Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Nordkapp and Longhaul ?

To those hardy people on the forum who have done long haul trips in Morgans.

I wonder if you would be kind enough to give me some guidance on what I need to consider for a big trip around Europe.

Knowing the nearest (good) dealer
Carrying any specific spares
Ear plugs ? Several reasons, not going there.

What do I need to plan around ?

You can go a long way with just a mobile phone , credit card and passport!

However to try and be a tad more helpful:

1 Spares are generally useless as Sod's law dictate that the one you actually need is the one you left in your garage. I would perhaps take a few relays, fuses, some electrical tape, gaffer tape, and a few choice hand tools.

2 Try to pack reasonably light , two bags behind the seats , and one larger one on the rack have seem to do us many a week abroad. Just be prepared to do some laundry at staging stops.

3 Try not to have a rigid schedule, and just go with the flow, you can book accommodation pretty much anywhere with a mobile (and a reasonable signal) almost everywhere now, and most decent Apps will show you the location of nearby hotels. Plan a few "key" stops perhaps and make a couple of advanced reservations if in a very touristy area, but we have always found somewhere without paying the earth, just try to relax even if it gets quite late.

Unless you are desperate to get through an area quickly don't be tempted to run more than 300 miles a day. It is much more pleasant to do 2 hour stretches between coffee stops and amble along taking lots of photos and being prepared to be diverted to explore castles, palaces, towns, museums or whatever you particular interest might be.

4 Try to read up as much as possible in advance and don't get bogged down with taking multiple guide books. Likewise paper maps take up a lot of space in the cabin, but a few key ones may save you time when the SatNav slingshots you into a traffic jam from hell. The only issue is which ones do you take!

5 I don't take spare water or oil, but others feel these are essential, but I do check the car over pretty carefully each morning before setting off.

Touring in the Morgan is a very special experience , enjoy it to the full.

Not much I want to add to Andy's notes above, other than change your mindset when you go. It's the journey and not the destination, so take time to relax.

You know your car pretty well, so just do the full once over a week or so before you go and have a shakedown between then and your departure.

Anything catastrophic can be couriered within 24hrs so just follow Andy's advice & travel light.

People will always help if you're stuck or lost.

Andy has done an excellent summary and I enjoy a similar travel philosophy as proposed by Steve.
A greasegun for kingpins, a liter of engine oil and a 5 liter jerrycan are with me on long trips too. (Aeros may not need the greasgun)

Which Aero are you taking Alistair?

Most of what Andy says is a good guide, just your packing might be a tad different

RAC recovery service or equivalent. credit card, mobile, toothbrush, toilet paper, tissues and clean underwear. After all, the basics are toilet functions, keeping clean, buying food and not being marooned in the middle of nowhere if the car breaks down. Anything else is an extra

Sick to the speed limits. They have the reputation of being calvinist about such things over there.

Consider taking a diagnostic reader. If you get any problems it would help immensely.
A standalone is not big so can be stashed. A smartphone version even easier space-wise.
Spares would depend on where you are going as finding local stuff that could get you through might be iffy in remote or less developed areas. Peking to Paris is the extreme!!!
Other advice above is spot on.

On my trip last year I took a couple of cans of tyre weld 2 Sat Nav (back up) tool roll with usual spares bulbs etc a good mobile. If you're going to France and use some motorways maybe www.saneftolling.co.uk I was on my own and it proved very useful.
Another thing which I couldn't use in the S1 (CD player to low down)was called the CD slot mount www.cdslotmount.com I have one in my van and it has proved very useful. Not connected to either of these companies just a satisfied customer.

if going to Norway then

http://www.autopass.no/en/visitors-payment

Thank you peeps. Several good points i can add.

The ever patient and considerate wife and I will probably take the Coupe down through France to Italy for a family event near Naples. The Coupe gives a decent sized boot so we will pack light (and then halve it) so it fits.

We are trying to work out if we make it a run or a tour. SWMBO likes to stay in comfort so cheaper places may be out hence the plan needs to be solid. Totally get the comments of sit back and tour but doing a random may lead to 2* error..

I am planning a route and wondered about the benefits of shortcutting through Switzerland or going around it. Switzerland, Coupe-Exhausts-heavy-right-foot=$$. Plus the road carnet etc.

I was wondering about a quick sprint through France with one stop down around Como then through Italy. We need to be in Naples and may take the chance to come back through some places we have long promised ourselves to photo the car in. Portofino, Monaco, Como, Positano all spring to mind. We also have an offer from a kind gent in Ferrari who I met through work for a visit. He loved the Morgan when he saw the pictures, he asked if we would bring it to the factory for them to see.

Anyway all good suggestions, thank you all. Keep them coming.