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Sun Jun 04, 2017 9:02 am

Just wondering what you folks recommend to be carried onboard the Eurovan when roadrippin in the event of a minor repair?

Eg:
Screwdrivers, sockets/wrenches (particular sizes), fuses .. etc

Sun Jun 04, 2017 4:03 pm

I did a road trip last year in a '61 Corvair pickup, Colorado to the redwood forest and back, about 4000 miles.

Everything in the truck was new but I still packed quite a bit, all the sockets, wrenches and misc tools from the restoration, spare generator, fuel pump, an extra 5 gallons of fuel, tune up parts, wheel bearings, voltmeter, belt, pulley, lifters, pushrods and oil and filter.

Basically I had everything that pending a rod through the block or a rear wheel bearing failure I could fix anything on the truck. (replaced a new fuel pump, rebuilt a generator and replaced a fan belt on the trip)

This year we are doing a 5000 mile trip to Maine (we leave in 5 days) we are driving our Sprinter, I changed the oil, fuel filter, signed up for road side assistance and got a credit card with a 5k limit on it.

2 schools of thought, choose the one that best fits you and your vehicle.

Sun Jun 04, 2017 6:31 pm

Sockets and torx. You want to be able to take off the bottom shield and the top,shield to assess any repairs

Spare ignition coil, plugs, tape,

These are great reliable vehicles.

Sun Jun 04, 2017 7:32 pm

My oddball adds are an LED headband light (hugely helpful) and if you have an EVC, heavy duty duct tape (I like gorilla tape) in case you have a failure in the luggage rack shroud. The tape can seal the leading edge and stop the wind from getting up under it until you can do a repair.

My EVC has almost 150K miles and I don't really carry a toolkit even on a multi-state trip.

Mon Jun 05, 2017 3:33 pm

@Gypsymobile: thanks for asking this question -- you beat me to it. :)

@Everyone else: thanks for chiming in. Helpful perspectives!

Mon Jun 05, 2017 4:52 pm

I always carry a 17mm socket on a 2ft bar, so I can definitely get the lug nuts undone. Sometimes I carry a jack too :D

If we are going away, I usually throw a small socket set, a couple of screwdrivers and a multimeter in under the bed. Not sure what I would actually fix on the van with them, but I'm happier knowing they are there.

Mon Jun 05, 2017 5:06 pm

d-9 wrote: I always carry a 17mm socket on a 2ft bar, so I can definitely get the lug nuts undone. Sometimes I carry a jack too :D

If we are going away, I usually throw a small socket set, a couple of screwdrivers and a multimeter in under the bed. Not sure what I would actually fix on the van with them, but I'm happier knowing they are there.

The breaker bar, extension and a 17mm socket is something I always carry. Here in the US just go to harbor freight and get a 1/2" breaker bar, 2" extension and 17mm impact socket. Put it in the van and leave it. If you ever need it, you'll be glad you got it. Also, a 1/2" piece of plywood cut down to a 12"X12" square. That works great under the jack that comes with the van.

Also, go out tomorrow and take out your jack and toolkit. Then try to remove the spare then put it back in. Last thing you want is to try to figure it out the first time and fumbling around or the bolt holding the spare in is rusted. Plus, every time you check the tire pressures, make sure there's 50 psi in the spare. It's more than enough and you can bleed a bit out after you mount it if you want. Again, don't want a spare with 20 psi in it.

It's just like in cycling when someone want's to know how to change a tube. I let the air out of the rear and then they need to remove and reinstall it. Pump it up and mount the wheel again. Unless they go through the motions, it's like what happened today. 3 miles in and another flat by the same person.

Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:50 pm

HF sells a really useful 1/2" socket wrench with a telescoping extension handle that's helpful if space is an issue. It's my go-to tool for lugs when my impact gun isn't available.

Tue Jun 06, 2017 4:52 am

Great info here guys.

As always - thank you for taking the time to reply and helping fellow EV owners.

Tue Jun 06, 2017 7:27 am

tools: all of them
spares: all of them
AAA Card
Cell phone

oh wait.. this isn't the Vanagon forum. :wink:

pretty much all my cars (Vanagon not withstanding) are equipped with:
A tool sack and basic hand tools (think Idiot Book Phase I kinda stuff) bought cheaply at the Chinese Tool Embassy (Harbor Freight). That way you don't lose your good stuff if you get broken into.
plus:
Fire extinguisher
headlamp
jumper cables
ground cloth
disposable gloves

Spares I'd carry in a T4:
S Belt
1 qt oil
1 qt cooling sauce

Go to JOGR, buy a BlazeCut and install.

Tue Jun 06, 2017 8:37 am

I do bring my AUTEX 800 code reader on a longer trip, then fund gas reading codes for BMW owners at $115 a pop.

Tue Jun 06, 2017 10:11 am

Excellent suggestions here.

I normally carry a few sockets, hex and torx keys and the 17mm on breaker bar. A 10 and 13mm wrench. I also carry a code reader (Scangauge), spare hose clamps, needle nose vise-grips, zip ties and my lucky VW/Felo screw driver (PN 1J0 012 255).

Tue Jun 06, 2017 10:26 am

I still have a tube of this stuff, maybe I need to bring it because I might need to lube up the coil packs or crank sensor.

I also bring a bunch of tip ties (they are great for camping) and a roll of 3M 3903 Vinyl Duct Tape. The tape is like wide electrical tape but the surface is embossed, thus really easy to tear. McMaster Carr has it #7769A1 (also great for camping). I use that stuff for lots of things.

Tue Jun 06, 2017 3:54 pm

How have I not heard of harbour Freight?! I definitely need to check it out :)

Good advice in checking the spare is accessible and the jack works. I did 25k in my euro and over 4 years before I realised there wasn't a jack in the van!

The only failure I've had which has left me stranded is an alternator failure. Then I called the breakdown service and they took me home - knowing what I know now, I would have stopped at a breaker and picked up a diode pack to nurse me home.

Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:47 am

Im not sure the container ships have found their way into the UK yet - but you probably have the equivalent of a cheap tool store.

Thu Jun 08, 2017 10:29 am

Add to the above, a BFH, a pair of side cutters (because a pair of dykes wouldn't have any use for you), Zip ties, a couple of coat hangers, a tire patch kit & air pump, Pry bar.

Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:38 am

Almost forgot to post this. I pretty much packed everything listed in this thread for our 4k mile adventure this summer. However, the one thing I actually needed wasn't there- go figure!

Add a small can of WD-40 or similar to the list.

That was all I needed to get the sliding door latch freed up when it decided not to remain closed. Luckily, creative use of heavy duty bungee kept it closed until we could get to a store that had what we needed... 400 miles away!

Fri Jul 11, 2025 9:28 am

Sorry to necropost on this, but as a new owner of a 2001 Weekender with some long road trips planned, I have the same questions.
Specifically, what size torx, and where would I need to use it?
Also, besides 10 and 13 wrenches, are there any other important sizes?
Thanks all!

Fri Jul 11, 2025 11:07 am

lavabiscuit wrote: Sorry to necropost on this, but as a new owner of a 2001 Weekender with some long road trips planned, I have the same questions.
Specifically, what size torx, and where would I need to use it?
Also, besides 10 and 13 wrenches, are there any other important sizes?
Thanks all!
#30 torx bit for the engine cover.
Bring along an assortment of sockets and extensions. I found one of my lower engine belly pan bolts to 12mm, that would have been a shock to find that out on the road.

Make sure to have along some spare fuses. They do blow once in a while.

Suggest, buying a Scan GaugeII from Gowesty. They come programmed for the Eurovan. Then you can monitor your trans and engine temps along with many other parameters.

Start reading the various threads here on issues and be mentally prepared to solve them while out on the road.

Welcome aboard the EV life.

Oh yeah, post some pics of your new to you 2001 EV.

Fri Jul 11, 2025 11:35 am

lavabiscuit wrote: Sorry to necropost on this, but as a new owner of a 2001 Weekender with some long road trips planned, I have the same questions.

Thank You for finding this thread and bringing it to the top. I'm also a new 2001 Weekender owner planning a long trip and this is one of the questions I was going to go looking for, but just hadn't yet.

If your budget allows I'd suggest considering the ScanGauge III rather than II, but you can compare and make your own choice.