weather gear on trips? (where to put the doors)

[Austin David]

I'm in the southeast and it's summer, which sort of means I can reasonably predict weather about 1-2 hours out.  How do y'all pack for road trips?

 

note this is specifically about my Caterham gear but maybe applicable across seven-shaped contraptions.

 

- I prefer driving au naturale when possible; ideal setup is aeroscreen, tonneau if solo.  Aeroscreen prevents any other weather protection, tho.

- half hood is good for sun protection but tbh I'm not convinced it will do much in hard rain.  This is based on using it in hard rain.  Fortunately it's small and easy to stow when not in use

- full hood is lovely and stows well, but

- doors are required in rain.  Doors do not appear to stow well.

 

So what do y'all do?  For solo trips I can put the doors in the passenger seat while dry, and stow the hood.  I can ditch everything for day-trips while the weather is suitably predictable.  But it means the doors need to be ON while I'm going from place-to-place with a passenger.

 

So what do y'all do?  Doors on, hood off?

[JohnCh]

I'm not sure if this will work for your situation, but I stow the side curtains in a form fitting bag I made from ripstop nylon then slide it behind the passenger seat when travelling solo, or sideways behind both seats when carrying a passenger (it fouls the passenger-side shoulder harnesses when located vertically behind that seat).  I also carry a half hood, stow clothing in space saver bags, and carry a locking car cover (fits in front of the seat under my knees) to keep the inside dry overnight, and prevent prying eyes and stop knuckleheads from sitting in the car when parked at the hotel.  Oh, and carry a few absorbent towels just in case.  Sitting in a puddle of water does not make for a good look.

 

-John

[panamericano]

"- I prefer driving au naturale when possible; ..."

 

Well, Austin David, I am a bit surprised you can get away with it in a Seven.  Everything open to view, no big bodywork and heavily tinted glass, etc.

 

Reminds me of another story.  In 1968, a girl friend was driving my car (32/33 Ford roadster with '51 Merc).  She spun us on a street leaving Chapultepec Park, between high square curbs.  You can imagine I got excited and took back the driver's seat.  She begged me to let her drive home.  She said if I let her drive, she would do it topless!  I could not see the fun in getting arrested.  Kept the car longer than the girl.

 

[Austin David]

13 minutes ago, panamericano said:

"- I prefer driving au naturale when possible; ..."

 

Well, Austin David, I am a bit surprised you can get away with it in a Seven.  Everything open to view, no big bodywork and heavily tinted glass, etc.

 

I mighta meant something else, but "topless" is the right way to describe it.

 

13 minutes ago, panamericano said:

Kept the car longer than the girl.

 

something something "cheaper to rent."

 

 

Thanks John, I actually have a door pocket I threw together, but haven't tried to tuck them behind a seat.  I'll give that a shot this evening.  My "form fitting cover" is pending overseas.... for now most of the people seem to be content to stand back and ask what it is.  I'm not looking forward to someone getting more bold.

[bball7754]

Using soft luggage, I’ve just put the doors in the boot.  I fold up the hood and slide it between the passenger seat and the bulkhead.  This recently worked on a 3 day trip, even with a passenger.  
 

I brought the half hood too, but ended up putting on the full hood for a VERY wet day of driving.