Heading to Adelaide on Friday, this will be our first major run. Wondering what tools every one takes for emergency or general maintenance. If there is a list just point me there please as the mind is a bit out this morning and it is not due to the red wine.
wheel brace, bottle jack and small trolley jack on board as a start. Cheers
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Our Rig
VAN December 2019 Goldstar 21ft
TUG 2017 Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Life Was Ment To Be Easy If You Have The Ability To Adapt
Depends on storage ? I take full socket and spanner set . Kinchrome, Sidcrome etc . A pair of pliers, hammer, ( remember the pegs?) a few types of screwdrivers . One with long shaft to use as lever . An axe ? Small compressor to get out out of trouble ? Tyre repair kit ? Check you have wheel brace for all wheels . Surprisingly you can all the tools . Like screwdrivers !! But when it comes to using them ? Ahh don't fit as required !! I find WD40 and some sort glue ? Sikoflex etc to re- glue little things back before they break off etc .
I suppose that it depends on how good your mechanical & general manipulative skills are. No good having all the beaut tools if you don't have the skills to use them.
In any case most reasonable sized towns have hardware stores where you can buy what you need and you have to be conscious of the weight factor.
My tool kit for the road includes mostly multi use tools including
. Screwdriver with multiple tips
. Good quality Leatherman multi tool (pliers/cutters/ saw/file /flat & Phillips head drivers/ scissors et. al.)
. Meter
. A socket spanner that uses needles to allow it to fit a range of nut sizes. I chose not to carry socket sets because of weight. I have discarded a mini vice that I once carried for the same reason.
. Vice grips
. cold chisel
. Hacksaw blade
. Half axe (useful as a hammer)
. Folding shovel
. Bow Saw
. Wheel spanner with a long handle
. Adjustable spanners - Large & Small (one will fit tow ball & wheel bearing nuts)
. Allen key set
.Small LED torch
My spare parts kit includes
. container of misc stuff like screws, nuts & bolts, split pins, tyre valve inners. valve cap & tool, push bike puncture repair kit, washers, a few John Guest fittings, etc
. A plumbers box - thread tape, tap washers, tap connectors
. A few common use vehicle & van light bulbs & fuses.
. The most recently replaced vehicle hoses & belts
. Best of the most recently replaced Wheel bearings (I'm a cheap skate I know) . Grease, split pins, brass dolly, brake adjusting tool & cleaning rags.
. Concentrated radiator fluid for top ups.
. A little power steering fluid with stop leak as my PS sometimes leaks.
. I also carry a temperature sensing gun for checking wheel temp.
That's about all that I can recall off the top of my head.
I have a set of plastic containers under a van seat that holds all of the spares in categories like .. Electrical, plumbing, glues & tapes, wheel bearing kit, etc.
It's perhaps true that I carry too much, but it gives me peace of mind.
(Just wait till you see Macs's list with trolley jack & welder.)
Edit ... Forgot the most important ... A fully charged Telstra mobile & RACQ or eqiuv, Ultimate Membership.
I have an electronic Patrol workshop manual on my Lap Top too. Most of it a bit over my head but nice to have. If in range then there is always the internet as a reference how to guide.
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 11th of December 2016 11:38:00 AM
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 11th of December 2016 11:39:35 AM
Normal tools and sockets up to 24mm (this includes pliers, hammer, electrical insulation tape, zip ties, etc)
Full screwdriver set
Fan belts
Tubeless puncture repair plugs
12 volt impact gun (for removing stubborn wheel nuts)
Torque wrench (with homemade extension) to torque wheel nuts up to 120 foot pounds
12 volt air compressor
Hydraulic bottle jack (for whatever reason the 2006 Fiat Ducato comes with a scissor jack)
Cordless impact drill and masonry drill bit (drill installs and removes coach screw bolts, drill bit is for hard ground, when putting up the sunshade/sat dish)
Spare fuses
Spare (new) windscreen wiper motor, as had to temporary repair old one, so it will not last for ever
All this essential (to me/for my vehicle) stuff fits in one plastic box, under the bed, plus some of it is behind the driver seat
This coming trip (for whatever reason), the wife has stipulated that we take the gen set with us
Full service before each long distance trip
I think that the bottom line is that as we are all different, we will all carry different stuff.
I have met people who carry next to nothing, and some who carry more than me
Ditto to above.
plus my normal toolbox. Large spanners to fit things like towball.
Trolley jack, Soldering iron and wire. elect drill/grinder. Generator
Never leave home without that one.
Apart from Air cond. It helps a lot of people needing power tools for any reason.
Probably 65\70 kg all up (Genny 34kg)
Plus normal spares. Belts/hoses/bearings etc.
If YOU can't fit them. You broke down. Somebody else will probably do it for you.
Providing you have bits for yours. They can accomodate.
Not all dealers/RACQ cars can carry all parts for all cars.
I almost feel inadequate reading about the lists that some take.
Not a criticism of those who have answered, or do take the whole workshop, but I find it all a bit over the top.
Let me preface it by saying I am no great handyman and less of a mechanic, but I can get by with basic fixing of things when we travel.
That said, the worst thing we have had happen is needing to replace some bits on the roll out awning, and minor work on the car like change tyres, replace battery etc.
I firmly believe the best thing to take is a well maintained vehicle and van, both of which are serviced and ready to go. Then, if on road for a longer period, keep the services happening when due, replace parts if necessary, and check the normal things like tyres, oil and water each day before starting. Some basic spares like a set of bearings, hoses and belts, fuses and globes will cover you. Above that, you will generally find that you will get what you need on the road, when required. You can generally work around problems with the van, and many with the vehicle, and if they are beyond that, it is likely you won't have the parts or expertise or tools to fix anyway.
In your case, my question to you CCBear is how long are you going to Adelaide for? Is your car and van serviced and ready to travel? Do you have the basics to be able to either get out of trouble, or contact your road service provider? If the answers are only for a week or two, yes and yes, then I do not see the need for a garage full of spares and tools. If you are going for months then maybe some additional things will be necessary.
I guarantee that most of what you take will not see the light of day if you have prepared the vehicle and van properly, and most of what everyone takes doesn't see light of day. I say that based on how few people I have seen in our travels doing any work or major repairs. I know in 60000 kms of towing, I have not needed generators, grinders, trolley jacks, bearings, full tool boxes or sets of spanners screwdrivers or sockets, hoses, belts or any other major parts. It may happen, but I repeat the best thing to take is a well prepared vehicle and van.
As I say, this is not meant as a criticism of others, it is purely my opinion and reflects my approach to travel and comfort with my ability in repairing things, but I would very carefully consider what you can physically do, and what you feel comfortable using, before anything is loaded into the car or van.
Of course, if travelling fulltime, then you would reconsider what to take.
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
For years her indoors has been paying me out for the amount of things I carry. I find there is not a lot I can't fix on the run and there has been numerous times that I have been able to help a fellow traveller with the tools I carry.
I must confess after reading above there is a few things I will add to my kit. It was great to read that I am not the only one out here that believes in being prepared.
I noted that above it was mentioned that if I do not know how to fix something someone will and i have found this to be absolutely true On several occasions
If you stay on the blacktop and in phone range, then your RAA card and phone are your best friend. We spend most of our time off road and out of phone range so I take a good set of spares (hoses belts and trailer bearings), tools as most have mentioned, 18v drill, electrical bits for running repairs. Some decent fencing wire, duct tape, silicon and speed tape are also very useful.
Thank you for all replies will only be going for three weeks. Quick trip down, stay a week slower trip home all on the tar.
Have full RACQ and the car and van have been serviced. Mate use to say " If it's got more than two moving parts not to let me near it " so not much good as a mechanic. Mainly a handyman and fixit person so like to have gear which good fix any thing in the van or help others out.
Will take the basic stuff this trip and use it as a learning curve. Thank you again and Merry Christmas and safe travel to all.
Cheers
__________________
Our Rig
VAN December 2019 Goldstar 21ft
TUG 2017 Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Life Was Ment To Be Easy If You Have The Ability To Adapt
I was given some very good advice once, that if you have an older car with a few K's on it and intend to carry new spare hoses, fan belt etc, put the new ones on at home where it is much easier and you have access to tools, shops and garages if you need anything else you come across whilst changing the items. Carry the old ones as the spares if in good enough condition.
Hey Cupie, great list to use as a guide, what is Tommy Tape?
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"life is too short to spend it with people who suck the happiness out of you"
I was given some very good advice once, that if you have an older car with a few K's on it and intend to carry new spare hoses, fan belt etc, put the new ones on at home where it is much easier and you have access to tools, shops and garages if you need anything else you come across whilst changing the items. Carry the old ones as the spares if in good enough condition.
Hey Cupie, great list to use as a guide, what is Tommy Tape?
Tommy Tape is what I & perhaps some others call that rubbery tape that sticks to itself. Good for minor hose & pipe repairs. Can be got at Bunnings and the like.
I forgot to add to my list
. Caulking tape & cement
. small roll of fencing wire
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 12th of December 2016 08:36:35 AM
Being very Technical when it comes to things like Military Hardware and other stuff associated with it, I am afraid I can't help. The infernal combustion engine is an enigma to me. My tool kit comprises all the gadgets associated with the towing and weight distribution system, screws, obvious nuts and bolts that need tightening, BBQ tools, Duct tape and anything that will help me change a tyre. I have a spare thing to put in the hot water service to stop it from rusting out and a bunch of screws etc for the caravan. Several lumps of wood and bottle of single malt scotch for those moments when the phone call has been made for help, a comfortable chair and an attitude that helps watch time go by, making sure you break down in a scenic area!
But if I find someone with a machine gun broken down, I could probably help them!
