Road Trip Mods?

HeySkippyDog · July 4, 2019

If you have the full center console, replace the DC outlet on the back with a 2 USB outlet. I'm eventually doing this mod, plus a second one on the left side, similar location. Or purchase DC to USB adapters for your DC outlets.

Shoot, how did either one of us miss recommending a CB rig for the truck?

It isn't outdated. You will be in tune with traffic, and skate past the bad spots.

I know for a fact, truckers will see your antenna and call out. Happens daily to me.

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Ravenkeeper · July 4, 2019

On 6/30/2019 at 7:11 PM, dbonethree said:

Heading on a family road trip in my 2018 Silverado crew cab at the end of July. Anybody out there have ideas/mods to make the interior more convenient? For example, adding a cup holder on the floor for the middle backseat passenger, lining the interior of the center console with a waterproof liner so I can add ice and make it a makeshift cooler...etc.

We usually take the wife's Traverse which allows pretty easy access to small coolers and such during the drive. Trying to find ways to make the Silverado just as convenient. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

10 hours ago, HeySkippyDog said:

Shoot, how did either one of us miss recommending a CB rig for the truck?

It isn't outdated. You will be in tune with traffic, and skate past the bad spots.

I know for a fact, truckers will see your antenna and call out. Happens daily to me.

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Yeah, don't know how we missed that one, but then @dbonethree may be traveling with children, and some of the guys/gals out there are NOT broadcasting in "G" or "PG" dialog.

Mandalorian · July 4, 2019

On 7/2/2019 at 9:43 PM, wforrest08 said:

The Camry is literally on the hot wheels list every year and has been for years...

Don’t get me wrong Camrys are nice I had one for awhile when I was commuting 90+ miles a day. Mileage for the size of car was killer. Just don’t kid yourself thinking it can’t disappear.

Most of those are old 90s Camrys that can be stolen very easily, same for Hondas of that era. They didn't have immobilizers or something like that.

dbonethree · July 5, 2019

On 7/4/2019 at 12:36 AM, Ravenkeeper said:

If you have the full center console, replace the DC outlet on the back with a 2 USB outlet. I'm eventually doing this mod, plus a second one on the left side, similar location. Or purchase DC to USB adapters for your DC outlets.

I do have a full center console and this would be better then always having the need of the USB adapters. Blows my mind why this wouldn't have been standard.

The CB radio is good idea, I've mainly used them when caravaning to keep in touch with the other vehicles in the caravan. There probalby isn't much my 7 & 8 year olds haven't heard, so I'm not too concerned about the language.

Also, I just put some FIA seat covers in the back in case the boys spill anything and added some in channel window vent visors.

wforrest08 · July 5, 2019

15 hours ago, Mandalorian said:

Most of those are old 90s Camrys that can be stolen very easily, same for Hondas of that era. They didn't have immobilizers or something like that.

Not trying to be argumentative but...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2018/09/18/hottest-wheels-the-most-stolen-new-and-used-cars-in-the-u-s/#2893559b5258

you’ll notice the most “popular” model year for the Camry & the Sierra are 2017.

My only point is ALOT of people believe newer vehicles don’t disappear because of the “technology” installed at the factory. This is just simply not true.

Donstar · July 5, 2019

1 hour ago, dbonethree said:

There probalby isn't much my 7 & 8 year olds haven't heard, so I'm not too concerned about the language.

They've probably seen and heard a lot of non-age appropriate stuff (TV/Online) but no need to normalize poor behavior or language. People use foul language when their vocabulary is too limited to use the appropriate words to express themselves. ( We can all remember a friend or two from high school who used a word beginning with F multiple times in every sentence to describe or explain all of their activities.) One idea that helped us when travelling with children was to ask them to think of items or activities that would make their travels more enjoyable. You can guide/limit their choices but giving them ownership to an activity will increase your chances of peace in the back seat. We also used road trips to engage in discussion and games with our children. This would often mean adult talk and/or music needed to be sacrificed but the dividends pay off.

swathdiver · July 5, 2019

Take their phones and electronic devices away and make them look outside the windows and play games you pick up at Cracker Barrel. Mine all have giant sippy cups that keep coffee hot or water cold for days so no need for ice and coolers. Keep a grocery bag for garbage, beef jerky for a snack, baby wipes come in handy.

CB Radio would be fun as is a PA system. :-)

Hand the kids $5 bills when you pull into a rest stop and let them raid the vending machines and see what they bring back! Sing along as a family to music, play Dixie, Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Legend (Jerry Reed), etc.

I still do as I did as a kid, scan the sides of the road for wildlife, gators, turkeys, deer, rabbits, turtles, bears, etc. Always calling them out and cool cars to my kids who now that they are older are glued to their phones and something on Netflix while plugged into my portable USB chargers (2.5 Amps each, not 2.1). The other night, I played with my Tech-2 in the back seat while my daughter drove the truck! I like that! Everyone found it amusing when all of a sudden the windshield wipers would come or their seats would move and the lights go on and off or the horn beeped! LOL

Ravenkeeper · July 6, 2019

7 hours ago, swathdiver said:

Take their phones and electronic devices away and make them look outside the windows and play games you pick up at Cracker Barrel. Mine all have giant sippy cups that keep coffee hot or water cold for days so no need for ice and coolers. Keep a grocery bag for garbage, beef jerky for a snack, baby wipes come in handy.

CB Radio would be fun as is a PA system. :-)

Hand the kids $5 bills when you pull into a rest stop and let them raid the vending machines and see what they bring back! Sing along as a family to music, play Dixie, Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Legend (Jerry Reed), etc.

I still do as I did as a kid, scan the sides of the road for wildlife, gators, turkeys, deer, rabbits, turtles, bears, etc. Always calling them out and cool cars to my kids who now that they are older are glued to their phones and something on Netflix while plugged into my portable USB chargers (2.5 Amps each, not 2.1). The other night, I played with my Tech-2 in the back seat while my daughter drove the truck! I like that! Everyone found it amusing when all of a sudden the windshield wipers would come or their seats would move and the lights go on and off or the horn beeped! LOL

PA systems can get you into trouble. Some CBs have PAs in them.

swathdiver · July 6, 2019

3 hours ago, Ravenkeeper said:

PA systems can get you into trouble. Some CBs have PAs in them.

That's right, I've had them for decades, come in mighty handy sometimes.

Darksky · July 8, 2019

Delete

HeySkippyDog · July 10, 2019

PA systems can get you into trouble. Some CBs have PAs in them.

Most of them do have PA functions, and adding one is as easy as a $10 PA horn bolted to your aux battery tray and running the cable down by the fender and up into the void between door and fender [emoji108]

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3tspapat · July 11, 2019

some super nice ear plugs so you can't hear the passengers yapping and complaining!

VdellaV · July 11, 2019

I just got this puppy, so i can monitor Police/Emergency services near me to be aware of possible security problems. Its very fun for longer trips too.

HeySkippyDog · July 11, 2019

Lucky you. All the departments in my area have gone digital and I'd have to buy a $600+ unit capable of digital trunking.

Here's a prime example why CB is a good idea for driving long distances. I heard a trucker on 19 warn that I-95N was jammed, and to exit immediately.

I'm the little blue dot that isn't stuck in an extra hour of traffic. Skated right around it.

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