Planning A Vintage Road Trip - Vintage SUV Trends Coming Back Into Fashion

 Vintage road trips are becoming all the rage, particularly with the Vintage SUV's currently available. The best outdoor vehicles allow you to explore on-and-off-road destinations without worrying too much about where you'll end up or when you’ll get there. With your off-road capable vehicle, you can bring along everything you need to live out of your SUV. It’s the perfect combination of off-road adventure with a more traditional camping experience. Here are some essentials you should bring with you when you go.  

Include Emergency Equipment ALWAYS

When you’re on your vintage road trip, you won’t always have easy access to emergency services, so plan for the worst-case scenarios. Be sure to include a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, a battery jump starter, and other essential car repair gear. It might seem basic, but you should include a spare tire, a tire repair kit, an air supply or pump, and a jack for those flat-tire situations.  

Also, consider carrying traction boards if you’ll be doing any off-road adventures. While you might think that a first-aid kit you buy will include all the emergency supplies you’ll need, check what’s recommended by DMV.org to supplement your kit, and be sure to replenish it as you use the items.  

Take Camping Gear  

There are a lot of ways you can approach your sleeping arrangements. You might sleep in your vintage SUV, you could try a roof-top tent, or you could use more standard campsite gear. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, so try any or all of these options to determine the one that works best for you. You can also set up an awning to use for your storage, shade, and or campsite setup.  

Beyond the options for where you’ll sleep, you also have a ton of choices for how you’ll sleep. The most common scenario is probably climbing into your sleeping bag at the end of the day, but there are other types of camping gear for more comfortable sleeping. If this is your first SUV trip and you’re looking for ways to cut costs, you can rent or borrow gear.  

Bring Water, Water, and More Water - Keep Hydrated

You should drink about 2 liters of water every day, but you’ll need to bring enough for everyone who is with you, including pets. Factor in the water you’ll need for cleaning and cooking. There are several options for carrying water, including collapsible and more hard-sided jug containers, as well as refillable water bottles for drinking.  

Consider water-filtration and purification methods: tablets, a filter system, and/or boiling your water as a backup for those situations where you’re off the grid or don’t have easy access to a reliable water source. If this is your first road trip, you’ll probably use more water than you imagine you’ll need, so prepare yourself with enough to avoid running out.  

Consider A Power Solution 

While it’s not essential to support your electronics while you’re on a road trip, it’s becoming more common for vintage-SUV travelers to consider all their digital navigation, communication, and entertainment needs. You can still rely on maps and a compass, but most travelers make use of at least a cell phone and flashlight. You may need to power gear such as lights, a heater, a mini-refrigerator or cooler, a camera, radios, and a GPS.  

While there is a range of portable power options, you might also just consider using your vehicle’s battery or using solar panels. In the event of low battery power, you’ll need to be sure to have battery backup or recharging capabilities to avoid being stranded. If you plan ahead, you can mitigate many power overuse and loss situations.  

Next Step: Prepare for Your Vintage Road Trip 

Vintage camping is gaining in popularity because it allows you to get away from the everyday. You can strike out on the road and experience life from a different, slower, and more unencumbered point of view. There are lots of options for how to live while you’re traveling in your vintage SUV, and it's important to plan how to handle a variety of potential scenarios.

The real goal is to enjoy yourself and have fun as you see and experience new things. Road trips rarely turn out the way you imagine, but that’s part of the fun. If this is your first time SUV road tripping, you’ll learn along the way and your next trip will go more smoothly. You’ll also learn what you really need and prefer for your essentials. That’s one reason you might consider renting or borrowing equipment if this is the first time you’re heading out.  

The road trip experience will be different for each traveler, and your list of necessities will evolve as you become more familiar with on-the-road adventures. Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with your vintage SUV road trip. It may just be the first of many! We've even got the Top Cruisin' Songs you can enjoy along the way!