Car prep for BIBE Trip

OK Guys,
I have a 2 yr. old Toyota Matrix. (85k mi.)
Oil changed (my shop knows I'm taking this trip solo, so they check things well.) Tires to be rotated next week. I have roadside assistance thru my cell service, but, in light of where I'm going, what do I need to have in addition to what I already have:
55 pc. Craftsman socket set with screwdrivers, etc.
Battery charger/ freshly charged
Tire inflator/ plugs in to lighter
Can of green slime
Donut tire (useless IMO)

should I care extra belts?
Thanks,
leigh

hey Li.. have fun

1stist.. I am not a mechanic.. nor do I play one on tv.

The belt in most cars today is a 1 for all kind of deal. You may get a spare, but it may be pricey. Not sure if yours fits this descrip or not.

An internal timiing belt is usually changed around 100k miles as preventative. You should be good there.

You trust your shop? dealer? They should be able to answer this question. I know a guy that could look at it, but I am kinda 200 miles the wrong direction. I would talk to him.. but fear there would be some "lost in translation" there.

A lot of what you read deals with heat down there which you should be missing out on. We went from a cold night to 100+ degree drive out. Just check your car juice levels again before you leave civilization on the way down.

any help???

But Clif did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night hahahah

no room service... that's roughin it in my book!!

You may think about changing your fuel filter before going as it is inexpensive, simple to replace, and the effects of one going bad on the road can be immediate and debilitating.

I would also carry a gas can, one of those nifty car starter do-hickeys, and a concealed weapon (if permitted in all states through which you are traveling).

I have an "unlimited towing" option on my vehicle insurance (only $13/yr) that covers towing to the nearest qualfied service facility. If your insurance company offers that you may wish to consider it. In a remote place like BB, towing to the nearest town with repair facilities might cost many hundreds of dollars.

Satellite radio is a huge bonus out there. We tried OnStar when we got stuck at the end of Indian Head Mountain Road one July and the wrecker from Alpine refused to come out there. OnStar lady connected us to the BB Motor Inn and for a case of beer the manager came out and picked us up and then $50 later a fellow from Far Flung Adventures pulled us out. Oh, it was our first stop in the park - great way to start off a trip.

One year the power was out in Study Butte and, thus, no one could fill up. Fortunately, I had filled up the day before and could get back to Alpine, but there were a bunch of people that spent a day longer in the BB than planned.

Moral of the story...I don't hardly pass a gas station in the Bend.