What to take to the road

"What to take on the road? How to pack a bag? "- important questions when planning autotravel. On the one hand, the car - this is not a suitcase or backpack. The trunk is almost always much more capacious, so you can not itself particularly limited. And take the road not only vital, but also things for the comfort of the driver and his passengers.

On the other hand, the more loaded the car on a journey, the more fuel eats up its engine, the more money you have to take with them. Each car safety seeking a middle ground on their own. Here you will find the average list of what to take to the road. At its base it is easy to build your list by deleting superfluous. Be sure to read how to pack in luggage all the selected items.
All equipment for autotravel can be divided into several thematic groups:

    * Documents and money.
    * Car for the trip and spare parts.
    * Means of orienteering.
    * Household items in autotravel.
    * Personal things of car safety.
    * Engineering and electronics.
Documents and money for autotravel
Perhaps the money and documents - this is the main answer to the question "What to take on the road?". You can be a car tourists without a car, without the camera, without a change of clothing, etc. In the end, the car you can rent, buy clothes in shops along the way, rather than photographs to buy souvenir postcards in each region. Without money and documents as autotravel not be held entirely or immediately over, before it began.
"Several decades ago, when the service road was not so much to prepare for autotravel had megaserezno. Traveled as a child with his parents to Lake Balkhash. There's a section of track was interesting - 400 miles of desert roads and virtually deserted. No refills, no water, nothing. We rode this section of the day and met with just one truck. And in the middle of the way our car got. The engine overheated, because the electric fan was defective and started to pull the air in the wrong direction. If the father was not at hand the necessary tools, we would have died of thirst. Nowadays everything has changed.
Proper preparation of the car for the trip includes primarily literate account of the budget. Here we have smashed the window in the Czech Republic, five thousand miles from his home service center. Here's how to prepare such a surprise? I can not imagine. Glass, in any case with a carry? Of course, I have decided the issue on the spot, good service in the Czech Republic a lot. Just have to have some money in reserve. You know the state of his car and planning on the basis of this your budget. The budget for the possible failure - is a necessary part of preparation for autotravel "(Alexander Butorin).
First, about the money for autotravel. Obligatory costs in the road - fuel, accommodation, catering, parking. Model calculation of the budget looks like.
You should also consider the following expenses: registration of all documents and the car in front autotravel, parking, restaurants, discos, local attractions, toll roads (for example, during autotravel Europe), souvenirs, ferries, shopping and other entertainment. And yet it is necessary to lay the reserve - a kind of emergency supply of money. This expenditure part of the whole depends on the state purse and car safety is determined situationally. Theoretically it completely, but the reserve can be reduced to zero if is such a problem. As an emergency reserve money car safety usually lays about 10-15% of the budget autotravel. Reserve money is kept in cash, apart from the major money. They are easy to wear a special belt bags, dress up a shirt, or in special trouser belt with a cavity inside. Such bags are sold in most stores tourist equipment.A few more tips:

    * It is desirable to identify a person in his hometown, which in the case of force majeure will send you the money. Necessarily agree with him "on the shore."
    * If sent abroad, for example, in autotravel Europe, pay attention to the currency of the country where you go. It is advisable to enter a country already with local money on hand, so as not to change them to a very high rate immediately at the border. Otherwise, on the border of changing financial minimum required to live up to the meeting with other exchanger. For example, the local currency is preferred in Britain, the Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, etc.
    * Credit cards - a great way to carry money with you. Consult in advance with your bank whether your card is suitable for calculations in the route autotravel. For example, a Visa Electron card is not accepted in EU countries. Maps should take necessary, especially if you go in autotravel in Europe. The fact that some services (car rental, cheap flights, discount stores) can, in principle, pay in cash. Another plus of a credit card: if it is stolen, then you can block it efficiently, thereby saving money.
A few words about the documents, what to take on the road. Complete list:

    * All documents in the car.
    * The Russian driver's license,
    * International driving license (if you go in autotravel Europe). It is made in the traffic police at the place of residence within a few days,
    * The Russian internal passport,
    * Foreign passport with appropriate visas (if you go in autotravel Europe)
    * Medical insurance, medical insurance policy,
    * Green Card or Green Card (if you go in autotravel Europe)
    * Sticker RUS for those vehicles, public facilities that do not contain the distinguishing sign of the state (if you go in autotravel Europe).
Since each document must be removed in 2 copies. Then decompose the collected copies of application forms in different places in the car.Car travel and spare partsSince the greatest burden during autotravel falls on car in its preparation makes sense to approach the most carefully and thoroughly. So, before a long run to eliminate all the malfunction of the car, as well as to conduct preventive work. Load on the highway increase many times compared with the city, increasing the likelihood of unpleasant road accidents. Fortunately, if the route autotravel will lie in an area with developed infrastructure of service stations. And if not? Of course, remain on the highway passing by other cars. However, not everyone is ready in our age of high crime to stop at the request of the voter on the sidelines. And those who did stop, may not be able to solve your problem. According to statistics, 99% of drivers do not have sufficient knowledge and skills, as well as the necessary number of tools to make yourself be able to eliminate the problem in the car. The prospect of "messing around with a broken car on the track" can hardly be called attractive, especially during the cold season. Therefore advised to give the car in the caring hands of professionals and use only high quality parts and materials. So, what work must be made before autotravel:

    * Replace all consumables: motor oil, brake fluid, filters, candles, belts, brake pads.
    * Perform the alignment of wheels. Replace badly worn tires.
    * Check carefully braking system (brake discs and pads). Replace cracked brake hoses. Eliminate stains brake fluid.
    * Check the suspension and chassis. If necessary, replace the shock absorbers, springs, levers.
    * Adjust engine - the gaps in the valve mechanism, the tension of belts and chains, the time of installation of ignition, carburetor, radiator, cooling fans.
    * Set the fog lights.
    * Inspect mirrors and stoplights.
    * Repair cracked glass, mechanical damage and visible strain on the car body. Autotravel for Europe is necessary to eliminate shading on the windows. She may be banned traffic regulations in certain countries.
From spare parts with them in autotravel recommended to take:

    * Tow rope,
    * First-aid kit, purchased not earlier than six months ago
    * Jack,
    * Warning triangle (during autotravel Europe may also require that a vehicle other than the sign was an emergency reflective vest)
    * Fire extinguisher of not less than one liter, purchased not earlier than six months ago,
    * The compressor (pump) for pumping the wheels
    * Spare wheel one or two, be sure to podkachennoe,
    * Gas ​​canisters. And a full tank of gasoline required. "We have a sleeper superstition: if there is no petrol in the tank, it is better not to go. Just kidding)) "(Alexander Butorin).
    * A set of tools in a plastic box (the keys to loosen nuts, bolts and screws, screwdriver, pliers, sandpaper, gloves, files)
    * Spare set of fuses electrical circuit,
    * The stock liquids (per liter of motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
    * Spare bulb headlights
    * Spare candles
    * Means for cleaning the windows of sticky insects and bird droppings, and rags,
    * Mud tires and winch, if you travel on off-road vehicle on the sand at high water and soft soil, the dry riverbeds and mountain passes, where ever you risk getting stuck,
    * Trap warning,
    * Additives that increase the octane number of fuel if your car is running on 95 th or 98 th gasoline. During autotravel in Russia, especially somewhere in the boonies, you might encounter at the gas station with the absence of these fuels.

Tools orienteeringGPS-navigators perfectly solve the problem of orientation in unfamiliar terrain. When deciding what to take to the road, be sure to place the in-car GPS-system. It is especially important to do this if autotravel be in an area where the principles of traffic management (numbering lines, the organization of road junctions) differ from the native and habitual for you. The main reasons to use GPS-navigator:

    * GPS-navigator does not let loose and get lost car safety, which saves time.
    * GPS-navigator is able to warn of excessive speed, that will save the budget autotravel (fines do not have to pay).
    * Where would you not want to spontaneously go, you can always advance estimate to calculate the route and time on the road.
    * GPS-navigator shows traffic congestion, which allows mobile to respond by changing the route and, again, saving time. Many kinds of navigation programs, not only display information about traffic jams, but also offers the option of a detour.
    * Connect to the Internet, we can maintain the relevance of information in the GPS-maps. Thus, car safety does not have to worry that his road atlas is outdated.
    * If you're not very sociable, a GPS-navigator with no need to ask for directions from pedestrians.
"I am 11 years old navigator. There were not any GPS-navigators, or pointers to most Russian roads. Only paper maps and atlases. Father taught me to control the situation by the sun, the topography, the rivers. Nowadays, I, of course, use GPS-navigator. Moreover, that high technology - this is my hobby. However, with the navigator lost a sense of travel in the old sense. When lying on his knees Frayed satin, turned into a creative journey, based on their ability to navigate the world around you "(Alexander Butorin).
If you or your co-driver "for you" with electronics, then you will need to stock up on road atlas locations for which the route passes autotravel. It is best to buy these cards directly at the entry to the region. For example, at gas stations, at border crossings or at the tourist office. Maps in bookstores are usually old. Paper maps are good even in situations where you do not know the local language. You may find it easier to ask how to get to the target, pointing to the map. A local resident will be easier to show you the answer.Household items in autotravelThere are standard lists for the sleeper that take in the way of household items:

    * Camping Tent, mats, foam at the bottom of the tent, sleeping bag, if you plan on spending the night in a tent.
    * Ax, saw, matches, shovel, pots, lighter, if you plan to plant fires.
    * Folding tables and chairs, air mattresses.
    * Kerosene stoves or gas burners, and removable cylinders for them, perhaps an electric tile, pots, pans, plates, spoons, forks, knives, cups, cutting boards, plastic containers for food, cloth and dishwashing detergent if you plan to cook independently. Utensils can be disposable.
    * Lanterns forehead and a large, preferably batteries to charge them from the network. Portable lamp clips with a length of cord from 3 meters.
    * BBQ grill or barbecue skewers, cooler bag.
    * Thermos.
    * Corkscrew and can opener, it is desirable to complete a jackknife.
    * Pack moist sanitary napkins.
    * Insect.
    * Large capacity (4 liters jerry cans for a few pieces) in the water.
    * Water filter or a means to decontaminate water.
    * Large umbrella-mushroom from the sun.
    * A piece of polythene or tarpaulin 3metra at 3 meters. It can be used as a tent from the rain or the tablecloth.
    * Toilets.
    * Rope, clothespins.
    * Toilet paper.
    * Soap.
    * Notepad, pen, pencil.
    * Plaid, pillows.
    * Plastic bags of various sizes.
    * Electric or boiler.
    * Laundry detergent and a big pot to wash. If you put in the morning before going into the tank dirty things, powder and water, by the end of the day, at the time of the stop for the night, all by itself wash.
    * Towels.
    * Iron.
    * Extension cord with plug, tee, adapter for the outlets for autotravel Europe.
    * Provision of products: instant soups, bottled water, instant coffee, sugar, tea bags, bread, smoked sausage, candy, chewing gum.

Personal belongings of car safety
There are standard lists for the sleeper that take a journey of personal items:

    * Shoes and clothing (spare change, warm clothes) in an amount that depends on the willingness and capability.
    * Makeup for women.
    * Personal hygiene products (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor for men, cosmetics for women, protection from the sun cream, hairbrush or comb).
    * Sunglasses (required!! Indispensable for driving while driving toward the bright sun).
    * Books to read. Possible in electronic format as files. Electronic books can fit in your laptop or phone, at which you will read them and take up less space than paper books.
    * There are standard lists for a sleeper that take a journey of personal items: Shoes and clothing (spare change, warm clothes) in an amount that depends on the willingness and capability.
ElectronicsThere are standard lists for the sleeper that take in the way of appliances and electronics:

    * The camera and accessories.
    * Camera and its accessories.
    * A device for listening to audiobooks and music in formats wav and mp3. Drives and flash cards with audio books and musical recordings.
    A device for charging cell phones, laptops, razors (car converter 12V - 220V).
    * Laptop, DVD-player or a PDA for browsing movies (not in the way!). Drives and flash cards with movies. Charger, batteries and carrying case.
    * Portable gaming console for the kids.
    * Air conditioning / temperature control.
    * Trap warning. However, we must remember that in some European countries banned the use of trap warning at the level of legislation.
    * Cell phone and charger to it. Enough money in the account. Install in-car holder for the cell phone Hands-Free, to free his hands for steering. This will provide additional safety.
    * Radio. "If you go with two or more cars, the station will save time and hassle, and more convenient to warn of traffic policemen. I have a radio station operating in a range of communication truckers, it's interesting to listen and talk as a "(Alexander Butorin).
A separate question before every long autotravel - is the price of roaming. Compare to the regions in autotravel cost of outgoing calls and sms from several mobile operators. And then you choose the most suitable operator. Also, consider that you can reduce the cost of telephone calls, buying a local SIM card.How to pack the luggage
All items from the list of "what to take to the road?" Coberi a day before autotravel that in a hurry do not forget. Remember that every extra kilogram of the road increase fuel consumption, and, respectively, and the budget autotravel. After gathering stage begins stage "as packed luggage?":

    * Trip for things not just the trunk, but also a place under the seats, seat yourself (you can spread out a blanket or sleeping bag).
    * To maximize boot space organizes several smaller packets than one large bag.
 * Properly dispenser bags, based on how often you plan to use it on the road. Change of clothes and footwear, swimwear, food, books, handheld video game consoles for kids, tools and spare parts is better to put at your fingertips.