Planning a two-week, end of August drive from NYC to LA (southern route) with my family (wife, 2 teenage kids). Looking to add a couple items to keep passengers happy during the trip and wondering if anyone out there has recommendations for what to put in the box (temporarily) in two categories:

—Portable DVD player: Any thoughts on what's best to hang between front seats for back seat viewing? Is 10'' screen best size?

—Cooler: Wife seems to think there's a portable fridge or fridge/cooler combo out there that we could stash in back and run off the lighter if we choose. Any ideas if this is doable or, alternatively, anybody with good ideas about what's a good, sturdy cooler that'll fit in the back?

Would also appreciate any other advice/suggestions relevant to making this trek.

Thanks

 

Seriously, I would rent a bigger car. Are you adding a cargo carrier to the roof to carry four people's luggage for two weeks? Do you think the A/C is up to cooling four people crossing the desert while carrying the car's maximum rated load?

I love my Box, but I've raised a teenager and I've driven cross-country more than once. Trips like this are what minivans are for.

Just my 2 cents.

r

 

I would say get a roof rack with a basket to haul your luggage. Or one of the areo covers things.
I have seen some dvd player with 2 monitors at target before, not sure how ell they work, but and easy alternative to having them installed.

also get a front end bra or tape it up, prevent some inevitable rock chips.

And the xB is great for trips, mine does 2-4 a years and i love it. Just wish i had a roof rack.

 

Thanks for the front end tip. As for luggage, I've got a roof rack and cargo pouch to strap to it. Not considering installing anythiing, mainly wondering if anyone's got thoughts about which would be the best appliances to consider given the interior dimensions of the Box.

 

dude, if you have a laptop, buy microsoft streets and trips 2007 with gps locator from amazon.com .

Having a laptop + using this navigation software (even tho u know how to go there, maybe) is priceless. i have a laptop and use this software for navigation and it is absolutely incredible. you can see gas stations, restaurants, tourist traps/parks - all that stuff using that software and it's cheap!

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Stre...5458223&sr=8-1

the dealer wanted $2,200+ for navigation when i asked them about it. to me, that is a hell of a lot to pay for something i will rarely use (i can get to work from home and back w/o navigation, and same with the grocery store). i said the hell with that. i bought a $600 touch screen laptop (see the link in my signature) and i bought streets n trips. so for about $700, i had a full navigation setup. plus, since the 06 xb's came with the aux input, i can play all my music/movie audio through the stock speakers in the car! this is priceless!

thank me when you get to cali ;]

 

I have all that on my phone, except I'm not sure about the gas stations. Full qwerty keyboard and it can do the MP3s too. It's just a regular free upgrade contract phone. Amazing how much they pack into cellphones nowdays. No, it's not an I-Phone, it's just a cheap Samsung u740.

I am getting a laptop in next few months for school, so I'll know what software to get once I do. I didn't realize they could do that on laptops.

As for long trips, I learned fast about the limited interior cargo space. After reading this, I measured the rear roughly to see what you could squeeze in. Due to the rear seat inclination, you have about 14 inches between rear seat and tailgate. This should fit snuggly in the rear...

http://www.compactappliance.com/xq/J...ct/product.htm

I'm interested in getting one of these now. Let us know what you settle with.

 

You wana see what people have been doing with computers in their cars? check out www.mp3car.com - that site is bananas. people have been doing some amazing stuff on there. my setup was inspired by some setups they have on the site. the difference is that my setup is removable. many people on that site build navigation + entertainment systems with PCs and physically install it into their cars.

just fyi.

 

Thanks for the cooler tip. I double checked the measurements in the back and I think you're right--that one looks like it will fit neatly. It's actually a bit bigger than we probably need, but best I've seen so far. Will let you know how it works out.

As far as computer/navigation, that microsoft product does look pretty cool—and you're right, folks are doing some wild stuff with comps in their cars. But my laptop is a mac and for directions, i'm still using rand macnally. Hopefully, I won't get too lost--and if I do, hopefully the detours will be interesting.

Thanks.

 

DON'T WRECK :d

 

Do you have an arm rest???

 

I vote for you to rent a minivan also!!! It will make for a much more enjoyable trip in the LONG run. Trust us when we say that!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!
Considering the people weight alone, the xB will struggle to pull any type of hills not to mention 'Mountains". Add luggage and a roof rack and you will not enjoy that much seat time! My 2 cents!

 

About the only thing I can think of off the top of my bald head is get cruise control if you don't already have it and buy a cheepie CB (walkie-talkie type).. just to listen in on those of us who are in the "big rigs" ..
also there are a few real dead spots with the cell phones on the southern route to the shaky side .. so you might want to hit a major truckstop and sign up with audio-adventures.. so you can rent books or movies on CD's.. then just exchange them at the next t/s you stop at...

"Father Time" said that !
3.8 million miles and still learning

 

I did the NYC to Az trip a couple times a year when I was going to school in Prescott. I drove it in a Chevy Celebrity 4 banger. The best thing I can say is the car was a trooper. There are parts of the midwest where, if your box is automatic, the hills will have it sounding like a Cessna. Secondly, there will be parts of the drive where the heat will require the AC to run constantly. Between me and you, the xB's AC is not the greatest. Next, the tires. Check them at least once each day. The drive really chews them up.

If you will have a full load on top of the xB, don't do what I did (almost rolled). Don't put yourself in a position where you have to swerve, because recovering is much harder with a full load on the roof, and it handles completely different in those situations.

I wouldn't say to get a minivan. Driving cross country in a basic 4-cylinder is almost like an adventure, and the xB is more than capable. I think so, don't hold me to that, It ought to be fun.

As for entertainment, I'd sa a couple of PSP's, and a few rented games and movies for them from Blockbuster. A book or two and some magazines. This way the kids can play games or watch movies with the headphones, the right seater can read and the driver can listen to tunes. You can buy the cigarette lighter fridge at any Auto Zone or I guess RS Strauss in NY. Not sure what the draw on it is for a drive that long.

As you can tell, I love road trips. Lastly, the best KFC in the world is in Amarillo, Texas... if you happen to go that way.

 

I wouldn't have said it either, if he was traveling alone or as a couple. My wife and I drove all over the country in our 1980 Datsun 210, which didn't even *have* A/C.

It's the combination of
1) August
2) Deserts & Mountains
3) Weak A/C
4) Two teenagers in the back seat with mom & dad in the front
5) Maxxed-out xB, carrying possibly more than its rated 850lb load.
6) How little baggage each person will actually be able to take.

...that's waving warning flags for me. The car will probably make it, but will the family?

r