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Hey gang my father in law invited the wife and I up to spend the weekend and we're going to a car show Saturday. It's a two hour drive to where he lives, so I was just looking for ideas of what to take "just in case". Here's what I have so far:
Oil
Coolant
Trans fluid
Tools
P/S fluid
Flashlight
Funnel
Shop towels
Hand cleaner
Those are the basics, but am I missing anything? The last time I took it on a long drive was when I went the Endless Summer Cruise in Ocean City MD 3 yts ago and that's 3 hrs away. It did fine then, but I just wanna cover my bases.
I routinely drive my 71 CS one to two hours (60 miles - 100 miles per trip) each week. I'm more concerned w/:
Tire & Wheel - Ensure they're in good shape & inflated properly; Tire plug kit; Working bumper jack (or, some form of a jack to hoist the car to change the tire/wheel.
If the trip were of a longer distance (i.e. 400 miles - 500 miles), I'd take a new set of points & a new thermostat. I still wouldn't worry about motor oil, coolant, trans fluid or PS fluid. There are automotive stores along any route. I'd worry about a stop dead scenario - i.e. flat tire, busted up ign contact points, working car jack.
I wouldn't worry about motor oil, trans fluid or PS fluid. If one of those seriously go South on you, you'll be haling a tow truck.
It's two hours, not two months. Flat repair, spare ignition module if you have electronic ignition (maybe spare points if you don't), duct tape, phone, credit cards jumper cables and a few small tools. Do your standard vehicle inspection and you should be all set.
It's two hours, not two months. Flat repair, spare ignition module if you have electronic ignition (maybe spare points if you don't), duct tape, phone, credit cards jumper cables and a few small tools. Do your standard vehicle inspection and you should be all set.
It's two hours, not two months. Flat repair, spare ignition module if you have electronic ignition (maybe spare points if you don't), duct tape, phone, credit cards jumper cables and a few small tools. Do your standard vehicle inspection and you should be all set.
See...that's why I enjoy this forum so much. Always great advice from a great group of people. Seems like I would have "overpacked", and besides, hauling that extra stuff certainly would not have helped fuel economy. 11 mpg is bad enough..lol.
So I'll shorten my list and not stress...😀
The only things I carry (at all times, I should add), are a spare tire, basic hand tools, a good jack (not the bumper jack), a tow strap, and jumper cables in the trunk, and a spare HEI module in the glove box.
In the past 30 years of daily driving I haven't needed anything else.
The only things I carry (at all times, I should add), are a spare tire, basic hand tools, a good jack (not the bumper jack), a tow strap, and jumper cables in the trunk, and a spare HEI module in the glove box.
In the past 30 years of daily driving I haven't needed anything else.
That's right. For me, most of the stuff on my list falls under the category of "Don't Leave Home Without It."
Duct tape can’t be understated. I read a Hagerty list for trips and they mentioned spare fan belts. I carry a portable jumper/air pump which can also be used to charge USB and it’s an inverter. —Billy
On 2 occasions I tossed a fan belt... both were the notched belts and 2 different Oldsmobiles and both times alternator belts.. Wouldn't hurt to carry spares.
The only things I carry (at all times, I should add), are a spare tire, basic hand tools, a good jack (not the bumper jack), a tow strap, and jumper cables in the trunk, and a spare HEI module in the glove box.
In the past 30 years of daily driving I haven't needed anything else.
I don't carry a tow strap, but I'll add that I carry a four way tire lug wrench.
I check everything before i go on a longer trip but i live on the edge because i bring nothing but the wife and my cell phone.But a long trip for me me is 200 miles to and from.
I don't carry a tow strap, but I'll add that I carry a four way tire lug wrench.
I always carry both. Never know when you might be able to help someone. I have used mine 200 times for others over needing it myself.
Quality four way.
Don't go get a hummer freight one. I twist those like taffy. Really sucks on tight lugs.
Last edited by no1oldsfan; Sep 22, 2021 at 04:52 PM.
Unless I missed it, I don't think anyone mentioned extra fuses. The previous owner of my vista cruiser found the car online in Oregon when he bought it (around 2010). He proceeded to fly out to Oregon and drive the car home to PA. The only issue he had on the 2500 plus mile trip was a blown tail lamp fuse. I think I still have the ticket he got for having no tail lights in the stack of paperwork I got from him when I bought the car.
I took way too much stuff. I brought a bunch of every fluid the car could take, belts, hoses, spares of all ignition parts, AC gauges/hoses, tool bag, a hammer and board to reinstall any wheel covers. Umbrellas, ponchos, two very nice folding chairs, a floor jack, lots of paper towels, and just enough drinks. I needed the chairs, the drinks, and 2 quarts oil and 1 quart antifreeze.
This is what I said in a thread about driving the power tour, long haul 2018 in a 72 Monte Carlo.
I would check all the fluids and the tire pressure. Fire extinguisher, security measures if you have to park outside, a pistol. A decent jack. All the other little things don't take up much room, I like using the well to the right of the spare tire for things like belts, hoses, and small parts.
I drove my H/O 370 each way this summer. It needed some grease, which I didn't bring, and I dropped a bottle of mcguires and it split, and i didnt bring the gorilla tape either. I did add some oil.
I'm going to take my van (73 Ford Club Wagon) next weekend 150 each way. I will check fluids, bring fluids, tools, gun, and a fire extinguisher. Maybe I'll order some points, belts, and hoses off rock auto.
2 hours? I wouldn't even pop the hood to check the oil....
I was kinda thinking the same thing!!
I like Koda suggestion. Carry a credit card, have some towing plans if needed, and relax. Assuming the car is properly maintained, and your familiar enough with it to be reasonably sure it’s not going to leave you stranded, 2 hours is nothing to lose sleep over.
I always take an extra set of underwear because Mama said to. Two-hour trip is hardly getting out of town. If this is a concern, better fix what is in needing fix or stay home....Tedd
My rail job is expected to carry me 500 miles rd trip or I have not been keeping up on the maintenance on a regular basis. I do carry a fire extinguisher and a blue tooth speaker for the jams in the rear seat. My Olds 442 has never left me stranded, thus far.
I would not get carried away about two hours. Woodward where I will run the car 7-8hrs yes. I have a large action packer box that has every day carries: plugs, point, pre-mixed coolant full, qt-80-90, fuses, belts, trans fluid, engine oil, and normal car show cleaning supplies and 2 bottles of drinking water. For longer trips like Woodward I will add a jumper pack with compressor, 186 piece socket, wrench and screw driver kit, SAE wrenches up to 1", ignition wrenches, a med length pry bar, side cutters, ball peen hammer, 30" breaker bar, multi-meter, test light, test light, electrical repair kit, jumper wires, vise grips, 10" crescent wrench and a roll a duct tape. Knock on wood in 25 years, I never have needed anything, except an A/C belt and I just removed it since it's the farthest belt out.
I loaded up for Drag Week, but I usually don't carry much. That was going to be about 2300 miles with racing. Ended up buying a set of airbags because they kept burning on the exhaust- 3" problems.
I just drove 12,000 miles all around the country on a 1963 Jeep J300 with an engine from a woodchipper. Very minimal tool use.
cmon man. You cant say that and not throw a single pic up for us!
last year i saw a guy several times in a jeep FC driving around my area, havent seen him before or since, the engine didnt sound like it wasrunning great but the truck? Looked cool!
A fire extinguisher is a good thing to have. After my '68 4-4-2 hardtop spontaneously combusted on the road many years ago, you'd think this is a lesson I would have learned, but I guess my attitude is, how many times in one's life can that happen?
I loaded up for Drag Week, but I usually don't carry much. That was going to be about 2300 miles with racing. Ended up buying a set of airbags because they kept burning on the exhaust- 3" problems.
i think I talked to you at the Indy Drag week stop, are you the owner of the 442 with the grenaded 5 speed trans? If so, how did the rest of your trip go?
The very first Power Tour I’d did was in 1999. (Whatever year that had the Route 66 theme). There was a guy who used his grandfather’s 70 big block Monte Carlo that had t been on the road in 20 years. He said they put tires on it, changed the bleats and hoses, installed a nee battery, changed the fluids, and hit the road. All this 3 weeks before the event started.
while It wouldn’t be ideal, a 4000 mile road trip in a car that hadn’t moved for 20 years is a bit ballsy. I’d want more than a couple weeks shakedown to make sure everything will be ok.
These cars were expected to be drivable and reliable in any environment when new. Properly maintained abs in good condition, there is zero resin they can’t today. Relax abs enjoy the drive.
Two-hour trip is hardly getting out of town. If this is a concern, better fix what is in needing fix or stay home....Tedd
