Traveling with your family is a chance to make new memories and to have the time of your life. These trips are usually amazing, but it can take a lot of time to prepare for them.
If you are planning to go on your first family road trip, you are surely excited, but you may be panicking as well. To help you have all things under control, we created this guide for you, where we are going to give you some preparation tips. Use our list, and make sure everything is checked, cleaned, and planned before you get in the vehicle.
1. Luggage space
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When you prepare for your first family road trip, you need to consider all the things you are going to take with you. If you have kids, you know that you need a lot of clothes for them, and some even need to be in the vehicle with you, so you can change them if needed.
We usually carry too many bags and luggage, so you need to be smart when packing everything. One of the things that can help you out is luggage boxes and bags. They are small boxes that you can use to separate different things and put them in your large suitcase. That way you won’t have trouble finding anything you are looking for and you won’t spend hours packing every single thing.
The next thing you should consider is getting a rooftop trunk so that you can carry all the things you need with you. Depending on the size of the car you have, the trunk may be too small for all the luggage you are carrying, and a rooftop trunk will be a great idea.
In case your family wants to stay active throughout your trip, then you might want to take your bikes with you. This may seem impossible, but there are a lot of great tracks that will help you out and hold the bikes while you drive. On this website, you can see the reviews of the best bicycle racks, and you can find the one that has all the features you need.
2. Maintenance
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Traveling with your family is amazing, but you need to make sure your partner and children are always safe. Because of that, you need to check the vehicle and do all the necessary maintenance before the road.
Experts suggest that it is best if you start about two weeks before the trip so you have enough time to change and fix everything. Start by checking the car battery and see if it needs to be replaced. Check the engine oil and add more if needed.
The brakes are the most important part that keeps you safe from harm, so they have to be maintained and if needed, changed regularly. Don’t forget to check the brake oil and see if it needs to be replaced.
The next things you should always check before your trip are all the lights. Even if they are working properly, you should have at least one spare of each in your vehicle. They are pretty inexpensive, you can find them in most automobile stores, and you can change most of them on your own. If needed, watch some tutorials. Don’t forget to pack all the necessary tools in your trunk and you may want to invest in a toolbox that always is in the back of your car. This can save you a lot of time and money, and if something breaks while you are on the road, you will be able to patch things up until you get to the mechanic.
Check the tires and see if the pressure is okay. If needed, inflate them, and wait for a day or two to see if the pressure holds. Don’t forget to check the spare tire as well, and never take it out to save up some space. Not having a spare tire while you are on the road is extremely dangerous and it can cost you a lot.
Check the rest of the fluids and see if everything is working properly. Add some windshield fluid and keep a spare tube in your car. See if all the filters are working correctly and maintain the AC and the heating system.
Last but not least, always clean your car before you take it out on the road. Most of these things you can do on your own, but in case you are not sure if you can do everything correctly, it is better to take your vehicle to the mechanic. Tell them to service the car, and make an appointment at least two weeks before your trip. This will leave enough time to get everything changed, fixed, and repaired. And if nothing needs to be fixed, then great, you have two full weeks to worry about other things.
3. Gadgets and Tools
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To make the whole experience better, you should think about getting some tools and gadgets that will help you out. For example, you can get a better sound system that will let you listen to your favorite songs and make the whole trip better for your kids.
You can install some displays for the back seats that will keep your children occupied while you are on the road. Don’t forget to bring a portable fridge (available on sites like this one), so all of your drinks will be cool and all your food will not get spoiled. You can think about getting a GPS monitor, or just a phone stand so that you can easily follow the map without looking away.
These things are usually inexpensive, and depending on the location you are traveling to, you may want to invest in more or less equipment. Make a list of all the things that would make the driving easier and something that will keep your family from being bored.
If you are traveling during the winter, you have to have tire chains and you may want to purchase additional tools in case the car breaks down while you are on the road and you have to wait for the tow truck. Don’t forget to keep extra chargers in your car, and having a power bank is always a neat idea. Have a safe trip and remember that the journey is more important than the destination.
