basic road trip tool kit

[philos1]

So, I know that this has been covered, but I am interested in BASIC, MUST HAVE, tools and spare parts that others carry when traveling, not the "if I had all the space and all the money...", so what are the basics you guys carry? Oh and this is the "road trip" edition, so lets hear it. thanks

 

[2mbb]

1. AAA premium membership w/ 100 mile free towing
2. Cell Phone
3. OEM tool kit & jack

I also always carry a basic tool kit w/ wrenches, sockets, etc., volt-ohm meter, some fluids (gallon water/coolant, two quarts oil, power steering fluid (ATF), brake fluid), new fan belts, fuel filter, representative mixture of radiator/heater hoses, new spark plugs, used but good distrubutor cap & rotor, one used (long) spark plug wire, solderless connectors, spare wire, fuses and spare fusable link. The fluids I put in a square 4 gallon bucket so they don't make a mess whe they leak. The tools are in a soft tool bag, and the parts are in a small plastic box. I have a set of jumper cables that I put in the truck for long trips.

Oh, I've put 50K miles on the truck since I've owned it (142 K to 195K) and I've never really had to use any of this stuff. Perpare for trips by doing good preventive maintenance at home...

 

[Pluton]

1. AAA premium membership w/ 100 mile free towing
2. Cell Phone
3. OEM tool kit & jack

I also always carry a basic tool kit w/...

All this plus a few pieces of 12" square plywood to put under the jack on soft surfaces.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Where are you going on your "road trip"? Sacramento? Denver?

If where you are going is in the US, then realistically you don't need much more than #1-3 on 2mbb's list, unless you're going to one of the few remaining remote places.

 

[philos1]

I already have a pretty hefty tool/parts kit that I travel with (Baja this trip), but am just interested to know what is too much, and what is not enough... I know that each rig is different, and that we all have our own idiosyncracies, but I am trying to refine my kit, (ala 2mbb's spill solution, etc...) cheers.

 

[cruiser_guy]

When I travel from Guatemala to Canada and back I have a complete socket set and hand tools. I also carry a complete set of rad hoses and fan belts as well as thermostat, "U" joint, injectors, a few relays, fuses, wire, connectors, bulbs, tire plug kit and pump, tranny/transfer bypass hose, a couple of wheel studs and nuts (my most recent addition) and of course my OEM shop manuals. My aim is to be able to get to the nearest town if necessary to do any repairs.

 

[Dynosoar]

Must have 52MM hub socket, and spare beer money so you can purchase more cervecas after the Federales clean your wallet out!

Dynosoar

 

[cruiser_guy]

Must have 52MM hub socket, and spare beer money so you can purchase more cervecas after the Federales clean your wallet out!

Dynosoar

I think it's a 54 or 55mm socket but that's all included in "complete socket set". I carry everything up to 24mm as well as a 27mm a 30mm a 32mm and a 36mm socket. There is no bolt on my truck that I don't have a socket for.

I've yet to have a problem with the Federales and I've spent probably 3-4 months cumulative in Mexico not to mention 2 years in Central America.

 

[Pluton]

Something I read and like the idea: If your rig doesn't have a dual batt setup, carry a spare, preferably a deep cycle batt, so if the alternator fails you can run on the deep cycle batt and if need be the standard batt for a total of maybe 4 hours or more of alternator-less driving.

 

[philos1]

I've only gotten la mordida a few times, and never for that much, and that was from the police rather than the militars at the drug checkpoints... but I have given my fair share of cold beers to the militars- it's f-ing hot out there!


thanks for all the tips, I'll post flicks when I get back next month...

 

[hammer1]

i had to re-put on my smog pump belt that the MO-MO didnt tighten, a 48" 2x3 helps to wedge in the motor compartment to tension stuff like that.