[D-Dawn]

Ok this may seem a bit silly, perhaps bit obsessive, BUT, alot of you feel the same way about taking care of your guitars as I do. I am careful to clean them...make sure they are tuned correctly, keep it on a stand (or in a case) etc etc etc.
I paid (to me what is) alot of hard earned money...not hard earned physically, but sentimentally. They are my inheritance (paid for with part of the monies I received after my parents deaths) They are the ONLY purchases made for myself from this money... In other words they really have more value to me personally than it does to others.
So, with that being said:
I am headed out Saturday on an 18 hour road trip (might have a stay over night making the trip longer) and I really want to take a few guitars with me. I am worried that the changes in not only temperature and altitude but humidity, might damage them.
Although we have a crew cab, we have a "crew" and there will be no room in the cab for said guitars! They'll have to go in the bed, with the gifts and clothing, which does have a topper.
Is there anything I need to do to prepare? Other than cases that is? I don't think there will be an "extreme" difference in temperatures and if we do hotel it for a night I do not plan on leaving them in the truck overnight.
There are varied opinions wether to have them tuned or slacken the strings for travel...I don't know the right answer and I really am probably worrying too much..afterall...bands travel constantly with their gear! Any tips would be most appreciated! I am quite the worry wart...
Certainly I am not the only one!?

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I am only taking acoustics.

[coldethyl]

No your definitely not the only one that is concerned about things like this. I am and would be too!

If it were me, I would be making sure that wherever you place the guitar cases, that they are not at risk of something falling on top of them and also that they are stable and won't be prone to moving around too much. I shouldn't think temperature should be too much of a factor providing that wherever you store them is not susceptible to extreme heat or cold.

About the only other precaution I can think of is to perhaps lock the cases to prevent theft, but maybe that's overdoing it a little.

[Matty22]

The most important advise id say would be to stack the guitar/s ontop of everything else..... Less likely to have something heavier fall on them and damage them... So in theory, put the guitars in last... As Neil said...

Perhaps it is possible to ratchet strap the cases to the roof of the canopy? Ive seen that done before too..

[D-Dawn]

Thanks guys! They will be the last items to load as I want easy access to them if we stop overnight so that I can bring them indoors
2 I have hard cases for and the third is a gift for my youngest...already gift-wrapped at that! It is wrapped in soft foam like material...then in a gig bag, inside a heavy cardboard box.