Process Analysis, Kirsten Daykin Written Comm. Robert
Burke
Process analysis for USA Geography and Sceneries topic “Are
you prepared for your journey?”
In the beginning
of a trip to let’s say the mountains and you are traveling by car or RV or
camper,
is your vehicle road ready? Is it strong enough to make
the trip? Have you packed or over packed your mule to the brink? Many of us do
not consider these questions until it’s too late and the journey has already
begun. Before you even take the map out of the glove box, you should be at the
garage talking to your mechanic. One of the first things to know is, is your
engine road worthy? Is your vehicle road worthy? Be sure to have everything
properly inspected and all servicing done such as oil, transmission oil,
radiator coolant as well as wheels and brakes, tires and grease. Being diligent
to your cars performance will make all the difference in your success in
traveling. When you are going to an extreme climate and difficult driving
terrain, these precautions may save your life.
Is your vehicle
strong enough to do the work you intend it to? If you have a V-6 engine and you
have loaded the car up to the max with say a trailer and the maximum load on
the trailer is at the limit of your trailer hitches weight limit, you are
asking for trouble especially if you are headed for the mountains but more
specifically your engine will be exhausted and sure to fail if it is at the
limits of what it can do. Be sure to know your towing capacity and your weight limits
should be well below the maximum. Do not expect your vehicle to do what it is
not designed to do. If you are looking for fuel efficiency and economy then that’s
what you will get but don’t be a pack mule ready for a break down. Climbing
rough terrain on a mountainside your vehicle will be put through a lot of
punishment and one common problem is the transmission of a vehicle it will
overheat and fail. The other common problem is the brakes as they too can
overheat and fail, the two things you don’t want to face when climbing or
ascending a mountain range.
Have you packed
your luggage and supplies right? If you have got everything all jammed into the
back of your minivan and the top rack is loaded with the camping supplies, well
you might reconsider how much weight you have put on your axels and springs.
Your suspension is also very important to your safety. How many passengers are
you carrying is also a weight factor. Being top heavy and driving through heavy
wind is a serious problem combined with driving through a mountain range can be
a serious problem. From my own personal experience I have had to replace a
vehicle in the mountain range because of break down, I have had to make several
very expensive repairs to transmissions and brakes as well as had broken
suspension at a critical time on the mountainside. I have hauled U-Haul’s over
the mountain with a V-6 motor and will not try it again. What was a very good
condition vehicle was completely worn out after the trip across the mountains. What should have cost $1,500 to $2,000 in turn
cost $4,000. If you’re not prepared and don’t have that kind of money you may
very well find yourself stranded. Preparedness is the key and being realistic
about the job at hand is vital. Once you do know what to expect don’t ignore
it. If your vehicle is unsafe don’t chance it. If your load is unsafe unload
it. Having good travel insurance is vital or even a credit card with a
borrowing limit. Being safe is the message here and when traveling with family
or others it is also their safety as well. The one thing I do not suggest is
traveling alone, the risk factors are very high especially with crime and other
hazards you may encounter. If you are determined to get to the other side of
the mountain and you are not ready for a very scary ride up or down the
mountain, go around it. It can be done and will save you a bad ordeal and much
safer although it is a variance in distance, time and costs it may be a better
alternative.
