Signed up for the 09 Power Tour last night after being harassed by my buddy who does the long haul every year. I am looking for any advise or tips to get my car ready from any of you guys that have made the journey. Thanks and Happy New Year to Everyone.:thumbsup:

carry tools and spare parts. Clean up stuff if you want to wipe the car down at the stops. Plan on rain, it always does. Rain-X is nice, or have good working wipers and blades. Sun block, cool clothes and warm clothes as you usually see both. A GPS is very nice in case you get turned around on the route.

Most of all, be prepared to have the most fun you've ever had car-wise.

Jody

dont forget jack and the spare tire(s)....it really blows if you have one size on the front and diff.one on the rear..........(you will never have all that you need)........and the most important thing is bring a cell phone (and your charger for it) and a toothbrush(lol).....dont forget the money for the speeding ticket....

Thanks for the advise and tips guys. This is something that I have always wanted to do since the Power Tour started.:yes:

I would for sure carry a spare alt,fuel pump,ignition box...the more stuff the better!

jeeze Ron, why don't you suggest he just pull another Camaro behind his?

I haven't done the Power Tour, but I have done several solo 2,500 to 3,500 mile trips in my '68 Camaro. For the first one I loaded up with a small spare, a jack, lots of tools, spare parts, etc. as has been suggested above. The trip was fun, but lugging all that weight around in the trunk wasn't.

For subsequent trips I got a set of Michelin run flats and called it good for tire issues; I reduced the number of spare parts to belts and radiator hoses, I reduced my tool kit to basic hand tools (wrenches, sockets and rachets, a multi-bit screwdriver, pliers, a big crescent wrench, some electrical wire and tape, a small multimeter and fuses and a few bulbs) and called that good. I carry a moving pad to lie on if I need to make under car roadside repairs, mechanics gloves and of course a GPS and a cell phone.

I realized that most of the running parts on my car - engine, transmission, suspension, rear, accessory drive, lights, wipers, etc. are all newer than the corresponding parts on my DD, which I would take anywhere without all the spares. It just got to be silly hauling all that stuff around becuase the body of my car was 40 years old.

jeeze Ron, why don't you suggest he just pull another Camaro behind his?

I been into the rockcrawling thing so long I am used to carrying everything......hahaha

My Dad & I did long haul last year on the Power Tour. I have never seen more people willing to help someone out if they had a problem. You never see one car pulled over. There is usually about five cars pulled over to help. Hook up with some friends & run together. If you don't know anyone you will meet poeple along the way to run with. This really helps take the pressure off. Enjoy Eric

We are leaving from Chicago and so far the group consists of 5 cars. The number could be larger or smaller by June.

We have been a sponsor since 2004, and Long Hauled it every year, complete with a 4-post lift. Here are a couple of tips:
1. bring the manuals to your car - wiring, any aftermarket stuff, etc.; there are a ton of folks like us that wind up helping folks out every year. A service manual and replacement parts list for your aftermarket stuff and a contact number is the quickest way to get yourself out of a jam. If your order is custom stuff, bring your Invoice numbers, etc so the tech staff on the other end can quickly find your order and get you replacement parts.
2. bring a GPS, or add the service to your cell phone - don't count on the maps you print off to work, if you can find them. You might decide to take the high speed route if you are running late, want to get more rest, etc. The slow/scenic route is very nice, but you need to be able to access both.
3. try to caravan - it adds a little bit more work, but it's nice to have a friend at your side if you are broke down
4. bring extra cash - you in the sticks sometimes, so bring extra cash in case of a breakdown or to buy an overdrive transmission, or some other cool stuff.
6. bring toiletries - sunscreen, toothpaste, wetones
7. bring a light jacket - the weather up north has been crazy more than several times.

You will have a great time. It's one of my top 3 car show events of the year.

Shafi

I haven't done the Power Tour, but I have done several solo 2,500 to 3,500 mile trips in my '68 Camaro. For the first one I loaded up with a small spare, a jack, lots of tools, spare parts, etc. as has been suggested above. The trip was fun, but lugging all that weight around in the trunk wasn't.

For subsequent trips I got a set of Michelin run flats and called it good for tire issues; I reduced the number of spare parts to belts and radiator hoses, I reduced my tool kit to basic hand tools (wrenches, sockets and rachets, a multi-bit screwdriver, pliers, a big crescent wrench, some electrical wire and tape, a small multimeter and fuses and a few bulbs) and called that good. I carry a moving pad to lie on if I need to make under car roadside repairs, mechanics gloves and of course a GPS and a cell phone.

I realized that most of the running parts on my car - engine, transmission, suspension, rear, accessory drive, lights, wipers, etc. are all newer than the corresponding parts on my DD, which I would take anywhere without all the spares. It just got to be silly hauling all that stuff around becuase the body of my car was 40 years old.

Very good advice! Been there - done that except for the run flats. The 1st couple of times you take a long trip you are over cautious. You cart around way too much stuff and whined up just overloading the car and taking up precious cargo space.

My Dad & I did long haul last year on the Power Tour. I have never seen more people willing to help someone out if they had a problem. You never see one car pulled over. There is usually about five cars pulled over to help. Hook up with some friends & run together. If you don't know anyone you will meet poeple along the way to run with. This really helps take the pressure off. Enjoy Eric

Very true especially on Power Tour. For the most part you are surrounded by very talented "builders" and vendors who are more than willing to go above and beyond to help.

i'm going on the power tour also, but i'm picking it up 1/2 way through in detroit. Do you guys want to organize a team camaro caravan or something? 700 horse should be fun for a long trip haha. Building the car to be able to take the long trips....and everything will be new on it driveline wise by spring.

I've never done the power tour, but I've done 3 Team Camaro long distance runs, Ranging from 1500 miles to 3300 miles total.

For the most part, I've done these alone.
Yes, I pack a spare and a jack, and a small bag of hand tools.
Like Mike said above, My car is basically brand new. If I can't trust her to get me there and get me home, I failed.
I do trust her, and she has always gotten me home.

As for Shafi traveling with an 18 wheeler packing a 4 post lift, well, you did see my definition of a pro touring car in another thread, right?

We have done the Power Tour four times, last year as Long Haulers. Make sure your cooling system is in top condition. You WILL be in traffic jams. Jack