Things to take on a long road trip

So this has been around for a while. Started by Michael Carion originally. I thought it would be a good idea to start a fresh one here.

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S Allen
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Things to take on a long road trip

Post by S Allen »

The original list was put together by Michael "Calspeed" Carion. I have edited it and added a few items.

Items you might want to have in your car all the times:

Duct Tape
Rags & Hand Cleaner
Fire Extinguisher
Flashlight
Motor Oil
Water/Anti-freeze
Fuses or an AGC Circuit Breaker---Linda & Phil
Spare fan belt-even and old one--- DB
Nuts and bolts-various common sizes---sr311det
Toilet Paper :smt003 ---Windy
Disposable Tyvec coveralls----DB
Auto Club Card "AAA" ----fairlady66
Spare key in your wallet----DB
Cash. There is no substitute. Holiday weekends can mean empty ATM's, or there just isn't one around.----DB
Bungee cords---DB
Tie wraps,(fix anything) ---DB
bailing wire, couple of feet for hot stuff ---DB
tube of 5 min epoxy ---DB

More from Dave Brsico. I don't carry a spare, usually, but have a plug kit, a fix a flat and for long trips a little 12v compressor/light. Another good thing is a 12x12 piece of 3/4 plywood to put under the jack if you're on a bad surface.


Tools:

Lug wrench
Jack, Scissor or Hydraulic
8mm to 14mm wrenches
Adjustable wrench
Standard and Phillips screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
Spark plug wrench ---DB
Hammer, you never know----DB

For a long road trip you might want to include the following items for your trip. Depending on how well you maintain your car much of the below will be over kill. I put an asterisk by the ones I would take.

Spark Plugs*
Fuel Line / 6ft. of 1/4 inch
Electric Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter*
Jumper Cables*
Fix-a-Flat
Carb floats, SU Type
Carb float gaskets
Leatherman multi-purpose tool*
Test Light, Electrical*
Wire / 14 gauge
Electrical Tape*
Brake Fluid, Dot 4 or whatever you are using
Distributor Cap*
Rotor*
Points-if you still have them
Condenser
Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses
Feeler Gauge (for valves and ignition)
Transmission Fluid (90w) w/pump
Hose Clamps, few different sizes.
Fuel Can, 2 gallons / plastic
Throttle Return Spring (*)****
Sunscreen*
Fist aid kit*
Hand Cleaner
Drinking Water
Cellular Phone*
GPS-they are cheap now*
Contact list for route*

****If one of these springs break-your throttle can hang in the "wide open" position-best to turn engine off making sure you do not lock the steering and slowly brake to a complete stop.

The tools can be placed with smaller parts in a small tool box. You can put some of the larger items in a cloth sack and tuck them into the sides of the trunk.

Another excellent idea is when traveling in a group is to spread the load across the group. That way you will still have the item you need but do not have to carry everything. --Paul

Most importantly-prepare for your trip by visually checking all fluids, belts and hoses. Ensure your tires are in good condition with the proper inflation including your spare. Have fun!!
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FairladySPL
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by FairladySPL »

Excellent list.

The military calls it a set of "running spares" and I wish the Roadster had a bigger trunk to carry all that I would want to bring.

Of course, you could always travel in a "pack" and divide up the spare-set across multiple cars. This would work if everyone had the same issue car, but uh, how often does that happen ?

Maybe the next "list" might be the repair garages known to be friendly to the Roadster. The old-style shop in this picture has the classic belts on nails along the rafters, and a ceiling rack full of tires.

http://www.wa3vjb.com/pics/Hobb%27s%20Station.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I first discovered it on some back roads during the gasoline crisis of 1973-74. Only the locals really knew the place so the lines on odd/even days were far shorter than elsewhere.

I wondered whether I could retire to running a place like this, only working on the makes and models I preferred.
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by Linda »

Fuses!!

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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by fj20spl311 »

Linda wrote:Fuses!!

Linda
FUSES?

I always carry a AGC replacement Circuit Breaker.....about $5 at PEP BOYS......Its very easy to blow a hand full of fuses, trying to run down a short....

Phil
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by sunbeam590 »

On long road trips (Nationals etc )some of the Sydney Club members carry the spare mounted on a bracket outside the boot (trunk ) and 3 or 4 members will share the one spare, freeing up exta boot space for cases etc, on the last 3 trips that I know of there has been no call for the spare.
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by windy311 »

toilet paper.
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by SR311DET »

All i have to say is what holds the car together?

Nuts and bolts.

Finding quality nuts and bolts on the road is almost impossible it seems when you need them.

Someone I know out there has a nickname after what he had to fix his roadster with.

"wing nut"
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by Fairlady66 »

Auto Club Card "AAA" Don't leave home without it.
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by Linda »

Ignition module


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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by dbrick »

The circuit breaker is a great idea.
My throttle spring DID break last year 150 miles from home, and I had a spare. Luckilly, I overpack
A few things not on the list that I bring..
Spark plug wrench
Spare key in your wallet
Hammer, you never know
Fan belt, (the old one you took off is fine)
Cash. There is no substitute. Holiday weekends can mean empty ATM's, or there just isn't one around.
Bungee cords
Tie wraps,(fix anything) and bailing wire, couple of feet for hot stuff
tube of 5 min epoxy
Sounds silly, but i tossed in a Tyvec coverall, like the Hazmat guys wear. It takes up no room. Occasionally I dress nice, and Murphys law being in effect..
I don't carry a spare, usually, but have a plug kit, a fix a flat and for long trips a little 12v compressor/light. Another good thing is a 12x12 piece of 3/4 plywood to put under the jack if you're on a bad surface.

Can't bring everything, but we can try.

Hagerty has roadside, and for a bit more, they will cover every regular car you own also.
I bet we will all forget to copy the phone numbers on the emergency contact list to our cell phone.
Last year we were at the Glen, in New York, on the phone to Sid in Florida trying to get part #'s from the 311's WIKI to get parts to get a car home.

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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by BarryC »

I knew I had seen this list earlier and am glad to have found it again as I am about to head off on a 1,360 mile round trip in May and June and it will be handy to have (hope they are not needed).

My Mum turns 80 at the end of May and that will be my first destination from Sydney (Ingleburn) taking a few days of sight seeing to get there after which my lady friend is flying up to join me on the next leg to the Datsun Sports Owners Association Nationals in Bathurst. We will be taking a few days to do that leg of the trip too.

Map of the route. Not exactly but will give you an idea...

http://g.co/maps/yyjtp

I will take some pics to show once I am back.
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by fj20spl311 »

BarryC wrote:
http://g.co/maps/yyjtp

I will take some pics to show once I am back.
That's some green country......I checked out Bells Line Of Road
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by dbrick »

We did 1000 miles home with the 66. Bob gave me some bare necessity spares and old tools, as we flew in. Being a well built car, the only thing needed was 5 hour energy and Tylenol.
If you're going to be in the middle of nowhere, add a few fuel filters in case you get crappy gas from a remote gas station.

Dave Brisco

Take my advice, I'm not using it"

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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by Habitat.pat »

I taped my spare ignition key on the back of the rear license plate in a zip lock. You can always find a screwdriver to get to it.

On my non Roadster I taped a door key. It won't start the car but it will let me in to get the ignition key I accidentally locked in.
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Re: Things to take on a long road trip

Post by Gregs672000 »

Zip ties.
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