Prepare your vehicle or boat for a road or water trip
While the pandemic has put the brakes on your travel plans abroad, it may not have made you want to visit your province. Whether by car, motorbike, motorhome, boat or, why not, a personal watercraft, summer is the perfect season to go on an adventure!
Planning
To avoid unnecessary stress and travel safely, take the time to plan your trip well, and follow government restrictions and our maintenance tips. Indeed, it can be very useful to consult government sites to find out if certain regions, roads or bodies of water, especially with regard to cross-border travel, are closed due to the pandemic. Our checklists will also help you prevent any mechanical breakdown or oversight that could spoil your vacation.
Inspection - road vehicle
Make sure your car, motorcycle or motorhome is road-ready and 100% functional. If your vehicle is aging, it will require even more of your attention. It is recommended that you or your mechanic check the following:
fluids (oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid), and particularly coolant;
brake pads;
pipes and belts;
spark plugs;
battery;
tire pressure including the spare tire;
the air conditioning system;
headlights and wipers;
the air filter (reduces fuel consumption).
Inspection - boat
Before setting off, an inspection of your boat is essential. For example, a boat coming out of winter storage will need an oil change or at least an oil level check. Here are some things to take into account to take it easy on your journey:
fluids (oil, power steering fluid, coolant);
battery;
spark plugs;
filters;
electronic equipment (navigation lights, instrument lights, depth sounder, GPS, etc.);
chocks;
pipes, cables, straps and mooring lines to detect any signs of wear or fraying;
charge of fire extinguishers.
COVID-19 Kit
For a safe trip, remember to pack the following essentials:
hand sanitizer;
masks;
disinfectant wipes;
thermometer.
And be sure to wash your hands with soapy water whenever you can.
GPS and map
Whether you use a GPS for the road or for navigation, also remember to bring a road or nautical map in paper format in case of loss of communication with the network or of the device malfunction. It could save you a lot of hassle!
Tips and tricks to limit distractions on the road:
enter your destination in your GPS before getting behind the wheel;
ask the person sitting with you at the front to act as co-pilot.
Permits and insurance
For guaranteed peace of mind, check that your home and recreational vehicle insurance coverage is adequate and meets your needs. Also, think about all the important documents to take with you, such as your valid driver's license or boat license, registration certificate and your insurance papers.
Emergency equipment
Prepare for any eventuality by packing the following items:
Road trip
First aid kit
Flash light
Rockets
Whistle
Extinguisher
Spare charger
Spare batteries
Bottles of water
Compressor and tire sealant
Jack
Spare
Blanket
Booster cables
Conduit tape
Toilet paper
Non-perishable foods
Boat trip
Personal flotation device
Floating heaving line
Re-boarding device
Flashlight or pyrotechnic lights
Manual propulsion device or anchor
Bailer or manual bilge pump
Sound signaling device
Navigation lights
Magnetic compass
Extinguisher
Radar reflector
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