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Subject:Re: What to keep on hand to not be stranded
From:Robert Stevens
Date:Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:31:49 -0600

On Oct 22, 2012, at 3:34 PM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

1) Fuel pump
2) Ignition switch
3) ECU
4) Ignition coil (though I've never had one actually fail...take off?)
5) Belts

I'm thinking this might prove useful to someone else too, who knows? So,
what do you all think?

I also carry:
-2 CV's + boots + grease + 12 (probably actually 24) bolts
-Headlight switch
-Lots of fuses
-robust roll of wire (used on the CV boots in case the clamp isn't reuseable)
-supply of variious sizes of hose clamps
-few sizes/gauges of electrical wire rolls with spade connectors, also various
sizes/kinds
-assorted nuts/bolts/screws
-butane soldering kit
-AAA Roadside Service (I also have towing on my automotive insurance,
so I have 200 miles of "free" towing). I've paid $150 once due to not having
that double backup.
-a pretty thorough supple of tools so I can actually do the work related to
the above supplies.

Probably more than this, but this is all I can think of right now. My rear bench
is stuffed with all of this.

I also carry a list of individuals and shops that are likely to be along the route
of my planned/intended trip.

I added the soldering kit after being on a trip where someone used one to add
a large electrical wire connection between the alternator and battery. The elect.
fridge he had wasn't getting properly charged via the OE vanagon wire harness,
so he canibalized a jumper cable set and used that 4 gauge wire to improve
the charge. I added that same feature to my van after getting home .... same
electrical fridge.

Oh, and various supply of light bulbs. I also carry oil/filter and fuel and mechanics
gloves, both latex and synthetic cloth. Sometimes "these things" happen when it's
quite cold out.

bob