You've got a full tank of gas, a map, and a tall glass of lemonade (work with us here). Time for a classic summer road trip, right? Wrong, Flounder. Before you hit the highway, make sure you properly pimp your ride. And don't forget to turn your left blinker off.
IGLOO PLENTIKOOL
Just plug this electric cooler into your auto's 12-volt lighter and it keeps up to 24 cans of your favorite beverage frosty throughout your journey. Also handles vital organs.
$99@igloocoolers.com
PIONEER AVIC-N1
Enjoying the cinematography out your car window but need a worthy system for your soundtrack? Install this in-dash unit, which plays CDs, DVDs, and tunes in XM satellite radio. Pump up your beats with its 200-watt, four-channel amp and three-band parametric EQ. If you get lost, you can get your bearings with a GPS on a 6.5-inch touch-screen display. $2,200@ pioneerelectronics.com
TIMBERLAND R73 ROLLING DUFFEL
This duffel has an extra-wide mouth and holds weeks' worth of clothes, keeping them easily accessible. Plus, it has a separate drop-bottom compartment for all those, you know, wet and dirties. $229@timberland.com
YAKIMA PLATINUM PRO CARGO BOX
Wanna haul more than ass? The Platinum Pro Cargo Box fits atop most rack systems (except Pam Anderson's) to expand your car's carrying capacity. Essential for keeping the junk out of your trunk. The box comes in three sizes: 16, 18, and 21 cubic feet. $440-$550@ yakima.com
COBRA XRS 9700
Even conscientious drivers tend to stray above the speed limit. Keep Smokey off your tail and out of your wallet: With fewer false alerts and a wide-scanning range, this 11-band radar-and-laser detector can help keep you summons free all summer long. $185@ cobraelectronics.com
APC AUTO DC-TO-AC INVERTER
At last you can microwave a burrito in your car. This gadget converts DC power from your car battery to 350 AC watts, so you can plug in an espresso machine or recharge your phone. Just don't mix them up--it sucks when you accidentally sip a hot cup of roaming minutes. $60@apc.com
BELKIN TUNECAST II
Finally, you can program your own radio station. (Take that FCC!) Just plug this gadget into any MP3 player's headphone jack and broadcast to your car stereo. TuneCast scans every channel to find the best frequency, then transmits your MP3s in stereo to your radio. Much less talk, much more rock. (Sorry, iPod not included.) $40@belkin.com
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COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group