[britye]

We are heading out for a 3000 mile road trip (from Manitoba to B.C.and back) soon, so I got the oil changed, tires rotated and Sat. Radio good to go.Have the Roadside Assist telephone number programmed into my cell phone, and a nice electric cooler.
Any ideas/suggestions on what else I should stuff in the Ol' Crosstour? I have almost 11,000K on it now, thinking I should get an idea of how it really stands up (and out) after this.
Anyone else been out for a long cruise like this on their CT yet?
What should I be looking forward to or watching out for? On the CT I mean....

 

[ifonline]

I would probably pack a traditional map or atlas, even if you have GPS. Beyond that, in order of priority:

1. Coffee
2. Chocolate snacks
3. Clothes

Enjoy the trip, and we expect progress reports and photos whenever possible.

 

[britye]

Good point on the map....thanks.

 

[Barbosa]

music pack lots of music! I like having a GPS but sometimes still pack my paper map or a google map with points of intrest marked on the map route.

 

[Limbery]

Funny about the maps....Since I've been using a GPS for the last 10 years or so, I've felt that maps are pretty much obsolete....and I suppose you could always pick up one locally if your GPS crapped out....but there are easy online mapping sites like Mapquest that you can route your trip in and print out the maps/routes/directions and all the gps info too....

 

[RyansQuick6]

my wife got lost going to my parent's camp on the river for the 4th, when i met her, i saw the map, sitting below the $2500 nav unit lol

 

[britye]

Back from the trip

Well, we made the trip out and back. The CT performed perfectly, with not a hitch. Plenty of power for the mountains (although it downshifted to 3rd gear on more than one occasion), good braking and handling. No problem keeping up with or passing the traffic flow. On the prairies the wind wasn't a great hassle and my CT was able to keep up to the posted speed limits, and sometimes exceed them.....
Comfort and ride were great, glad I had the CT!

Here is a picture near Banff, AB.
Let me know if you would like to see any more.

 

[Kemosabe]

Enquiring minds want to know - what kind of mileage (MPG or K/L) did you get on the trip??

Sounds like fun!

 

[Army Dad]

Enquiring minds want to know - what kind of mileage (MPG or K/L) did you get on the trip??

Sounds like fun!

My thoughts exactly.

 

[CCT]

Aye, lad......pics pics pics please.... as well as details on mileage ...

I would imagine that some of the hills you encountered necessitated a downshift or 2 to third gear to prevent excessive engine lugging....not to worry.

C.

 

[britye]

mileage....

Okay Guys and Gals, here is the amazing part.
Total trip was 4,431.5 kilometers(2753.6 miles) and I used 376 liters of fuel, which averaged 99.5 cents a liter.
That means I averaged...are you ready??
8.48liters per 100 kilometers.
or
33.71 miles per gallon Canadian.
or
27.73 mpg U.S.

Incredible considering I was through the mountains, valleys, prairies, and some city driving. Not to mention I had the pedal to the metal in order to pass slower moving vehicles quite often and tried out the top speed on my CT (EX-L 4WD).
Not going to say how fast it went but, let's just say twice as fast as some people were driving.

I am VERY much impressed with my CT and would recommend one to any/everyone.
Here is another picture, this one shows the amount of bugs I couldn't avoid crossing Sask. and Manitoba.
Let me know if you'd like more details and or pictures.

 

[CCT]

Okay Guys and Gals, here is the amazing part.
Total trip was 4,431.5 kilometers(2753.6 miles) and I used 376 liters of fuel, which averaged 99.5 cents a liter.
That means I averaged...are you ready??
8.48liters per 100 kilometers.
or
33.71 miles per gallon Canadian.
or
27.73 mpg U.S.

Incredible considering I was through the mountains, valleys, prairies, and some city driving. Not to mention I had the pedal to the metal in order to pass slower moving vehicles quite often and tried out the top speed on my CT (EX-L 4WD).
Not going to say how fast it went but, let's just say twice as fast as some people were driving.

I am VERY much impressed with my CT and would recommend one to any/everyone.
Here is another picture, this one shows the amount of bugs I couldn't avoid crossing Sask. and Manitoba.
Let me know if you'd like more details and or pictures.

Your mileage doesn't surprise me, britye......I had a hunch once the CT is out on the open road stretching her legs that she'd perform well in that department. Mine gets around 28 mpg's Imperial on short trips (12km x2 most days) mostly in mixed type driving.
Nice to hear that it'll actually do the deed...

That's major league bug splatter...lol. Only way to avoid that is with an ugly bug catcher. btw did you clean out the radiator fins after that trip? I imagine it caught a few bugs too.

Also not surprised she'll do 200 kph+.....with a sleek bod, and 271 ponies on tap, she should, even with 4wd. Be safe out there tho: We'd worry if you made a habit of that.....

More pics?????
I'm really interested since my brother is out in Alta right now in the midst of touring around and won't be home for another week or so.

TNX
Colin

 

[JRRRR]

OH WOW what a bug mess that is, ha ha. That is going to take some real special care to clean up. Be careful not to take off the clear coat. Was this a business or pleasure trip? Did you do anything other than just drive? Would love to hear about the fun you had.

I have only been to Canada once many years ago, was on vacation from New Mexico, to Spokane, WA, and we took a two day trip up into the Canadian Rockies just south of Calgary. We had a GREAT time and everyone was so friendly and helpful. The only downfall were the mosquitos, they almost sucked us dry at the Provisional Campground we stayed at, yet in a wierd way, it added to the great memory of the trip.
Richard

 

[Army Dad]

Excellent report bryte. Very comforting to see what I have to look forward to. And that front end looks like driving through Florida during Love Bug season.

Istill make a few trips back to Florida every year. I wonder if I can squeeze 30+ mpg US out of the CT with the air off, 65-70 mph, and the flat land down there.

Looking forward to more pics and exciting tales of your trip.

 

[r4wd]

Great road trip report & MPG but yuk the bug spalter we take it for normal here in Saskatchewan. That is why I am a firm believer in the Cloud Rider screen fronts not only for bug splater that plugs the condensor but also small stones that puncture the the condensor which is a very costly repair job. My Honda dealer service manager told me that they do 10 to 15 of these repairs per year, hows that for a money maker.
http://www.cloud-rider.com/

 

[britye]

bugs are gone!

I had my dealer install a screen in front of the rad, behind the grill, back when I bought the CT in January(thinking ahead). They charged me an hour labor but it all seems worth it now.
Most of the bugs came off with my pressure washer (though I don't like to use it too much) and the rest with some Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover.
The CT looks good as new now with a good cleaning and a coat of wax.....
I've attached another pic from the Rockies, please let me know if you would like to see more.
I also sent one to the dealership and they have enlarged it and put it up in the showroom.

 

[CCT]

I had my dealer install a screen in front of the rad, behind the grill, back when I bought the CT in January(thinking ahead). They charged me an hour labor but it all seems worth it now.
Most of the bugs came off with my pressure washer (though I don't like to use it too much) and the rest with some Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover.
The CT looks good as new now with a good cleaning and a coat of wax.....
I've attached another pic from the Rockies, please let me know if you would like to see more.
I also sent one to the dealership and they have enlarged it and put it up in the showroom.

More , more, more.....................please.
C.