The first road trip Friday the 3rd up to MA and back went great. My wife liked the way it rode and so did I. Very comfortable and the A/C is super cold. My taste in music she doesn't really care for, but hey, driver's choice! At least I didn't play the Death Metal I sometimes use as a stress reliever.
I've ordered some much needed items for "Black Betty." I finished setting her up the way I want and putting some important on-hand gear on board...
1). Portable UHF fire radio
2). 1st Responder Med Bag
3). Brush fire clothes, boots, and helmet
4). Binoculars
5). 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher (in cargo under floor trunk)
6). Doggy seat protector mat (also in cargo under floor trunk to keep the extinguisher from moving around)
7). Small OD Green G.I. tool bag that allows me to fix almost anything
8). Hearing protection ear muffs
9). Hi-Vis orange safety vest
10). Horse lead, dog slip over leash, collapsible water bowls (animal rescue)
11). Folding camp chair (for spending nice days on FD duty sitting out in the bays or other outdoor events)
12). Golf umbrella
I have the majority of this stuff in the back seat area, leaving the cargo area completely open. If I need to carry passengers I'll toss it all in the cargo area. For a road trip, though, the majority of items will be removed and left home. There is lots of other stuff I put in the glove box and console like eyeglass cleaning wipes, eyeglass case, FD badge & ID, energy bars, etc.
The stuff currently on order...
1). The "Obama Switch" (Auto Stop-Start) override module with memory (Amazon)
2). After-market aerodynamic roof rack bars with increased capacity over OEM (Amazon)
3). WeatherTech channel fit window vent shades/rain guards
4). WeatherTech windshield sunshade and carry bag (also bought one for my wife's RAV-4)
I hate modern car nannies, but none more than that fucking Obama Switch, turning my vehicle into a golf cart that shuts off when I stop and restarts when I want to go. The amount of gas it "saves" and pollution it prevents is minuscule, but it beats the shit out of your starter and A/C compressor, and probably the fuel system and engine components. What if it doesn't restart... then what? The module I bought was $22.80 and remembers the last press of the cancellation button and re-activates upon starting every time. If... IF I decided I did want to use that feature, a press of the button turns it back on permanently until I turn it back off. But no more forgetting to cancel it until the first time the vehicle shuts off on me. It is guaranteed not to interfere with any diagnostic or safety systems, but can easily be removed in the event I have some kind of issue that requires dealer service so they don't find it and void my extended warranty.
I am holding off on purchasing the Toyota OEM Class III 2" tow receiver until I get my finances back in order. The vehicle is rated for 5000 pound towing capacity which is way more then I will currently use. I can get the receiver from ToyotaPartsDeal.com for $412.45 and install it myself. I have already downloaded and read the 10 page installation manual so I will definitely save myself some dough on a pretty easy but involved installation. IMHO, what makes it involved is trimming and fitting the underside body covers and installing the new bumper fascia covers. I'll easily have it done in one session and nothing seems to be rusted in place like it was when I rebuilt Big Red.
