I am going to be driving cross country later this month. All the states I transit honor my states concealed handgun permit. My car is packed to the brim with my belongings and I am going to have to stay in a hotel overnight. I was looking for any suggestions on how to make my car look less of a target when it is parked overnight at a hotel. It is somewhat flashy, however the windows are tinted and at night that could be a little more difficult to see into. I am also going to put the sun visor up and try to park in a well lit area near my hotel room and hopefully be able to keep an eye on it. I am not too worried but I figure the more I know the better. Also, any other tips for the trip in general would be appreciated. Thanks alot fellas.
Any tips for a cross country trip
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benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Your choice of hotel is as important as your choice of parking spot. Parking lots of bargain hotels are sometimes fine, and sometimes iffy; I often stay at Motel 6 when traveling with my son on medical trips (because he has so many of them, and the cost adds up), but there are a few towns where I would stay at the Best Western instead because I'd be concerned about the car in the M6 parking lot. If your belongings are visible in the car (and any of them look valuable), putting them on the floor under a dark blanket, or (better) covering them with cheap stuff that no thief would want, are probably better.
Tinted windows help, and parking in a well lit location where the car is not shielded from view (not just from you, but from others around) is good.
From a security standpoint, probably the most important thing you can do is make sure the car is running right, all fluids topped off, battery isn't on its last legs, etc. Breaking down and being stuck on the shoulder of an interstate in the middle of nowhere is a bad feeling, trust me. And make sure you have maps of your route, and keep your cell phone charged.
Finally, stay well fed and hydrated, keep some aspirin accessible, and some sugarless gum, or a toothbrush that you can use to freshen up in the restaurant rest room from time to time (you'll feel better). And take lots of pictures and enjoy your trip.
Tinted windows help, and parking in a well lit location where the car is not shielded from view (not just from you, but from others around) is good.
From a security standpoint, probably the most important thing you can do is make sure the car is running right, all fluids topped off, battery isn't on its last legs, etc. Breaking down and being stuck on the shoulder of an interstate in the middle of nowhere is a bad feeling, trust me. And make sure you have maps of your route, and keep your cell phone charged.
Finally, stay well fed and hydrated, keep some aspirin accessible, and some sugarless gum, or a toothbrush that you can use to freshen up in the restaurant rest room from time to time (you'll feel better). And take lots of pictures and enjoy your trip.
Maybe look for a small used trailer. Something like a 4x6 or a motorcycle trailer. If you can fit everything into the trunk and the trailer you can keep your stuff out of sight in the hotel lots. Once you get to your destination you could probably sell the trailer for about what you paid for it.
yhtomit
Member
Agreed w/ benEzra above re: fluids, etc. Keep a full-size spare tire someplace other than under all your stuff, if at all possible. (Mine will probably be mounted on the roof.)
If you don't have sunglasses (esp. if you wear glasses!). get some good ones. (Not necessarily expensive, but ones that fit you well.)
Take breaks to stretch.
Consider a taxi-driver style beaded seat cover; not everyone likes them, but I certainly do. I've also had one made of small pieces of bamboo, similarly good as a barrier between torso and seat.
Drink water by preference over other drinks.
I'm making a similar trip in a few months, but perhaps more meandering than yours (I'll be stopping to telecommute along the way); though it will be somewhat of a pain, my plan at present is to unpack into my room on any nights I must stay at a hotel. (Luckily, I'll be staying with family part of the time.)
timothy
If you don't have sunglasses (esp. if you wear glasses!). get some good ones. (Not necessarily expensive, but ones that fit you well.)
Take breaks to stretch.
Consider a taxi-driver style beaded seat cover; not everyone likes them, but I certainly do. I've also had one made of small pieces of bamboo, similarly good as a barrier between torso and seat.
Drink water by preference over other drinks.
I'm making a similar trip in a few months, but perhaps more meandering than yours (I'll be stopping to telecommute along the way); though it will be somewhat of a pain, my plan at present is to unpack into my room on any nights I must stay at a hotel. (Luckily, I'll be staying with family part of the time.)
timothy
WayneConrad
Member
There's no reason your belongings have to stay in your car while you sleep.
If you can, "combat load" your car so that the most valuable belongings are easily accessible. When you arrive at the motel, take them into the room with you.
But with those valuables "combat loaded," you have a problem when you are stopped for meals or gas: They are vulnerable to a "smash and grab." A bicycle cable lock can be used to secure them to your car, buying time against that. That same cable lock can be used to secure them to the motel room, so that you can leave the room for a short time to get ice, & etc.
If you can, "combat load" your car so that the most valuable belongings are easily accessible. When you arrive at the motel, take them into the room with you.
But with those valuables "combat loaded," you have a problem when you are stopped for meals or gas: They are vulnerable to a "smash and grab." A bicycle cable lock can be used to secure them to your car, buying time against that. That same cable lock can be used to secure them to the motel room, so that you can leave the room for a short time to get ice, & etc.
riceboy72
Member
Sell anything not bolted down so you can pay for gas. 
When you get to the hotel, ask for a ground floor room that's close to an exit if one's available, then move your car to the front of (or as close to) your room if you can. If something were to happen, you can get outside quickly to your car. Also, if you were to look outside and see someone prowling your car, you have a better view to get descriptions, license plates, etc. Doing all of this from a second or third floor room looking down is not fun. Neither is trying to run out of the room and zipping down steps or waiting for that what-the-heck-is-taking-so-long elevator to come.
Take inventory of what you're putting in your car and log items that have serial numbers as you load your car. Nothing worse than trying to remember what was in what box, then realizing your serial numbers are in a manual or box in a closet in your bedroom. When it comes to my firearms, I take digital photos of them showing both sides. I print them out, then write the serial number on the back and store them in a safe place. You may wish to do the same with your guns and expensive items you plan on taking. Makes it much easier to identify them in a pawn shop or in the back of some guy's truck down the road should the unfortunate happen.
Drive safe and enjoy your road trip! The great American road trip - nothing else like it.
When you get to the hotel, ask for a ground floor room that's close to an exit if one's available, then move your car to the front of (or as close to) your room if you can. If something were to happen, you can get outside quickly to your car. Also, if you were to look outside and see someone prowling your car, you have a better view to get descriptions, license plates, etc. Doing all of this from a second or third floor room looking down is not fun. Neither is trying to run out of the room and zipping down steps or waiting for that what-the-heck-is-taking-so-long elevator to come.
Take inventory of what you're putting in your car and log items that have serial numbers as you load your car. Nothing worse than trying to remember what was in what box, then realizing your serial numbers are in a manual or box in a closet in your bedroom. When it comes to my firearms, I take digital photos of them showing both sides. I print them out, then write the serial number on the back and store them in a safe place. You may wish to do the same with your guns and expensive items you plan on taking. Makes it much easier to identify them in a pawn shop or in the back of some guy's truck down the road should the unfortunate happen.
Drive safe and enjoy your road trip! The great American road trip - nothing else like it.
Browns Fan
Member
Quote:
"Finally, stay well fed and hydrated, keep some aspirin accessible, and some sugarless gum, or a toothbrush that you can use to freshen up in the restaurant rest room from time to time (you'll feel better). "
If you take vitamins, dont forget those on your trip. They will buttress your imune system.
"Finally, stay well fed and hydrated, keep some aspirin accessible, and some sugarless gum, or a toothbrush that you can use to freshen up in the restaurant rest room from time to time (you'll feel better). "
If you take vitamins, dont forget those on your trip. They will buttress your imune system.
yhtomit
Member
For the not-gun-specific aspects of such a trip, I think this would make a good thread on APS, wrt to how to make a possible grueling trip more pleasant.
RiceBoy, Wayne Conrad: good suggestions re: bike cable and inventory. Certain vital docs I will probably put on a USB key to be kept with me at all times when I make my own trip.
timothy
RiceBoy, Wayne Conrad: good suggestions re: bike cable and inventory. Certain vital docs I will probably put on a USB key to be kept with me at all times when I make my own trip.
timothy
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