What Spare Parts do you Carry?

[buswarrior]

Because those of us with fleet experience know that brand new stuff fails prematurely way more than you'd like to know,  just as old stuff fails from lack of maintenance.

The parts you think you can trust are the ones that will let you down.

All depends whether you need to be at your destination on time, or can afford what it costs to be at the mercy of vultures away from home.

Pick your poison?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

It seems if the bus is current on regular maintenance such as changed filters, then one would not need them onboard for a given trip. All fluids make sense for top offs. Other spares seems specific to the bus. Spare air bag makes sense if you have some old ones still in place but not if all the bags have been replaced. Same with starter motor, not sure why carry a spare if it was replaced recently. etc. etc.


It seems most useful would be a variety of tools and repair materials such as clamps, tape, wire, stuff to make emergency repairs to get far enough to sort out the real issue. Anything to slow/stop a leak, secure a part, etc.

[windtrader]

"depends whether you need to be at your destination on time"

If reliability is the concern, then buy a new bus. The vast majority of the ones we ride are "antiques" - not known for being so reliable or troublefree. LOL

[TheHollands!]

I started off with no spare parts but have started to accumulate a few odds and ends. I have an assortment of coolant hose sizes and clamps, an extra squirrel cage belt, starter motor, bunch of elec bulbs and wiring. Extra fluids, spare tire. I also tow a car so figure theres so many things that could go wrong, I can go get it if needed. I usually have some time up my sleeve if stranded. Not sure that there is a right or wrong to this, it comes down to your level of comfortability with things going wrong and which tasks you may be able to undertake reasonably on the side of the road. Craig.

[Oonrahnjay]

    Oh, yeah, belts.  Gotta put that on the list.   

[richard5933]

Not strictly speaking a spare part, but related nonetheless.

We have a CB radio in the bus. I figure that according to Murphy a breakdown will occur in the least convenient place it could. That might mean in an area with no cell phone reception.

Since the most useful item in my spare parts bin is being able to call roadside assistance for major issues, having the CB provides me with one more method of calling for help when needed. I know that CB isn't used like it once was, but at least it gives me another way of trying to get help without hiking down the road. For good measure, I also carry a ham radio handheld, but that's even more of a long-shot in more remote areas.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Not only do you need spare parts but an adequate toolbox to carry the tools you will need to change out the parts.  Might I suggest this model? 

[windtrader]

For good measure, I also carry a ham radio handheld, but that's even more of a long-shot in more remote areas.

You mean talking to some random dude in a fire lookout station in Honduras can't call for help to get you unstuck?

[goutoe]

I don't carry many parts just a gallon jug of delo 40 I figure I can pick up ATF & coolant locally any where as well as 10-40 PS fluid , my bus has no belts, I guess I am guilty of taking way too many tools !  John.

[somewhereinusa]

It seems if the bus is current on regular maintenance such as changed filters, then one would not need them onboard for a given trip.

I somewhat agree except for fuel filter.  Driving a semi 150,000 a year I always carried a spare fuel filter. It seems that they can and will fail at the least expected times in the worst weather imaginable.

[plyonsMC9]

Not strictly speaking a spare part, but related nonetheless.

We have a CB radio in the bus. I figure that according to Murphy a breakdown will occur in the least convenient place it could. That might mean in an area with no cell phone reception.

Since the most useful item in my spare parts bin is being able to call roadside assistance for major issues, having the CB provides me with one more method of calling for help when needed. I know that CB isn't used like it once was, but at least it gives me another way of trying to get help without hiking down the road. For good measure, I also carry a ham radio handheld, but that's even more of a long-shot in more remote areas.

I like what Richard says about the CB radio.  We've been stuck a few times out on long stretches of highways with traffic backed up 'forever', nowhere near a cell signal, and thus no Internet, no cell & not able to look up ham radio frequencies/repeaters.  But lots of trucks.  It seems like a reasonable item to carry for that reason.  Any thoughts on this?

Kind regards, Phil

[dtcerrato]

We carry the spare parts in the photo for if a fridge fails. In our case repairs are being made & should be ready noon Monday then we can continue our 2nd AK journey. Currently held up in Shipshewana IN. 

[Oonrahnjay]

We carry the spare parts in the photo for if a fridge fails. In our case repairs are being made & should be ready noon Monday then we can continue our 2nd AK journey. Currently held up in Shipshewana IN. 

    I hate it when that happens, Dan. Good luck for the rest of your journey!

[chessie4905]

We have a CB. Upgraded from the old one that was in the coach when we bought it. Currently a Cobra 29gtl.