I'm going to do it: Cross country trip to from Northeast PA to Los Angeles! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

W124 E300D · #31 10-25-2010, 03:16 PM

Listen to the professional drivers (truckers) before the trip, and go where they go (eats etc) during the trip.

Truckers have forgotten more about any trip you care to make than everyone else put together ever knew.

For example, truckers will usually have a bag of some sort that stays with them 24/7, and has stuff like half a toilet roll and $200 bucks in $10 and a roll of quarters and a leatherman tool... stuff you won't use one year to the next mebbe, but when you need, nothing else is a substitute.

When I did all my travelling by motorcycle I used an army gas/nbc bag, all my papers, backup cash money, phone cards, phone, half a bog roll, butane lighter fluid (portable airline for blowing out oil lines etc) some wire, insulation tape, multitool, notebook and of course smokes.

Good luck.

#32 10-25-2010, 04:03 PM

I carry a cell phone and a credit card.

buffa98 · #33 10-25-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I carry a cell phone and a credit card.

There are more than a few spots (still) the have little to no cell service. The cash stash is another thing that I forgot about. I used to keep about $500 in 10s and 20s stashed.

Also make a photo copy of DL, Car registration, insurance card and any other cards you might be asked for. CC's Health Ins that type of thing Stick these in a Ziplock bag along with the cash.

Nothing sucks worse than realizing 300 miles down the road your wallet is on top of the last fuel pump you used

. BTDT

Skid Row Joe · #34 10-25-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

I carry a cell phone and a credit card.

Lovely....

I prefer; cell phone, cash, debit card and a handgun out on the road.

#35 10-25-2010, 05:36 PM

In the 21st century, I can get cash or anything else I need with a quick phone call. I drove from NY to CO over the weekend with about $20 in my pocket. I probably have a health insurance card in my wallet someplace. The police can verify my registration and auto insurance in a matter of seconds if necessary. This year I worked in about 10 different states and drove about 50k miles without any problems. It's really not that big a deal.

47dodge · #36 10-25-2010, 06:29 PM

I've done two cross country trips, and many shorter(1000mile or so). One from Virginia to La, and one from Virginia to Seattle. Round trip of three weeks. about one day of driving then one day of sight seeing. Must say I did not like the southwest. Just to much sand and brush for me. Give me mountains. Did lose an injection pump in Sayre, Oklahoma. Little one horse town. The mechanic was happy to just order one and let me put it in. This was in a Dodge with the mighty Cummins.

One thing that I have found to be very useful is a laptop computer, or for young techies those new i phones, anything that has web access. Verizon has good cell phone and internet coverage. Four corners region was poor, but could get service just about anywhere else.

truck stops usually charge about $10 for a shower if not buying 50 + gallons of fuel. Sometimes they are nice and give a free shower. If doing truck stops do not take a truck parking spot, they are in short supply.

Whatever parts you bring will be the wrong ones. Murphies law. Oil, antifreeze, filters, fuses, all good to have. But I do not bother with larger items.

Most important have fun

W124 E300D · #37 10-25-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47dodge

Whatever parts you bring will be the wrong ones. Murphies law. Oil, antifreeze, filters, fuses, all good to have. But I do not bother with larger items.

Most important have fun

True, you need to tow an IDENTICAL car, and then the trailer will die on you....

layback40 · #38 10-25-2010, 08:07 PM

No one is saying much about tires.
It is worth inspecting yours closely before you go. We regularly find nails & other objects jammed in the tread, if left they would probably work their way through & cause a blow out. Also on a long trip there is nothing worse than the vibration of an out of balance tire.

okyoureabeast · #39 10-25-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piccolovic

Also, Adam . . . . for your safety, help, and advice . . . . That's why WE'RE here. I'm sure someone will lend a hand while you're making the trip, should you have problems. And some of us are old enough, that we remember doing what you're doing, and have laid the groundwork to make sure your trip is "uneventful."

That's why I'm a member here

You guys have always been helpful, but trust me. If there's a breakdown anywhere I am a phone call away from AAA and a long distance tow to Los Angeles or have me go to LA and the car go back to Pennsylvania. I'm definitely a big enough boy to call the shots out in the open road

The freon in the AC system leaked out sometime in 1996. To be honest air conditioning to me is an expensive luxury item. Roll down the windows and put in some ear plugs.

One day I will fix it. Working air conditioning in an old Benz is the mark of complete Benz mastery in my book.

vstech · #40 10-25-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

That's why I'm a member here

You guys have always been helpful, but trust me. If there's a breakdown anywhere I am a phone call away from AAA and a long distance tow to Los Angeles or have me go to LA and the car go back to Pennsylvania. I'm definitely a big enough boy to call the shots out in the open road

The freon in the AC system leaked out sometime in 1996. To be honest air conditioning to me is an expensive luxury item. Roll down the windows and put in some ear plugs.

One day I will fix it. Working air conditioning in an old Benz is the mark of complete Benz mastery in my book.

bwohaaahaaahaaaa
I'm a complete Benz master!

dunl · #41 10-25-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

bwohaaahaaahaaaa
I'm a complete Benz master!

So you've mastered the w116 servo?

dieseldan44 · #42 10-26-2010, 12:07 AM

I did 8500 miles this spring from Boston to Grand Canyon North Rim and back in my 85 300D. Not a *single* issue the entire time. Did two oil changes (WalMart parking lots) and changed one WVO system filter, all at regular intervals as routine maintenance.

Your maintenance list looks good. Finish it *before* the trip and make sure you have 1000 miles on the car before you leave without doing anything major.

On the drive, get *off* the interstates when you can. The drives through the state highways on the Southwest are awe inspiring. It went by so fast and I want to do it again.

Go slow and dont plan way ahead. We rolled into the Grand Canyon N. Rim with no reservations and had no trouble getting a site. We never had hotel problems just walking in at 11:30. We went in May and into early June.

Bring 1 gallon of water per person per day.

A smartphone or GPS (we had an iPhone and a Garmin) are immensely helpful in figuring out where to sleep and eat on a whim. And carry a paper Atlas of the USA too.

vstech · #43 10-26-2010, 12:24 AM

The a/c in my 79 td worked great, as did the heat controls. it has the same system as the 116 iirc, I did have a spare evil servo, but never needed it.
just before I sold the car, things started to act up, but I kept it under control.
but I have only mastered the 82's a/c system.

speedy82 · #44 10-26-2010, 08:50 AM

Just pack plenty of clean underwear. You should be fine.

& do take pictures to post later. Ya know, my Benz in the sunset,.....

piccolovic · #45 10-26-2010, 04:32 PM

Well, my, my .. . how fast things happen when you turn your back for a second. LOL.

First . . . i agree to stay off the I-70, anywhere for winter, especially in the rockies. You may find yourself stuck somewhere during a road closure. Second, going through the Rockies, they are short on real estate for shoulder and any breakdown could be a total disaster. And, weather = unpredictable is an understatement. Make sure you have a set of Pep Boy chains or cables where you can easily reach them . . . Murphy's law will kick in and guarantee that you'll never have to use them . . . ROFL.

I think the gentlemen who gave you the route is a truck driver, also, or has someone in his family who is a trucker, cause he gave the exact route I would do, or dispatch another trucker on during that season.

If you are closer to the I-95, I would go south on it til Baltimore, then the I-695 West (avoid the traffic/tolls), back on the I-95 S to the I-495 West around DC, then catch the I-66 West and it will dump into the I-81. The rest of the way is the same, unless you want to go through the Painted desert in Northern AZ, then stay on the I-40 through Amarillo, Albuquerque (although the roads can be icy and shut down in Winter) then through AZ. You can catch the 17 to drop down to Phoenix from Flagstaff, and it has an outstanding view while gravity pulls you all the way down the hill to Phoenix . . .LOL (better milleage letting gravity do the work). if you stay on the I-40 all the way into CA, if will dump into the I-15, then to the I-10.

Did you say you were going to San Clemente? You won't need the air conditioning on the trip at all going to there, but might want to fix it up before the ride back . . . depends on which route you'll go in May. I don't think there are any months in SC that you would need AC, as it is rather cool there all year round.

As for free showers. The other driver is correct . .. . it costs about $10/shower. However, if you go to the waiting area (for showers), with your shower bag in hand, and ask if anyone has an extra shower ticket, you'll generally score (or use your CB in the parking lot . . . they will answer). . . especially if you're at the Flying J. Also, for $19.95, you can buy a month's worth of access to Flying J internet, but only be able to get online there. Now that they've been bought out by Pilot, they may also carry it. I personally prefer the fuel at Pilot, but the companies I worked for had better deals thru the J.

Also, the J has four-wheeler parking, but if you want sleep in the back seat, if you're running with some trucks, they will block you in and watch out for you, to make sure you are not accosted by would-be thieves, or lot-lizards. Or you can park near Bobtail parking. You can also get a Flying J club card before the trip, and all the fill-ups will count towards free showers. There are other free bennies you might qualify for, also. All of the chain truck stops have cards, but the J's coverage is wider, including cars and RVs.

Verizon, or Trac-phone (which uses verison towers) is the best way to go for phones. They have the widest coverage. I'm now using that "Straight Talk" which is a trac phone from Walmart. I can get signal almost anywhere!!!

When we get closer to the date, I'll be happy to supply you with a list of the Flyinng J, Pilot, Petro, and TAs along your route.

Torie