happen.
• Be aware when walking in the parking lot day or night, don’t be distracted.
• Be proactive with defense techniques. Panic button on the car is like a home alarm, bug spray as pepper spray. Carry a pocketknife.
• Wear slip resistant sensible shoes.
• Know what is normal for your vehicle, and if it is not normal, stay where there is a population.
• Don’t run your gas out and get it from reputable stations if possible.
• Don’t be the butthead on the road, it can tick off the wrong person.