1. A CB radio
If you grew up or were an adult in the '70s, you remember the craze - movies, TV, and songs like "Convoy," "Smokey and the Bandit," "The Dukes of Hazzard," and "BJ & The Bear" all glorified the CB as a form of communication. Ordinary folks could spout 10-codes --"What's your 20?" instead of "Where are you?"

Well, the CB is alive and well on the highway. Truckers, RVers, and even some "four-wheelers" use the CB to find out about weather ahead, traffic, directions, and the ever-present "Bears" (or police). The language is occasionally rough, and from time to time someone will "troll" for trouble, but there are some good folks out there using the CB to stay in touch. Oftentimes I will turn down the FM radio and listen to the CB for hours to stay awake and alert. More than once a CB has allowed me to warn others of potential danger, or be told that a light was out, or find a way around a traffic jam. I won't travel without one!

2. Weather Radio
As important as the CB. Our tow vehicle is equipped with a NOAA weather radio with alert -- when there is inclement weather in the area, we hear a warning tone and know to tune in to one of the ten weather stations to find out more. With a trailer full of boats behind you, you want to know about the high winds, tornadic activity, or a freak Spring snowstorm.

3. Cell phones
I'm not sure how you could have a safe trip without one of these. The co-driver can call ahead to state weather numbers, check in with delivery or drop-off contacts, report home, or just spend a few minutes talking to someone other than the driver. :-)

4. GPS (Global Positioning System)
Since the first year of our program at UNC, we have carried a GPS unit in the truck. With a built-in road map of the United States, we can track our progress and know where the roads are. We can even preprogram our route, and receive early warning of upcoming turns, interchanges, and the like. Fancier units are available now, and ours is due for an upgrade to a voice-controlled system, but again, I wouldn't travel without the ability to track where I was in real time and know how far it is to the next interstate.

5. Camcorder
You never know when something neat will turn up. For this trip, we'll be mounting a digital camcorder to the dash (facing forward, you don't want to see us after 40 hours in the truck!) in the hopes of capturing some of the beauty of the trip. And of course, we'll videotape the racing.