What do you carry in your repair/breakdown kit

[nickb77]

In anticipation of a puncture on a trip to the Outer Hebrides last year I had a practice run changing a wheel. Glad I did as the wheels were well and truly stuck to the hub and especially if using the pathetic jack from the tool kit there was no way I could free it. Ended up getting my local tyre place to get the wheels off and apply a bit of copper grease to the surfaces and they really struggled to free the wheels from the hubs.

A few weeks ago I was up on the Isle of Mull and ran over something in the car park in Tobermory resulting in a nice big hole in the sidewall. The preparations from last year paid off as once I'd got it jacked up, the wheel came straight off so I was on the way again in under an hour. I did phone VW Assist but as expected somewhere like Mull they use local garages and their estimate for getting to me was 3-4 hours.

After using the jack from the toolkit in anger, never again - I'm getting a bottle jack for future trips.

 

[sbmcd]

In anticipation of a puncture on a trip to the Outer Hebrides last year I had a practice run changing a wheel. Glad I did as the wheels were well and truly stuck to the hub and especially if using the pathetic jack from the tool kit there was no way I could free it. Ended up getting my local tyre place to get the wheels off and apply a bit of copper grease to the surfaces and they really struggled to free the wheels from the hubs.

A few weeks ago I was up on the Isle of Mull and ran over something in the car park in Tobermory resulting in a nice big hole in the sidewall. The preparations from last year paid off as once I'd got it jacked up, the wheel came straight off so I was on the way again in under an hour. I did phone VW Assist but as expected somewhere like Mull they use local garages and their estimate for getting to me was 3-4 hours.

After using the jack from the toolkit in anger, never again - I'm getting a bottle jack for future trips.

I have used the VW in anger once but since I had already had the wheels off and copper greased it was a bit nerve wracking but no real drama as the wheel came off easily.

 

[Celia Vanchez]

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.

Have you had to use tyre screws or string plugs yourself and have you a preference? I understand screws are ‘in’ at the moment although i read somewhere about their appropriateness for a permanent fix

 

[sbmcd]

Have you had to use tyre screws or string plugs yourself and have you a preference? I understand screws are ‘in’ at the moment although i read somewhere about their appropriateness for a permanent fix

I've only used string plugs, they offer a permanent repair for me, never had one fail or had to redo one that leaked.

Key thing is to find the leak, soapy water over the tread does the trick, once located you can make a plan. If it's on the front you just move the van so you can access the repair with the steering on full lock. If it's on the back you usually have to remove the wheel, although it did manage a repair with the nearside rear wheel still on at the side of a motorway once.

 

[Adam8374]

I don't have a spare wheel. I did buy a small hydraulic jack, but I'm thinking whether I need a wrench for the wheels. Without a spare wheel it can't be that much useful, can it?

 

[sbmcd]

I don't have a spare wheel. I did buy a small hydraulic jack, but I'm thinking whether I need a wrench for the wheels. Without a spare wheel it can't be that much useful, can it?

If you carry a puncture repair kit it's useful to be able to remove a wheel to repair it, especially the rear.

You'll need a breaker bar and decent socket, impact sockets are the strongest.

 

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

Items to consider for longer trips...

A spare fridge hinge for sure. Also I'm now intending to take spare roof sensors and tools required to replace them (10mm spanner 13mm spanner, cable stripper, cable cutter, electrical tape...). If the fridge or the roof become inoperable it's almost trip over,

The only quandary in my mind is whether to ditch the 3 fin board for some step ladders. Ha Ha...