OK, so the big trip is in the planning. But there’s more than just the route to prep – the biggest task is to make sure your 200 series is primed to perfection and ready for the next big adventure.
Trav splits the checklist into handy segments for easy planning:
1. The drivetrain and chassis: Tyre and wheel checks, suspension, brakes, steering, fluids, etc.
2. Under the bonnet: The battery and all associated charging features, the fuel system, air filtration, coolants and the entire cooling system…
3. Outside checks: Lights, roof rack, the winch (if you have one), bull bar, spare tyre, wipers and any other exterior accessories.
4. Interior checks: Your GPS device (and maps as backup), comms, a decent first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc. It’s also vital to restrict your load to items that are strictly necessary, both for weight and practical usability whilst on the road.
Such checks make life on the road much more reliable, and doing it right reduces the risk of preventable breakdowns or just the annoyance of things not working as they should.
Pre-checks are also a great time to consider other accessory upgrades, such as additional lighting, upgraded comms, awnings and roof racks, etc. Don’t forget to regularly revisit our advice page for more expert tricks of the trade from Trav and the team.
