Do you guys really carry all that stuff? I'm about to drive from CO to SoCA to TX to MO to CO over the next few weeks. I will have a small tool box and my usual filters/belts, you can't possibly carry every part that might fail. Bring a cell phone and some money.

Yeah it's impossible to cover every situation.
Last year I drove my diesel converted fintail 3000 miles. Since the conversion was finished just a few weeks before the trip I didn't worry about the engine/tranny too much.
Of course something failed right after 150 miles - front brake caliper stuck. I brought with me all tools, filters, hoses, small jack and every kind of nut & bolt, but that didn't help. It just wasn't possible to repair a stuck caliper on the roadside..
(I had sheer luck when I passed a barn that had MB hubcaps all over it, stopped by and talked to the farmer who had scrapped a number of fintails and had a good caliper + not-so-worn pads for me for a MB-friend price)

Best advice would be to take most commonly needed tools with you, some filters and hoses.. AND get to know in advance what junk yards there are along the trip, where they are located and when they're open. Also get to know if there's any forum members or other MB enthusiasts along the road that'd be willing to help you if you get in trouble.

Good luck, those long trips are fun with older unpredictable cars

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Tomas, Sweden
1966 Mercedes Benz 230S with OM617.912, automatic. Disk brakes from W108
1983 Mercedes Benz 300TD grey, OM617.912 and 5-speed manual
1983 Mercedes Benz 300TD blue 7-seater, OM617.912 and 5-speed manual

I just went from sf-tahoe-vegas. I got a crazy vibration as I rolled into town(must of been the first time I went under 60 in 200 miles) I thought it might be a flex disc. I got lucky that I found a shop in Phurump Nv to do it for me on in a bind before I went home.

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1980 300td (non turbo)225,000
1982 yamaha xs650,
I've also once loved
79 Bmw 530i, 69 VW buss, 78 Honda Acc, 79 Jeep wagoneer, 76 Peugeot 504, 82 fiat spider 124,
a bunch of guitars and a banjo www.virb.com/sethlael

Sleeping Bag and small tent!!!!

and leave the camper.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
No longer selling Cluster Needles Paint
No longer selling New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Just bring more money, and some credit cards......

Personally, I would go over the car and check everything.....if you haven't set the valve lash lately, it might be a good idea.....also begin your trip on a fresh oil / filter change......air filter change too......

The person who mentioned hoses....check the little one behind the water pump.....

and bring your "MiteyVac" or equivalent.....

don't forget to check your differential (rear end) lube.....and shake your exhaust system while you are under the car......might as well check the driveshaft for any slop.....those flex discs can wear out.....front wheel bearing play also.......

SB

Note: I really do check everything, really everything before I take a trip that will take me more than 500 miles from home.......

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

I bought a GARMIN nuvi GPS in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, for only $250 at Fry's Electronics, and I tell you, it's absolutely wonderful.


It is portable from one car to another, the display is different from night to day, you NEVER get lost, the screen adjusts beautifully to any angle for you, and it plugs in to the cigarette lighter or power point on any car.


I am not especially gadget minded, but someone in North Vegas who's a friend of mine is, and I am totally convinced it is a good idea.

I highly recommend one. TomTom and Magellan are other reputable makers of them.

late edit: I just now realised the OP has already safely made his trip!!! But I still recommend the GPS for him. He might never need a paper map again.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

my woman and i just drove from portland to phoenix, on saturday, 1334 miles, both cars made it great! .. i overheated on the grapevine so mayby check out your fan clutch and thermostat if you have any major passes.. i didnt and it still powered through the grapevine after an hour of rest, ive driven a newer pontiac up the i5 from phoenix, but our mercedes are ten years older than that pontiac. they made it strong, although the oregon plates on two mercedes rolling through LA traffic encouraged other drivers to take advantage of the pick a lane and stay in it style of driving from oregon... my boots were torn too before even starting the trip, murphys law didnt kick in... except loosing my girlfriend in LA with four bucks in my pocket and a dead cell phone.... found her thankfully

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'79 240D
'79 300SD

those that are missed:
'80 300TD bandit
'76 300D cleta jill

Duct tape and WD40.

If it moves and shouldn't - duct tape!
If it doesn't move and should - WD40!

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386

The drive was was great. When I left Georgia fuel was 4.89/gal. When I left Kalamazoo fuel was 3.89, I almost didnt come home. I took nothing but a fuel filter and a gallon of oil. I thought my car would use oil but after driving a little over 2500 miles it only burned about a quart. This was the best road trip I have ever taken and I would not hesitate to drive anywhere now.

Jumper cables!
You never know when you'll get a battery drain going or a diode out in your alternator. Happened to me 2400mi from home. Take a look at the boots on your rear axles.

All fluids, belts, fuel filters, few extra fuses. Outside of your basic MB metric tools, you should be in fine shape. Did 3600mi 5 months ago, and now I couldn't imagine doing it in any other kind of car.

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I would take what I keep in the trunk all the time: a quart of oil, a couple of spare filters and belts - if you've got the original tool kit, you don't need anymore tools than that. If you think you need more than that, either you know your MB is not well cared for or you are the worrying type.
We've been driving both our MB's (since new) for a combined 50-years of motoring and still think nothing of hopping in them and heading down to the coast or 1/2 across country. Why? Because they both have had 2K oil changes, 12k valve adj, 30K trans service, etc. and they are extremely low mileage - less than 10K per year - what's to worry about?

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Houston, Texas
1984 300CD 235K miles, Elvira, one owner
1987 300TD 180K miles
1974 TR6 78K miles Sarah Jane, one owner
OBK #27