Re: Spider Safety Options

[Scott Fisher <sfisher71@domain.elided>]

--- Brian Pleet <bpleet@domain.elided> wrote:
> I'm California bound for Alfiesta in June. Yahoo!
> 
> My wife, who has taken to evening drives in my 82
> Spider, agreed to join me...on one condition. She 
> insists that I do everything possible to make 
> the car "safe" for a long (22 driving hours) freeway
> trip. 

Completely off the topic of safety or even Alfa
technical news -- DO find out what your wife really
means by "safe."  "Safe" is one of those loaded words
that often has very different meanings for different
people.  Be sure you find out what her specific
concerns are and address them before the trip.  

> I'm working now 
> on replacing shocks, suspension bushings, brakes
> (pads and master cylinder) 
> and ordered Dunlop Sport A2s yesterday. She says my
> driving is fine.

While those are all excellent safety-related
maintenance items, don't overlook items having to do
with arriving without incident: radiator hoses, belts,
filters, etc.  

And don't forget that once you cross the 45th Parallel
in July, you're going to be subject to a much more
intense level of sunlight than you're used to on our
side of it, so be sure to pack sunblock and glasses.

I make the middle 700 miles or so of this trip
(Portland to San Francisco) every few weeks, and have
done so several times in my '74 Spider.  You should
count on several other comfort/convenience items, as
well as a general road-trip kit:

1. Water, for you or the car.  In hot weather with the
top down, you'll lose moisture more quickly and it can
be good to have a sip now and then.  Sport-top bottles
are a must; I once had the cap fly off my
non-sport-top bottle (remember me having to pull over
after the bridge, Brian? :-) on the way to an Alfa
event and it's VERY unsettling.  

2. Duct tape/gaffer's tape.  A multitude of fixes,
including but not limited to temporarily sealing split
radiator hoses.

3.  Paper towels, as well as at least one big
bath-sheet sized towel.  Douglas Adams was right,
they're the most useful item in the universe.

4.  If you have one of those shift knobs that screws
in with three little 3mm set screws around the edge,
bring the wrench.  It is maddening to have your shift
knob loosen up JUST enough that it screeches madly at
exactly the speed limit.  Ask me how I know this.

5.  A cell phone and a credit card, of course. :-) 
Seriously, while there are places along I-5 in Oregon
and California where cellular service isn't available
(mainly the mountain passes), this can be a lifesaver
-- or simply reduce the amount of self-generated
stress based on not having a good answer to the "what
ifs" that come up on a long trip.  You should also
make a point to exchange cell phone numbers with other
people in the caravan, if you're going down in a
group.  Especially for people with four-seaters...
just in case. 

5.  2 or 3 quarts of oil.  If your Alfa isn't used to
long trips, you may find that the quart you put in
every few weeks (representing 200-300 miles of
driving) changes drastically if you put in 250+ miles
in four hours of driving (the limit is 70 mph in most
of the California section of I-5).  Oil can be very
expensive if you have to purchase it at a roadside gas
station in, say, Weed, so stock up at your local
store.

The Spider is a good travel car in many ways, with a
surprisingly large trunk and a fair bit of storage
space on the parcel shelf; use that for things you're
likely to need while in the car, such as sunblock,
water, and the like.  It's less tiring over long
distances to drive with the top up, but I seriously
recommend at least taking the stretch of I-5 from
roughly Eugene, Oregon through Redding with the top
down, and in the daylight.  The looping, forested
curves through Cottage Grove, Roseburg, and Grants
Pass, plus the scenery around Lake Shasta in
California, are some of the most beautiful you'll find
on any major interstate.  (DON'T miss Castle Crags
near Shasta!)  And I believe your '82 should have the
higher (numerically lower) final drive ratio, which
will make it a bit more economical as well as keep the
revs down at speed.

> P.S. Is anyone else looking for someone to join them
> making the trip down the west coast, or via Utah?

The Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon are caravanning down,
along with some folks from Seattle I believe.  Check
the AROO Web site (http://www.alfaclub.org, though it
doesn't seem to be responding at the moment... anybody
know why?) and look for Events, or keep an eye open on
the Digest -- I'm sure there will be much talk in
advance of the date.

Either way, this will be a road trip to remember. 
Make sure you find out what your wife is most
concerned about and address that in advance, and you
should be able to look forward to several days of
blissful company.

--Scott Fisher
  Tualatin, Oregon
.
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http://taxes.yahoo.com/

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