How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

[Gerard F.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Jerry, I thought you might tip Mark off on the snazzy blue wire and luggage belt to include in a tool kit in case your top latch breaks........

Ha Ha Micheal, I'm on the floor laughing. If Mark had a C2 hardtop, he ought to bring along some #12 electrical wire in case the hardtop latch breaks. Here's the temporary fix:



It was either the above or stay under 40 mph with a luggage strap around the steering wheel.

Here's cruising in Utah, 2015:



Here's the way to pack luggage on a 67:



This picture was taken at the gas station in Utah where the 65 was in trouble.

Mark, I'll see you in San Antonio, year of the 67. (If I can ever get it fixed by then)

Just having fun,

[Mark E.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Ha Ha Micheal, I'm on the floor laughing. If Mark had a C2 hardtop, he ought to bring along some #12 electrical wire in case the hardtop latch breaks.

It was either the above or stay under 40 mph with a luggage strap around the steering wheel.

Mark, I'll see you in San Antonio, year of the 67. (If I can ever get it fixed by then)

Just having fun,

Do they call you Jerry "Macgyver" Fucillo? Improvised repairs add adventure to an old car road trip, don't they? If you had one, would a zip tie have worked better than wire? An assortment may be a good addition to our supply list. They're small and light too.

I plan to be in San Antonio and look forward to meeting you there. Driving the '70 there is another question. I generally avoid road trips during the heat of summer. If you've endured a Texas summer then you know what I'm talking about. I suggest NCRS consider a spring or fall national event if the venue is in the South. That way we can really enjoy the road tour in our vintage cars.

[Michael J.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Ha Ha Micheal, I'm on the floor laughing. If Mark had a C2 hardtop, he ought to bring along some #12 electrical wire in case the hardtop latch breaks. Here's the temporary fix:



It was either the above or stay under 40 mph with a luggage strap around the steering wheel.

Jerry, you and your lovely wife won our "Road Tour Warrior" award for the Denver National, our fellow RMC member John and his wife with the Daytona Blue '63 fuelie coupe won it at Warwick, for that amazing coast to coast + trip.

When we left you in the parking lot at the hotel as you were loading up to go home, my wife said: "those are the real Corvette people", and after checking in with you about the return trip, your legend grew even more. I will be in San Antonio too, not with a '67, but I also look forward to seeing you guys again. Cheers!

[William F.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Where on a C2 do you wrap the chain?

[Mark E.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Where on a C2 do you wrap the chain?

I've never done it, but maybe a half shaft, A-arm, or bumper bracket. Perhaps the frame itself in sections with 360 deg access.

Would a plastic covered cable work better than a chain? Less chance of scratching something.

[Mark E.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Another tool to add to our list: Li-ion jump starter. The modern version of jumper cables.

[Don H.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

you guys are going to need a hitch like on Jerry's 67, and a trailer to pull all your tools.
The Li-ion jumper is already in your kit up in post #13.
Jack Panzica of Maine (the Corvette Vagabond) drove all 48 states in one trip, and then half of Europe in his second trip and didn't carry a fraction of your kit on either one.

[Michael J.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

you guys are going to need a hitch like on Jerry's 67, and a trailer to pull all your tools.
The Li-ion jumper is already in your kit up in post #13.
Jack Panzica of Maine (the Corvette Vagabond) drove all 48 states in one trip, and then half of Europe in his second trip and didn't carry a fraction of your kit on either one.

And with all the battery fires with these units, better make sure you have two halon fire extinguishers...........

[Mark E.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

you guys are going to need a hitch like on Jerry's 67, and a trailer to pull all your tools.
The Li-ion jumper is already in your kit up in post #13. Jack Panzica of Maine (the Corvette Vagabond) drove all 48 states in one trip, and then half of Europe in his second trip and didn't carry a fraction of your kit on either one.

With thoughtful packing, I think the tools will fit in an 18" tool bag like this one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EDTSZG...I1IIWO0IQQZ59C .

And I think the supplies and spares can fit in a medium duffel bag. The fire extinguisher is mounted separately, car cover packed separately, and maybe the moving blanket (also bulky) is laid across the luggage compartment floor. And sorry Jerry, but if the bag is too full, the timing light and distributor fall off the list first. Probably no chains either.

It may be autumn before I test this hypothesis.

Any ideas for organizing loose socket sets without using a metal socket rack? Has anyone tried a shotgun shell ammo pouch? A 12 ga shell is a about the same diameter and length as a deep 5/8" socket.

[Don H.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

hey,
thanks for reminding me,
I'm loading in the Remington 870 and the 00buck too.

[Gerard F.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Don,

I guess Moderators need to do that

[Gerard F.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

Dave,

Aye, Aye, Sir

Got my 67 in the Navy in 68. Also had a 1970 396 El Camino in the mid 70's. Traded it in for an 82 El Camino which I still have (a 231 V6)

Hope to see you on another road tour.

[Mark E.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

hey,
thanks for reminding me,
I'm loading in the Remington 870 and the 00buck too.

It's a serious question: What's a good way to organize a socket set in a travel tool kit? Metal racks can be long and puncture the bag. And most sets available today with a case are SAE and metric, which adds weight and bulk. Below is a photo of a shotgun shell carrier I thought would be an option. But I haven't tried it.

Do you have another idea?

[Patrick H.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

I throw my sockets loose into the pocket of the small bag that I carry. You can put them in a Ziploc if you wish so they won't fall out. The shotgun shell pockets are deep, and would be a PITA to get the sockets back out.

[Mark E.]

Re: How to Organize the Perfect Tool Kit for Road Trips

The tools you carry should represent those needed to install the spares you have onboard, and any basic tightening you may need to do. Most of this can be done with box-end wrenches. The only reasonably expected tasks requiring sockets would be spark plugs and rocker arm adjustments...

That's it. You don't need to carry a lot of stuff unless you want to help other peeps out of their failure to follow the 7P's.

I hear what you're saying, and you present a good minimalist argument.

Regarding sockets, you'll also need them for valve covers, battery, and belts. It's also a lot easier to drop the spare and change a tire with a ratchet and socket. I like the ability to R/R those plus the fuel and water pump.

And as mentioned before, points, condenser, and coil are small and can be capricious, so I'll pack those.

But that's just me. Each car is different, and each owner's risk tolerance is different.

What are the 7Ps?