Fly in, drive home - carry on luggage in boot?

[Jonny042]

Hello all,

My GF and I will be flying into San Francisco a week from Sunday to collect our "new" 1987 Coupe. We will be driving South along the coast for a ways, then east to Vegas, Arizona, etc, and then home, 3100mi. in all.

We are planning to each bring a small "roller" bag, the type that fit in the overhead luggage bins on most aircraft. We will also each bring a smaller carry-on type bag with a shoulder strap.

I am hoping that these 4 pieces of luggage will fit in the front boot of the 911, thus leaving the rear seat area free and keeping our belongings away from prying eyes, thus reducing the temptation of theft.

Any advice?

Thanks, and WISH US LUCK!!

[Zeke]

Gonna be tight. The depth of the front trunk area is not great. I think you can get your small roller bags arranged, but you'd be better off with soft garment bags for the others. Or, the smaller bags may fit behind the seats on the floor. Unless you're really tall or long legged, you won't have the seats all the way back.

[Jonny042]

Thanks for the advice - Just to clarify, the roller bags are the smallest variety of roller that do fit in the carry-on dimensions.

I just measured and they are each 13"x20" and 7-8" deep. So I need a space 26" wide, 20" long, and 8" deep. Not really very big. I guess we shall see, but great advice about the denting from the inside. I won't force the issue!!

[agentogden]

Is this the '87 from Hi-Tec in Marin? IF so that is basically a brand new car.

I know that place well -- they do excellent work.

AO

[Jim Richards]

Soft bags, like duffle bags, are best. You can get them to fit where space is available. FYI, my wife and I used this approach to pack two week's clothes/supplies for a couple of 911 road trips.

[equality72521]

Keep only what you need for the trip back and UPS the rest home.

[Kidasters]

two standard roller bags won't fit. 1 might - two, won't.

Sorry.

[OttawaDave]

My wife and I took a one-way flight down to get our car, and the smallest roller suit-case in our set fit up front in the trunk. Had to be right at the fire-wall, but it fit. I can grab the measurements if you want. Two hard cases will definitely not fit in the trunk.

Good luck on your mission, and have a great time - we only drove 10 hours home, but it was a blast with the 911, and a great way to get to know her.

[yelcab1]

You can fit it in the back seat.

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by agentogden

Is this the '87 from Hi-Tec in Marin? IF so that is basically a brand new car.

I know that place well -- they do excellent work.

AO

No, this was a private sale, and after two ppi's I was satisfied. Bill Eason gave it a passing grade and was quite impressed. That pic was taken at his shop. Only talked to him on the phone but seems like a great guy and could highly recommend him.

And I guess we might be packing a little differently. If anyone could quickly measure the max size of the luggage compartment in front in very round numbers, even a guess, it would be a huge help.

I LOVE this board. I've only posted a couple times but always recieved excellent help.

[johnsjmc]

If you are flying across country anyway to get the car I would suggest you take a short side trip into unforgetable Yosemite. My wife and I drove out west in 2002 to LA and then the coast road to San Fran then east through Yosemite to Salt Lake City, Chicago and then home. a road trip we will never forget. Amazing scenery and cool roads too. We drove through 31 states in 36 days , We fit everything into 2 duffle bags and did our laundry as needed.
We are both envious of you and your road trip

[Hodgey]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

Hello all,

My GF and I will be flying into San Francisco a week from Sunday to collect our "new" 1987 Coupe. We will be driving South along the coast for a ways, then east to Vegas, Arizona, etc, and then home, 3100mi. in all.

We are planning to each bring a small "roller" bag, the type that fit in the overhead luggage bins on most aircraft. We will also each bring a smaller carry-on type bag with a shoulder strap.

I am hoping that these 4 pieces of luggage will fit in the front boot of the 911, thus leaving the rear seat area free and keeping our belongings away from prying eyes, thus reducing the temptation of theft.

Any advice?

Thanks, and WISH US LUCK!!

Good luck from another 87 GPW Coupe lover

[djpateman]

Don't forget to read up on the importing of cars in the Canada forum. You will need to forward paperwork a few days in advance; they require 48hours minimum for processing, so you want to be well prepared before crossing the border.

[madmmac]

Great looking car. Hope your A/C works real good!!

[Jonny042]

I've been through the import process a few times before, and I am aware of the requirement when LEAVING the US, which I think catches people by suprise. If I recall correctly it is 72hours notice, and at my "local" crossing they are pretty easy going, so it usually goes well.

Getting a 15+ older car into Canada is pretty easy, too, as long as you have a bill of sale, etc. and you don't mind paying A/C tax, 13% HST, and 6.1% duty. Aaargh.

Nobody familiar with 911's believes me when I tell them the A/C works but Bill Eason who did the ppi assured me it does - and he sounded suprised. So we'll see if it lasts through the Mojave desert..

[aigel]

I would not take any hard sided luggage. Only one will fit - if you are lucky. Go buy a couple of $20 duffle bags and use those. They will fill the front trunk volume easily as they will take up the shape of the trunk. What you can't stow in there, you can put in the back seat openly - nobody will break in a car for a pair of used tennis shoes and jeans.


George

[DGW]

Duffel bags work best. If they don't quite fit, you pull stuff out of the bag and throw it in the trunk where it will fit. On all my road trips shoes were always stuffed anywhere they fit. When you are traveling with a woman there are always more shoes than you can possibly imagine one person needing.
I've done road trips in a 70 911, 83 911, 87 911 and a 93 RS America. Packing was an art form in all cases. I always started with soft sided bags.
Highway 1 from SF south to around Hearst Castle is one of the greatest roads in the world. Be prepared for a lot of construction slow downs though. I did that drive a few months ago and there were quite a few sections of one lane road. If it fits your schedule, stop at Nepenthe, south of Carmel, for lunch, the view is fantastic.

Forgot to add, GP white RS America.

[craig356]

I would never leave home without an extra DME Relay. Trust me, this will be the best money you ever spent if you need one. I always keep an extra in the glove box. If you do not already know how to change it (super easy with one nut under the driver seat) take a minute to learn. I would also throw in a handful of assorted fuses.

Hopefully will will have absolutely no need for the above, but for less than $100 it will be your best friend if you do need it!

Craig

[Canada Kev]

Use soft luggage/duffels. Pack less.

If the bags seem to be not fitting, with the duffels, you can take some stuff out and spread around to the smaller nooks and crannies, and then flatten out the bag and lay it over/under the rest of the stuff.

Be sure to take lots of pics to share with the rest of us here. Good luck with the little expedition.

[edesign45]

Just for reference these "carry on" bags are 24"x15"x9" each and they will fit with a 15"x6" spare in my '73 coupe. The Carreras may have less room than the early cars. Like others have said, the soft duffel bags are the way to go.