Spring Road Trip

[Chuck in PA]

Hello Everyone –

I’m taking my 06 XLR on my first long road trip next week. In the summer my wife and l’ll do regular weekend drives to from Philly to the South Jersey shore or into Manhattan, but this is our first extended trip.

We’re leaving Philly burbs heading to Charleston, SC for the Wine & Food Fest first of March. After a long weekend of eating and drinking, we’re heading to DelRay Beach, FL and Miami for week of sun & fun. Then meandering back up through Savannah into Raleigh/Durham before heading back to Philly area. I’m looking forward to the drive.

The car’s in the dealer getting the once over and I’d like to think I’m all prepared. I installed a locpick last summer for my iPod. I’ve got Onstar and XM subscriptions as well as updated nav disks.

Since many of you have done long road trips are there recommendations for long trips in XLR, especially for creature comforts?

Anybody driven the I95 corridor from North East to Miami and know where there’s speed traps & bbq?

Thanks
Chuck

[GizmoQ]

Originally Posted by Chuck in PA

Hello Everyone –

I’m taking my 06 XLR on my first long road trip next week. In the summer my wife and l’ll do regular weekend drives to from Philly to the South Jersey shore or into Manhattan, but this is our first extended trip.

We’re leaving Philly burbs heading to Charleston, SC for the Wine & Food Fest first of March. After a long weekend of eating and drinking, we’re heading to DelRay Beach, FL and Miami for week of sun & fun. Then meandering back up through Savannah into Raleigh/Durham before heading back to Philly area. I’m looking forward to the drive.

The car’s in the dealer getting the once over and I’d like to think I’m all prepared. I installed a locpick last summer for my iPod. I’ve got Onstar and XM subscriptions as well as updated nav disks.

Since many of you have done long road trips are there recommendations for long trips in XLR, especially for creature comforts?

Anybody driven the I95 corridor from North East to Miami and know where there’s speed traps & bbq?

Thanks
Chuck

First let me ask if you have run-flat tires. If not make sure your tow service contract is valid during your trip. There are two tools that are a must for this vehicle: a 10mm socket wrench and your GM star screwdriver (or a T-15 torx driver and a 8mm hex allen wrench if your car doesn't have one) . The 10mm is for disconnecting the battery (touching the leads together for a few seconds reset most computer systems. If the top malfunctions, doing this and reindexing the windows is your first possible solution.) The GM star screwdriver is to manually raise the hardtop. The Torx is also useful should your shifter refuse to come outta Park.

Preferences vary, but I've upgraded my headlights and fogs to 8000K 55W HIDs (I'm still not used to the abrupt cutoff of the projectors, so running the fogs helps me see better at night).

As far as creature comforts go, most here will tell you my toys are over the top. The front cig lighter cannot handle current over 1.5A (it'll blow the fuse); the accessory socket in the armrest will handle up to 2.5A. MoneyPit also describes installing an iPhone dock in the little hole by the cig lighter in front of the cup holders that looks very clean. If you run a radar detector, the BlendMount eliminates the need for powering it via cig lighter. My coffee cup plugs into the cig lighter to keep it hot. I also have a refrigerator that fits perfectly in the trunk with the top down. See this thread.

Lastly, don't expect too much from the nav system, its the least advanced component in the car. You may want to bring a backup Nav system. Mines in my CarPC, but many here have a Garmin-type GPS just in case the in-car Nav can't find your destination.

Can't think of much else, enjoy your trip! And if you happen to see a black V go by on I-95 wave, I'll be heading to Miami on Thursday and back up to Tampa on Sunday.

[Crimson Pearl]

As one who grew up in Charleston, I highly recommend Thomas Bessingers for Barbeque. You have to try the onion rings!

Bessingers BBQ

Be sure to check out their website, including their history. I used to hang out at "Piggie Park" in my GTO when I was a teen.

[05 GRAND DADDY XLR CADDY]

Originally Posted by Chuck in PA

Hello Everyone –

I’m taking my 06 XLR on my first long road trip next week. In the summer my wife and l’ll do regular weekend drives to from Philly to the South Jersey shore or into Manhattan, but this is our first extended trip.

We’re leaving Philly burbs heading to Charleston, SC for the Wine & Food Fest first of March. After a long weekend of eating and drinking, we’re heading to DelRay Beach, FL and Miami for week of sun & fun. Then meandering back up through Savannah into Raleigh/Durham before heading back to Philly area. I’m looking forward to the drive.

The car’s in the dealer getting the once over and I’d like to think I’m all prepared. I installed a locpick last summer for my iPod. I’ve got Onstar and XM subscriptions as well as updated nav disks.

Since many of you have done long road trips are there recommendations for long trips in XLR, especially for creature comforts?

Anybody driven the I95 corridor from North East to Miami and know where there’s speed traps & bbq?

Thanks
Chuck

Hi Chuck:
I was just given this tip (below) form a forum member so I'm passing onto you, my wife and I are also leaveing the 1st Sat. in March to go down to Savanah for 32nd anniversary for about a week. We maybe doing some day trips and may come over to Charleston (where is the wine fest being held?) I bought my XLR last March and took it to SC Charleston last June, and went to the Endless Summer in OC MD in Oct. of last year. It had 53,000 miles on it 61,500 on it now. We just love driven our XLR. I even drive it dailly to work here in PA in the winter when weather suits! Have a wonderful and enjoyable trip! Caddyman Dan
Savannah Dining tip: For a very romantic and wonderful anniversary dinner, go to the Old Pink House... Instead of going up the steps into the main entrance of the restaurant, look to the left.... There are a few unmarked steps that lead to downstairs.. That is where all the locals eat.. It has the same menu as upstairs, but is candle lit, big fire place, brick walls and dark wood... Much more personal than the large dining room...

Casey

[sschooley]

Originally Posted by Chuck in PA

-- I’ve got Onstar and XM subscriptions as well as updated nav disks. Since many of you have done long road trips are there recommendations for long trips in XLR, especially for creature comforts?
Thanks Chuck[/FONT]

Another option to Gizmo's recommendation for a back up Navigation device may already be in place through your Onstar subscription. Under the "directions & connections plan" you can obtain turn by turn nav directions through Onstar. It has always worked well for me... and if its needed an Onstar person will come on your line and help you figure it out, call ahead,
or otherwise assist. I use Onstar as my backup.

Steve

[05 GRAND DADDY XLR CADDY]

While on our Annv. trip today in Savannah GA. we was down at the Riverwalk when my wifes say's look honey here come a Blue XLR so as he drove bye I gave him a thumbs up But, once he got parked I never did catch up to him to talk to him, but I did get a picture of his car parked in the parking lot, the tags where SC. It's always such a thrill to see other XLR's! While looking at the blue XLR, there was 4 guys just starring at his car and talking about, I told them I had a silver one and like usaual they had all kind of question about the XLR and wanted to know if we drove down from PA and where my car was, I told them ours was up at the hotel and said that we drive ours as much as we can, Just because we just love to drive her!

Caddyman Dan