Car Camping Tips

If you love the outdoors and want to go camping but just need a few more creature comforts, read on.  This is a happy medium, not to be confused with “glamping” or hard-core camping. It’s an easier way to enjoy the great outdoors.

Even if you like to fly by the seat of your pants, a little preparation can make your trip much more enjoyable. Do a little reconnaissance about the area so you know what’s easily available and what you must bring or do without. When deciding on a campsite, investigate what amenities they have and their guidelines for campers. 

First of all, make sure essentials like a first aid kit, several flashlights or lanterns, extra batteries, bug repellant, sunscreen, collapsible chairs, plenty of garbage bags, disposable plates, utensils and cups are packed. Headlamps are a worthy investment for light so you have both hands free to do things after dark.

If activities like hiking, biking, canoeing or horseback riding are desired, search for popular places nearby. For fun around camp, pack a Frisbee, football or fishing rods. Don’t forget the guitar and other musical instruments. In case of rain, including things like a deck of cards and games for kids and adults can really make a difference while you wait it out.

Getting a good night’s rest is important, especially if you’re going to be doing activities. Pack a mat for under your sleeping bags or better yet, a blow up mattress. Battery operated and car charger inflators are available.  Prior to departure, set up your tent and sleeping arrangements to air it out, check for potential damage or missing equipment and make sure everything fits accordingly including pillows and blankets.

A good rule of thumb for any kind of travel is to bring earplugs and an eye mask. You never can tell what kind of neighbors you may have or what unexpected noises you may experience. On that note, if playing music is something that you’ll enjoy while cooking up dinner, please be mindful that sound travels much more in open spaces, so keep it moderate for your neighbors.  Too much noise may also deter wildlife from coming around.

Cooking can often be a highlight of the trip. For others eating out is preferable. Depending on your locale, it may be a way to enjoy some of the local flavor. Either way, you’ll still want to bring other provisions. Pack twice as much water as you think you’ll need. You’ll drink half; the rest will be required for cooking, cleaning, first aid and possibly even bathing. Since you don’t have to haul it anywhere by foot, this is not an area to skimp on as water shortage can have dire consequences.

Be prepared for hefty appetites to surface with the outdoor activities. Easy things to prepare over a campfire are pasta, rice, hot dogs or Italian sausages, anything on a stick really. Some things that don’t require cooking are cereal, milk, PB & J, bread, a variety of cheeses and cold cuts.  Snacks could include anything from olives, granola bars and trail mix to candy bars, cinnamon buns and potato chips. Of course, it’s simply NOT a camping trip without making s’mores. Ice down the food and beverage coolers well before departure.

Depending on where you are, critters tend to roam, especially at night, looking to raid your food. Do not ever take food into your tent. A common misconception is keeping provisions in your vehicle is a safe solution. If you’re in bear country. they’ve been known to break in and not only will your food disappear but your car will be damaged.  Some campsites have “bear boxes”.  If they don’t, hang your food at least 10 feet off of the ground.

Some campsites will have grills in which case you’ll need charcoal and lighter fluid.  For fire pits, collecting wood should be easy enough. Come prepared with kindling in case it’s damp. Pack several lighters and matches in various locations so if one is compromised by, say, weather, the others are still useable.

No matter what you may encounter during your adventure, hopefully these tips will help make your trip much more comfortable and less daunting. Be safe and have fun!

Finding a Fresh Christmas Tree

It’s days weeks before Christmas and you’re running around frantically.  The gifts are unwrapped, the food is unprepared and your Santa hat is nowhere to be found.  Stop.  Take a deep breathe and relax, we’re here to help.  Though we won’t be able to cook your holiday dinner, (we can make a mean roast, by the way) we will be able to help you with one of your dilemmas: finding the perfect Christmas tree. 

Finding the perfect tree starts with one simple rule: look for the green! According to Elwood Christmas Tree Farm owner Lee Itzler, the best way to test the health of an evergreen is to grab a branch of your Christmas tree-to-be and lightly scratch the stem. "If you see green, the tree will keep its needles longer."

Trees between 6 and 8 feet are always in high demand, taking between 8 and 10 years to grow 6 feet tall.  Once you pick out your tree, it’s best to put it inside of your car as opposed to on top.  Why? Itzer says: "Strapped on the roof, the trees get really beat up, wind burned, and desiccated. If you're a local delivery it really doesn't make a difference, but if you're going on the highway, then it should go in the car."  If you do have to put it on the roof, put the trunk facing into the wind.

Once your tree is home safe and sound, it’s time to get a good stand with heavy water retention.  The tree will soak up a lot of water over the course of the next couple days, so make sure to keep the stand full.  Viola! Your tree skills have improved this year! 

How do you retain your tree over the holiday season?  Let us know below!

Have Road Rage? Find Out in Our Quiz

When I was a young boy, I remembered a phrase my mother used to tell me on occasion.  She would begin to speak loudly, pause to look at me and say “earmuffs”.  At that moment, I would press my hands over my ears, drowning out the onslaught of curse words that proceeded to leave her mouth.  The more the vein pulsed on her neck, the more feverishly she would curse. This happened most often in the car when one of two occasions occurred: One, she was cut off by another driver, or two someone did something completely reckless, putting our lives in danger.  Road rage was funny to me then, but since those moments as a child, I’ve come to understand its power.  Do you have road rage?  Find out in a quiz courtesy of Progressive to find out if you fit the bill.

Yes or No, Do You ...

1. Overtake other vehicles only on the left?
2. Avoid blocking passing lanes?
3. Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right?
4. Keep to the right as much as possible on narrow streets and at intersections?
5. Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc.?
6. Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles?
7. Use headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions?
8. Yield to pedestrians?
9. Come to a complete stop at stop signs, before right turn on red, etc.?
10. Stop for red traffic lights?
11. Approach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your intention and ability to stop?
12. Follow right-of-way rules at four-way stops?
13. Drive below posted speed limits when conditions warrant?
14. Drive at slower speeds in construction zones?
15. Maintain speeds appropriate for conditions?
16. Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes?
17. Make eye contact and signal intentions where needed?
18. Acknowledge intentions of others?
19. Use your horn sparingly around pedestrians, at night, around hospitals, etc.?
20. Avoid unnecessary use of highbeam headlights?
21. Yield and move to the right for emergency vehicles?
22. Refrain from flashing headlights to signal a desire to pass?
23. Drive trucks at posted speeds, in the proper lanes, using non-aggressive lane changing?
24. Make slow, deliberate U-turns?
25. Maintain proper speeds around roadway crashes?
26. Avoid returning inappropriate gestures?
27. Avoid challenging other drivers?
28. Try to get out of the way of aggressive drivers?
29. Refrain from momentarily using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to pass vehicles?
30. Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a car telephone, reading, shaving)?
31. Avoid driving when drowsy?
32. Avoid blocking the right-hand turn lane?
33. Avoid taking more than one parking space?
34. Avoid parking in a disabled space (if you are not disabled)?
35. Avoid letting your door hit the car parked next to you?
36. Avoid stopping in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver?
37. Avoid inflicting loud music on neighboring cars?

Score Yourself ...

Are you an Aggressive Driver or a Smooth Operator? Answering "No" to more questions means you're a more aggressive driver.

Number of "No" Answers	How You Rate as a Driver
1-3 4-7 8-11 12+	Excellent Good Fair Poor

How Your Engine Works (INFOGRAPHIC)

Ever wondered how an engine truly functions? Check out this animated info graphic that shows the complete running process for a gas and electrical engine: Infographic designed by Jacob O'Neal

Quick Car Maintenance Tips!

Who really “enjoys” visiting the mechanic, besides the part-time grease monkey who loves working on his souped-up coupe?  That’s right, NO ONE.  It’s a draining expense that is required to get you from point a to point b.  However, car maintenance is a vital tool in maintaining the life of your car.  In today’s blog, we provide some quick tips to give your vehicle a long prosperous life and avoid the junkyard. 

Octane Overdose

Applying octane to your vehicle can be a sticky situation.  Some is good, but more is troublesome.  Higher-than-required octane does not yield more power, it just gives more funds to oil companies.  Some engines are rated for premium 91 octane but can burn 87 octane regular.  So, run regular gas if you drive nominal or normal speeds and premium if you’re a speed demon. 

Oil Change Timing

Every 3,000 miles.  It’s been instilled in you since you started driving hot wheel cars in elementary school.  Today, engine design has made that number obsolete.  Some cars call for 5,000-mile change intervals, some up to 15,000-mile stints. Others have a variable timer. Follow the schedule and use the oil called for by the manufacturer.

Dead Tires

Tires wear out and they also die out.  A useless tire is extremely dangerous.  Heat, sunlight and ozone conditions all contribute to the wear and tear of your tires.  The tire industry says that tires last about 5 years but it really depends on so much more.  The industry agreement is about 7 years, but you can check with your mechanic to see how old your tires are.  They’ll be able to see the time stamp code in the sidewall.

Got your own tip you want to ad?  Feel free!

Sharing the Road with Truckers

Remember that kid in grade school who used his size and authority as a weapon for malice?  It was the snot nosed kid that bullied everyone just because he was bigger?  Yeah?  That’s how I feel sharing the road with 18-wheeler’s.  Without putting every truck driver in the proverbial box, many of them are great drivers and very courteous, but I can’t help but feel my heart rate increase when I’m sharing the highway with one.  In today’s blog, we discuss some things to avoid when sharing the road with truckers.

1.    Riding in trucker blind spots – Trucks have huge blind spots to the right, rear, and left side.  The worst thing a driver can do is chug along in the trucker's blind spot, where he cannot be seen. If you're going to pass a truck, do it and get it over with. Don't sit alongside with the cruise control set 1 mph faster than the truck is traveling.

2.    Never, ever, ever try to sneak into a small gap and then brake and make a turn.  Trucks need 3 times the distance to stop!  Always give yourself more room. No assistance in lane changes – BAD IDEA.  If a trucker is indicating he wants to change lanes, leave room for them to do so.  You can indicate your willingness by flashing your lights. According to "Sharing the Road," a booklet distributed by John Deere Transportation Insurance, the three most common types of accidents involving heavy trucks involve the following:  Crashes caused by the truck's inability to stop in time.2) Crashes caused by a motorist trying to pass a truck on the right while the truck is making a right-hand turn. Also known as the right turn squeeze.3) Crashes caused by a motorist riding in the trucker's blind spots. Use the following rule of thumb: If you cannot see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably cannot see you.

Be careful, guys! See you soon!

Rock On!! Best Music Alternatives For Your Car

I think we’ve all been there, you know, the moment where your voice is hoarse from crooning; the steering wheel is your drum set, and your leg’s uncontrollable tapping causes the car to jerk.  You’re in the zone and your favorite song is blasting through your speakers.  Yeah, people are looking at you funny in other lanes, but you don’t care, you’re lost in the moment.  There are several options for listening to music in your car, today our blog discusses the options, feel free to choose your fav!

iPod/Mp3 Player – If you have your favorite tunes locked in on your iPod/smartphone/Mp3 Player-a-majig and your car has an Auxiliary connection, (most cars after 2006 have them) then you’re in luck.  You can purchase an auxiliary cable online (eBay has them as low as 1$) plug it into the car and the other end into the headphone jack of your device.  Push play on your device and viola, HD music directly from your favorite jukebox.

Satellite Radio – satellite radio is commercial and static free, music is beamed directly from satellites in space.  Two big companies, XM and Sirius, have paid subscriptions with countless radio stations to choose from.  Music from all genres, sports, traffic, talk shows (Howard Stern) and weather are all included.  Purchasing the tuner for your car starts around $75 bucks, with a monthly subscription of around $15.   One drawback is that reception can be deterred in cities with skyscrapers, but purchasing an external antenna will fix the problem.

Car Audio w/Cassette Adapter – if you own an older car, don’t panic!  You can still play your mp3’s on the road.  By purchasing a cassette adapter, you can play your tunes via a headphone jack.  First, plug your cassette adapter into your player’s headphone jack.  Then, insert the dummy tape into your car’s cassette player.  With $20 dollars you can use your modern mp3 player to play your tunes, rock on!!

Why Driving During the Fall is Awesome For Taking a Scenic Road Trip

Sometimes, you need to get away.  Work is exhausting, your favorite TV sitcoms have gone off the air, and it’s time to break the mold.  Imagine breathing in the cool breeze of an ocean, or the soothing heat of a morning sun while taking a trip down the countryside.  Road trips are a great way to embrace the open road to view what our beautiful country has to offer.  So, you have the keys, a bag of snacks, and a couple days to check out your surroundings, but where do you go?  In today’s blog, we’re discussing some great scenic places to visit while you travel. 

Overseas Highway – Florida Keys

A highway that spans 113 miles, composed of roads and bridges from the Florida mainland to the country’s most southern point, the Overseas Highway is a beautiful place to drive.  There’s blue ocean, ships, boats, fisherman and tourists at every turn.  As an added fact, the Florida East Coast Railway was converted into this awesome highway.

Finger Lakes Region – New York

The Finger Lakes are a chain of lakes in central New York State shaped like…well, uh…fingers with the lakes formed by glaciers.  The lake extends 75 miles from Syracuse to Rochester.  There’s farmland, quaint towns and hundreds of wineries.  An Autumn trip adds an accentuating foliage to a beautiful drive year around. 

Pacific Coast Highway – California

This is known as one of the most scenic views in the world.  Hugging cliffs, and coastlines line a 123 mile stretch in a blissful five hour dream of beauty and saltwater scents.  However, this is not for the faint at heart.  The PCH offers some hairpin turns, narrow shoulders and steep drop-offs so BE ALERT. Honestly, take some time to pull over in safe places to really enjoy the vista. 

San Juan Skyway – Colorado

This scenic 233-mile drive through San Juan National Forest, Grand Mesa, is known as the “road to the sky” because of its mountains, quaint towns and ancient Native American pueblo ruins.  The drive features steep cliffs, alpine forests, campgrounds and plenty of outdoor activities. 

Our Favorite Instagram Photos of the Month

Every once in a while, we’ll find some really awesome photos that deserve some recognition.  These photos embody the style and panache we aim to achieve with our vehicles.  In today’s blog, we’re providing our FAVORITE Instagram photos for the month of May.  Vote for your favorite below!

(noelgorgatz)

(excitecarclub)

 

(crv_nation)