Adventioneering

Choosing spares to take on expedition is a compromise between safety and the practicality of space and weight constraints. Each spare part you pack reduces your vehicle’s cargo capacity, consumes fuel whilst driving up grades, and takes space that could be used by something else.

When considering spare parts it is recommended that the vehicle not break in the first place. While perhaps obvious, maintenance negligence causes many trailside breakdowns. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before the expedition, checking all fluids, the condition of all hoses, as well as the fitting of the various joints and driveline.

It is not necessary to pack a part for which a failure would not strand the vehicle. For example, breaking a driveshaft on a Land Rover reduces its capability to 2wd (after you remove the offending part) but does not immediately strand the vehicle. Areas that would have required the 4wd could then be overcome with winch or hi-lift jack.

Know the weak-points for your particular make and model of vehicle; for example for Land Rover Discovery series I, the differentials, drag link and track rod and associated ball joints are known weak spots. Therefore it would be prudent to carry at least an extra tie-rod end assembly (e.g., RTC587D). For a major expedition far from civilization it may be prudent to carry a spare differential.

Beware the electrics, especially on more “modern” vehicles. For example modern Rovers have something known as the “spider” relay module. When this module fails, the vehicle is immobilized. Avoid the problem entirely by replacing it with a bypass module (available from the dealer). On most modern vehicles, the various computers are coded with the VIN of vehicle. Replacing a single computer (e.g., by borrowing or purchasing a replacement) will not actually fix the vehicle until a qualified technician reprograms the unit.

Fuel injection engines require several sensors in order for the engine to run; one that often breaks stranding vehicles is the crankshaft position sensor. One way to nip this problem in the bud and avoid problems is to pro-actively replace the engine management sensors, perhaps every 100,000 miles/10 years unless the sensor is a known weak spot on your particular vehicle.

Losing your battery will make the vehicle difficult (but not impossible) to start, but losing your alternator will guarantee problems. Therefore it would be wiser to carry a spare alternator than a spare battery, although some vehicles will already be fitted with a dual-battery setup to handle the increased electrical demand placed on the vehicle by expedition equipment.

Spark plug wires are fragile and prone to damage, particularly if a careless mechanic is working on the engine. It would be prudent to carry a spare, but an entire set is not required; instead carry one identical to the longest wire on the vehicle, as this will then reach any of the plugs.

It’s also worth mentioning that just because you are on expedition, your vehicle still needs regular, routine service including oil and air filter service. Carrying spare oil is always a good idea, but you may have to plan to carry enough oil, oil filters, and air filters to last the entire trip.

A typical spares kit for a major expedition could read something like this:

Air Filter
Bolts, washers, and nuts, assorted sizes.
Clutch master cylinder assy. (For manual transmission vehicles)
Crankshaft Sensor
Fuel Injector, plus associated washers and other hardware
Fuel Pump
Fuses, assorted
Hose clamps, assorted. (Widely useful for more than clamping hoses)
Hub Gaskets
Hub oil seals
Oil Filters
Oil pressure switch
Serpentine Belts
Spare Bulbs – Headlight, Brake, Turn
Spark Plug Wire
Speedometer Sensor
Tire Valve Cores
Wading Plugs

This article is part of the Vehicle Dependent Expedition section.