Travel Checklist

Things to do before you leave your driveway. You don't have to do this, but it will remove plenty of stress from your life.

• Tune up your car
  Change the oil, check the coolant, change the air filter, fill up the windshield fluid, check the brakes.
• Check your tires
  Have a tire guy look at them. The same with your trailer tires. Make sure your spare has air, you have a jack, a tire iron and several cans of fix-a-flat. You can always give them away to someone you see stranded with a flat.
• Tune up your trailer
  Check your tires, make sure you have a properly inflated spare tire that fits your trailer. Make sure the bearings are greased, the lighting works and your brakes function and will not suddenly lock up.
  Word of warning: Those Fred Meyer trailers they sell for $200.00 will cost you more than $200.00 in lost time and trouble, despite what Capt. Car Crash might say. The manual says do not drive more than 200 mi at a time.
• Pack Your Trailer with care There is a right way, which is to get the heavy items over the axle. There is a wrong way which is to put the heavy weight at the back of the trailer. One of these ways will cause your trailer to fishtail all over the road.
• Sign up with AAA/CAA The towing and roadside service is really nice. So are the maps and travel guide.
• Know your driving limits Driving with a fully loaded trailer is different than an empty car. If you are unfamiliar, take a few test trips to get familar with some of the hazards of a trailer.
  Don't try to drive all night if you are not up to the challenge. We want you on the Playa and we want you to make it back.
• Prepare a travel kit Place your maps, insurance information and tickets in one place you will not lose them. Set aside a bottle of water and snacks and favorite music.
• Prepare an emergency kit
  Make sure you have a few flares, a fire extinguisher, jumper cables, things your car should have in the first place.
• Prepare a kit for when you leave the Playa Pack a full change of clothes for when you are ready to leave. Seal them in plastic bags, place them in a gym bag inside a plastic trash bag or place them under your seats in the car. You will be happy you did. These clothes will be free of dust and it's nice to have real, clean, dust-free clothes when leaving the Playa.