Its 1st long journey -----Advice please

[V8 Rumbler]

My Stag is 37 Yrs old, it has had 10 homes all within 25 miles of Plymouth and probably never ventured far.
I will soon be driving it to surrey (400 mile round trip) besides the obvious ie all fluids etc any advice on prep?

Oh and I will be driving 'topless' So I will be a tad drafty :X So I will need a good service on my return.

I am going up to Vmad's as he has fitted my hood to a recon frame


Darren

[Russell]

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All the best Darren,

Id carry a bottle of each fluid with you and a gallon of water, thats what i always do, and wrap up warm!!!! Carry a tarp if (heaven forbid) you break down and it rains so you can at least cover the interior - you wont break down though mate, and at least on the return journery the hood will be up, or down weather dependant!!!!



Drive Safe.

[Greenstag]

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Darren



Here's what I carry, long or short journey... bit of overkill but it's a bit like a security blanket to me.

oil, water, petrol, brake fluid, power steering fluid WD40, spare spark plug/lead/rotor arm, jublilee clips, emergency bandage for cooling system pipes, various lengths of wire and scotchlocks, spade connectors,bulbs, some bits of tubing,fuses, trolley jack, emergency battery pack, tow rope, spanners, screwdivers, molegrips,fuel filter,rags,rubber gloves,torch, lots of optimisim, and the thought that worse things happen at sea.

David

[Andy Rundell]

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As mentioned, carry some oil/water just in case, a few odd tools, and your recovery details.... then just drive it and enjoy

.....Andy

P.S. i bought mine from near Newton Abbot, first journey was 150 uneventful miles back to Surrey

[Stevekid1]

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Blimey!!! No room for a flask and packed lunch then?:P

[Gresley]

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Hi Darren

I've done lots of long journeys in my Stag without any problems, for example during easter week it covered 400 miles in three days. I carry basic tools, spare rotor arm and if away from home, engine oil, and always check thingslike hoses, fuel pipes etc before a long journey. Probably worth checking the gearbox and diff oil too. As I use the car everyday I supposemine is used to intensive use. My first journey in the Stag was 100 miles home on the day I bought it!!

Brian

[jamcarr2]

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Mobile phone and an R A C card

[Arbman Al]

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Hi Darren
Sure everything will be ok.
When is your epic adventure happening?
Al

[Dave M]

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Ive done Lincoln to the New Forest (200ish miles each way)with the caravan on tow 3 times now, always a bit nerve racking but carry the usual water, oil and one or two spares. Never had a problem apart from a brand new alternator coming loose after being fitted by a Stag "specialist"

Dave

[Bazstag]

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Just belts for me, let B&R fit them or do whatever, a fuel free trip would be nice and i'm sure vmad would be able to sort any problems when you get there

Baz

[Guest]

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As well as the things suggested also carry an innertube from a pushbike. If one of the hoses does split you cut the innertube to length, remove the offending hose, place the innertube inside the hose, refit the offending hose making sure that the innertubeis foldedover the end of the hose. This is a "trick" used by may breakdown mechanics as it can be used for most sizes of hoses. Even if the hose has a long split the innertube will make things watertight but you may need to use some tape to hold the split. Has worked for me on more than one occasion.

Good luck with your journey. Unsure if you know, the A38 between Marsh Mills and Marley Head ( Both ways ) is getting "famous" for mobile speed cameras ( Sorry Safety Cameras ) so keep you eyes open for vans parked at the side of the road.

Don Kennedy

[Guest]

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jamcarr2 wrote:

Mobile phone and an R A C card

Hiya Darren, that really isall you need !

Have you thought of fitting the hard top for your journey ? If I was as scared of using my car as some seem to be, I would have to sell it ! even though I'm the original Stag paranoid, if I couldn't trust it, what use is it ? It ain't a painting or fine porcelain, Switzerland and back in a week didn't trouble it, nor regular 800 mile round trips to Scotland. Surely we all know by now that the very worstabuse you can inflict on a Stag is to not use it, brakes rust, seals harden, bores dry out etc etc. Go for it mate, enjoy ! Martin.

[StagnJag]

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Hi Darren,

If you use your Stag regularly you will have a good ideas of how much oil and water it will use. If the sums add up and you won't run out of either, then just jump in and enjoy the ride. .

Dave.

[STAG1973]

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We are planning a trip to cornwall in june the first long joruney for the car inages, i will just take fluids and brake down card,

ENJOY THE TRIP

Adrian

[V8 Rumbler]

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OK Chaps
I stick a post on the forum , I disappear for an hour, come back and then spend 10mins reading all the replys .

So transfer the contents of the garage to the Stag and set off then

I do use her on a regular albeit leisure basis so unlikely to come across too many issues. Take fluids and basic tool kit .

I do have breakdown recovery with the insurance so if I pop the inertia switch in Plymouth and travel to surrey on a low-loader I will save loads on fuel

I have mentioned Friday to Vmad as the weather looks promising but haven't heard if this is convenient with him yet. My hard top isn't usable at present as the front handles need some welding, but DJT has a bosscreen which may be available

I think a steady 60 with the odd blast on a straight bit should be ok.

So a full tank of gas, 200 miles and half a packet of Marlboro (sorry forgot I gave up 5 yrs ago)

Darren