I've been pondering this and other than the obvious such as clothes, medication, shaving kits, cameras, GPS, laptops, what else should the Dragon Virgins among us bring? Here is what I have so far...

1: Cigarette lighter powered air compressor, tire gauge & tire plug kit.

2: Umbrella and/or poncho.

3: Flashlight.

4: FRS radio(s)

5: An extra quart or two of oil

6: GPS and/or paper map of the area.


Have I missed anything?

 

FRS Radios (Family Radio Service) set to Channel 7 Subchannel 21
Camera and Film
Cash
Digital Camera
First Aid Kit
Roadside Kit: tire repairs, compressor, flares, etc.
GPS System (very optional)
Clean Underwear for Passenger on Dragon
Booze (Graham County is a Dry County)
Anti-nausea medicine for Passenger on Dragon
Umbrella and/or Poncho
Good Attitude
Flashlight
Folding Chair
Patience
Detailing Supplies (you guys know who you are)
Window Cleaner and Rags
Bug Spray
Snacks and Drinks
Batteries for: Camera, Flashlight, Etc.
Laptop
Sunscreen
Evenings can get a little chili, bring something appropiate
Wood if you want a bonfire

 

Here is a post from someone that is quite prepared.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=59410

Last years thread on same topic https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=94423

 

Dramamine for passenger and maybe even the DRIVER. I never cared for that road since I rode it in 1982!

 

Dramamine does wierd things to my head... a no-no for me on the Dragon. It has no fuzzyness effects for others.

I like a product Sea Bands. They work via accupressure and I learned about 'em from my sailing friends on Long Island Sound. They cost $10 at larger drugstores (I found 'em a few weeks ago at Walgreens near the eyeglass repair stuff and earplugs).

My wife won't get on a plane without 'em. http://www.sea-band.com/seaband.htm

 

Also:

-- Don't forget the rain gear. I've got a nice rain jacket that lives in the boot at the Dragon. Rainclouds seem to come out of nowhere!

-- Chargers for cell phones, etc. I spend so much time in the car, I usually just use the lighter socket power to charge the various phones.

-- Extra batteries for FRS radios, etc

-- Hands-free device for FRS radios - It's great to use, but can be very distracting (just like a cell phone) on the Dragon. I've got a cheapie $12 earbud w/ push-button mic that clips onto my shirt collar. I can listen easily with the wind blowing in the car / radio playing and I always know where the mic button is.

-- Snacks to munch on while resting the brakes after a hard run.

-- A full-sized spare in the boot, if you are making a longer road trip to get there. I've got Slime and a compressor, too, but there is nothing like a full-sized spare to give you peace of mind when on a long road trip in a remote area with a strange sized tire on your wheels.


Nathan, I knew who the author of that thread was before I even clicked the link! I'll take 'prepared' as a compliment! Thanks! The funny thing is that I've used almost all of that stuff, but rarely ever on my own car. I've fixed several tires (not my own), fed hungry travelers and even pulled an old Oldsmobile off of the highway with the tow strap when it was stalled in traffic.

 

Forget the SLIME, use a plug, been using them for 30 years, even on motorcycles without ONE problem. Get a kit from these old farmers. And yes you can plug a runflat, I had two plugs in my previous MINI S's.

http://www.tirerepairkit.com/

 

I've got a Dynaplug, which looks similar to your setup (http://www.dynaplug.com/domestic.html), but for some leaks, you don't know where to plug... Slime could be your only hope.

 

I don't think anyone has mentioned it but if you plan on drinking beer you better bring it with you because it's a dry county up there. I think the Fontana Village sells some cheap stuff (like Bud) but I wouldn't count on it.
We're currently planning what to bring right now too....I know I'm gonna forget something.

 

I bought a Dynaplug kit this afternoon after reading your original thread agranger. I don't have a full sized spare though and no idea, other than the dealer, as to where to get one on such short notice.

 

Don't forget extra cash for Mods.

 

Two suggestions: First, for those who plan to fix a flat with a Dynaplug or its equivalent, be sure to have a good set of pliers with you - you can't get the plug in if you can't first get the offending nail out. Second, conventional radio broadcasts down there are a bit too country for my tastes, and the heavy tree cover blocks satellite radio much of the time, so if you can't motor without music, bring either CDs or an iPod.

 

I actually thought of that today J A Blazer and bought a set of small diagonals (some folks call them dykes) for fishing out foreign objects. I actually bought a new 12 volt compressor, a LED flashlight, a orange safety vest, a first aid kit, a air pressure gauge, the diagonals, the Dynaplug kit and a couple of other things that I can't think of at the moment today at Harbor Freight. I hope that the local Wal*Mart has some triangles and the other things I need to finish out my survival kit.

 

What? The vendors don't take credit cards?

 

I'll ditto that for Way. He installed a rear swaybar for me at MOTD 2006. Great guy who stands behind his products.

 

For a full-sized spare, ask around your local MINI club... esp. the guys who frequent the track or Auto-X. If they have a set of track tires (not R-comps.... something with a street tread on 'em), maybe they would let you borrow one for the week. If you were in Dallas, I'd be happy to loan you one of mine.

I've got a donut spare from a Cooper in the garage that I throw in the boot for club drives or longer local trips, but there is nothing like a full-sized spare to give you a bit of confidence on a long road trip.

 

Local Wal-Mart? I hope you mean around your house because around the Dragon there is no such animal.
There is a Wal-Mart in Maryville, TN which appears to be about 40 miles away.

 

The gas station does have what some call "beer". We got a sixer of their finest last year which was Budweiser Select. In a can. Yum.

 

Thanks guys!
I almost forgot about the beer..
After all what would Midnight Hunting behind n' round them cabins be if it weren't for Shlitz beer chasers after a smooth swig of good ole' Jack.

 

Heh... There are at least 7 within easy driving distance of me if memory serves and if they didn't sneak another one in somewhere that I haven't noticed yet.

 

Ooooh... Isn't Jack made somewhere near the Dragon in TN?

 

Good point.. Maybe we can set up a drive to the Jack Daniels distillery for some free samples.
I'll bring a couple of empty milk jugs just in case.

 

223 miles away from Fontana.

 

And just to further mess with your minds, the county that Jack built is just as dry as can be! You can smell it, look at it, see it in bottles, see it in barrels, but no tasting!

You got to love these areas. You can't buy a drink, but you can find meth cooking in every other house!

They sell beer, wine, and the good stuff at the resturant and at the bar and at functions on the grounds at Fontana. I recall a pretty good wine list.

There are several microbrew places within an hour. One ride is scheduled. But the most important thing to remember is......BREW SWAP!!!!!

 

Ok so about 2 hours away in a Mini then?