Spares List

[mattrsa]

Hi Guys

Planning to do 5 weeks traveling europe in the van at the end of July and was wondering what sort of spares I should carry. I have done a quick search here and so far come up with the following.

Assorted nuts & bolts.
Spare alternator brush pack.
Fuses.
Black bodge tape.
Electrical tape
Cable Ties.
Throttle Cable
Clutch Cable
Bulb pack
Spare fan belt
Spark plugs

Full set of tools.

Am I missing major. obviously I will have breakdown cover too.

Thanks
matt

[Ian Hulley]

Hi-Viz vest PER PERSON and an approved warning triangle ... these are now compulsory.

Ian

[Titus A Duxass]

A print out of the contact numbers for the Europe based members.

First Aid Kit (compulsory).

[Ian Hulley]

Haynes manual and something to point with I take it by the fact it has a clutch cable it's a 1.6 aircold ?

Ian.

[mattrsa]

thanks guys

yes got hi viz and first aid kit on the list

It's a 2L CU air cooled engine which we have just had reconned so I am hoping I won't encounter too many problems

Matt

[fullsunian]

Same as above AND spare dizzy, coil, amp, bolts for drive shafts and a tool box jam packed...

[Ian Hulley]

Last known-good longest HT lead and coil lead, CV joint, grease, oil, brake fluid, are your brake pipes REALLY good ? Brake pipe flaring kit, kunifer and fittings.

Ian

[mwheatley]

I asked the same question here 3 years ago when we did our first 5 week Euro trip, and received similar answers. I then took the info to a local mechanic, he said "unless you know what you're meant to do with any of the kit you're packing then don't bother, just take a RAC card & a mobile phone & make sure you have belt & braces cover all cover."

I have to say he was right, I'm no mechanic! We've been 3 years on the trot now for 5-6wks a time, averaging 6-7000kms & so far nothing has gone wrong, not a single little incident.........there's always this year though

Save the weight.......roll of gaffa tape, roll of electricians tape & a heart full of hope!!

Good luck.

Matt

[Ian Hulley]

I asked the same question here 3 years ago when we did our first 5 week Euro trip, and received similar answers.

That's because the answer doesn't change.

I then took the info to a local mechanic, he said "unless you know what you're meant to do with any of the kit you're packing then don't bother, just take a RAC card & a mobile phone & make sure you have belt & braces cover all cover."

HE isn't the one broke down at the side of the road when your RAC man is trying to locate an obsolete part ... and believe me they won't know where to start. IF and I do mean IF you're lucky then take nothing at all .... no vests (think of the extra weight) or triangle (ditto) etc etc because the odds are you won't be stopped by the Gendarmerie OR break down.

If the parts are there the RAC or designated agency mechanic (cos that's who turns up) will scoop you off to a safe place and be able to fit them even if you can't. Personally I find the complacency of driving a 20-odd year old van without the knowledge of how to fix it truly astounding and when it's 1,000 from home truly incomprehensible.

Ian

[mwheatley]

Oops, did I say something wrong . Only relaying my own experiences. As I said, there is always this years trip to change my viewpoint. As for the vests & triangle, they are a legality & so weren't referred to in my take nothing/weight comment.

We all love these vans, but just because one doesn't have the time, knowledge or apptitude to fix more than a punctured tyre or a small rust spot does this mean we should be excluded from enjoying them further afield from our own back yard?

[Ian Hulley]

Youve contradicted well-meaning advice with this ...

Save the weight.......roll of gaffa tape, roll of electricians tape

There are times when I (and other experienced owners) despair.

[fullsunian]

Youve contradicted well-meaning advice with this ...

Save the weight.......roll of gaffa tape, roll of electricians tape

There are times when I (and other experienced owners) despair.

Get ready for the post.....HELP broken down in .... need a ignition amp, cant find one anywhere.

[mattrsa]

Thanks for all the replies guys

As has been said before I have basic skills but don't think I can manage anything too tricky when I'm away but would like to have enough spares so that if I did have to call out breakdown I was not stuck because I did not pack a spare fan belt or something similar.
I will be extremely surprised if I manage to go the full 5 weeks without a breakdown to be honest.

[Ian Hulley]

but would like to have enough spares so that if I did have to call out breakdown I was not stuck because I did not pack a spare fan belt or something similar.

A sensible approach They are good old buses but anything 20-odd years old can break with little if any notice. A thorough service and inspection should throw up any avoidable issues beforehand

[docklad]

inline fuel filter
juberlee clips
batteries(allsorts)
exaust bandage
foot pump