Get me home kit: what?s in yours?

[1991 Corvette ZR-1]

I had the pleasure of being stranded for the first time on this past Easter Sunday via a loose fitting on my power steering system. So one flatbed trip later, I like the idea of having a kit put together of simple items to more complex items to help out of if I?m in a jam. The spare tire is just a nice thing to have as an original piece of this car but even though it?s as airtight as it was in 91, it?s a 30+ year old spare.

So my plan is to use the spare tire carrier to hold a kit of items, parts, tools to use if I have the unfortunate luck of being stranded again. My plenum is dry now thanks to Pete, so it can come off to service in the valley if needed without draining coolant. I was also thinking of having a spare coil or two along with other parts found in the valley. Just curious to see what others have for their ?kits?.

Right now I don?t have too much: roll up bag of hand tools, spare injectors, replacement drive belt, quart of steering fluid and oil, 12V tire inflator and plug kit. Lots more space in the bags to stash stuff. Let me know.

[Mystic ZR-1]

Cell phone, AAA card and credit card...
Anything you bring with you won't be needed, because it'll be
something else that craps out.
Murphy's Law

[TX '90 ZR1]

Some of the guys carry an alternator. A flashlight, rags and some kind of cleaner might also be a good idea.
Might I suggest you enclose all your neat bags in something like a heavy trash bag. They will get quite dirty and maybe wet if just in the spare carrier.
:cheers:

[Mikey]

I recommend only carry stuff you cannot buy on the road. And that you are willing and able to repair while on the road. Think in BDAR terms! Battle damage assessment and repair!

[dredgeguy]

The absolute expert on this is Jim Voter (QB93Z) who just started another road trip today going from MD to Utah. I know he carries a spare alternator, fuel pump, fuel pump jumper, serpentine belt and belt tensioner plus assorted hand tools. Jim did a presentation one year at Carlisle on how to pack for a month long road trip. Two years ago we got to see his prep work pay off on the way back to MD from Bowling Green. Jim's belt tensioner locked up and his belt wore half way through the tensioner pulley. He had a new belt and belt tensioner in the car and made the repair and we were back on the road. Most of the time spent making this roadside repair was waiting for the engine to cool down. Also can't tell you how many times we have made an emergency alternator repair for one of our members on the way, during or on the way back from Bowling Green gathering. Many were done in the Holiday Inn parking lot under the lights.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

You have just tempted fate.
Odds now favor needing the spare most of all.

Hand tools
Lithium battery Pak
Serpentine Belt
Fuel Pump Emergency harness
$250.00 in cash, credit card, phone
A change of basic clothes, and minimal toiletries.
Qty 6 of 1.7 ounce mini bottles of your choice. (won't fix the car, but might make the delay far more tolerable)
A good book.
:cheers:
Marty

[1991 Corvette ZR-1]

Thanks for the recommendations, all. Keep them coming. I see a post from QB about a week ago in his thread about that jumper saying that a new group of jumpers were coming in. I?ll have to touch bases with him to see. I found these zip up containers for a good price and they all fit in the spare space no problem. I?ll end up wrapping them all in in a thick plastic before securing everything back in place.

[jrd1990zr1]

Definitely have a spare alternator with you. Jim Voter was a lifesaver on one of my trips to Carlisle a few years ago. Glad Jim was kind enough to lend me a hand and his spare alternator so we could change it out in the motel parking lot. Good tool kit is also a must.

[WARP TEN]

The absolute expert on this is Jim Voter (QB93Z) who just started another road trip today going from MD to Utah. I know he carries a spare alternator, fuel pump, fuel pump jumper, serpentine belt and belt tensioner plus assorted hand tools. Jim did a presentation one year at Carlisle on how to pack for a month long road trip. Two years ago we got to see his prep work pay off on the way back to MD from Bowling Green. Jim's belt tensioner locked up and his belt wore half way through the tensioner pulley. He had a new belt and belt tensioner in the car and made the repair and we were back on the road. Most of the time spent making this roadside repair was waiting for the engine to cool down. Also can't tell you how many times we have made an emergency alternator repair for one of our members on the way, during or on the way back from Bowling Green gathering. Many were done in the Holiday Inn parking lot under the lights.

Charlie is dead on: Jim is the expert on what to take on a long trip. He once did detail the things he brings in one of his past trip posts. Just do a search and you should be able to find it. On his current trip, however, he failed to bring an extra wheel so he had to have a shop straighten one of his, which they did in record time and sent him on his way. But he and Lyndi are prepared for almost any other issue. --Bob

[Andy]

In the leading section of the forums (Solutions), Dynomite has a link to an thorough list of tools to carry onboard at all times. He even shows how to pack them in the rear storage compartments. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp-9.html#post1588414140

[1991 Corvette ZR-1]

Thanks for the suggestions and recommendations, all. I?ll polish this a little more based on the provided info. I got tired of looking at the spare tire carrier hanging on the wall so I have the following. Jack, zip up bag of parts and a roll up tool bag filled with various hand tools. Everything is fastened down.

[Matt B]

Wow, the last time in my life when I thought that intensively about a bring me home package was when I had my GDR dream car Trabant. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabant
It had two doors, body paneling made of plastic and a very loud engine.
Wait a minute... It rings a bell... :D

But jokes apart - appreciate the effort of designing a kit that fits into the spare wheel tray as this space is virtually unused because a 30 year old spare wheel can't do anything for you anymore... What is discussed here will definitely pay out one day!

Sent from the other end of the planet using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[1991 Corvette ZR-1]

Thanks, Matt. I did not go too crazy. The brown zip up bag just has an extra belt, O rings, few replacement injectors, gloves, rags, vacuum lines, 12v tire inflator and plug kit. I put a 10mm bolt right through the middle of it and fastened to the carrier to keep it from sliding around. For the jack, I just drilled an extra hole so I could run a heavy duty zip tie through the carrier and tighten it down. The roll up tool bag is fastened down with two bolts, so all you really need to do is remove the elastic straps and unroll it.

I still have plenty of space in the carrier for more, I will add a few more things. I know it is not for everyone, but it beats lugging around an old spare. If it means the difference between being able to fix something on the spot versus waiting two or three hours for a flatbed to show up, I will try to fix it first.

[GOLDCYLON]

Thanks for the recommendations, all. Keep them coming. I see a post from QB about a week ago in his thread about that jumper saying that a new group of jumpers were coming in. I?ll have to touch bases with him to see. I found these zip up containers for a good price and they all fit in the spare space no problem. I?ll end up wrapping them all in in a thick plastic before securing everything back in place.

They are in. I sent them to him over ten days ago however, Jim is on the road so to speak. PM him and I am sure he will get back to you. GC

[Paul Workman]

Cell phone, AAA card and credit card...
Anything you bring with you won't be needed, because it'll be
something else that craps out.
Murphy's Law

:dontknow: Sad but so often true!! Kinda goes with the universal emergency kit - a can of WD-40 and a roll of Duct Tape:


If it moves, but shouldn't: Use the duct tape

If it doesn't move, but should: Use the WD-40!


But, in all seriousness (if I must), Jim Voter does several long distance voyages and had the most compact* and comprehensive "kit" I've seen. Jim is on one of his trips right now, and if you PM him, I'm sure he'll give you the run down on his kit.

Here's what I carry based on most likely kinds of problems - (you mileage may vary - impossible to anticipate everything - that where Marty's AAA card and credit card are golden!)


1/4" drive socket set w/ some extensions and a deep well set of sockets to
3/8" drive socket set
JB Weld (steel embedded epoxy that will patch up broken fittings or holes in oil pans (I found).
Milwaukee makes a multi-tool screw driver containing philips, straight, and various tork bits.
VOM (volt - ohm - meter)
Crescent wrench
ball peen hammer
Gorilla tape
tube of RTV
tube of dielectric grease
a coil of insulated hookup wire and wire nuts and soldering iron and solder
AND one of Daryl's fuel pump jumpers.
Assorted pack (box) of fuses.



I used to carry an FSM, but a cell phone call to one of the ZR-1 brothers here is much easier and smaller to carry.

If noting else - it gives me some sense of security to carry this stuff on long trips. But, this kit will only address the 'superficial' stuff. Deep mechanical issues...is what the AAA and Credit card are for!!

[tiegsd]

Great ideas! I've made long trips without any of that stuff, been super lucky I think. 30 year old car, things go wrong.