Many drivers can’t wait for autumn, with good reasons. The air is cooler, and the leaves turn from green to vibrant red, orange, and gold. The smell of pine and earth is also sharper in wooded areas, pushing many to drive with their windows down to enjoy the invigorating autumn air.
To soak in the season’s sights, many people go on road trips across America.
Some are content to cruise through scenic routes, like the Grand Teton Loop in Wyoming and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, to get their fall foliage fix. Others turn their drive into a full-blown camping trip, packing with tents, coolers, and other creature comforts for several days out in the wilderness.
Do you have plans to go on a fall road trip? Whether you’re a cruiser or a camper, don’t leave home without these car accessories to make the most of your autumn adventure.
Bike Rack
When autumn comes, it’s a good idea to install a bike rack on your vehicle, especially if you’re visiting places with breathtaking bike trails.
Given the cool breeze and the gorgeous foliage, autumn is one of the best times of the year to ride your bike. The usual routes you take when you go cycling will look different, while parks and roads far from home offer spectacular sights.
Having a bike rack will give you a secure and convenient place to store your bike. You don’t have to worry about it moving and damaging your trunk or truck bed. It’s strongly recommended to get a locking bike rack to give yourself some peace of mind.
Hitch
Fall is the perfect time to go on a drive around the country, traveling from state to state on a fun road trip. This could mean bringing heavy cargo and equipment or even towing a trailer home for you and your friends and family to relax in.
In both cases, it’s a good investment to install a hitch onto your vehicle. Just make sure to test the trailer connector to see if it works first. Fortunately, there are cheap test plugs and LED lights you can use to determine if the connector works properly.
A high-quality hitch will let you tow a trailer home from one end of the country to the other with ease. It’ll also help you transport cargo you wouldn’t have been able to before.
For example, you can use hitches to carry large and unwieldy objects, such as boats and all-terrain vehicles. You can also use them to transport bicycles and motorcycles, making them one of the best accessories for outdoor activities in autumn.
Tent
Another must-have accessory for fall is a tent that you can install on your vehicle, allowing you to camp wherever you go. Typically these tents are mounted and installed on top of your vehicle, letting you use your vehicle as a means to support your tent and making it easier to set up and pack up.
Besides the sweater weather and beautiful scenery, fall is a great season for camping because there are fewer bugs, less traffic, and smaller crowds. On top of that, many states have autumn festivals you can join, and most campgrounds drop their rates. You can enjoy all these perks without any trouble when you drive a vehicle equipped with a tent.
Car Cover
Unfortunately, rainfall is more common in autumn. Because of this, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a car cover to keep your vehicle safe from the elements. Rain might seem harmless to a vehicle, but make no mistake — water can leave ugly stains that are difficult to remove on your ride if left to dry on its surface.
Rainwater can also cause rust in metal parts. Getting a car cover will shield your vehicle from the negative effects of rainfall and other inclement weather, such as harsh sunlight and acid rain.
Roadside Emergency Kit
When driving in autumn, it’s important to keep a roadside emergency kit handy. This is a must-have, especially if you’re going on long trips, as it contains items and tools that can make it easy to deal with various problems.
While inclusions vary depending on the set, most kits contain the following things:
- Jumper cables
- Tool kit
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit
- Drinking water
- Reflective vest
- Fire extinguisher
- Rain poncho
- Shovel
- Warm clothing
- Duct tape
Bear in mind that it’s a good idea to purchase your own jumper cables since the ones that come with roadside emergency kits are typically less effective and durable. More often than not, jumper cables that come with these kits have thin cables and might not work properly unless you’re driving a small vehicle.
Bluetooth Speaker
If you’re keen on long autumn drives and fun outdoor activities, you can level up your trips by investing in some Bluetooth speakers for your vehicle. This way, you can enjoy your music and podcasts at peak sound quality.
The best part? You can easily let other passengers connect their devices to your speakers to let them play their music as well.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
