long distance viper drives

[fastrs2.5]

I am planing on driving my viper from Seattle to Orlando. Does anyone have any tips for long drives. My gen2 has 3.55s and a full exhaust. The car has zero issues and runs great.

[Double0fox]

Well I have only done a 1000 mile trip (this last weekend), so I can't help on that long of a trip. But I am interested as to where you are in Seattle (Tacoma here). Always looking for other close Viper owners.

[fastrs2.5]

I reside is the lovely area called Port orchard

[Getnlwr]

Always nice to meet others. I'm in the Marysville / Everett / Lake Stevens area.

[ViperGTS]

Take it easy and enjoy the drive and scenery...seattle_orlando.jpg+3000 miles.

[viperr]

I am in the Bremerton area and drove 6,000 miles round trip to Charlotte in 2012. The western states are the easiest because of less traffic and higher speed limits so I made better time on that part. I averaged 600 miles a day by running steady, taking short rest and food (and pee) breaks. My longest day was 715 miles and 14 hours in a rainstorm from Charlotte to Carbondale Illinois. I was surprised how my Gen II seats were so comfortable and how well the car ran after an hour or so where everything warmed up nicely. I run 3:55 gears, but I still got 20-21 mpg on the trip. I plan to drive to Detroit this year, which is about 5,000 miles round trip. Considering I am 69 years old I am happy that the car allows me to go on such long runs comfortably. I just enjoy getting the car out on the open road and letting it run. That must be why I have over 100,000 miles on it now.

[Viper98912]

That is a longggggg drive. I don't know if I could do it; I'd probably just ship the car and take a plane.

[Helo Steve]

I drove Chicago to CT and loved every second. My only tips are do it and enjoy it… no better car to make the trip in!

[Anonymous]

Books on cd make the time fly by.

[jwolf]

I could never drive mine long distances with out my leg cramping till I put Cruise Control on it.

[Allan]

Books on cd make the time fly by.

That won't work for this guy, he said his car has full exhaust with 3.55's in the rear.

He may need ear plugs.

[Stretch]

Ear Plugs.
Every time you go down hill, take your foot off the gas and wiggle it around / stretch it out. Then you'll be able to walk again when you finally get out of the car.
Also get out of the car every few hours. I did 9 hours straight after VOI and got very tired the last couple hours.

And have fun! I love Viper road trips. And take pictures and post them here.

[GhostStalker27]

If you have borla and no cats - you're ears will pay a price. I drove an 1hr20 and my ears rang for a while after.

[Leslie]

I have heard how some of the guys met up with other Viper owners each area they stopped.

That would be kewl to do.

I am not a mechanic, but there might be a few tools and oil that you might want to take...? belts, hoses...? Be prepared for a flat tire, have road assistance...?

My issue with my past GenII was not having the cruise control, I would stretch my right foot a lot when I could.

[FrgMstr]

Things I carry in the trunk pretty much all of the time but put the list together on my first DustBall Rally:

2 cans of Slime 60090 Large Tire Quick Spair - 20 oz

1 Slime 22038 Compact Tire Plug Kit with Storage Handle

1 Upper radiator hose

1 Lower radiator hose

1 Serpentine belt

Full assortment of needed fuses

Misc tools to change those parts

Electric air compressor

Rear tow hook / Front tow hook

Clutch/Brake/PS Fluid

And sunblock....

[FrgMstr]

Oh and I keep about 5 or 6 of these in my trunk to hand out to little kids that love to see the car at stops along the way. Making future gearheads $1 at a time. Of course your color choice may vary.

[TitleMine]

I've done a drive across half the country in my ACR in one shot, so I think I can fill you in.

1. If your exhaust drones, make sure your passenger (if any) is OK with it. I was super stoked to be driving the car, but a lot of people I give rides to mention the noise.

2. Have some provision for holding cups, It's pretty easy to rig something up in the passenger's seat. Otherwise, you'll have to buy bottles like I did the whole way home. I know I know, "oh my god drinking in the viper sacrilege etc." It's a car, and I was thirsty.

3. Wear comfortable clothes. The Viper is not a big car, and the climate control tends to work more like a binary switch than a gradual adjustment (nothing-boiling-nothing-frozen) so you'll want layers or something.

4. Be conscious of where you stop, both to eat, and to sleep. I stopped in West Virginia, and you'd think I landed in a Star Destroyer. The entire McDonald's (only place to eat at the exit where I needed gas) emptied out. Same way when I stopped in Missouri. It was a total mob scene. This would be even scarier parking overnight. Check google maps, etc, and pay the extra to stay in a VERY NICE AREA. You don't want to park your supercar in the $49.99 motel.

5. Check to make sure your car has lock-lugs if you're buying it on this trip. Mine didn't come with them. Those wheels are a mighty tempting target when it's parked overnight. Buy gorilla lugs, they're the best over-the-counter lock system you can get.

6. Take one of those $150 Craftsman portable mechanic's tool kits with you, along with a serpentine belt and radiator hoses. If you can't get it done with that, it ain't gettin' done roadside anyway.

[Thawk97]

I was also curious about this as I'm planning on the Detroit trip myself - all great tips!

[Fatboy 18]

Cup Holder, Tire repair kit, Radar detector Big wallet for the fuel bill
Personal protection

Possibly an extra air pillow for additional lumbar support on your back.

What an Awesome drive, you will have a blast
Good luck
Mark.

[VIPER BAZ UK]

That is just so cool..... was at VOI -12 And just try and stop me from Detroit. .....

I am in the Bremerton area and drove 6,000 miles round trip to Charlotte in 2012. The western states are the easiest because of less traffic and higher speed limits so I made better time on that part. I averaged 600 miles a day by running steady, taking short rest and food (and pee) breaks. My longest day was 715 miles and 14 hours in a rainstorm from Charlotte to Carbondale Illinois. I was surprised how my Gen II seats were so comfortable and how well the car ran after an hour or so where everything warmed up nicely. I run 3:55 gears, but I still got 20-21 mpg on the trip. I plan to drive to Detroit this year, which is about 5,000 miles round trip. Considering I am 69 years old I am happy that the car allows me to go on such long runs comfortably. I just enjoy getting the car out on the open road and letting it run. That must be why I have over 100,000 miles on it now.

[Bill Pemberton]

One other question, when are you planning to take this drive? Depending on the time of the year the Northern route with some wide open interstates may be quicker?!

[Solid Red 98]

If your power steering pulley is still plastic, I would recommend replacing the pulley (billet aluminum) and the power steering pump bracket, so you never have to think about it again. At least inspect it assuming that does any good--that plastic is getting old and brittle. Then, take a few important spares as listed above. Its not that you have to worry about reliability, its just that out on the open road, your Viper is far from important simple parts that can be replaced in a more standard vehicle.

[C.J]

Stop every couple hours for a quick break...keeps you from mentally zoning out. Take a camera, and as mentioned previously, try to see who you can meet along the way.

That's going to be an awesome road trip! Post pics during your travels too, it would be fun to keep up with what you're seeing.

Wheel locks was an interesting item...has anyone had a wheel stolen off their Viper?

[Thawk97]

If your power steering pulley is still plastic, I would recommend replacing the pulley (billet aluminum) and the power steering pump bracket, so you never have to think about it again. At least inspect it assuming that does any good--that plastic is getting old and brittle. Then, take a few important spares as listed above. Its not that you have to worry about reliability, its just that out on the open road, your Viper is far from important simple parts that can be replaced in a more standard vehicle.

Is this true even for those of us with stock motors? We think the failure rate is high enough it needs to be replaced as a precaution?

[Rand1993]

I live in Richland, WA if you want to stop on your way through. We also have a second home in Melbourne, FL (near Orlando). Could connect in FL if I'm down there at the same time you are.

I'm jealous. I would love to do that trip. Have done it on a motorcycle. A Viper should be easier.