[Peter]

That’s similar in complexity as a question to trying to answer “how high is up?”

If you are a mechanic, if you have the space and weight capacity, if you have the tools, if you can diagnose your problems, if your travel schedule is critical, and if you are willing and able to do your own repairs by all means carry spares. And fluids. And the diagnostic tool, etc. etc.

If I am not mistaken we can count the number of times a PC member has been shut down and had to be towed on the fingers of both hands. Out of all our members and the number of trips taken the percentage has been extremely low. Then if we consider the situations in which a spare widget would have saved the day the percentage of instances when spares would have helped is even less.

In a lot of cases just carrying some basic spares is all that is needed to put the odds well in your favor. Belts, spare relays, and even a spare tire (not practical) along with some knowledge of some tricks will get you going, and keep you going. By tricks I mean a way to use a jumper on some sensors, or knowing to get the bus to the driving height you might need to replace or swap a solenoid coil.

You have a lot of assets already available such as a coach that you can keep going if the alternator quits using the on board battery charger, you have lots of water to keep the radiator full, you have an air supply to fill tires, and in most cases you have enough relays to swap out with others to replace the critical ones.

Some things a trailer full of spares won’t help are blowouts that take out critical parts like air bags or brake chambers. A fire will stop you. An engine or transmission failure shuts you down or even a blown hose in the intake will keep you from driving. We have heard of owners who have been sidelined by minute problems that took days to diagnose, such as leaks in a fuel line that were sucking air.

I used to carry a boatload of spares. A tire, brake chambers, generator fuel pump, fluids, etc. Then I made sure I had the tools such as a torque multiplier so I could change a tire. No more. I would rather replace perfectly good parts like belts, air bags, brake chambers, tires, etc. prematurely than risk an on the road breakdown. I do still carry belts, light bulbs, relays, tools, etc. but only for the simple things. Other than that my best protection is 1-800.

[Archived]

I carry a spare fuel pump for gen one turbo hose for gen some 24 volt relays , couple spare valves and coils for the ride height , one spare fuse for the watch dog gen start, belts for bus and gen and fan for gen and that’s it , some small ball valves for air lines in case I have leak and have to shut a line off