MTFCA Forum

Just thinking if taking a trip next year. No chase vehicle or modern iron. What do you pack and where do you stash it?

Been too long since I have done such a thing. These days, the most important thing is a cell phone. Be aware, there are a LOT of places it will NOT work (in spite of all the bragging by cell phone "service" providers). A long list of people you know, even if only through hobby forums. Good club rosters can be nice, but a printout of chosen names and numbers is smaller and easier to stash in limited carrying space. A triple-A 200 mile tow plan card. And a big bottle of sun-block. These things are mostly for peace of mind so that you can enjoy the trip without worrying about every strange noise or vibration in the car, or that nasty sunburn on your nose!
I used to carry a spare carburetor, not really sure why, I never had a problem with one I couldn't fix on the road. About a gallon of water, a couple quarts of oil (enough to get to the next town if you lose a plug). A word of advice rarely ever given that can save your --- in a pinch. Everybody knows that water in your oil is a bad sign, and really bad for bearings. However, in a pinch, a 50/50 mix of water and oil actually lubricates quite well, and if driven only 50 to maybe 100 miles and changed immediately? It likely will not do serious damage.
A spare coil if you use timer and coils is sometimes a good idea. However, if you have a good set of well rebuilt coils, the likelihood of needing one is small. And a model T can be driven a long way on three cylinders as long as you don't push it hard (find the vibration sweet spot). A spare tire is nice, tube and patch kit if a spare tire isn't easily carried (and actually a good idea in addition to a spare tire).
Basic tools, nothing really special. I always like to carry a couple (even three) modern worm drive hose clamps. Be sure they all fit together so they can be used to hold larger items like exhaust pipes. I have held many odd things together with that style hose clamps, including exhaust pipes. The funny thing is, I usually use them on somebody else's car when they have a problem. I also carry a small can of nuts, bolts, washers, in common T sizes. They do tend to shake loose on a T.
A fire extinguisher is always wise (again, I don't think I have ever used one on MY car!). I also like to carry an old bath towel. It can also be used to extinguish fires (been there, done that, a few times, always someone else's car!). That old bath towel is also great as a knee pad, emergency sling or splint, small blanket over your shoulders if you get caught out in the cold, and something to sit on if you find yourself at a beach or dirty picnic table.
I can't offhand think of anything much else other than your personal needs, a change of clothes (any sink with water will be your friend!).

Get out there, drive carefully, relax, and enjoy the journey!

I expect Steve J will have some wonderful suggestions. Might not be till the morrow at this hour?

Somehow, I have GOT to get back to doing such things!

Prepare by changing oil a week or so before hand. Time to find leaks ect.
Carry wire. Spare timer and or coil. Electrical tape, duct tape. Small jar of tree gum or a bottle of gasket shellac. Small bag of spanners, screwdrivers pliers and a broken piece of hacksaw blade.
Bonus if you carry a spool of solder and a gas lighter or mini pencil torch.
Oh, and maybe a tire tube.
Most of that fits under the seat.

My thought would be to plan your route and then find fellow T people along the route as emergency contacts for any BIG problem that you may encounter that can't be fixed under a tree. Don't forget your cell phone.

Took the wife on a 2 week road trip in the speedster years ago (before kids). We, along with several other couples, loaded our T and A’s onto a transport truck and shipped our cars to upstate NY (from CA). We flew out, and drove progressively from Syracuse, along the Hudson River, and back in a large loop. Was a GREAT trip!!

We had a lot of rain while we were there, and our cars had even more wet weather during the transport trip. Made for a lot of electrical issues, but nothing time and a little sandpaper couldn’t fix. I had a hydraulic brake line fail, and drove the last few days with the line crimped off and only 3 wheel brakes. One of the A’s had the rear end fail (broken axle or pinion... can’t remember).

As for luggage, I made a special bag with carry handles that looped over the filler neck, and had lower clips to secure to the tank straps. Just big enough to hold 2 days clothes! Worked like a charm, but wasn’t waterproof... and the tailpipe dumped right next to it, so we smelled like exhaust the whole trip.

Take a car you trust, a few small tools, and your AAA card! And have fun!!

Agree with Kevin P couple change of cloths AAA ot other roadside assust club
Basic tool set jack tire tools 2 tubes 2 coils if you using them
Cell phone
Basic first aid kit
Fas and oil water
Depending where rain gear
Who yses a support vehical gonout in desert often alone
But not dure i do bbn it much longer alone as getting older

This is a little more than a double edge sword. First a Model T really was not built for endurance, second reliability is so, so, but better than most. You have to consider in the day, parts for them where available at just about every general store, gas station, or a dead one in a ranchers field. Parts were everywhere. As my dear Dad tells me, "it seem as if they were breeding on the shelf". Now days, just the opposite applies so if you do not wish to use as put "modern iron", be prepared, as Murphy's Law has a contract with our club and others. Endurance with reliability in my opinion and opinion only, comes with product improvements here and there. But the experience of breaking down on the side of the road does have it's own rewards of the good in people and making new friends. To each there own.

All the Best,

Hank in Tin-A-See

Be sure to build it with a trunk!

Don't forget to take us with you. I agree with Kim - post your route. I'm certain that you would get some feedback of interesting places to see along the way and if you needed any help someone might be nearby to give a hand (part) to get you going. Like Hank eluded to, there aren't many places left where you could get a part.
Let the Ford be with you. Always!

I used to do a lot of miles in my speedster, sometimes across different countrys. This was my tool kit. https://imgur.com/gallery/5WqWvX7

Best thing I ever did was to make my own tool roll,I could grab it in a hurry and roll out all my tools to see. All my spares and bits that wouldn’t fit in the roll got shoved in a bag. Then I took a photo of everything so I could look back and see what I had put in.

I also sunk the boot box below the axel so I could get more in.

This tank would work well.
I use it mainly in my house garage where I don’t have air. I took the original hose off and added a little longer piece of regular air hose with a quick disconnect so I can put an air gun on it or whatever.

Looks like you're going to need one of these too ...

As some here may know I have logged thousands of miles in a speedster never having a chase vehicle (endurance runs excluded). Amazing repairs can be conducted on the side of the road if you have the ability to improvise. It helps to know what this speedster you would be driving is. Are we talking something "hot" that will run at 60 or something more stock that you will be running around 40?

Tool kit
various nuts and bolts
bailing wire
jb weld
lots of rags
bars leak
fluids
if a dist spare points coil etc

For comfort a big yeti type thermos filled with ice water, I like the large cheap walmart version.

Chad, here is a photo. 40 mph is fine with me. It doesn't carry as much stuff as a touring does, what with tent, suitcase, etc.

Dont foget the rain gear and goggles!

Ahh you have tons of room, a buddy and I drove my speedster into Yosemite for Christmas. Yes, it was a bit cold. We had suitcases tied onto the back.