Tour checklist

[anthonym]

Very Interesting thread about under bonnet storage here: http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=108989 I can't say these are my check lists - they are what I can think of that I carry and some reasons why, I am changing items as other share ideas. This is for touring alone, with a passenger I would use waterproof bags attached to the roll bar or Jill Judd's boot bag (except it is not waterproof, so like the main boot I'd use ziplock bags for everything.)

List for unlimited time European touring - sustainable touring if you like

List 1 - things (Most of these have been used very recently)

Clear protective goggles - for eye protection in rain with no roof (e.g. downpours on motorways) e.g. £2 quid from Machine Mart, protects against sharp blinding pain from raindrops in eyes, rain goes around normal specs.

Leather - for wiping inside of windscreen during downpour - small soft variety.

Peaked hat, best in leather, - protection from cold, sunburn, rain, being blinded by sun (no sun visor), tie it on with piece of string ; blows off at 82 mph (in Germany).

Half hood from SoftBits - used mostly for rain protection, also sun protection this August.

Half Hood wrapper - doubles as right shoulder protection by stuffing down behind right shoulder as protection from wind and rain that ingresses at rear of driver's door in highly inclement conditions.

Cable ties - small (for keeping emergency fixes tidy) and very long (for holding car parts on the car!)

12v Compressor - High quality tyre pressure gauge BUT I want one with only a few bar so I can see the gradations clearly

Tailor made oil dipstick with 24cm marks (except it's brass so matches the oil!) Rubber hammer for removing/refitting dry sump tank top.

Head torch - for reading maps, pitching tent Reading glasses - for reading maps, by torchlight.

One litre coolant kept behind driver's seat. (Not recently used since rad replaced some years ago.)

One litre oil kept behind driver's seat. (Often used)

Plastic waterproofs kept behind driver's seat (Not often used, considering removal)

Constant supply blue Powerade drink.

Ziplock bags for everything in the boot and backpacks. (Always need more). Used to compress air out of clothes reducing space required for storage.

Backpack of mountain clothes, five layers, stored in passenger footwell. (Removed when Suzi comes for an outing)

Backpack as "grab bag" with all valuables (cameras, papers, phones) for grabbing every time departing the car. Lives on passenger seat (or boot if Suzi present)

Leather - large variety, for drying everything including boot floor and camping gear, after a good soaking. Kept in boot.

Pack of velcro and (sharp) scissors. Plastic shopping bag of maps for the outing. (Reduced to local area maps if Suzi present)

Compass.

Phone charger.

Netting sponge for screen cleaning (I squirt screen washer on to sponge and remove flies etc to keep vision clear, forget to do this far too often)

Convex mirror + suction type standard mirror (since doing the 'ring, realised just how bad the convex one is for distance) Current issue is how to see through passenger seat headrest, creates an unpleasant blind spot)

Sun cream - but I tend not to use it preferring to cover up because it gets in my eyes, need a solution for this issue. Acquiring some P20, see later in thread.

Caterham Brolly - diagonally stashed behind seats, handle behind driver's seat so I can pull it out while in situ.

List 2 - Tools (mostly in zip tool bag/large wallet - originally ten quid from Tesco many years ago, since seen in Halfords for £20) NOW REPLACED with Aldi socket kit. 

All used fairly recently 22/8/2009 Had a tool bag sort out, transferred tools to plastic waterproof box as the old zipper bag is gradually weakening after constant sousings (boot leaks of course), also prefer the separate compartments, made cutouts for some tools to lie across compartments, pliers, screwdriver head, socket extension. We will see if it stands test of use. adjustable spanner plug wrench feeler guages pliers Screwdriver with two strips of multiple end pieces, esp torx, philips, flat, allen modified allen key for sixspeed gearbox oil check black electrical tape knife (very sharp type blade of box cutter genre) Ratchet handle for small sockets 8mm 10mm 12mm 13mm etc Set of small sockets Extension socket bar Mini (non ratchet) socket handle Mini sockets Circuit tester.

Wire brush (small) for plug cleaning

Stubby flat screwdriver for nose cone

Rubber hammer (tent peg hammer) - used for removing dry sump tank top to check oil and refit. Assorted small jubilee clips, nuts, bolts, wire joiners Adjustable spanner Spare cut out key and ignition key (but not immobiliser key) Mini araldite type glue syringe 12cc

Meter. Now Analogue removing digital.

Crimper and assorted crimp ends/terminals. (Actually new addition, so not recently used)

torque wrench for wheel nut checks and removal etc duck tape Wheel nut spider (flat) - now removed in favour of torque wrench seems to be enough.

List 3 - Parts Tyre inflation gunge bottle, in date, where no spare carried. (Old one was years out of date and failed when needed couple of months ago)

Box of all dash switches (Never been needed (NOT TRUE 2016) , NOT considering removal from 7) - tried to remove it today and could not bring myself to it! 21/8

Brake light switch (n.b. recently used, needs replacing (again)) Order pending Fuses Found in my bits box (so in neither cars nor trailer):

Exhaust mount bobbins x 2 (but no nuts) (do I gather these mount the rad also?)

Door hinges kit x 2, but no poppers

Fan belt Alternator belt

Clutch cable

Speedo cable Spare wheel holder spindle. For BDR Cam belt (old one from pre change) though I guess if this breaks it's all over anyway.

Windscreen wipers and blades. (Never been needed, removed from 7)

Temperature sender, water I think Fuel filter ?

List 4 - legal (or very necessary)

Warning triangle

Bulb set (kept up to date as bulbs often seem to blow)

Dayglow jackets (one accessible before exiting car)

First aid kit (extra sticky plasters and roll of with scissors as minor cuts are most frequent injuries (same as on a boat)) GB sticker

Fire extinguisher. (the usual 7 size one)

List 5 - Camping gear (most of it last used last week - it's for times when it gets late and getting home/to tow car, is better completed in the morning)

Tent - Lightent 2 man - has two layers, mosquito net and fly sheet, so takes a little longer to erect, but cooler and can see stars if fly sheet pulled back. Keeps water out.

Tent - Coleman 2 man - very fast to erect, single layer - gets too hot compared to above. Does keep water out.

Picnic sheet (used under tent as groundsheet, easier to wipe clean in the morning)

One season micro sleeping bag Thermarest

Sleeping mat (inflatable)

Camping pan, lockable; containing

Pocket Rocket stove, gaz, salt, lighter, sultanas, utensils Selection dehydrated meals (from Decathlon)

Water for above or raid nearest stream or campsite blockhouse. Make pillow by stuffing jacket into sleeping mat sack.

Hammock (needs many layers of clothing because cold comes through from underneath, also needs tree holders, found some lying around last time)

Silk sleeping bag liner (yum)

Bivvy bag (i.e. waterproof sleeping bag outer) (really need a breathable one, gets too humid inside)

List 6 - tow car or trailer

Oil in bulk 5w/50 (Noticed Minister used only 15/w/50, so that might save me some money using only that) (finding Mobil 1 is hard and expensive; recently been told Motul is just as good, need info about this)

Screen wash (minus 30 degrees preferably)

Quick lift trolley jack ("race" jack) (base in trailer, handle across car boot)

Set of spare wheels and tyres

Emergency set of spare wheels and tyres Wheel nuts for all above (why are they all different?)

Snow chains (for tow car)

Car cover, Seven tailor made, many straps for open trailer use; tried it in Winter, everything was drenched so kept for occasional Summer use. Better than Halfords lightweight which is useless for keeping water out, and great for other uses.

12v Impact driver (£20 quid from Machine Mart) rough and ready, but works ok.

Car cover two in tow car, Halford lightweight dark blue - I use this for (a) covering all contents of car from parcel "shelf" to passenger footwell so car appears empty on casual inspection and all hidden on closer look, (b) create an inner tent within the car by trapping corners in doors, creates a snug space free from snooping and light (such as overnight stopovers in lay-bys and truck stops). © On rare occasions use as car cover.

Tent, three second type, for comfortable night stop sleeps,

Thick sleeping roll

Thick sleeping bag Duvet Pillow (crucial, or make one by stuffing something with something else)

Spare car battery - now a booster battery with 12v socket as I never actually used the spare battery except for boosting.

Jumper cables (proper thick ones that will carry sufficient current)

Pyrometer

Durometer

​ Fire extinguisher. (the usual 7 size one)

No Satnav -

A GPS100 track logger, but I don't seem to use it. Anthony parts order: bobbin nuts, nose cone lower screws/springs, door closer press studs (not included in door closing kits), brake light switch x 2 181010 araldire rapid Edited by - anthonym on 22 Aug 2009 00:56:30 Edited by - anthonym on 15 Oct 2009 12:54:24 Edited 26 MAY 2016

[Sigmamark]

Excellent lists, but mine is shorter:

 

3 series BMW (for journey to Airport)

Passports/tickets/money/credit card

Virgin/BA 747 (for trip to Caribbean)

40 ish kilos of luggage (35 for wife and 5 for me)

Demon Tweaks Catalogue for a bit of dreaming.

 

Am I missing something

[anthonym]

these aren't lists, they are current contents from memory.. I'll add an M3 as a tow car.. 😬

[Sigmamark]

I am not sure I am taking Caterham ownership seriously enough. The contents of my car is no more than an old set of motorcycle waterproofs in the back and a couple of fuses taped to the bottom of the passenger seat. I don't even have any cable ties, but the tape holding the fuses is about 3" long so that should fix most things

[Bricol]

Mines lot shorter

 

Essential:

1) Caterham complete with full hood, doors, spare wheel, Caterham jack, handle, wheel brace, proper tyres (ie ones that don't wear out in 2000 miles . . )

2) Deborah

3) AA card.

 

Taken every time:

4) Warning triangle - tiny Lancia branded one nicked out of my integrale

5) Spare bulbs

6) Spare exhaust/rad mount bobbin

7) Flat, pozi screwdrivers, adjustable spanner, needle nose mole grips - shoved in jack bag

8) 1 litre of oil tie-wrapped to an engine diagonal side brace by the washer bottle

9) Map

 

Taken this year for the first time:

10) 2 reflective jackets shoved behind the nearly fully back drivers seat

11) half hood

12) Sat nav

13) Really excellent this one- stainless steel vacuum flask - fill up with cold water in morning or at rest stops, and even if the outside gets hot enough in the sun to burn your hand, the water inside is still lovely and cold. Beats a plastic bottle of hot water between the seats.

 

Bri

 

 

[anthonym]

now then I do like the idea of taping things to stuff, that's a bit neat :-)

and the oil in the engine bay.

 

I have 2 spare exhaust mount bobbins and wondering if it is really necessary and is it the same as mounts the rad somewhere judging from your description Bri?

 

What are the needle nose molegrips for?

 

Maps, good point, I keep bags of those.

 

Vacuum flask to keep the heat out - that's neat too.

[Bricol]

exhasut bobbins - I've never needed them so far - I check the condition of them regularly and replace them if they look iffy, but I have lent one to a fellow seven driver on tour when he caught the exhaust on a ferry ramp over the Rhine and dislodged the silencer, sheering the rear bobbin. I wind on a nut and a nyloc nut on each spare, then if needed for the rad, I have the fixings - just in-case. Might not be identical, but good enough.

 

Needle nose mole grips - bought several pairs for a couple of dollars each from a Meuijers in the US when they were obviously stopping flogging Irwin products - so cheap if I lose them, but they will do double duty as pliers, needle nose pliers to get into small holes, emergency spanner etc. And nice and small so wedge in the jack bag easily.

 

Thinking a little more, I carry a stubby flat bladed screwdriver too - to get the nose cone off. And a roll of insulating tape. And a spare jubilee clip (hose clip to our US readers) - again, I've had to lend those to others in the past - the last time on a classic trial, several of them to a fellow trialler (I carry more on a trial), to "repair" his chassis - a get him back to the trailer repair of strapping a jack handle to a rear tube to hold the car together long enough.

 

Bri

[anthonym]

stubby, forgot that, same reason. Except my nose screws are missing or in bad shape. I can feel a small parts order coming on. Currently using a small cable tie (I knew I'd used one recently).

 

Molegrips - have often wondered if might double as steering wheel. Always seems to me the steering wheel is an SPF Single Point of Failure (items that are habitually removed from the car and can be lost), like car keys and cut out handle. I have spares of all except the steering wheel, which seems overkill and yet if something happens to it I am stuffed. My main fear is someone nicks it for fun.

 

Anthony

 

 

 

parts order: bobbin nuts, nose cone lower screws/springs, door closer press studs (not included in door closing kits), brake light switch

 

 

[Bricol]

I tend to startle various members of the public when I park up. Get out, undo belt, pull through to one side, feed belt through wheel, and then back into trousers, so wheel is held by one spoke, boss outwards, compfortably to one side. Even allows you to sit down easily for lunch.

 

But for some reason, you do get a lot of strange looks. And if you go into Macro, you have to sign it in . . . 'cos of course, Macro sell a lot of Momo wheels with quick release connectors . . .

 

Bri

[Panto Si]

I just padlock my steering wheel to the rollbar with a half decent motorbike lock!

Toolkit is in a waterproof washkit bag in the boot - small stubby set (screwdriver with various heads, hammer, adjustable wrench) some spanners, cable ties, araldite and gaffa tape. Spares in the boot are - clutch cable, throttle cable and A frame bushes. Spare lamps and fuses. Reflective waistcoat x 2 and warning triangle. Other than that it's the AA card!

 

Beaulieu #28

[anthonym]

what are A frame bushes?

why carry those in particular?

 

and the Araldite, what's that for?

 

curiously,

 

Anthony

[Panto Si]

My car is live axle, so it gets through the bushes that hold the A frame to the diff rather quickly! Especially when in hot countries touring. Only a ten minute job to change them and the tools I carry do the job. A breeze block or similar under each rear wheel gives enough height to do the job!!

The araldite is handy for things like radiator repairs when the hole is to big for something like radweld to fix.

 

Beaulieu #28

[anthonym]

interlesting - some araldite for my main kit methinks. :-)

Anthony

[Panto Si]

Make sure you get the 'Rapid' version

 

Beaulieu #28

[anthonym]

tx :-)

[anthonym]

Bri how much is a spare steering wheel from Macro? - Anthony

[gileshudson]

AnthonyM,

I can solve the suncream in eyes issue for you in one fell swoop with P20.

P20 started out medical but is now consumer too.

- Alcohol based so dries in 10 seconds.

- Apply one hour before sun exposure to allow time to bond to skin.

- No need to re-apply at all that day.

- Only removes with soap and water

It's fab stuff, cos I hate putting on and re-applying suncream.

It's a bit pricy, but I tend to only use it for my head, face and neck.

Cheers,

 

Giles

-----Beryl the Peril (HPC)

[virden]

Three small items I always carry:

 

Disposable gloves- great when having to deal with oil leaks etc

Savlon iodine spray- perfect for drying burns, calming insect bites, disinfecting cuts.

"Waiters Friend" - combined penknife, corkscrew, bottle opener

 

I went to Santa Pod and my world changed forever.

[Steve Campbell]

A second for Reimann P20..wonderful stuff...I'm a baldy red head and never use anything else these days....skiing, summer holidays, blatting...in the garden..... Put it on once in the morning......sorted...because its an oil I just rub it all over my head......just don't get it near your eyes when you're putting it on...it's alcohol based ...Ouch..been there...done that.... 😬

 

 

 

Steve Campbell

P889 GRR

[CageyH]

And if you go into Macro, you have to sign it in . . . 'cos of course, Macro sell a lot of Momo wheels with quick release connectors . . .

 

I think this was sarcasm...

 

Bri how much is a spare steering wheel from Macro?

 

Only dead fish go with the flow....!

 

Edited by - CageyH on 18 Aug 2009 19:45:03

[anthonym]

actually it wasn't!

 

tried for some p20 this afternoon, but rien (nothing) to be had. Wondering if it is marketed under a different name or simply not marketed in Switzerland or France .. or I suppose Italy not far away either.

 

The araldite: I had second thoughts, all that space for a "maybe"; what else could I use it for (aside from sticking things to things - what things?) and what else could one use? and does it actually withstand loads of heat?

 

Do they make a "travellers' araldite"? or maybe samples?

 

 

 

Anthony

 

[anthonym]

I am wondering how "iodine spray" equates to "Bepanthen Plus" spray..

[Panto Si]

The araldite takes up so little space if you get the twin (joined together) syringe type.

Yes it does withstand heat. My radiator split where the metal piece of pipe joins the actual radiator. Glued it, let it harden for half hour, put the rubber pipe back on and it's still there 15,000 miles later without a leak! This was whilst on tour in Italy in the summer, so very hot!

 

Beaulieu #28

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Anthony ... from the link above, the P20 can be bought on-line

 

 

[Steve Campbell]

Best place I've found for the P20 is UK airports.....2 * 200ml for £35 early July when I went on hols.