Parts to carry

what kind of truck

 

Its scary to blow a brake line coming up on a red light loaded going down hill.
I had one do just that. 2ndary air went to 0 immediately and the horn went off. The emergency would have popped in another few seconds. It would have been too late as I had to hit the turn lane to keep from ramming someone at the red light. So always be ready to pull that emergency brake for any massive loss of air.
That instance the 45 degree bend popped out of the junction box on top of the front axle chunk where all the brake lines fasten. The bolt fastening the junction box to the chunck was stripped and there was no room to screw a new 45 bend in there so had to add a 3 inch x 3/8 pipe and then a 45 to get the brake hose hooked back up and get the truck going again.

Someone had replaced that 45 before and only had 3/4 of a thread turn on it. That's why it popped out without damaging the threads. I don't know how it had lasted years like that.
------------------------------------------

- 8" stainless hose clamp - to lock the fan to the fan clutch when it fails
- 2 each 1/4", 3/8" caps and plugs - to cap the lines if a brake chamber is leaking and can't build air
or take a failed hose out and plug the supply and pin out the brake chamber to get going.
- spare fuel filters
- 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 air line quick couplers
- Glad hand gaskets
- 1" Hose Clamps
- 1" x 3" Copper tubing for emergency hose repair I keep 3 or 4 of them so I can make a hose form Oreilly work if I have to and have had to to work the truck until pay day.
- spare 1" coolant hose
----------------------------------------------------------
Tools

- Metric/SAE socket and wrench set like this
Stanley 92-839 Black Chrome and Laser Etched Socket Set, 99-Piece

- Hammer its surprising how much you need a hammer on the road.
- Channel Locks
- Adjustable wrenches
- Fuel filter wrench - no explanation needed. LOL!

Those are a few items that I have needed on my journey.
I don't carry an 8 inch hose clamp in a local dump truck but should. If that fan quits the red light will definitely be coming on. I don't currently have the plugs but will get some today. My tool list I don't leave home without not even local hauling.

 

I've seen some "old guy" O/O's carry so many parts I'd swear on a stack of bibles they squirrelled a spare truck under the bunk!

Those guys are like gods to me. Occassionally see them doing maintenance at the fuel island, but you NEVER see them broke down at the side of the road! And they NEVER miss an appointment, either!

 

Lots of electrical parts, various brass fittings, two complete brake chambers. Lots of tools.

 

If you have a new truck find out what the most common sensor failure is and stock those.

 

wiper blades, windshield deicer spray, snow brush, bucket of sand or kitty litter (for some traction), DEF fluid,

 

Oh come on, you guys, hasn't Red Green taught you anything? Duct tape, the handyman's friend.

 

with all the suggestions on what to carry along, i'd say a spare truck as well....might be cheaper.

 

I always carried a propane torch with me. It was invaluable and got me going many times, although I think it's illegal to have one, no? Today, some of these drivers wouldn't know what to warm up, and would blow themselves to Kingdom Come.