What to carry - spare parts?

[tpuig]

What do you guys carry for road repairs?



Got the mandatory extinguisher, med kit, spare fuel & oil filters, but what tools/parts are good for a road trip?

Serpentine belt? Fuses? etc? Thanks

TP

 

[bighammer]

Cell phone and credit card.





Soundsl like you have it covered. I try to keep a fuel filter and wrench in the truck on road trips. A good flashlight might be a good thing to have too. (I have 2)

 

[stevenknapp]

Not having the truck yet, anyone suggest a wrench that works for the fuel filter lid? A big adjustable? A stubby combo? A socket?

 

[RankRam]

Originally posted by stevenknapp

Not having the truck yet, anyone suggest a wrench that works for the fuel filter lid? A big adjustable? A stubby combo? A socket?

1 1/8" socket for fuel filter.

 

[smartineau]

I have a 24" breaker bar and cheater pipe. If the boss gets a flat and has no cell phone coverage I am going to be in a world of deep doo-doo. At least this way she can change her own tire if she needs to.



steve

 

[tpuig]

I was thinking more along the lines of user replaceable parts, like the spare serpentine belt. I'd hate to have to walk 40 miles just to get help for something I could fix with a part. Sort of like having a tire patch kit but no air to refill the tire... .

TP



Got a nice survival pack in the toolbox. Probably would hold me over for a week any place above freezing.

 

[EB]

I changed my serpentine belt after 120,000 miles just because I figured it was time and I could use it as a spare "just in case". I would make a suggestion to all who are going to tackle this "little" job, look at the diagram very long and hard. I can fix most things but this about ate my lunch. I still would hate to have to change this belt in the dark. As most of you know you have to wind the belt between the fan blades on the older models to get them on and off. Not this one. You have the little problem of the wire for the electronic clutch that runs out of the center of the fan hub. I didn't pay any attention when I took the old one off and thought I went between the blades. It took me four or five trys to get it on. Like I said, I would still hate to have to do it in the dark.

 

[PJ]

I have discovered that a picture is worth a thousand words. Digital cameras are great. Take several pictures of it from all angles. I just did the first water pump in my Corvette a few weeks ago. I took 20 pictures of what went where and so on. Im really glad I did as almost EVERYTHING had to get disconnected or come off before the pump could be removed. The pictures really helped!

 

[GerryDrake]

Serpentine belt is a great idea, although I haven't yet done that with this rig. I figure to replace it at abou 25K and carry the current one as a spare. Find out what size socket you need to put on your long breaker bar to relieve the tension to take the belt off. My PSD had something like 21/32" and I carried it in the glove box. Make sure you take the numbers off the fanbelt you are using. For example, the one I have now is NOT the one that came from the factory, as I had the dealer install an exhaust brake, and that entails a different belt.



And the digital camera, of course is a great idea. I have taken it into an auto parts store several times and shown what I wanted...



Fuses... I bought several of each of the mini fuses and store them under the cover in the fuse box. Also got a couple of the larger ones... best way I know to keep from blowing fuses is to carry spares... Perhaps a headlight replacement bulb in the glove box too. I carry one and have never needed it...

 

[EB]

Being a commercial driver, I carry a little bit of everything with me. Oil and fuel filters, fuses, spare bulbs for truck and trailer, and "the belt". Luckily, other than an overflow valve on my old truck, I have never had a problem on the road other than flats and trailer lights. That is why I drive the Dodge. 135,200+ miles in 16 1/2 months and still going with very few problems.

 

[bighammer]

Seems like I've read/heard of a couple idler pulleys failing. Even with a new belt, you'd still be out of luck w/o a replacement pulley. (not sure what part fails, mount, pulley bearing, tensioner spring?)



Another idea was to have a non A/C belt as a spare. If the A/C compressor/clutch takes a dump, then you bypass with the shorter belt.



It's pretty hard to predict what other problems you might have and the parts needed. Murphy's law says you'll have everything BUT what you need.

 

[rfoust]

JB Weld---always carry some. Got me out of a lot of jams. I prefer JB Quick.

 

[PJ]

AAA "plus" Card. . 100 mile tow and they pay your expences. (food and motel) until your rig is fixed.

It fits in your wallet.

 

[Briman]

With the new trucks having early U joint failures I thought I might buy one for under the back seat. Does anybody know if the three on the rear drive shaft are all the same?

 

[Kimber]

I like to carry a 10'-15' length of small rope... ..... can be used as a third hand. Also have a small socket set 1/4-up, crecent wrench, hammer, . 45, ski mask, etc.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

. 45, ski mask

I know fuel prices are rising rapidly, but please reconsider. Remember, what your mama said "A life of crime doesn't pay".



Besides the weather survival necessities (winter), a tool box, jumper cables, tow strap, chains, and state Gazettes for the backroads, I carry an extra fuel filter, oil filter, and serpentine belt. Oh, and a couple of spark plugs... nah

 

[rbattelle]

Here's what I carry:



-2 tow straps (1 30000 lb, 1 20000 lb)

-An assortment of rigging equipment

-A high-lift jack with winch kit

-A 6 D-cell Mag Lite

-A mini-mag lite

-A 3-pack of Vise grips

-2 pairs of gloves

-spare mini-fuses



What I need to get around to carrying, at some point:

-1st aid kit

-1 1/8 socket and ratchet

-fuel filter

-spare headlamp



I'm a big proponent of carrying some Vise grips. In a pinch, there's almost no job they can't do.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by stevenknapp

Not having the truck yet, anyone suggest a wrench that works for the fuel filter lid? A big adjustable? A stubby combo? A socket?

1 1/8" socket.



Dean

 

[klenger]

I carry an inexpensive set of 1/2" drive sockets, which works for the fuel filter and lug nuts. I also carry a tow strap, jumper cables, oil filter, fuel filter, 1 qt of oil, and if I have it on hand, extra fluids for the xfer case, transmission, and axles. I have a tool chest in the box, so I have plenty of room for the stuff. I also take my tool box of hand tools when we travel. I also have the serpintine belt that I took off when I installed the exhaust brake.



Most important is a cell phone, credit card, and 7 year 100K Chrysler service contract.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by klenger

I carry an inexpensive set of 1/2" drive sockets, which works for the fuel filter and lug nuts. I also carry a tow strap, jumper cables, oil filter, fuel filter, 1 qt of oil, and if I have it on hand, extra fluids for the xfer case, transmission, and axles. I have a tool chest in the box, so I have plenty of room for the stuff. I also take my tool box of hand tools when we travel. I also have the serpintine belt that I took off when I installed the exhaust brake.



Most important is a cell phone, credit card, and 7 year 100K Chrysler service contract.

Ditto to all that, plus when I travel, I carry a torque wrench.



Dean