Proper preparation prevents poor performance, as the saying goes. And if anyone knows anything about proper preparation for a road trip it’s Charlotte Vowden who has been racking up the miles in her 1960s’ MGA “Frisky”. Let her be your guide to getting ready for your next adventure.

I never sleep well the night before a road trip. The anxiety and anticipation makes me impatient to get going, and so I do, hours before those with a less excitable disposition wake up. Frisky, my sixties classic, will have been made ready – loaded with vital cargo and pre-departure checks carried out – but whether she’s willing can be a little more hit and miss.

Once free from the confines of the garage, we take it slow and we take it steady – there’s something quite exquisite about making progress at a sensible pace. Road trips are meant to be savoured, and beginning one before dawn, before the stars abandon the sky, feels particularly special – and sneaky. By rush hour you’ll be tucking into eggs, bacon and bubble knowing that you made a good decision to get ahead of the pack.

In four years of ownership, she and I have explored more than 10,000 miles of tarmac and dirt tracks – a distance significantly stunted by the pandemic – but each journey has been an education. Note to self, always trust my instincts, and never leave home without spare parts, a functioning fire extinguisher and engine oil, all of which are not so easy to come by if your’e driving an old car with quite specific needs in the Highlands during winter. As my father has always said, p**s poor preparation equals poor performance, but he’s the one who made the mistake of stowing chocolate hobnobs near hot metal during one of our expeditions – so I think I can be forgiven.

The hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, is the decision not to leave. At the beginning of 2020 my father and I were about to set off on a three-month self-organised drive of south east Asia to Everest Base Camp. We’d spent a year preparing the car and ourselves – an exhausting, complex and expensive process – but as covid spread across the globe, the risks involved became too great. We cancelled our trip of a lifetime but saved ourselves from unfathomable disaster.

I’ve been keeping a travelogue of letters to my late grandfather, Frisky’s previous owner, ever since he died and at the end of each trip, when we’re home and tucked up safe, I write to him and let him know that we’ve survived. There is nothing more empowering than having everything you need when something goes wrong, nor more satisfying when everything goes right, but to do that you need to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. Here are my tips for getting ready for the road ahead.

BEFORE YOU GO

Get your paperwork in order

The vital questions are: do you have a valid driving licence and does your vehicle have an MOT, tax and insurance? If you can answer yes to all, then you’re off to a good start.

Keep your documents in a waterproof folder somewhere that they can be accessed easily, and don’t leave them in your vehicle overnight.
If possible, store digital copies that can be viewed offline on a device that you’re taking with you, and bring photocopies of the originals in case of theft/loss. This can be helpful when crossing multiple borders as some authorities may require a hard copy for their records.
Make a list of spare parts that you’ve got on board – it’s the most efficient way to find out if you’ve got what you need.

Route planning

This will depend on how far you intend to go and how long you wish to be on the road for. As a general rule, I map out the locations I want to reach, establish the distances between them and the type of driving it requires, then look up places of interest along the way. I book my first night’s accommodation ahead of departure so that day one is just about enjoying the drive, and from then on in, make reservations as I go. It’s an exciting, if dicey, way to do it (particularly during half term and summer holidays) but it makes for a more enriched experience when you spend the night somewhere quirky that’s not necessarily in a top ten hotel and B&B list. If you’re working to a time scale, bear in mind you’ve got to get back from the furthest point you travel to. Covering long distances in a classic car is a slog for the driver and unnecessary stress for the machine so keep an eye on the miles between you and home – tiredness, whatever you drive, can be fatal.

Know your vehicle range and plan stops on your route to refuel or recharge.
Take a map and use it in conjunction with a sat nav. If the technology fails you’ll be thankful for it. Stop at regular intervals to mark your location, or, make it the responsibility of your passenger.

Driving abroad

Three words: do your homework. Overseas overlanding, even in the EU, comes with more complex logistical challenges. Some countries may require an international driving permit (IDP) of which there are three types, depending on what country you’re travelling in. The gov.uk website explains it all. You may also need a Carnet de Passages (CDP) which enables you to temporarily take your UK registered vehicle into certain countries without paying the import duties in the country you drive through. More information can be found here.

Familiarise yourself with local laws and driving regulations. In some countries, it is illegal to camp or stay overnight in your vehicle. Others may require you to drive with a guide and prohibit you from travelling with spare fuel.
The International Association for Overland Travellers is a useful source of information and a great way to connect with other, experienced road trippers.
Download Google translate.
Carry contact details of the British Embassy where you’re travelling.
In addition to the paperwork required to travel in the UK, check if you need a VISA and copy of your vehicle registration to clear customs.
Take 4 x passport sized photographs.

Pre-departure health check

Before carrying out these checks, make sure your car is on a flat and level surface. If you’re not mechanically confident, book your car in for a service.

Check tyre pressures and tread depth – including the spare. This will impact fuel efficiency, how well the car holds the road, responds to steering and slows when the brakes are applied. To ensure the tyre tread depth is above the legal minimum of 1.6mm, take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves. If you can't see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. Inspect the tyres for wear and tear, splits or bulges.
Check oil, water, coolant and screen wash levels and top up if necessary.
Check that the brake lights, indicator signals, headlights and running lights work. If any of them fail, check the bulb, the switch, the power feed and ground leads to diagnose the cause.
Check windscreen wipers work and inspect wiper blades.
Inspect and charge the battery if required.
Put the contact details of your insurance company into your mobile phone and make a note of your policy number.
Travelling overseas? Make sure your inoculations are up to date.

ON THE ROAD

Looking after your car

If you're travelling with a co-pilot, establish a routine and delegate responsibilities.
At the end of each day, note down your mileage and the types of roads you’ve driven, detailing any observations you've made about vehicle performance and running.
Every morning check fluid levels (oil, water, coolant, windscreen washer) and top up if necessary. If you are losing excessive amounts, this could indicate an issue. Investigate.
Inspect the engine bay for signs of leaks and check tyres for sharp objects.
Keep the cabin tidy and organised. Get rid of rubbish at the end of every day and put everything back in its rightful place. Chaos causes arguments.

Looking after you

Classic cars are drafty places, even in the summer, so layer up. Otherwise, as your vehicle warms up, you’ll cool down.
Music is a big motivator and listening to a local radio can be an entertaining way to learn about where you are, who lives there and what tunes they groove to. Invest in a portable speaker if you don’t have a built-in sound system, and create a playlist before you go .
Keep gloves, sunglasses and snacks within easy reach because it’s impossible to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel if you’re stretching across to the passenger footwell or glove compartment.
There are few things more miserable than driving in wet clothes. Reliable waterproof luggage is vital, my 75.5 litres Dry Bags UK Colorado Duffel was a heavy duty addition to my adventure kit and it’s served me faultlessly, tolerating torrential downpours on the exterior luggage rack without letting a drop damped the clothes inside. Waterproof over-trousers and a coat are also a must, even if your car doesn’t leak, if you break down in the rain you’re going to get wet.
Eat local as much as possible, but pack a cool bag (or splash out on an electric cool box) so you can stock up on supplies if you’re heading to a remote locale. No one likes hangry people.

Driving in convoy

Putting together a list of rules will help make sure it’s an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Two-way radios are great for camaraderie and maintaining comms, just make you stay within range at all times.
Drive with your headlights on during the day, it’ll make you more visible.
Don’t relegate someone to the tail-end Charlie position all day.
Stop if the car in your rear-view mirror is missing, and announce it to the convoy.
Never turn left or right if the car in your mirror doesn’t have its indicator on.
In cities and built up areas try to keep close. If you get caught at traffic lights, don’t panic. Announce it over the radio and if the direction of travel is straight ahead there’s no need for everyone to stop.

KIT TO CARRY ON BOARD

Maintenance and repair
Ice scraper/ de-icer
Tyre pressure gauge
Wheel jack
Cable ties
Grease gun
Portable air compressor
Spares: a set of points, fan belt, inner tubes, bulbs, spark plugs, HT lead, filters, fuel line, wire and a radiator hose
Full set of fluids: engine oil, coolant, water and windscreen washer fluid are the essentials. Plus, a funnel to pour them through to prevent spillage
Tools: pliers, socket set, spanner set, screwdriver set and multimeter
Overalls

General
Maps and compass
Paper towels/blue roll
Travel towel
Plastic seat covers
Bin bags
Thermos
Sunscreen
Travel pillow
Spare car key
Umbrella
Pop top water bottle
Sandwich bags
Small stove
Cup/plate/bowl/cutlery
Toilet roll

Grab bag
Torch
Batteries
Pair of laces/ string
Pen knife/multi tool
Tissues
Hand sanitiser
Paracetamol
Plasters – assorted
Portable mobile phone charger – fully charged
Survival blanket
Super glue
Long life food – cereal bar, chocolate, energy gel
Bottled water

Vehicle emergency kit
Fire extinguisher and protective gloves
Warning triangle
2 x hi-vis vest/jacket
Safety hammer – cuts through seat belts and shatters car windows
2 x snaplight safety lightsticks
Sleeping bag
LED wind up torch
Spare fuel

First aid kit
Stored in a waterproof box/bag that is quick and easy to access. Include a waterproof notepad and pen to record incidents and injuries. Consider taking a St John Ambulance or The British Red Cross basic or emergency first aid training course before your trip.

Medication
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Diamode (Loperamide/Immodium)
Rehydration sachets
Acetazolamide (AMS treatment)
Antihistamine
After Bite® Sting & Bite Relief

Preparations, disposables and tapes
Antiseptic wipes
Micropore tape
Gauze swabs, individually wrapped
Burn gel
Eye wash kit
Tick remover
Suture kit
Hypodermic needle
2 x Face shield
2 x Face mask
2 x pairs vinyl gloves

Dressings
Plasters - assorted, including blister plasters
Wound closure strips
Bandages – assorted

General
Primary care leaflet
Tweezers
Safety pins
Scissors
Hair bands
Tampons/ sanitary towel
Matches/ lighter
Gaffa tape
Whistle
Emergency blanket
Water purification tablets
Sewing kit
Thermometer
Elastic bands
Duct tape
Energy gel
Medicine spoon
Cling film
Savlon

Everything you ever wanted to know about planning a road trip