Never changed my plugs off the OEM when I had my HHR. And I got a set of NGK8EIX's for my 2015 Chevy Cruze after getting it tuned for more "snap", and the NGK's actually blew out their gap after 3,000 miles......

Agree on the tranny cooler, bigger the better since this is a long trip for you. I towed a 38" riding mower on my 4x6 featherlite tilt trailer with no issues. And mine was a manual tranny. Keep it slow and don't use overdrive for the hills and you should be good to go.

Continuing on that route: I bought a transmission cooler for the thing...(Thank you, Amazon)...I also am going to buy a temp. sensor for it, just so I can keep an eye on the thing whilst driving.

...ooh, he whipped out "whilst", he musta read some Shakespeare...

Any ideas where I'm gonna be able to put a sensor in the tranny/cooler? Maybe I should go to where I work (McMaster-Carr Supply) and find an inline tap for the hose?

I'm also thinking of some KC Lites (or a cheaper alternative) for on top of my front bumper...