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Topic: What do you carry for spares? (Read 965 times) previous topic - next topic

What do you carry for spares?

The previous owner of my coach carried a lot of stuff with him. 

He had a brand new spare tire (circa 2002) mounted on a nice looking wheel.  I tossed the tire, and will probably try to sell the wheel once I figure out what a reasonable value is.  It took up 2/3 of one of the Joey beds. 

The other spares took up at least 1/2 of the other side.

There is a perfect looking Firestone air bag in a bucket with some packing peanuts.

A full set of brake pads.

A brand new water pump.

Several new filters I will have to ID.

An alternator that looks to be used.  I will have it checked out by a local guy that rebuilds them.

3 Different hoses I will need to ID.

A bunch of belts that all look to be new.  Each of those has the application written on them.

There is a box full of switches, and other stuff I have no idea about.  It is going to take some time to figure out what it all goes to. 

3 full gallons of the Pink Aqua Hot fluid

A bunch of adapters for the sewer hose as well as what looks like an extra guillotine valve.

A big water filter that looks like it is set up to filter the campground water as well as extra cartridges and tools for it.  There is another one like it mounted in the wet bay.

I see value in having spares but...........
1999 U320 3600
CAI floorplan
Build #5466
M11 - HD4060R
Name ?..  working on that

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #1 –
My best spare is my cell phone.  I do carry a few mundane things I feel I might need and tools but that is all.  Nothing like you have just mentioned.
Chappell & Mary
36' 2004 Foretravel U270 build #6273

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #2 –
Anything that can't be replaced on the road or can be worked around until home, stays home on mine. You don't have to even have the alternator to keep a belt on with your engine same with the A/C compressor. Keep the water pump onboard if you dry camp. Your year coach used the same coolant in the AH as the engine, not sure what you have. Belts and hoses stay aboard also. Brake pads don't take up much space keep them onboard also. Leave the alternator at home would be my opinion as it won't stop a trip. I carry fuses and switches, filters, belts, hoses and even a spare Thomas air compressor. There was a post earlier about what to carry see if you can find it and make your own personal choices as only you know what you can do on the road.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: qcj –
My best spare is my cell phone.  I do carry a few mundane things I feel I might need and tools but that is all.  Nothing like you have just mentioned.
Verizon has the best coverage but their domestic map is grossly optimistic. Get off the interstate and lots of secondary roads are cell free.  At over half of the campgrounds we travel to here in the west have zero cell service. No service here at home either. It can come as a rude shock to someone from other parts.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #4 –
Being prepared is one thing, But hauling a spare coach in parts might be a bit much.

I carry Basic tools, Multimeter, Soldering iron, Belts, Air hose. All can be put in one of the two drawers in the top the main bay. Otherwise. Coach net and a cell phone are your good friends.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #5 –
Coach net.
Credit Card
Patience

All other items "nice to have"
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #6 –
+1 on Coach Net and phone.

Other items we carry now:
- bottle of RainX type stuff
- wiper arm knurled adapter (wipers are useless if this breaks.  They are inexpensive and small.)
- wiper blades
- extra wiper arm
- spare air pressure regulator
- length of PEX pipe
- Sharkbite press on pipe end stop
- Sharkbite press on ball valve
- Sharkbite press on pipe coupling
- PEX pipe cutter

Chris

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #7 –
Matt,

This is kind of a loaded question. What you need to carry will depend on your skill set. An example is, Do you have the knowledge and the other tools needed to install those brake shoes?  If not will the shop you are broke down at install out of shop parts?  If you are a tinkering kind of person you will need more tools than a credit card and cell phone. Nothing wrong with the people that use this method for repair but only you can decide what will suit your style. If you full time you won't have the same freedom to do your own work at a campground as someone that has a home base.

I am a tinkering kind of person. But I leave the brake shoes at home and do service on them when at home base. If I was going to make a trip to Alaska then I would throw them in along with several other special items that might be needed for a trip like that. Do to my background we carry a larger set of tools  along with various repair parts than the average person. I've been known to rebuild an alternator at a pick-nick-table with the tools and parts that are on board our rig.

This brings us back to where I started in that it depends on your skill set, destination, and travel status. I would recommend that you carry a D-2 governor (this is one thing you haven't mentioned that you found), tools needed to change it, and learn how to change it.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #8 –
Great question and following.  Coming from a sailing background, I way over did it at first.  Then the Coach Net, credit card  phone begins to set in.  We are starting to purge again.  Right now I have a rope for the throttle, adding spring for throttle, belts, filters, fuses, small electrical kit with relay and solonoid, small air kit with by pass, governor, thread sealant, valve for air dryer.  Tools are now being closely examined for both the coach and towed.  Can I actually perform that task?  Harbor Freight for me means fewer someday may might need one tools loaded for repairs I can not or should not perform.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #9 –
We are full time and do a lot of boon docking. With that said all I carry for parts are belts and tensioner, and a primary fuel filter for the Cummins. Repair parts for the wh, frig, and toilet ( use thesemore than any other parts)  and a spare water pump. Additionaly small fittings for the fresh water system and misc electrical parts. Way too many tools drills saws and hand tools.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Coach net.
Credit Card
Patience

All other items "nice to have"

Plus cash :)
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #11 –
The best tool I've gotten since buying the bus....This Forum!

It has gotten me out of more pickles than a basement full of spare parts would have.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: What do you carry for spares?

Reply #12 –
When we decided to go full time I sold/gave away most of my tools. Then I got going with Laborers For Christ, so I've had to buy back most of those tools (plus a few more). The PO had a drawer full of spare filters and belts, none of which were marked in any way.