With our older cars traveling long distance for me is a gamble. Does AAA do any good out of state. Any ideas on how to deal with this besides the basic tool kit and stuff?

Prevention maintenance is a pain but on old cars used in long distance running is pretty much a necessity. Things may still happen but you do not want to deal with the ones that simple but perhaps time consuming preventative maintenance would have eliminated.

Waiting for parts in the middle of nowhere and even getting a garage to deal with an issue the same day can be very difficult.. AAA towing is probably universal and not state restricted.

Not just an old car problem. Some seemingly minor things can disable newer vehicles. Ex. while 500 miles from home, our 2002 T&C minivan power steering pump's pulley (plastic) cracked and threw the belt. While one could continue fine on the highway w/o power steering, that single serpentine belt drives the water pump and alternator, so essential. Could get the replacement pump, but not the pulley at auto parts then, so a shop had to drive 60 miles to a dealer (I now carry a spare pulley). Compare to my 300D's with separate p.s. and A/C belts. Many w/ serp. belts carry a non-AC belt (if avail) so they can bypass the compressor if it seizes.

Electrical issues won't stop my 300D's other than headlamps at night. The 1984 can supposedly be push-started (if on a hill). I have had modern gas vehicles die erratically from electrical issues.

In my 300D's, I always check fluids and tire pressures (incl. spare) before a trip. I carry spare belts and coolant hoses & clamps, spare coolant, air pump, steel wire, jumper wires, tools, tire patch, etc. M-B was even nice enough to provide a factory tool kit. An old diesel car is closer to bullet-proof in several ways, though a few little things can still disable you.

__________________
1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

You may need fuel filters too. My SD got to the point where it wouldn't go over 40mph on the interstate. I didn't know better or would have changed the filters. Instead I tried to rent a flat bed to tow with the cummins Ram that I'd bought on the same trip. No flat beds available and no internet. Ended up driving onto a tow dolly and dropping the drive shaft in 100* temps.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

AAA works anywhere in the US, and has reciprocity arrangements with clubs worldwide. Since I prefer to drive 70's and 80's cars which are well past the use-by date, I have a AAA premier membership. It has saved me a few times. Also has some handy member discounts, which helps defray the cost.

Huh, what are you complaining about....just go and have a good time, and read this

World Traveling Zapp Family Lives in a Classic Car - Critical Cactus

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

On trips away from home I carry a small box of the various relays used by my cars as well as fuel filters, a couple of glow plugs, light bubs, etc. I hate having an expensive and hard to source component fail, knowing I have a good one at home.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970