After the fan melted the fuse at the dunes that reminded me to put a pack of fuses and female .25" connectors in my box.
CK5
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What do you carry with you for breakage/stuck/emergency?
- Thread starter Mastiff
- Start date
After the fan melted the fuse at the dunes that reminded me to put a pack of fuses and female .25" connectors in my box.
A handgun might be a nice thing to have if your lost--and end up in
"da hood"....or at least a bat!..seems every time I go near Boston I end up in the worst area possible...I'd rather be lost or broke down in deep forest, than the concrete jungle any day..
I used to have a bat in my Camaro....
Here's the pitch and the swing....
I never trust the crimps in aftermarket fuse and relay holders. I solder them or replace the terminals with something else. Oh yeah, and anything with hard plastic over the crimps or that you crimp on with a universal wire cutter/crimp tool is only for short-term fixes, not real wiring.
A handgun might be a nice thing to have if your lost--and end up in
"da hood"..
I agree, but if you have a hot temper you might end up shooting your rig
I actually think that's why they don't allow firearms in the workplace.
I dont own a gun because I lack an FID card and probably wouldn't be able to get one due to my issues with depression--guns are like fire extinguishers,something you always wish you had when you need one--but they can get you in more trouble than out of it sometimes too..I wouldn't mind having one though,if for nothing else,to have if someone broke in my house ..
I keep my OEM tire tool and a ball pein hammer,or my "club" anti-theft device under my seat or next to it in my vehicles "just in case"--those wont be considered a weapon in most cases,till you had to use them as one.....too many road ragers around here to feel safe without some kind of weapon handy!..in my truck I always have some lengths of chain with hooks hanging behind the seat too..
Mace or pepper spray wouldn't be a bad thing to have either--never know if someone who offers to "help" as a good samaritin if you broke down might decide to roll you for your wallet or whatever, on some dark rural road..or in the "bad part of town"..
After one terrifying experience I had in Boston many years ago,after dropping my parents off at Logan Airport, and getting lost in the "Combat Zone"on my way home, I dont like going anywhere without something I can use to defend myself,even if its in vain...
After taking a wrong turn and ending up in a very bad neighborhood,I had a "gang" of about a dozen black teens walk out in front of me at stop lights ,and it was evident they were going to get me to stop,and probably pull me out of the car and beat and rob me,smash the windows,maybe worse...I was not about to let that happen!.
I decided to floor my dad's station wagon instead of stopping,I would have run them right over,they scattered at the last minute and threw rocks at the car---and I left the thing wide open and ran a good dozen red lights after making sure no other cars were coming--when I'd gone about 3 miles,a cruiser came across an intersection and I almost T-boned it,the cops backed up and came after me..
I refused to stop until I found an area that looked safer...it took me a lot of explaining,telling them how I got lost,etc, to get the 2 cops to realize I felt my life was in danger,and both of them were black too,and agreed I was "not too swift" to be lurking around THAT part of town!...
They actually let me go without a ticket,despite the fact I was speeding,and ran quite a few stop signs and red lights--they just searched me for drugs and the car for open alcohol containers,when they were assured I had none,I was sent on my way--they followed me for several miles till I found the on ramp for the highway I needed to take to get home....
I think they had a good laugh,seeing how paranoid I was..
I didn't find it one bit funny though..
Sometimes a mechanical breakdown is just the beginning of your troubles,depending on where it happens..and 9 times out of ten,its not in a "good" place ..so personal protection can be just as important as having spare parts,tools,and fluids with you...(clean underwear would have been handy that night in Boston too!).
I keep my OEM tire tool and a ball pein hammer,or my "club" anti-theft device under my seat or next to it in my vehicles "just in case"--those wont be considered a weapon in most cases,till you had to use them as one.....too many road ragers around here to feel safe without some kind of weapon handy!..in my truck I always have some lengths of chain with hooks hanging behind the seat too..
Mace or pepper spray wouldn't be a bad thing to have either--never know if someone who offers to "help" as a good samaritin if you broke down might decide to roll you for your wallet or whatever, on some dark rural road..or in the "bad part of town"..
After one terrifying experience I had in Boston many years ago,after dropping my parents off at Logan Airport, and getting lost in the "Combat Zone"on my way home, I dont like going anywhere without something I can use to defend myself,even if its in vain...
After taking a wrong turn and ending up in a very bad neighborhood,I had a "gang" of about a dozen black teens walk out in front of me at stop lights ,and it was evident they were going to get me to stop,and probably pull me out of the car and beat and rob me,smash the windows,maybe worse...I was not about to let that happen!.
I decided to floor my dad's station wagon instead of stopping,I would have run them right over,they scattered at the last minute and threw rocks at the car---and I left the thing wide open and ran a good dozen red lights after making sure no other cars were coming--when I'd gone about 3 miles,a cruiser came across an intersection and I almost T-boned it,the cops backed up and came after me..
I refused to stop until I found an area that looked safer...it took me a lot of explaining,telling them how I got lost,etc, to get the 2 cops to realize I felt my life was in danger,and both of them were black too,and agreed I was "not too swift" to be lurking around THAT part of town!...
They actually let me go without a ticket,despite the fact I was speeding,and ran quite a few stop signs and red lights--they just searched me for drugs and the car for open alcohol containers,when they were assured I had none,I was sent on my way--they followed me for several miles till I found the on ramp for the highway I needed to take to get home....
I think they had a good laugh,seeing how paranoid I was..
I didn't find it one bit funny though..
Sometimes a mechanical breakdown is just the beginning of your troubles,depending on where it happens..and 9 times out of ten,its not in a "good" place ..so personal protection can be just as important as having spare parts,tools,and fluids with you...(clean underwear would have been handy that night in Boston too!).
Boston is so up and coming now that I'd be hard pressed to find an area where I felt uncomfortable.
Some of the slums in the middle of the country have made my toes tingle a little. It's not the poverty that scares me. It's the desperate looks on peoples faces and there recognition that I don't belong.
A couple times last summer I'd have people slowly approach my truck when I'd stop for fuel. They wouldn't say anything, but just vacantly stare at me. These weren't the usual guys looking to talk about trucks. This was people coming off their stoops to look me up and down like an alien.
Some of the slums in the middle of the country have made my toes tingle a little. It's not the poverty that scares me. It's the desperate looks on peoples faces and there recognition that I don't belong.
A couple times last summer I'd have people slowly approach my truck when I'd stop for fuel. They wouldn't say anything, but just vacantly stare at me. These weren't the usual guys looking to talk about trucks. This was people coming off their stoops to look me up and down like an alien.
Here is what I carry in my scout
Basic set of tools but I have every tool I need to turn every bolt on the rig. A good set of channel locks will do a lot as far as turning bolts
Couple extra plugs and wires. Ive burned wires on headers before and broken plugs while working on engine troubles.
Hose clamps and hose
Tape, lots of tape
zip ties, lots of zip ties. Once had a tie rod end separate on the trail. Stuck it all back together with lots of zip ties and was able to limp it home
Small roll of wire, crimp on connectors and fuses to cover electrical problems.
Spare tire with tools necessary to change plus tire plugs. Since I run propane I can actually air a tire up with my fuel source
Spare front axles
Spare front spindle
Spare wheel bearings
Drive flanges in case lock outs break
1 spare u-joint for each kind I run
Spare front driveshaft
Spare pinion yoke
BBQ grill tank. If I have a fuel issue (run out) a bbq grill tank holds 5 gal which is usually enough to get me back home or to a friend/family house.
High lift jack
cable clamps
tow strap
fire extinguisher
Extra fluids for everything.
Basically the only things that will keep me stranded on a trail are broken tranny/t-case or catastrophic engine failure. Even still, I drove 15 miles with my th350 broke in half last time out, only worked cause I had plenty of fluid to stop and add every 5 or so miles
Basic set of tools but I have every tool I need to turn every bolt on the rig. A good set of channel locks will do a lot as far as turning bolts
Couple extra plugs and wires. Ive burned wires on headers before and broken plugs while working on engine troubles.
Hose clamps and hose
Tape, lots of tape
zip ties, lots of zip ties. Once had a tie rod end separate on the trail. Stuck it all back together with lots of zip ties and was able to limp it home
Small roll of wire, crimp on connectors and fuses to cover electrical problems.
Spare tire with tools necessary to change plus tire plugs. Since I run propane I can actually air a tire up with my fuel source
Spare front axles
Spare front spindle
Spare wheel bearings
Drive flanges in case lock outs break
1 spare u-joint for each kind I run
Spare front driveshaft
Spare pinion yoke
BBQ grill tank. If I have a fuel issue (run out
) a bbq grill tank holds 5 gal which is usually enough to get me back home or to a friend/family house.High lift jack
cable clamps
tow strap
fire extinguisher
Extra fluids for everything.
Basically the only things that will keep me stranded on a trail are broken tranny/t-case or catastrophic engine failure. Even still, I drove 15 miles with my th350 broke in half last time out
, only worked cause I had plenty of fluid to stop and add every 5 or so miles
I know that feeling..like your wondering if they are going to eat you for supper or something...
...when I went to TN a few places I stopped at on the way there were pretty spooky ,in a Deliverance sort of way..
..they knew right away as soon as I said a few words "you aint from round here,are ya?...Your probably right about Boston,its probably a lot less ghetto now,than it was when I had my terror ride thru the worst parts of it back in the 80's--but the experience sticks with me regardless,the few times I have dared go there since I always felt very out of my comfort zone and vulnerable--I'm a lot more at home in the country! (though really rural places can be just as dangerous or worse)....other cities in MA like Springfield and Worcester ,even my hometown are now "bad" places to be stuck in if you venture off the main streets..
I thank God the few times I had mechanical troubles the few folks that did offer help DID,and didn't have ulterior motives..
I know a few people who were not so lucky--one woman I know was sexually assulted when she had a flat tire ,and a "nice guy" stopped and put the spare on for her--then he wanted "payback"--she was lucky she wasn't murdered..another friend of mine had a guy try taking his wallet after he accepted his offer to give him a ride to a gas station when he ran out of gas...luckily he was able to punch the dude and get away from him!..
I also would stay with my vehicle if it had to be towed,otherwise it might well dissapear or get stripped before the tow truck you called arrived ,in some areas around here...one guy I know had left his car in Providence after it broke down,and he walked about a mile to a gas station,to call a tow truck--by the time the AAA truck came,and he rode with the driver to show him where it was--it was not there!..some bystanders said a "black ramp truck took it"..they assumed it was just whoever the owner called to get it...the car was found 3 days later at a scrapyard,and it had been crushed!..
..the car was no prize,and older Ford Escort,but still,it was his only transportation at the time..and he kept the title in the glove box,so whoever stole it had no trouble selling it for scrap...
Are you allowed to have them in MA?
Not so in Iowa anymore. It's on the more lenient side of things now, and a few years ago became a "shall-issue" CCW state. I'm not sure why it took so long...
If I could only get Wisconsin to be so kind...
It's getting better, but it's hard to beat the West for some things...
[frustrated rant]
Never leave a title close to its vehicle. "This can only end in tears."
[/frustrated rant]
I have been tempted, though, to leave a different vehicle's title in the glove box just to mess with potential thieves. Does that count as emergency equipment?
I'd never leave a title in the glove compartment,but a father of a guy I know did just that and left the title in his '66 Mustang Fastback 2+2,that he had bought new,and had done a frame off restoration on it just months before he took it to a local mall ,and found it GONE when he returned!..the thieves broke the vent window to get in it..
He was VERY lucky though--a few weeks later,cops in E. Providence RI busted a guy with a large amount of drugs,and during the search of his home and garage,they came across the mustang,parked safely in his garage,completely unmolested,other than the broken window and the ignition tumbler being ripped out with a dent puller!...he was sure he'd never see it again,when he got the call asking if he would come "claim" the car,he almost broke down in tears,as he did when he saw it was stolen the day he came out of the mall..
The only reason the cops knew it was his car,was because they found the title in the glove box,in the paper holder tray on the top part of the box!..the car was stolen in MA in a town not far from RI,but apparently the police in the town it was taken from didn't notify any other towns or RI police ,other than list it on the "hot sheet"..thats the only story about having the title in the car that had a happy ending I've ever heard of though...it was pure luck they found the car before they disposed of it by chopping it up,or selling it out of state somehow..with the title,it would easily have been able to be "sold" to anyone who was willing to forge the owners signature!..
He was VERY lucky though--a few weeks later,cops in E. Providence RI busted a guy with a large amount of drugs,and during the search of his home and garage,they came across the mustang,parked safely in his garage,completely unmolested,other than the broken window and the ignition tumbler being ripped out with a dent puller!...he was sure he'd never see it again,when he got the call asking if he would come "claim" the car,he almost broke down in tears,as he did when he saw it was stolen the day he came out of the mall..
The only reason the cops knew it was his car,was because they found the title in the glove box,in the paper holder tray on the top part of the box!..the car was stolen in MA in a town not far from RI,but apparently the police in the town it was taken from didn't notify any other towns or RI police ,other than list it on the "hot sheet"..thats the only story about having the title in the car that had a happy ending I've ever heard of though...it was pure luck they found the car before they disposed of it by chopping it up,or selling it out of state somehow..with the title,it would easily have been able to be "sold" to anyone who was willing to forge the owners signature!..
I know this thread got derailed, but I'm curious to get back to the original question. What do you carry with you when you leave home? At this point I carry basic hand tools and fluids and a small first aid kit. Not a whole lot, and after seeing a couple of mechanical issues and a first aid issue during our last overlanding trip, I think I'll be carrying more in the future. More tools and more bandaids both. I already upgraded my basic 2.5-ton floor jack for a taller aluminum racing jack. What else should I be adding? 
On board welder ?...
..
Be nice to have if something "bad" happened and being able to weld it to get home VS towing it ,which can be very costly especially if your not close to home..
An inverter to let you run power tools would be handy too,like a drill or electric impact wrench for flat tire changes,etc..
I tend to carry a spare truck in the bed of my truck--everything but a spare engine,tranny or rear end..
..
..lots of spare parts,things that "still worked" when removed,like old brake hoses,ignition parts (I haul a complete spare HEI around in my vehicles that had small blocks--beats swapping a module or pick up coil on the roadside)..and I put the new spring shackle I didn't install yet when I bought a pair in the tool box,when only one was "junk" and the other was still good..
I had some new u-joints I bought cheap at a flea market,I put those in the tool box too--even if I cant install them where one crapped out,at least I'd have one with me after I get towed to a garage..
A coil of insulated wire like 12 or 14 gauge will come in handy if you had a fusible link fail or other wire burn up..
I also have a coffee can or two of various sizes of nuts,bolts,wire terminal ends,on board whenever possible..some of the cheap battery cable ends too..and some barb fittings to splice a heater hose back together,hose clamps,sheet metal screws..stuff like that can be a lifesaver..
As for tools ,vise grips and c-clamps can hold many things together long enough to get home,zip ties,tape,and RAGS..
I seem to never have a RAG to wipe my hands off with or use when I'm on the road--hand soap is a good thing to have too...a large garbage bag makes a good crude rain coat too,and can be used to lie or kneel on under a truck when the ground is wet..I keep a blue tarp in my truck too..and a blanket,in case you have a long wait for help to arrive some cold winter night..
..Be nice to have if something "bad" happened and being able to weld it to get home VS towing it ,which can be very costly especially if your not close to home..
An inverter to let you run power tools would be handy too,like a drill or electric impact wrench for flat tire changes,etc..
I tend to carry a spare truck in the bed of my truck--everything but a spare engine,tranny or rear end..
....lots of spare parts,things that "still worked" when removed,like old brake hoses,ignition parts (I haul a complete spare HEI around in my vehicles that had small blocks--beats swapping a module or pick up coil on the roadside)..and I put the new spring shackle I didn't install yet when I bought a pair in the tool box,when only one was "junk" and the other was still good..
I had some new u-joints I bought cheap at a flea market,I put those in the tool box too--even if I cant install them where one crapped out,at least I'd have one with me after I get towed to a garage..
A coil of insulated wire like 12 or 14 gauge will come in handy if you had a fusible link fail or other wire burn up..
I also have a coffee can or two of various sizes of nuts,bolts,wire terminal ends,on board whenever possible..some of the cheap battery cable ends too..and some barb fittings to splice a heater hose back together,hose clamps,sheet metal screws..stuff like that can be a lifesaver..
As for tools ,vise grips and c-clamps can hold many things together long enough to get home,zip ties,tape,and RAGS..
I seem to never have a RAG to wipe my hands off with or use when I'm on the road--hand soap is a good thing to have too...a large garbage bag makes a good crude rain coat too,and can be used to lie or kneel on under a truck when the ground is wet..I keep a blue tarp in my truck too..and a blanket,in case you have a long wait for help to arrive some cold winter night..
Bubba Rope, Gorilla Tape, Berretta 92, cell phone , credit card. If I cant wrap it, strap it or shoot it I will call in reinforcements and it will probably cost me.
It's good to carry a few specialty tools specific to the truck. Off-hand I'm thinking of the front spindle nut socket and some snap ring pliers so you can repair a wasted wheel bearing or swap an axleshaft. Even if you don't carry a certain spare part, you might find parts and still need the tool.
I usually have some rags but find I'm lacking hand cleaner. The little tub of Go-Jo would be fine, but they also make squeeze bottles of hand cleaner and hand cleaner wipes now.
I usually have some rags but find I'm lacking hand cleaner. The little tub of Go-Jo would be fine, but they also make squeeze bottles of hand cleaner and hand cleaner wipes now.
Cucv do everything truck
Jug of diesel
Jug of water
12v compressor
Jumper cables
Winch accessories
Hilift
Tire iron and fullsize spare tire
Small bag of hand tools to tear entire truck down:
Snap ring pliers, punch and a pick for the wheel hubs.
Allen and torx set
3/8 drive socket set
5/16"-15/16" wrenches
Custom bent 9/16" ratchet wrench
Hammer
Cutters
Vice grips
Wheelin k5 I only carry a spare driveshaft. Fits front and rear.
Same assortment of hand tools.
Bag goes from one to the other.
Jug of diesel
Jug of water
12v compressor
Jumper cables
Winch accessories
Hilift
Tire iron and fullsize spare tire
Small bag of hand tools to tear entire truck down:
Snap ring pliers, punch and a pick for the wheel hubs.
Allen and torx set
3/8 drive socket set
5/16"-15/16" wrenches
Custom bent 9/16" ratchet wrench
Hammer
Cutters
Vice grips
Wheelin k5 I only carry a spare driveshaft. Fits front and rear.
Same assortment of hand tools.
Bag goes from one to the other.
Seeing as I have replaced pretty much every part on my truck now I am familiar with the weak links. Or like to think I am.
I currently carry
Ton of tools
Wiring
Fuses
Relays
Extinguisher
Extraction equip
Etc
I am adding
Fuel pump
Sensors (for the lq9)
Starter
Driveshaft
Ujoints
Axles
It is a work in progress
I currently carry
Ton of tools
Wiring
Fuses
Relays
Extinguisher
Extraction equip
Etc
I am adding
Fuel pump
Sensors (for the lq9)
Starter
Driveshaft
Ujoints
Axles
It is a work in progress
Found a pic of my console.
I have just finished up a video on my go to tools. Stuff that lives in the truck. Not complete by any means, but a work in progress. With this stuff I can fix most things that might keep the truck from being drivable.
