UKKid35

What is the one tool you would not leave behind? Issues include space, weight, rattles, etc. At least I now have a David Honl luggage cover (well made but the material is nothing like the original) so things won't be too exposed.

Ron_H

Duct tape.

There is another one, but I notice you are in the UK, so I won't suggest that one. Once I found myself stranded in remote country, (burst heater valve hose) but I had taken my "tool" with me. I sat there for an hour and a half before someone came along. I couldn't understand why no lawmen came by until I was told that they were in the area hunting an escaped killer. I was glad I had my "tool" with me.

Come to think of it, a flare gun would have come in handy.

As a result of that incident, I now have a citizens band radio and a bear tracker radio in the car.

Another thing is food/water. I also have a tent, and used it once when I was forced to abort a trip across Northern Arizona because of a fire that had closed the road. Actually I have used it several times, particularly when all I need is to wait until first light (I like to drive in daylight only), and a snooze.

I would take a jack stand, preferably one that is compact and can be stowed easily. I do not like crawling under a 3500 lb machine supported by an emergency jack. Also, a small intense trouble light that can be connected to the battery with a long cord for looking into dark areas. I have seen them as small as a pack of cigarettes (12V) but would be easy to make. Also, thinking about my adventure with my heater valve, some water hose repair tape would have come in handy.

Have a nice trip.

Daniel Dudley

4 WAY SCREWDRIVER, 4 INCH VICE GRIP, CELL PHONE. JUMPER CABLES, FIX A FLAT. IF THIS WAS AN OLD BRITISH SPORTS CAR, I WOULD BRING A TOOL ROLL AND A DISTRIBUTOR CAP, WATER PUMP ETC. ONLY YOU KNOW IF THE CAR IS UP FOR THE TRIP. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?

bgrabner

I just completed a slightly shorter trip, about 3,200 mile. Do you have the 928 toolkit and jack? That should be mostly what you need. The 928 I bought was missing the kit, so this is what I bought to take with:

-hydraulic jack
-lug wrench
-metric socket set
-metric allan wrenches
-1 gallon 50/50 coolant/water mixture
-Leatherman tool (the most important tool you will ever use) www.leatherman.com Includes needlenose pliers, wire strippers, several knives, several screwdriver sizes
-AAA roadside assistance card
-cell phone

Didn't use any of them - only because I had them. If I went commando with nothing, I guarantee I would have needed them...

Enjoy yourself, my trip was the best road trip I ever made...

Bill

GlenL

Cell phone and credit card.

Do the maintenance beforehand: check hoses, belts, tires and fluid levels.

Check the oil at gas stations. Buy the oil there.

Go. Relax. Enjoy.

UKKid35

Thanks Bill, I do have most of the toolkit but I don't have the lightweight 928 jack, so I've packed a hydraulic bottle jack. I'll be taking a selection of spanners, sockets, and a torque wrench (mainly for wheel nuts). The trick will be packing them so they don't rattle - which would drive me insane.

Fix a Flat and Duct tape I will definitely add to my list.

Ron_H

I can remember when there was no Television, and .....NO duct tape. Awful. The Dark Ages. I carry a roll of duct tape in all three cars.

Alan

Paul,
I carry a small emergency kit in my GTS all the time - I have it in a small soft nylon briefcase thing - keeps it tidy.

I assume you already have the full car toolkit inc jack, lugwrench & spare
inflator.

My kit focuses on basics/electrical since thats usually the biggest culprit.

A plastic drop cloth & latex gloves (!), packet of hand wipes
Electrical and duct tape and a few cable ties & wire nuts (a US thing)
Small electrical pliers & screwdriver and a 12v circuit tester
2 or more of all fuse sizes + 1 each of all major bulbs
1 extra standard relay (fuel pump type)
Flashlight (torch!)
2 road flares (a US thing - your triangle maybe?),
1 quart oil (its a GTS...)
Pencil & notepad (for anything including insurance claims - uggh...)
Local Road maps (in my case Arizona & Phoenix Street map)

Maybe a few more things stuffed in there too, but this is most of it..
I have never needed it (probably only because I have it)

In Arizona on a trip out of town I also always take lots of water - for the car
(or for me) just in case - you probably won't worry about this...

Alan

Ron_H

The pencil/paper thing is a great idea; it will also come in handy if you encounter a bear because you might need to record a description of the surroundings and exchange of verbal and other information which occured between the two of you. An option is a small cassette tape recorder which can be running while the bear is scolding you. Believe me it will prove useful later.

Extra water is a must have. I once was stranded along US 10 in southern Arizona (sand city) in what seemed like 110 degree heat in the middle of the day. I had to rebuild the throttle linkage using tape and bailing wire. During the couple hours of doing this alongside the road with traffic flying by, I consumed one gallon of water and could have done more.

bfellows

A drop of brandy to get you over the shock of paying for petrol......

UKKid35

You're right - I've budgeted $1k for fuel...

Alan

Paul,
I checked my actual kit tonight, missed a few things - I also have:

Booster (jumper) cables
Towing strap
Mini first aid kit
Poly bag in case I need to stick a wheel in the back
Chamois for windows
Flat Ice Scraper
10"x6" Wood plate as a jacking base

Wow! more than I thought (and it really is a small bag).

Alan

G Man

When I went to Fl to pick up my 84' I took along every tool I thought I might need if I had trouble. Fortunantly I never had to touch a single one. Someone on the llist said that if you take lots of tools you won't need them. They were right in my case!