But after getting stranded once with a busted alternator in the middle of nowhere, I've learned to at least carry a few key spares.
Haha, Murphy's law indeed. I've always leaned towards the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp myself—mostly because my wallet insists on it. But after my radiator hose blew halfway through a road trip last summer, leaving me stranded at some sketchy gas station for hours, I started carrying a basic emergency kit. Still not swapping parts early, but having duct tape and zip ties handy is now non-negotiable... guess that's my compromise between prepared and paranoid.
Haha, duct tape and zip ties—the universal language of roadside repairs. I used to roll my eyes at my dad's trunk full of random spare parts and tools until my fuel pump decided to retire early on a deserted highway. Spent hours waiting for a tow truck, kicking myself for not listening. Now I keep a small stash of essentials tucked away... lesson learned the hard way, as usual.
Haha, duct tape and zip ties are classics for sure, but I'm curious—what else do you guys consider "essentials"? Ever had a roadside fix that surprised you by actually working? I'm still skeptical about the soda-can exhaust patch stories I've heard...
I'm with you on the soda-can exhaust fix—sounds a bit too MacGyver-ish to me, but hey, stranger things have worked. Personally, I've found that carrying a spool of sturdy wire (like coat hanger gauge) has saved me more than once. Had a throttle linkage snap on an old MG during a weekend drive, and rigged it up with wire just enough to limp home. Wasn't pretty, but it held.
Also, a small tube of JB Weld or similar epoxy is surprisingly handy. Patched a cracked radiator hose fitting with it once—thought it'd never hold pressure, but it got me home without overheating. Still skeptical about some of the more extreme roadside hacks, but these two have earned their spot in my trunk kit for sure.
- Wire and JB Weld are solid suggestions, but what about duct tape? I know it sounds cliché, but hear me out...
- Had a coolant hose split on my old VW bus halfway through Arizona. Wrapped it tight with duct tape and topped off the radiator every 50 miles or so. Messy, sure, but got me to civilization.
- Curious if anyone's actually tried the soda-can exhaust fix though—sounds sketchy as hell.
