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As last year, I thought I would maintain a thread primarily for the newbie first timers regarding tools, spare parts and safety equipment (if anyone notices anything missing, please let us know).
Note: I will amend this list from time to time, to include other contributions.
Documentation:
It's a given that you will ensure you have the following;
- Valid drivers license (for every driver).
- Vehicle documentation (Registration & Insurance)
- Health Insurance documentation
- Documentation for the Power Tour; (copies of current valid; Drivers License, Vehicle Registration and Insurance)
- Hotel Information (addresses, telephone numbers, reservation confirmation numbers, maps/directions to hotels and venue)
- Maps (from home to first venue, Power Tour route, then back home again)
- Money and credit cards
- Rolls of nickels, dimes, and quarters for the toll roads.
- Address / contact book
- Business cards (with contact info, screen name, real name, and car description).
Tools:
- Working jack (with all parts)
- basic mechanical tools (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers)
- knife / cutter
- hammer (dont laugh)
- flashlight
- tape (electrical, duct)
- 4-foot length of 2x4 (again, dont laugh)
- electric tire air pump
- tire plugs (fix a flat cans if you are so inclined)
- extra lug key for the wheel locks (in case the first one gets misplaced)
- jumper cables or jumper box (battery charger)
- RTV type sealer
- work or latex gloves
- hand wipes / rags or hand cleaner
- Card-board (creeper to lay on the ground to work on your car)
- Water faucet key
Spare Parts:
- spare tire (inflated with good tread, full size if possible)
- new wipers and / or Rain-X
- engine belts (or a 3x5 card with the lengths of all your fanbelts. there are too many autozone/advance type places to justify carrying them, just know what you need, because they won't)
- liquids (i.e. anti-freeze, brake fluid, transmission, power steering, etc)
- light bulbs (headlight, taillight, brake & indicators)
- distributor cap, rotor, points and condenser
- spark plugs
- fuses
- flasher can
- special order items (radiator hoses, 100 amp alternator, etc.)
- hose repair kit (bulk hoses, clamps and couplers - various sizes)
- ignition coil or module
- electric fuel pump
- EFI - common failing but hard to get sensors and components; coil, module, cam sensor, and MAF
- extra car key (with someone other than you).
Safety Equipment:
- flares or warning signs
- First Aid kit
- fire extinguisher
- Tow rope
- cell phone and charger
- handheld radio (walkie talkie)
- emergency telephone numbers
- GPS systems (for the hi-tech)
- Radar detector (know the laws, each state differs)
Other:
- Clothes (don't over-pack, get some on tour) Long Pants, Short Pants, Shirts, Underware, Socks, Shoes/Sandels, Light Jacket, belt, Hat, shower kit,
- Prescriptions
- Cell phone (don't forget the charger – also listed in Safety)
- Music (radio, tapes, CD's, etc.)
- Clip board for driving instructions
- Gallon or two of water
- Cleaning supplies & bucket (eg bug remover you know what you need)
- Sun glasses
- Sun screen
- Still or video camera (extra film, cds, sticks, etc.)
- Good folding chair (one per person)
- Blankets / Sleeping bags
- Cooler (with wheels and drain plug, makes a great seat, card playing table, or lunch table, stocked with ice, water, sodas, food, etc.)
- Umbrella (larger golf type, non-metal handle preferred)
- 10x10 Folding Canopy
- Large and small zip lock bags
- Poster tube (to keep posters and other hand-outs from getting crushed or wrinkled)
Obviously, this is too much stuff for the average car to carry, so split it up between others, if you are traveling in a group. Otherwise, prioritize the best you can. And remember, when you pass someone pulled over, stop and see if they need any help. I remember laughing at a story a veteran Long Hauler told me, "I pulled over to have a pee, and twenty other cars stopped to help. Most of them also had a pee, while they were there".
;D
Note: I will amend this list from time to time, to include other contributions.
Documentation:
It's a given that you will ensure you have the following;
- Valid drivers license (for every driver).
- Vehicle documentation (Registration & Insurance)
- Health Insurance documentation
- Documentation for the Power Tour; (copies of current valid; Drivers License, Vehicle Registration and Insurance)
- Hotel Information (addresses, telephone numbers, reservation confirmation numbers, maps/directions to hotels and venue)
- Maps (from home to first venue, Power Tour route, then back home again)
- Money and credit cards
- Rolls of nickels, dimes, and quarters for the toll roads.
- Address / contact book
- Business cards (with contact info, screen name, real name, and car description).
Tools:
- Working jack (with all parts)
- basic mechanical tools (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers)
- knife / cutter
- hammer (dont laugh)
- flashlight
- tape (electrical, duct)
- 4-foot length of 2x4 (again, dont laugh)
- electric tire air pump
- tire plugs (fix a flat cans if you are so inclined)
- extra lug key for the wheel locks (in case the first one gets misplaced)
- jumper cables or jumper box (battery charger)
- RTV type sealer
- work or latex gloves
- hand wipes / rags or hand cleaner
- Card-board (creeper to lay on the ground to work on your car)
- Water faucet key
Spare Parts:
- spare tire (inflated with good tread, full size if possible)
- new wipers and / or Rain-X
- engine belts (or a 3x5 card with the lengths of all your fanbelts. there are too many autozone/advance type places to justify carrying them, just know what you need, because they won't)
- liquids (i.e. anti-freeze, brake fluid, transmission, power steering, etc)
- light bulbs (headlight, taillight, brake & indicators)
- distributor cap, rotor, points and condenser
- spark plugs
- fuses
- flasher can
- special order items (radiator hoses, 100 amp alternator, etc.)
- hose repair kit (bulk hoses, clamps and couplers - various sizes)
- ignition coil or module
- electric fuel pump
- EFI - common failing but hard to get sensors and components; coil, module, cam sensor, and MAF
- extra car key (with someone other than you).
Safety Equipment:
- flares or warning signs
- First Aid kit
- fire extinguisher
- Tow rope
- cell phone and charger
- handheld radio (walkie talkie)
- emergency telephone numbers
- GPS systems (for the hi-tech)
- Radar detector (know the laws, each state differs)
Other:
- Clothes (don't over-pack, get some on tour) Long Pants, Short Pants, Shirts, Underware, Socks, Shoes/Sandels, Light Jacket, belt, Hat, shower kit,
- Prescriptions
- Cell phone (don't forget the charger – also listed in Safety)
- Music (radio, tapes, CD's, etc.)
- Clip board for driving instructions
- Gallon or two of water
- Cleaning supplies & bucket (eg bug remover you know what you need)
- Sun glasses
- Sun screen
- Still or video camera (extra film, cds, sticks, etc.)
- Good folding chair (one per person)
- Blankets / Sleeping bags
- Cooler (with wheels and drain plug, makes a great seat, card playing table, or lunch table, stocked with ice, water, sodas, food, etc.)
- Umbrella (larger golf type, non-metal handle preferred)
- 10x10 Folding Canopy
- Large and small zip lock bags
- Poster tube (to keep posters and other hand-outs from getting crushed or wrinkled)
Obviously, this is too much stuff for the average car to carry, so split it up between others, if you are traveling in a group. Otherwise, prioritize the best you can. And remember, when you pass someone pulled over, stop and see if they need any help. I remember laughing at a story a veteran Long Hauler told me, "I pulled over to have a pee, and twenty other cars stopped to help. Most of them also had a pee, while they were there".
;D
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