Good points, but honestly, hoses don't usually just blow out of nowhere—at least not in my experience. I drove my '72 Dart on a 500-mile road trip last summer with nothing but a basic toolkit and a roll of duct tape (yeah, risky I know...). Didn't end up needing either. Regular checks and preventative maintenance have saved me more headaches than carrying extra parts ever did. Still, can't hurt to toss one spare hose in there if you've got the space.
You're spot on about regular checks—preventative maintenance really is key. I've seen plenty of claims from breakdowns that could've been avoided with a quick once-over. Still, a spare hose tucked away somewhere never hurt anyone... peace of mind counts for something too.
Couldn't agree more about the spare hose—saved me once on a road trip when I least expected it. Funny story: I was halfway through nowhere in my old Triumph, feeling pretty smug about my meticulous pre-trip checks, when suddenly... coolant everywhere. Turns out, hoses don't care how confident you feel, they just pick the worst possible moment to go.
Couple of things I've learned the hard way:
- Always carry zip ties and duct tape. Seriously, they're like the Swiss army knives of roadside fixes.
- A small toolkit with the basics (wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers) is worth its weight in gold. You don't need a full garage, just enough to get you rolling again.
- Don't underestimate snacks and water. Breaking down is stressful enough without being hangry on top of it.
But here's something I've always wondered about: how many of you actually carry spare fluids like oil or coolant on long trips? I've debated it myself—seems smart, but space is tight in my trunk. Curious if anyone's ever had to use them or if they're just taking up valuable snack real estate...
I usually keep a small bottle of oil tucked away somewhere. Coolant, not so much—it's bulky and I've never really had a situation where it's been absolutely critical. But oil has definitely come in handy more than once. Had an old VW that liked to drink oil like it was going out of style (probably had bigger issues going on, honestly...), and on longer trips I'd check levels every gas stop just to be safe.
The way I see it, you don't need a gallon jug or anything—just enough to top off if you're running low. A quart bottle doesn't take up too much space and can save your engine if you're burning or leaking more than you realize. Plus, if your car's vintage enough, finding the right type of oil at some random rural gas station isn't always guaranteed.
But yeah, space is tight. I've seen people use smaller containers or even sturdy reusable bottles to carry just enough fluid for emergencies—might be worth considering if trunk real estate is precious. Snacks are important, but being stranded because you're dry on fluids? Not exactly fun either.
Curious though... anyone ever actually needed coolant urgently enough to justify carrying it regularly? I've always assumed water could get me by temporarily in a pinch—but maybe I'm underestimating how picky some older engines can be about coolant mix.
I've actually had coolant save my butt once or twice. Water can work temporarily, sure, but older engines—especially aluminum ones—can be pretty sensitive to overheating and corrosion. If you're tight on space, here's what I'd suggest: grab a small, sturdy bottle (like a cleaned-out sports drink container), fill it halfway with coolant concentrate, and top off with distilled water. Compact, ready-to-use mix, and way better than straight water if things get dicey.
