worst-case tool kit - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 10-29-2009, 08:55 PM

Hello,

The wife and I may be taking a diesel on a cross-country road trip. The trip, Id anticipate, would take us through some countryside where there are not necessarily lots of people or facilities. The AAA 100 mile tow allowance may be needed because the closest service place, let alone dealer, might be 100+ miles away.

Because of this, I'd like to put together a "worst-case" tool kit - something that isnt my whole basement full of tools, but that gets me better capability for most everything than the standard MB tool kit or a ratchet set.

My thoughts are:

-MB tool kit
-3/8" drive ratchet set with wobble extension
-extra screwdriver
-pre and main fuel filter
-gallon of oil
-quart of ATF
-gallon of water, gallon of antifreeze
-2x8" board
-tarp
-multimeter
-solar battery charger
-manual air (bicycle) pump

But what else? I dont want this to get too huge, and I figure things like the gallon of water double as a just in case survival item. The ATF I figure can be used to fill the fuel filter in case of a need to change, to minimize how much priming I need to do. But what other tools? Would it make sense to have some crowsfoot wrenches? What sizes besides 13mm? Anything else? I was thinking of maybe a tire plug kit too...

Obviously if something goes terribly wrong, Ill get a tow... And Im not expecting anything to go wrong at all. I don't want to bring the kitchen sink, just some stuff to get me by in case of a batch of bad fuel, loss of a tire, a leak develops, etc.

Recommendations???

Thanks!

DeliveryValve · #2 10-29-2009, 09:06 PM

Bring adjustable wrench, pliers, wire cutters, serrated knife and a pack of shoe laces.

Shoe laces have save me twice with once time during a cross country trip...

can I drive 10 miles without belts?

.

Shawn T. W. · #3 10-29-2009, 09:08 PM

Duct tape, spare belt, channel locks . . .

tangofox007 · #4 10-29-2009, 09:11 PM

Unless you have a real oil burner, a gallon of oil seems excessive. Same with the antifreeze. A flashlight would be a good thing to have.

#5 10-29-2009, 09:17 PM

Spare set of belts (consider replacing them now and using the old ones as spares)

Tape to repair radiator hoses

Maybe more than one extra sets of fuel filters (incase you get a bad tankful)

Assorted electrical connectors and electrical tape

Spare fuses

Assorted bolts/nuts/hose clamps

A good flashlight

Flares and/or reflectors

hand cleaner and towels

Working cell phone and auto charger

credit cards and cash

JHZR2 · #6 10-29-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Unless you have a real oil burner, a gallon of oil seems excessive. Same with the antifreeze. A flashlight would be a good thing to have.

Good point... Figured I buy oil by the gallon anyway, so chuck one in there. The gallon of AF was because if I blew a hose, and the gallon of water doubles for drinking. Sound or overkill?

bsmuwk · #7 10-29-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

Good point... Figured I buy oil by the gallon anyway, so chuck one in there. The gallon of AF was because if I blew a hose, and the gallon of water doubles for drinking. Sound or overkill?

Perfectly reasonable. If you can bring a foot or two of fuel line. Ask me how I know.

(Trans cooler lines)

GregoryV022 · #8 10-29-2009, 09:41 PM

LEATHERMAN WAVE or similar. never be without one of these. have one in each glove box and have used them to save myself a long walk twice.

once i ran over a barbed wire bandit trap. for those not familiar with the term. people who pray on unsuspecting motorist place barbed wire across the road to pop tires. well i happened to run over one of these, didin't blow a tire, but it did get kicked up into my drive shaft and axles. and bound it up pretty good. used the wire cutters on the WAVE to cut in up untill it wasn't binding anymore. then drove slowly to a gas station where the amazed attendant put my car on the lift and used an angle grinder to get the rest off.

Moral of the story, expect the unexpected

JHZR2 · #9 10-29-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregoryV022

once i ran over a barbed wire bandit trap. for those not familiar with the term. people who pray on unsuspecting motorist place barbed wire across the road to pop tires.

Wow, Ive driven all over the place, quite a bit, and have never heard of this before.

Good point though!

GregoryV022 · #10 10-29-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

Wow, Ive driven all over the place, quite a bit, and have never heard of this before.

Good point though!

i looked it up online and one particular article says you have about a 23% percent chance of ever seeing or hitting one of these things. as there are easier ways to go about stopping cars. you know like, standing in the middle of the road.

but for some smart guy, this trap could be pretty effective.

JHZR2 · #11 10-29-2009, 10:14 PM

got a link? I want to read more about this. Scary...

GregoryV022 · #12 10-29-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

got a link? I want to read more about this. Scary...

i had a link, but then i got a new computer and lost my bookmarks. i tried the websites i thought they were but none of them were it, and one had been taken down.

but oh well. lets just say the chances of you running across this are pretty next to nill.

Shawn T. W. · #13 10-29-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregoryV022

i had a link, but then i got a new computer and lost my bookmarks. i tried the websites i thought they were but none of them were it, and one had been taken down.

but oh well. lets just say the chances of you running across this are pretty next to nill.

Next to nil? Before you said 23%!

.23% is next to nil . . .

GregoryV022 · #14 10-30-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn T. W.

Next to nil? Before you said 23%!

.23% is next to nil . . .

AHHHHHH, i meant 2.3%

stupid period key

Rooster300SD · #15 10-30-2009, 01:13 AM

Here's a tip a tow truck driver once gave me:
If you're really stuck out in the middle of nowhere and need a tow
that's over the 100 mile limit, have the driver take you the 100 miles
and drop you off. Then call AAA again for the second tow for the
next 100 miles and so forth until you get back to civilization.

Could save a lot of money on a bad day.

Jeff

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