SUV Adventure

The monsoons still show no signs of respite. Days get longer and the weather more humid. I say a road trip in your SUV sounds like a great way to get away. I’ve got a few tips to share with you to make sure that the road trip does not end in misery.

Send your SUV to the Spa - Before going on a long drive, always get your vehicle serviced. Keeping your SUV happy decides if you are man enough to ride her. It means taking your SUV for a dealer inspection. Tell the mechanic details of your trip, whether you are cutting through edgy mountains in Leh or surfing through the desserts of Rajasthan. Trust me the mechanics know their job, they will tune the vehicle appropriately for the conditions. Finally keeping you and your passengers safe should be the primary concern

Customize your emergency kit – It is a MUST! There is nothing more important than being ready for the worst. At the least, a roadside emergency kit should include a set of reflecting jackets, jumper cables, flashlight, multi-tool kit, a quart of oil and a water bottle. The customization of your kit will depend on what conditions you are going to be in. Some more items to consider including in the kit are: extra fuses, tools (flat head and screwdrivers, pliers, wrench), Tommy & jack, rags, paper towels, and duct tape. Most of these items can be stored in a duffel bag in the back of your SUV. Also please keep a medical kit to repair yourself.

Plan your route – We are not given the lavishes of a GPS system like the Americans do, so it is essential to plan your trip. Gather all information you need about the destination and its route. Take advices from online forums and people who have visited that place earlier. There are many digital route planners to ease your job; you can also seek it on mapmyindia.com. If you are travelling with your family then carry a big print out of the location map. While you are driving let the other choose places they want to halt. Great way to bond with your family on the trip!

Escaping the city – Escaping the city traffic is a major concern for most travelers. No one wants to get stressed out during vacation by being stuck in bad traffic, heat and pollution. And more importantly it is a major time waste. Try and figure how we could use that time more constructively. Find out when and where you would be likely to run into traffic and plan around it. Remember to relax and enjoy yourself!