What to keep in the trunk?

[David Mac]

Although my car is running it still isn't roadworthy yet. In thinking ahead my question is what do some of you keep in the car as backup for long road trips. i.e. spare fuel pump etc, etc.. What has come in handy for you?

Thanks,

David Mac

[JIPJOBXX]

Spare battery, fuel pump, extra gas, jumper cables, coveralls, hand towels, hand soap, blankets, coats, wheel blocks, spare keys, misc. tools and a repair manual! Also cell phone up front!

[greg g]

Lets see, I have a scissors jack and handle, 4 way lug wrench, a small tool kit containing a 3/8 drive socket set, ratchet handle, short extension, and breaker bar, regular and Phillips head screw drivers, set of combination wrenches, adjustable wrench, medium channel locks, circuit tester, small and medium vice grips, roll of duct tape and electrical tape, mat knife, ball peen hammer, and roll of mechanics wire and pair of side cutters, and some zip ties.

Yesterday, I used the side cuters and mechanics wire to wire up the muffler on an Alfa Romeo that was stoped by the side of the road, having had a bolt let go.

I also carry a cap, condenser and set of points. And now some fuses for the back of the headlight switch. Oh yea a lenght of two rope in case some of my Ford and Chevy driving friends break down.

[Norm's Coupe]

spare keys

If you have spare keys locked in the trunk, how do you get them out if you lost the other set?

[BobT-47P15]

Sounds like a trunk load, Jon. I finally figured out a use for the metal ice chest I use at car shows.....makes a good parts and tool chest. Plus I put some other little items---points, cap and misc in a small period correct suitcase.

[Don Coatney]

Pictured below is the tool box I carry.

[Norm's Coupe]

Well.......unlike Don Coatney, I do carry a small bag of basic wrenches and ratchet/sockets, etc. Don't carry any spare parts though, so really don't know why I carry the tool bag.

That said, the tools you see in Don's tool box is probably the same ones I would use if I broke down someplace. Don't have that kind of card though. Would just use the old credit card to call a tow truck and have it towed home. Especially since I don't drive it more than about 50 miles away from home. I will not work on a car on the roadside other than changing a tire. In my modern cars I don't even carry a tool bag. The only tools in those are the ones that came with the car from the factory, the jack. Would just call a tow truck for those if needed too.

Use to carry one of those cards like Don has. Did that for about 10 years and only used it once. So.........figure when you add up the annual fees, plus they only pay for about up to 25 miles or so towing, it's cheaper to not have one and pay as I go.

[40phil41]

I carry the following in my '40 Dodge trunk:

1. Complete tool box.

2. Fuel pump

3. Regulator

4. Coil

5. Half a dozen freeze (Welch) plugs

5. Pair of jumper wires

6. Small bottle jack with handle (in a plastic case)

7. Shop towels and hand cleaner

8. Pair of lawn chairs

9. And, most importantly, I bring my wife (not in the trunk) who has a cell phone and CAA :-)

Phil

[Normspeed]

I just keep a few odds and ends to ensure happy motoring.

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[Don Coatney]

I just keep a few odds and ends to ensure happy motoring.

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Norm;

The Columbia Air Freight box? Does smoke come out when you open it:confused: :D

[Guest steve midkiff]

a spare girlfriend...it gives you something to do while waiting on the tow truck:cool:

[Normspeed]

No but there's this really friendly german shepherd down by the police station that keeps following me around...

Norm;

The Columbia Air Freight box? Does smoke come out when you open it:confused: :D

[1just4don]

That trunks were where you hid your friends while they snuck into the drive-ins theatres. We still have one about 30 miles away,,,wish I had someone to go with,,would be fun,,,like the OLD days!! Cept now with reclining seats this OLD geezer would probably fall asleep sooner!!! Have to take a huge bag of popcorn with me to keep awake!!!

[JIPJOBXX]

And here's what we all need in our trunk!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkZcG_pgp0Q

[eric wissing]

Hey that trunk monkey was really funny. Personally I do not like monkeys but very funny!. Eric

[FMSPEED49]

"There is nothing to see in my trucnk" <eyes shift from side to side? "nothing I tell you"

[kevinanderson]

Flowers from Memeorial Day.

[Brad Lustig]

Norm;

The Columbia Air Freight box? Does smoke come out when you open it:confused: :D

Why would smoke come out of a box from South Carolina? Oh, you meant Colombia!

[blueskies]

Here's what I had in my trunk for the 3,302 miles to Tulsa and back:

Tool box with the same 25 year old craftsman tools that I used to build the entire car in case I had to re-build something on the road,

Can of Brakleen solvent to clean up a greasy mess if necessary,

Sack of left over wire connectors and bits of wire in case of a wiring failure,

Old scissor jack that probably wouldn't work if I really needed it,

Bias Ply spare tire that wouldn't work with my new radial tires if I had a flat.

Didn't need any of this stuff, Plymouth built great cars.

Pete

[David Mac]

Thanks for everyones advice. I think the cell phone probably is the most important item. I agree with Pete that Plymouth builds great cars. I just question my ability sometimes in rebuilding these great cars:)

Thanks again

David Mac

[TodFitch]

<snip>

Use to carry one of those cards like Don has. Did that for about 10 years and only used it once. So.........figure when you add up the annual fees' date=' plus they only pay for about up to 25 miles or so towing, it's cheaper to not have one and pay as I go.[/quote']

At least here in Northern California, AAA has a "plus" program that has 100 miles of towing. And I have heard there is a "platinum" program with 200 miles of towing. So far the 100 miles has been enough for me.

[Dennis Hemingway]

Tod, We don't have to worry about towing, we now have Don's AAA number. LOL

Dennis:D

[Norm's Coupe]

At least here in Northern California, AAA has a "plus" program that has 100 miles of towing. And I have heard there is a "platinum" program with 200 miles of towing. So far the 100 miles has been enough for me.

Well Tod, as you can probably tell, it's been a long time since I checked into Auto Clubs. However, I would imagine that with each step up in the towing plan, the cost goes up a little. I still feel if you only use it once or twice in 10 years or so, it's cheaper to just pay the towing bill as it happens. Plus, for only 2 or $4 (forgot the amount) every six months, I have towing on my car insurance policy. I've never had to use that either though.

[blueskies]

I still feel if you only use it once or twice in 10 years or so' date=' it's cheaper to just pay the towing bill as it happens. [/quote']

I don't know Norm... I think it depends on your cars...

I've had to use my AAA towing many times. Thrice for my LEMON GMC Suburban before I drove it off the nearest cliff. Twice for my '53 Chevy truck, when a spring broke and when the brakes locked up and wouldn't release. Once for my wifes '02 Tahoe when the tranny crapped. Once for my Plymouth when the fuel pump fell apart.

A ten mile tow around here is about $150. That adds up to about 35 years worth of AAA coverage just dragging my beater cars around town 7 times. Since I have AAA, it was all free, even when they towed my Plymouth 75 miles.

Pete

[Don Coatney]

I don't know Norm... I think it depends on your cars... Pete

Pete;

Not so car dependent as it is actually driving your car dependent. If your car sat in the garage except for a couple of trips down the driveway and back you most likely would not need AAA