Interstate 80 crosses the state of Utah in what is my opinion some of the most picturesque landscapes in the United States. Sunset in Gallup New Mexico is absolutely breathtaking. And Donner Pass in December is as beautiful as it is treacherous. Of course, making the trip yourself has its benefits. But there are pitfalls as well.
In this day and age of cellphones and emergency 24 hour roadside assistance it is hard to imagine being marooned on the side of the road. But it can and does happen. Several months ago I was driving home from work for the weekend (a 170 mile drive) when I glanced at the battery gauge and noticed that the alternator was not charging. Naturally, I found this a little disquieting. I've been stuck on the road before because of equipment failures, but up until this time it was someone else's problem, at least from a financial standpoint. I managed to limp it to a service plaza (this was on the PA Turnpike) where I ended up spending the night. Further investigation revealed that it was not a broken belt as I had initially suspected. One of the idler pulleys had fried its bearing. Thank God for having a brother in law with a tow truck at home.

There are important lessons to be learned from this experience. Had I paid attention to the little squeaking noise I heard in the few days prior, I could have found the failing pulley sooner and had it replaced. Secondly, had I been carrying a proper set of tools, I could have gotten myself to an auto parts store the next morning and replaced the pulley myself. Or better yet, on a lunch break at work and saved some money by not having to replace a ruined belt as well.
Before planning a long road trip it is a good idea to invest in a set of tools and know how to use them. If they are only going to be used occasionally they do not have to be a fancy expensive brand. Even the simplest problems to fix can leave you stranded by the roadside for some time until help arrives. And when it does arrive, it will be costly. Realistically, every vehicle should have a set of tools in the trunk, whether the trip is long or short. Carry extra fluids as well (oil, coolant, power steering etc). Make sure everything is okay before you start your trip. Even minor problems can turn into major ones as time goes by. Remember that time according to an automobile is measured by the odomoter or hour meter (Hobbs meter) and the more miles you put on a vehicle the sooner minor problems will become major

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