Road Trip Tools and Spares
by Ted Moorby - Originally published in the March 2014 edition of the Triumph Herald
What tools and spares should you carry when you head out on the road with your LBC? It is always a bit of a crap shoot as to whether the bits that you decide to take with you are going to be the ones you need to keep you from being stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow. You need to strike a balance between taking so much that there is no room in the boot for your partner's luggage and not taking that basic tool or electrical component that would have kept you going. The following is a list of the bits that I would suggest you take:
- Tools
- Dentist kit (mirror, pick, and tweezers)
- Hack saw
- Med half round file
- Med size ball peen hammer
- Med size Vise Grips
- Medium size adjustable wrench
- Multi meter
- Needle nose pliers
- S,M & L Philips screw drivers
- S,M & L slot screw drivers (the large one doubles as a pry bar)
- Side cutters
- Small 3/8" drive socket set
- Small piece of fine sand paper
- Standard pliers
- Utility knife
- Wrench set (1/4" - 3/4")
- Spare Parts
- Assorted hose clamps
- Brake fluid
- Coil
- Distributor cap and wires
- Fan belt
- Motor oil
- Spare electric fuel pump (with all the hoses, wires, clamps, etc. that you would need to hook it up on the side of the road).
- Spare ignition kit (points, condenser, and rotor OR second set of internals for electronic distributor)
- Spare light bulbs (1156 & 1157)
- Miscellaneous Items
- Coveralls
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Flash light
- Old blanket to lie on under the car
- Rag
- Small roll of 16 gauge electrical wire
- Small roll utility wire
- Two jumper wires with alligator clips
- Work shop manual
- Zip ties
- Visa & CAA cards
You should also make sure that the spare tire, jack, and wheel nut wrench are accounted for and that you have checked the torque on your lug nuts.
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