This is all good stuff that might need to be done, regardless of whether the trip is 50 miles or 5000 miles. Think about it. Do a few short demo trips in the summer heat to make sure everything stays cool as it should, then fill the tank, toss your clothes and clubs in the boot and get rolling.

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So all this discussion reminds me of why I bought the car and why it's maintained the way it is. So I can jump in and drive wherever without a worry. Most folks keep their cars in at least safe relible driving condition, such that taking a 100-mile drive with the tourists on a Saturday afternoon is a no-brainer. The longer journeys are just an extension of that carefree 100-mile drive with the tourists.

On the philosophy of carrying spares -- I guess I drive the decision based on what repairs I'm willing to do myself along the way. I don't carry a timing belt because there's no way I'm going to try and change one in a hotel parking lot someplace. If I'm that worried about a timing belt mishap, I didn't do the last replacement right or need to do it again now based on age and miles.

Ditto everything else on the car. So next to and on top of that little tool pack in the bottom of the canvas toolbag, the real essentials include a can of Invisible Glass, a small spray bottle of Instant Detail spray, a couple regular towels and a handfull of microfiber towels. There's part of a roll of paper towels in the spare wheel with the trash bags, work gloves, etc. So I'm equipped to change a tire in a pinch, but otherwise it's keeping the windows and mirrors clean and I'm ready for a coast-to-coast ride at a moment's notice.

Bottom line is that the carry-along bag parts and toolbag needs nothing for tasks that you aren't willing to do along the way.

 

Having some spare parts for items unique to our cars could come in handy even if it's not something you would change yourself. Being able to supply the right part to a foreign car mechanic within the AAA tow distance could potentially save you a couple days of waiting on a part to be shipped in.

 

DO IT!!

These cars were made for exactly this. In 2001, I took my newly purchased '83 from Austin, Tx to LA to SF and back over a couple of weeks. I'd had a couple of months with the car and done a few hundred miles in and around town and a (very) little maintenance before I hopped in and took off.

The car ran flawlessly out and back, even though it worried me a little that the "!" alert glowed dimly during the overnight runs, including the two on the nonstop run back to TX. The A/C held up in 100º+ and the temp gauge needle fluctuated from halfway to just above the upper line on long uphill runs at 85mph+.

I took credit cards, a AAA card and a toolbox. I used the former for gas and lodging and the latter two not at all. Didn't have to use the gun, either.

 

My philosophy as well. Altho duct tape is also a must (and a few zip ties). I was once stranded for 4 hours, many years ago before cell phones, because of a muffler that broke and dragged on the ground under the car. Duct tape would have been a life saver!

 

I bring the basics. Screwdriver, fuses, etc.

On a road trip, The nose of the camshaft snapped, so I arranged to store it at the mechanics and U-Hauled it home on the return. (The gas savings paid for the rental car, but my son will tell you that you can't put a price on the street cred we lost.)

That was the only road trip where she broke.

 

There is always the possibility that something interesting will happen. Bill Ball's adventure running over a section of drill pipe in southern New Mexico springs to mind, on the way to OCIC in DFW several summers ago. But that's the luck of the draw. As far as carrying odd spares for use even by others, go for it. I carried a spare rebuilt LH brain for a few years in anticipation of mine failing. When mine finally did fail (in the garage), I had the old one rebuilt and carry it with me to gatherings. Many years ago now, there was a late-night roadside rescue when Rick Redpath's LH failed on the way to a Devek event, and a spare saved the day. So stuff does happen. Unless I want to tow a running parts car on every major outing, it's a total crapshoot trying to decide which random part might fail on a trip.

One of the huge benefit of this list and the others like it (OC, Pelican, Reutter) is the knowledge and experience base that accrues over the years. I live vicariously through the experiences of others, and when a problem is reported it gets added to my list of things to check on. If something is at all suspect or marginal, it gets attention. The difference between education and experience is that experience is often more painful. You folks educate me, so owning the car can be a lot less painful for me. I encourage others to follow the same philosophy if possible. The repair and diagnostic process at home is a lot more fun than out on a deserted highway someplace; I know that from painful experience.

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A year ago early June, I loaded a bunch of 928 spares in the car for a ride from SoCal to the new home in central Oregon. The biggest part of the prep was verifying fluid levels and tire pressures, and fitting the bra. 100º+ temps up through central California, car loved it. Cruised at speed limit +10 or so almost the whole way, and thoroughly enjoyed the drive. I had the spare radiator, boxes of original parts that had come off the car during my stewardship period, boxes of new spares. And a quart of oil. It seemed the safest and most reliable way to transport those boxes and pieces. The timing belt had been done a hundred miles before I left. Did I have any concerns about driving 800+ miles in extreme heat? Never gave it a thought. It was a fun, relaxing drive. It's what the car was built for, except clubs and weekend luggage would substitute for boxes of parts and pieces. Spectacular scenery through the mountains and past the lakes.

Enjoy the drive!

 

Owners Club card and a printout of the roadside assistance POCs.
ANd then whatever you decide constitutes basic car first aid support.
;-)

 

Those of us who are somewhat superstitious about stuff take along the pieces and parts and tools that we don't want failing on the drive.

If you take the time to pack it up and bring it along, you almost guarantee that you won't need it.

Don't laugh too much. It worked for me.

And yes, make sure you enjoy the drive.

 

you really need a AAA premium 200 mile tow package...it usually means you can get to a reasonably 928 knowledgeable place or get home And yes 928s were built to be "real" cars to be driven and many examples have hundreds of thousands of miles on them !!!! which did NOT happen on the back of a tow truck !! but if carrying spare radiator hoses seems like a good idea.......perhaps you need to change the BEFORE any trip !!