Recommendations on road trip spares...help please!

[evisu140]

Ok folks. Embarking on a 2k mile road trip mid-October in my V8V (2006 4.3 with 18k, full AM history etc.) from Yorkshire to Bordeaux and heading home via Reims. Just had lightweight clutch/flywheel installed by main dealer in Leeds (fantastic improvement) and serviced Feb/800 miles ago by same Leeds main dealer.

Can anybody advise on a simple bunch of spares that maybe handy to take with me based on their ownership/road trip experience? Would hate to be stranded/recovered for a daft relay or something that, if I have with me, can be changeout and away I go again!

Appreciate none of you have a crystal ball, just looking for a little experience-based input beyond the normal common-sense stuff like a few fuses, water/oil and essential 'travel' keeping my car clean kit...!

E.g; OBD thingy for clearing any fault codes etc…?

Many thanks.

[oilit]

I drove the 9 down to Vannes a couple of years ago - didn't even think about spares - just jumped in and drove it.

On the way back it was an overnight dash and the only thing i had to buy was two cans of redbull - and only used one of those !!!

Good breakdown cover and if its well maintained i would say just drive it and don't stress….take some oil if you so desire.

[LTP]

AFAIK you legally need to carry a set of spare bulbs in France. Plus first aid kit? I’m not sure.

And make sure there’s spare fuses in your fuse boxes.

[Derek 111S]

Do you need any more than a mobile phone and credit card these days, regardless of where your travels take you?

[Gary C]

Humm....

Impossible to answer but do you have known issues ?

A small toolkit is the most important bit. Its amazing how many things you can bodge if you have the right tools.

[NNH]

OP is one of the greatest lurkers of all time

[evisu140]

Derek 111S said:

Do you need any more than a mobile phone and credit card these days, regardless of where your travels take you?

LOL - Fair point, once I get to Bordeaux I'll have a couple of bottles of another essential beyond my phone/card! Appreciate all responses so far chaps.

[M1AGM]

Take some tyre weld.

Credit cards.

Aston’s are actually pretty reliable. I did a run to Switzerland touring and back a couple of years ago and my 9 never missed a beat, and that was with spanking it at every opportunity.

[pschlute]

LTP said:

AFAIK you legally need to carry a set of spare bulbs in France. Plus first aid kit? I’m not sure.

And make sure there’s spare fuses in your fuse boxes.

Admittedly a few years since I drove to France, but my understanding then was the same.

Must have spare bulbs, and a yellow hi-vis for each occupant, which must be accessible from the car, ie not in the boot.

As your lights are likely to be sealed units just buy a cheap emergency bulb kit from Halfords that you can show a Gendarme if you get stopped.

[R129 300SL]

A tyre plug kit would be handy. A lot more useful than a can of tyreweld. Hopefully you never use but may get you out of trouble.

Less than £10 from ebay. Look on youtube how to use them.

Took one when we drove in Audi Q5 to France- no spare tyre.

[john ryan]

We do long trips in europe on less travelled roads, and take two cans of tyre weld and an external tyre plug kit - both have been used to get us out of trouble within the hour. I also take a screw jack and wheel brace, so that I can remove a wheel for tyre repair or easy transport to a tyre repairer. Also a code reader, tyre pressure gauge, ws manual on memory stick and a small set of torx bits.
Legislation generally requires hi viz jackets in the car, first aid kit and, as recommended, a cheap bulb kit for show.

[geresey]

LTP said:

AFAIK you legally need to carry a set of spare bulbs in France. Plus first aid kit? I’m not sure.

And make sure there’s spare fuses in your fuse boxes.

And a breathalyser kit

[Boshey]

geresey said:

And a breathalyser kit

My understanding is that french government have delayed the requirement to legally carry a breathalyser kit.
Have driven in France a fair amount and have had details - license and registration. Only been asked once for the high vis, never for bulbs and headlights never been checked but then I rarely drive at night.
Hope this helps

[evisu140]

Thanks all for updates! Very useful.

Beyond the normal legislative requirements (bulbs, hi-viz etc) I'll take the tyre repair kit and a can of tyre weld (think the original bottle of gunk in the boot is well beyond its best!)

If there's room after my lady has packed 85 pairs of shoes I'll squeeze in the jack/brace, and minimalist tool kit! Oh, & my bike (maybe!)

[David W.]

Do get a toll tag for seemless progress.

[evisu140]

David W. said:

Do get a toll tag for seemless progress.

Good point, already have a Sanef thingy sorted!

[Longers]

I always seem to accumulate more dead flies on windscreen when in France so I take a good screen cleaner & cloth with me

Is that a Seasucker? Been thinking about getting one of those for my Vantage but I'm not sure I'd relax and trust it even though I've seen plenty of positive reviews...!

Can you get boot open with bike on it?

(Sorry for going off topic)

[evisu140]

Longers said:

I always seem to accumulate more dead flies on windscreen when in France so I take a good screen cleaner & cloth with me

Is that a Seasucker? Been thinking about getting one of those for my Vantage but I'm not sure I'd relax and trust it even though I've seen plenty of positive reviews...!

Can you get boot open with bike on it?

(Sorry for going off topic)

Yes its a SeaSucker. Can't fault it whatsoever. Once you've installed it a few times and get confidence that the suckers have a good seal/hold vac then no worries. Advise elastic band between pedal and rear QR to stop bike crank turning and touching roof (happened on a 911 I had!). I've used it on a few cars, about 3mm clearance between rear bike wheel and boot lid when open! I'd only use it on one lightweight carbon bikes, no steel onion-seller bikes!

Edited by evisu140 on Sunday 5th September 07:45

[Shnozz]

evisu140 said:

David W. said:

Do get a toll tag for seemless progress.

Good point, already have a Sanef thingy sorted!

Just make sure it’s linked to a credit card and not debit card. I’ve had issues with random motorway charges in France when the tag was sat in my house the whole time. Still yet to be reimbursed. Tag serial number matched so no idea how it’s happened.

[evisu140]

Shnozz said:

Just make sure it’s linked to a credit card and not debit card. I’ve had issues with random motorway charges in France when the tag was sat in my house the whole time. Still yet to be reimbursed. Tag serial number matched so no idea how it’s happened.

That explains 3x charges circa 3 or 4 quid here and there to my Debit card over last year when I haven't been anywhere near a French toll road! Scallywags!