Last Updated on June 22, 2022
Long road trips can be a big adventure, especially if you are driving from one country to another. There are so many things that you will need to remember when packing for a road trip, but there are also some essential items that will make your life easier and your trip less stressful. Here, then, are five car gadgets to purchase for your next ambitious road trip.
Before you begin, you will need a reliable vehicle to take you all the way and back again. It is a good idea to get the best car you can, so that it will be less likely to break down. One way is to get car finance with little to no deposit, so that you can afford a better car than paying outright.
1 Item tag/locator
If there is one thing that is likely to happen on a road trip, it’s that you are going to pack something and not be able to find it when you need it. It might be the passports or tickets for the boat, but it can be stressful and annoying.
To avoid such problems, you can buy item tags or locator tags that you can attach to items you need to find quickly. These tags have GPS and Bluetooth connectivity so that you can quickly find them using your phone.
The added bonus is that if you can’t find your phone, some item tags can get your phone to ring by pressing it even if your phone is on silent. The tags can be located up to 200 meters away and a map can show you where it is.
2 Power inverter
Although you will likely take a universal plug adapter with you when you travel, there might not always be a place to plug it in. If you are going to camp out somewhere, you will still need to use your devices.
A power inverter is used to convert the car to a 12v power socket to mains power to enable you to plug in devices to it. They also come with circuits that prevent them from overheating or being overloaded.
The vehicle will need to be running so that you don’t drain the battery, but it means you will have access to your devices and accessories even in the middle of nowhere.
3 Rooftop tent
Your road trip might consist of staying in hotels or local hostels along the way, but if you are keen on saving money by camping, then this product might be ideal. The rooftop tent is designed to fit on the roof rack of a vehicle and be unfolded to create a tent on the rooftop.
This has a couple of advantages; it won’t blow away in strong wind, you will be off the floor so hopefully, nothing will crawl in, and it’s easy to put up. These are a convenient way to camp down for the night without too much frustration.
Alternatively, if you have room in the vehicle, you can also get an inflatable car mattress.
4 Car jump starter pack
Road trips involve a lot of work for your vehicle, and you might find that one day, you leave the lights on or something plugged in, and the battery goes flat.
This often happens when you have no access to a garage or any help, so having a car jump starter pack is essential. It is charged with power when you are driving or at a hotel, then, when you need it, the stored power will jump-start the car.
5 Vehicle organizers
Packing everything that you need into one vehicle can be a challenge. You need to be organized and have a place for everything. This is where a car organizer can come in handy, especially so that you can reach things in a hurry.
There are several types of car organizer that you can buy. Some fit the back of the front seats so that people in the back can have access to their things along with drinks and food. Others are fitted inside the boot to help organize everything such as tools, car accessories and other items.
You can also get organizers to keep your clothes clean and fresh and store your dirty laundry until you can get it cleaned.
Conclusion
Road trips are exciting times, but you want to be prepared for any eventuality and ensure that you have all the equipment you need. You will then be able to have a fun time without having to worry about the unexpected.
Photo Credit: Image used via Flickr’s Creative Commons Licensing: Rooftop tent by Dane.
