Community Forums

bamaspiveys · 11-23-2016, 11:52 AM

I looked at the list of filters and belts on the "sticky" post and have contacted Spartan for a price quote.

I am not a full timer, but am about to embark on a few trips in the 1500 to 2000 mile range over the next few months.

My annual service is in March, so I will do a full oil/filter/lube on the engine. I have about 100 hours before my next generator service, I will be real close to making it to March on that one.

What spare parts would you recommend I purchase to have with me and what do you keep on your coach?

Cruzer · 11-23-2016, 02:25 PM

I keep engine oil, Transynd transmission fluid, a quart bottle of gear lube, Aqua-Hot boiler antifreeze, Final Charge coolant and spare belts and wiper blades for the most part. And a box of fuses. As to filters, the only thing I take when we travel is the primary fuel filter (and filter wrench) in case we get bad fuel someplace. The ret will keep until I get home and service it.

RubiconTrail · 11-23-2016, 03:12 PM

Add a serpentine belt and a spring clamp to hold up a manually rolled up window shade if the motor goes in the down position. This is fairly common and the spring clamp will save you if it's a cab window shade.

Gary.Jones · 11-23-2016, 07:07 PM

Dont trust the spring clamp that Rubicon Trail advocates. I had my night shade right in front of my driver seat fall (unroll) down on I-80 at 62 mph with semis in front of me, behind me, and getting ready to pass me..... drove until I could get on the berm by looking out the side windows. Never been so vigilant and scared in my life. Take thick, heavy zip ties (those plastic ties that have a ratchet catch that only get tight and never loosen up until you cut them. You cant get rope or anything stout around the shades but the zip ties will make the circuit.

Now, I have everything on board that have been mentioned by the previous posters. However, I have a complete set of all filters (including all filters on the generator) and I have all belts that can break. I have some of all of those fluids plus 3 gallons of Rotella oil for diesel engines. And I have three tool boxes of tools (my motto is "You can't have enough tools"). I also have a used kitty litter plastic pail which has ~ 10 of every size fuse of every common amperage, a digital volt meter, an analog volt meter, jumper clips (alligator clips on both ends), several spools of wire (common in coaches), spare bulbs, electrical tools like (dikes (diagonal cutters)) needle noise pliers, butt connectors, spade connectors, etc etc.

Gary

MRUSA14 · 11-23-2016, 10:00 PM

And I thought I was the only one who carries all that cr*p!

Hayman · 11-24-2016, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

And I thought I was the only one who carries all that cr*p!

I think there a bunch of us that haul it all around but as the saying goes you only need it when you don't have it 😀.

Gary.Jones · 11-24-2016, 07:23 AM

Oh Mike, you will find that you can find much more reasonable prices on all of the filters that you will need at other places on the internet. You can get fleetguard products from tons of people. I have found that many of mine are available through Amazon. Another good source is Ryder Fleet products. Do some shopping around. Spartan is much more likely to be charging you MSRP on a bunch of those supplies.

I discovered that at an FMCA rally. Spartan was there and they handled every filter (lets say) that I needed, but their prices were not competitive. Available and ready to do, but expensive compared to doing a little internet shopping.

Gary

Flanz · 11-24-2016, 08:22 AM

Well, I also carry some filters as spares as well as the two belts, but I also have a tow vehicle and the internet. If I need something there's always a walmart/auto parts store/grocerys in the area. If i need to wait a day or so, who cares we're full timers. Just can't see clutttering up the compartments with all that stuff.

Okay - go ahead and start listing all the senerios and reasons why I need all of that stuff!

Tall Tex · 11-24-2016, 08:31 AM

I too carry most everything mentioned. But the most important two things to carry is a cell phone and a deep bucket full of patients.

But, in reality we bought Entegra's so we don't need any of that stuff, do we!

markanddee · 11-24-2016, 09:00 AM

I have found that Filter Barn has excellent pricing for the filters and spend $100.00 and you get free shipping.

Ann n Gene · 11-24-2016, 09:36 AM

I recommend you carry the Racor fuel filter as it is a marine filter and not readily available. If you are on the side of the road a several day wait for a fuel filter is not a good option. All JMHO

2016 45 B Topaz Cornerstone
2014 MKT towed

noeldale · 11-24-2016, 09:59 AM

Need to revise my list and take a new inventory. I think I missed some of the items.

brobox · 11-24-2016, 10:36 AM

Spare Fuel Filters, wrench to remove them, serpentine belt, I don't carry the A/C belt, I have roof air until I can get to NAPA. A box of multi size fuses from Harbor Freight, both large and small size. A gallon of oil and a gallon of coolant...that should get me to Walmart.

A pair of 28 inch wiper blades. If they rot from the heat in the basement no big deal, beats $40. for 31 or 32 inch blades They will get me to NAPA if I loose one on the road. Aqua Hot fluid is something else that cannot be purchased on the road.

Best prices for filter by far is Speedco when you have service done. $5.99 for fuel filters that are $35. online. However they will only sell them at that price when you have an oil change.

Like Flanz, I have a toad for rarely needed items, but carry the most "stuck on the road" items and normal service items while on a trip. The spare fuel filter I have used more than once because of bad fuel and won't leave home without those. I carry both filters as I picked up the secondary filter at Speedco for $5.99

jestal · 11-24-2016, 07:25 PM

Chuck et al........ beware of the Harbor Freight fuse pack. Harbor Freight had a recall on their fuses a number of years ago and if your collection dates from then you should know that the fuses will NOT blow at the correct amperage! The auto companies discovered some melted wiring and components returned under warranty where the fuse blew as desired and the owner had bought the Harbor Freight fuse selection kit and installed one. The guys in China that reverse engineered the fuses did not realize that they were SUPPOSED to melt and blow at the marked amperage. You would have been better off using a paper clip! I do think they corrected the problem on the new stuff but the older ones are still showing up in warranty returns to the car companies!!

For spares don't forget any special items for your tow'd that might render it inoperative or un-towable.