What do you carry in your repair/breakdown kit

[Celia Vanchez]

I’ve just been reviewing the rear (below bed shelf) storage space and am appalled by the amount of ‘stuff’ I’ve accumulated in case of repairs or breakdown and not sure why as I’m totally useless with mechanics etc. The crate takes up about a fifth of the area obviously impacting on how much else i can pack.

I don’t have a spare wheel so I need (and have) a temporary tyre repair kit yet I also have a piece of kit to remove wheel nuts!

I’d appreciate what more seasoned campers carry in their vans in case of emergencies/repairs. I ask this as we are hoping to undertake in the future a few foreign trips meaning multiple weeks away.

David

 

[Souter]

In my previous van(Globecar 6m Fiat Ducato).
Used to carry a basic toolbox and it had a spare tyre.
But had a puncture and had to call recovery as the jack was just a scissor jack
Wouldn’t carry too much stuff, a small screw driver set, snap ties and gaffa tape.
Make sure you have a good recovery insurance to either get you to a garage or get you home. Worth the money for peace of mind.

 

[Roger Boeken]

You (we) carry always too much but you will see it is what you leave at home that you need ..
It also depends on the type of traveler you are; if you always stay at campsites, you need less than when you wild camp. At a campsite, you might be able to borrow tools, a jump starter, or a tire pump from a neighbor... Unless those neighbors followed the same reasoning, of course.

 

[Celia Vanchez]

You (we) carry always too much but you will see it is what you leave at home that you need ..
It also depends on the type of traveler you are; if you always stay at campsites, you need less than when you wild camp. At a campsite, you might be able to borrow tools, a jump starter, or a tire pump from a neighbor... Unless those neighbors followed the same reasoning, of course.

Thats a good idea

 

[Keith Smith]

I’ve bought a Slime tyre repair kit from Halfords. Just had a flat in Scotland and it’s what they used to get us going again. Seems a much better bet than the stuff you get with the car, which ruins the tyre and makes it irreparable.

 

[Alexlex85]

I always carry one of these in both cars. I have used it numerous time and honestly it never failed me.
Wife's 5 series hasn't even got a spare wheel and she loves putting the wheels to some serious abuse.
Claimed to be a temporary fix used it several times as a permanent fix with no issues.
Can get you or a stranded motorist out of a sticky situation.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[KevH]

Spare fuses, strong tape, wire ties, screwdriver, pliers, etc. In other words a first aid kit for the van rather than a repair centre.
It's the sort of stuff that fills a small box and takes up little space.
Anything more serious and it's a call to the breakdown service.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Spare fuses, strong tape, wire ties, screwdriver, pliers, etc. In other words a first aid kit for the van rather than a repair centre.
It's the sort of stuff that fills a small box and takes up little space.
Anything more serious and it's a call to the breakdown service.

Same, with a leather man multi tool as well and the most important thing a hammer. I doubt I’ll fix anything with the hammer but I know I’ll feel better after hitting something with it.

 

[lohr500]

I always carry one of these in both cars. I have used it numerous time and honestly it never failed me.
Wife's 5 series hasn't even got a spare wheel and she loves putting the wheels to some serious abuse.
Claimed to be a temporary fix used it several times as a permanent fix with no issues.
Can get you or a stranded motorist out of a sticky situation.

Amazon.co.uk

View attachment 148150

Agree.

After getting two punctures on my Bridgestone All Seasons tyres in the space of 3 months (both caused by screws), the novelty of getting the spare wheel out from under the van and changing a tyre at the roadside soon wore off!!

So I bought a similar kit to the one you mention. I already carry a small Ring 12v air compressor in the van. If I get another puncture caused by a screw or nail, I will just use a "bacon strip" from the kit to get us back on our way. And then sort out a permanent repair when it is more convenient.

I have another tyre repair kit which uses the strips and several CO2 cartridges that I carry on my motorbike. But I suspect I would need a lot of the mini CO2 cartridges to inflate a Cali tyre, so the 12v compressor is a better bet.

I also have a cheap multi piece tool set in a plastic case which comprises metric spanners, allen keys, mole type grips, screwdrivers, etc which I bought when we had the caravan. I've added a handful of different sized cable ties, some insulation and gaffer tape. Realistically if anything major goes wrong with the Cali it will be a call to VW Assist, but with a few basic tools I can at least fix/bodge any minor failures to get us home.

The previous punctures also made me realise how inadequate the standard VW wheel brace and locking wheel studs were. Fortunately when we got the van, there were the four original non-locking wheel studs in the glove box, so I've done away with the locking studs. And the VW wheel brace has been replaced with a cheap but substantial torque wrench and a set of three plastic coated deep hex sockets, which will fit other vehicles as well as the Cali.

 

[Doorbundle]

Ikea TRIXIG small Home Tool Kit.
www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/trixig-15-piece-tool-set-90492786/
Ring Tyre Inflator
Heavy Duty Jump Leads
Roll of Gorilla Tape.
For things that move but shouldn't.
Can of WD40.
For things that won't move, but should.
AA Phone Number.

 

[sidepod]

Gooloo GP4000 jump pack
Duck(Duct) tape
Self amalgamating tape (fix anything with this).
Cable ties
Small ratchet/13mm socket (engine under tray)
Various screwdrivers
Allen keys/Torx etc
Breaker bar/19mm skt
10 and 13mm spanner
Pick
Selection of spare bolts/screws etc.
Tyre pressure gauge
Tyre foam
Gloves
Big plastic bag for wheel as it won’t fit the cradle.

All fits in a sandwich box.
Depends on your level of mechanicness.
I feel naked without this stuff.

 

[Celia Vanchez]

Spare fuses, strong tape, wire ties, screwdriver, pliers, etc. In other words a first aid kit for the van rather than a repair centre.
It's the sort of stuff that fills a small box and takes up little space.
Anything more serious and it's a call to the breakdown service.

You are absolutely right; I’ve a repair centre rather than a first aid van kit and yet I’m rubbish with mechanical matters. A pruning job is in urgent order

 

[KevH]

Gooloo GP4000 jump pack
Duck(Duct) tape
Self amalgamating tape (fix anything with this).
Cable ties
Small ratchet/13mm socket (engine under tray)
Various screwdrivers
Allen keys/Torx etc
Breaker bar/19mm skt
10 and 13mm spanner
Pick
Selection of spare bolts/screws etc.
Tyre pressure gauge
Tyre foam
Gloves
Big plastic bag for wheel as it won’t fit the cradle.

All fits in a sandwich box.
Depends on your level of mechanicness.

How big is your sandwich box and where do you store your sandwiches?

 

[capt kirk]

How big is your sandwich box and where do you store your sandwiches?

in my tummy...yum

 

[Baldrick]

Ditto everything above.
A multimeter
A lithium rechargeable jumpstart - I really would recommend not using jumpleads with modern vehicles. Cost about £30 & used to assist others several times. Tiny - the first time I saw one used I thought it was witchcraft.
A lithium rechargeable tyre pump - much faster than plugging into the cigarette lighter.

 

[sbmcd]

I always carry one of these in both cars. I have used it numerous time and honestly it never failed me.
Wife's 5 series hasn't even got a spare wheel and she loves putting the wheels to some serious abuse.
Claimed to be a temporary fix used it several times as a permanent fix with no issues.
Can get you or a stranded motorist out of a sticky situation.

Amazon.co.uk

View attachment 148150

We have something similar plus a 12 V pump, breaker bar, wheel nut size impact socket, work gloves and a tyre pressure gauge.

We have used the kit many times. If the puncture is on the front of can be repaired without removing the wheel.

 

[briwy]

Breaker bar with 19mm socket to release wheel nuts. Small hydraulic jack. And a lot more stuff fir Iceland trips as you're basically on your own out on the f roads.

 

[Alied]

I always carry one of these in both cars. I have used it numerous time and honestly it never failed me.
Wife's 5 series hasn't even got a spare wheel and she loves putting the wheels to some serious abuse.
Claimed to be a temporary fix used it several times as a permanent fix with no issues.
Can get you or a stranded motorist out of a sticky situation.

Amazon.co.uk

View attachment 148150

I carry these for a quick temporary repair.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09XDK4H7K?tag=unique09f-21

 

[Blue Yonder]

I’ve just been reviewing the rear (below bed shelf) storage space and am appalled by the amount of ‘stuff’ I’ve accumulated in case of repairs or breakdown and not sure why as I’m totally useless with mechanics etc. The crate takes up about a fifth of the area obviously impacting on how much else i can pack.

I don’t have a spare wheel so I need (and have) a temporary tyre repair kit yet I also have a piece of kit to remove wheel nuts!

I’d appreciate what more seasoned campers carry in their vans in case of emergencies/repairs. I ask this as we are hoping to undertake in the future a few foreign trips meaning multiple weeks away.

David

No spare tyre. Just keep handy
tyre repair screws and screw driver
Electric tyre inflator,
Lock wheel nut key
Spare fuses
Carista OBD scanner
AA membership
Hi Viz tabards x4
A well maintained van and a sense of optimism

No problems so far in 8 years of Cali ownership
Had two punctures in that time and tyre repair screws saved the day.

 

[sbmcd]

Ditto everything above.
A multimeter
A lithium rechargeable jumpstart - I really would recommend not using jumpleads with modern vehicles. Cost about £30 & used to assist others several times. Tiny - the first time I saw one used I thought it was witchcraft.
A lithium rechargeable tyre pump - much faster than plugging into the cigarette lighter.

What lithium jump starter do you use ?

 

[KevH]

I forgot to mention that I relied heavily on a NOCO GB40 jump starter when my battery failed last year. Cost about £100 but saved me several times in France.

 

[MattStubbs]

I’ve just been reviewing the rear (below bed shelf) storage space and am appalled by the amount of ‘stuff’ I’ve accumulated in case of repairs or breakdown and not sure why as I’m totally useless with mechanics etc. The crate takes up about a fifth of the area obviously impacting on how much else i can pack.

I don’t have a spare wheel so I need (and have) a temporary tyre repair kit yet I also have a piece of kit to remove wheel nuts!

I’d appreciate what more seasoned campers carry in their vans in case of emergencies/repairs. I ask this as we are hoping to undertake in the future a few foreign trips meaning multiple weeks away.

David

The gear to change a wheel, a bulb kit, tape, cable ties and a multi tool. Not a lot you can fix at the side of the road with these things. Not like our old 72 VW Doormobile where we've got spare clutch and throttle cables, points , coil, dizzy cap, etc,etc...

 

[Blanco]

I’ve just been reviewing the rear (below bed shelf) storage space and am appalled by the amount of ‘stuff’ I’ve accumulated in case of repairs or breakdown and not sure why as I’m totally useless with mechanics etc. The crate takes up about a fifth of the area obviously impacting on how much else i can pack.

I don’t have a spare wheel so I need (and have) a temporary tyre repair kit yet I also have a piece of kit to remove wheel nuts!

I’d appreciate what more seasoned campers carry in their vans in case of emergencies/repairs. I ask this as we are hoping to undertake in the future a few foreign trips meaning multiple weeks away.

David

Pretty much everything others have already said, but recommend
Telescopic wheel brace - takes less space.
Sods law says if you're going to have a puncture its bound to be raining so I carry an 8"-ish square of 1/2" plywood for putting under the jack on soggy ground. Even with tyre screws and string plugs the wheel usually has to come off first.

 

[Baldrick]

What lithium jump starter do you use ?

We have a Gooloo jump starter £29.74 or £34 currently although there’s usually another prime day just round the corner.

https://amzn.eu/d/0066Jagd.

I gave our original one to a friend with an old builder’s van and he’s still using it regularly so they last.
A combined jumpstart tyre pump might well be the best solution

 

[sbmcd]

We have a Gooloo jump starter £29.74 or £34 currently although there’s usually another prime day just round the corner.

https://amzn.eu/d/0066Jagd.

I gave our original one to a friend with an old builder’s van and he’s still using it regularly so they last.
A combined jumpstart tyre pump might well be the best solution

Thanks, I've ordered a GooLoo, I used to carry jump leads but this is safer on modern electronics for sure.