Do I Need To Carry Spare Parts?

qtla9111 wrote:

45Ricochet wrote:
200K miles on a Durango? In Mexico no less? You don't need any parts, you need a new tow vehicle IMO.
Don't get me wrong, we have spent many days, months in Mexico way back when and loved it. Now days it's a chance of a visit at best. Remember they don't allow protection devices like a 45 into the country. Good luck and safe travels.

The Durango was a dealer import here in Mexico and had two years of dealer maintenance. We bought it in 2007. It's been a great SUV and has served us well. We have no complaints with that.

I been here 30 years and we have rved the last 15 and almost exclusively boondocking in Mexico. On this trip I traveled by myself. Never an issue in terms of security, robbery, stolen items off the rig, and we have traveled half of the Mexican states including Jalisco, Michoacan and Guerrero.

For work I have been on the road on my own to all the Mexican states except for Colima and Chiapas. I work mostly the border cities and northern states. It's a great life and a wonderful job and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thanks again to everyone regarding my OP. I guess good checkups, maintenance and as someone said luck will keep my Durango going for a couple of more years.

BTW, as a Mexican resident, by law, I can have a weapon at home for self-protection.

Glad you cleaned that up for me, happy for your experience in Mexico. Yeah I bet being a resident you would be treated differently than a gringo from the states. Have a place in Punta Bandera for the last 25 years of so. Great get away if you don't mind custom lines back into the USA. The first 20 years or so it was a pleasure to own. This past five years it is broken into at least once a year. We now have a local watching it but they still don't catch all of the thieves. LOL just like the USA :W

45Ricochet wrote:
200K miles on a Durango? In Mexico no less? You don't need any parts, you need a new tow vehicle IMO.
Don't get me wrong, we have spent many days, months in Mexico way back when and loved it. Now days it's a chance of a visit at best. Remember they don't allow protection devices like a 45 into the country. Good luck and safe travels.

The Durango was a dealer import here in Mexico and had two years of dealer maintenance. We bought it in 2007. It's been a great SUV and has served us well. We have no complaints with that.

I been here 30 years and we have rved the last 15 and almost exclusively boondocking in Mexico. On this trip I traveled by myself. Never an issue in terms of security, robbery, stolen items off the rig, and we have traveled half of the Mexican states including Jalisco, Michoacan and Guerrero.

For work I have been on the road on my own to all the Mexican states except for Colima and Chiapas. I work mostly the border cities and northern states. It's a great life and a wonderful job and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thanks again to everyone regarding my OP. I guess good checkups, maintenance and as someone said luck will keep my Durango going for a couple of more years.

BTW, as a Mexican resident, by law, I can have a weapon at home for self-protection.

200K miles on a Durango? In Mexico no less? You don't need any parts, you need a new tow vehicle IMO.
Don't get me wrong, we have spent many days, months in Mexico way back when and loved it. Now days it's a chance of a visit at best. Remember they don't allow protection devices like a 45 into the country. Good luck and safe travels.

ChopperBill wrote:
Only if you have a Ford or a Dodge. LOL

Yup because the rest of them won't make it that far.Now we should have them all covered.

ChopperBill wrote:
Only if you have a Ford or a Dodge. LOL

Ha... I was waiting for this. I'm STUNNED that in the "tow vehicles" section it took until almost the bottom of page 2 before someone mentioned something about a brand they didn't own.

I'm almost 100% certain ChopperBill was joking... but I'm still stunned it took this long!!!

OP, only you know what has been changed and what hasn't been changed on your vehicle. In all honesty, at 200K miles you are approaching the point that a LOT of stuff could give up the ghost at any point in time. Its hard to know exactly what to bring. My best suggestion is a charged cell phone with good service where you travel and a universally accepted credit card. When you break down, call for a tow and have it taken to a decent shop.

Chances are that whatever spare parts you have won't be what breaks. Or, if you do have the correct spare part, you don't have the tools to replace it. I'll be honest... outside of changing fluids, wheels, fuses and a windshield wiper, I don't know jack about modern vehicles and likely couldn't fix it even if I had the right parts, the right tools, a lift and a 6 pack of beer.

Good luck!

Old Biscuit, I don't give myself enough credit. I can do basic stuff and carry a tool box that has the essentials. The SUV has been maintained by my starndards in terms of suspension, tuneups, oil changes, brakes, etc. Under the hood looks great.

Like I said, I carry belts and hoses, things that are easily changed. No problems with tires on either the SUV or TT.

I thought there might be a magic list. I guess it's one of those things you take when it comes. My concern is the age of the SUV and finding what I need at the time something happens.

I appreciate everyone's comments.

Only if you have a Ford or a Dodge. LOL

qtla9111 wrote:
Okay, maybe I deserve some of these answers. I don't have a good answer and that's why I asked.

I know I can't carry replacement parts for everything and I guess my question should have been, What is most likely to breakdown after 200k miles on my SUV?
and Is there a way to avoid some of these issues?

I keep my vehicles forever. My Daily driver has nearly 500,000 miles and my TV (used for towing only) has 90,000 miles. My formula: regular oil changes and maintenance including washing and waxing and using proper products on the interior. New battery every 2 1/2 years. Every 100,000 miles all new hoses, belts, radiator flush, tranny flush, all new fuel filters REPLACE a/c coolant/not just add to old. 150,000 new alternator, water pump, timing chain, radiator, shocks and springs. I replace sooner if necessary/but replace even if not immediately necessary. I've never gotten stuck..... I've come home under my own power every time. I've never opened an engine up. If properly maintained there is no reason a quality vehicle is done at 200,000 miles.

I have seen people travel with nothing more than a credit card. I have seem people take along a few thousand dollars of spare parts.

I think it is very wise to take a basic tool kit and a few replacements for common problems on your particular model vehicle. A spare belt, maybe a hose or 2, a fuel filter if you have a diesel and some basic tools are good insurance.

You could have brand new 2016 model disel pickup with 100 miles on it. Get some bad diesel and you better have a new filter or 2 or you will be stuck on the side of the road, possibly for hours, because you do not have a 30 dollar filter and a wrench.

I once had a hose clamp on transmission cooler line break while travelling. I only had my leatherman multi tool with me. I had to take the front grill off the truck and do a bit of hose rerouting to bypass the cooler until we got home. It took a couple hours and lots of foul language to get the job done with the multi tool. Had I had a proper basic tool kit it would have take maybe 15-20 minutes at the most and would have saved lots of knuckles.

I no longer go anywhere without some tools in the vehicle at the very least.

I maintain my truck and don't have a clue what might break.......

Now IF I didn't maintain it I might be able to wager a guess.

It's your SUV.....how do YOU maintain it ???

200K----------seen routinely maintained vehicles go many more miles. Seen poorly maintained vehicles not make 100K

Surprised you are not mechanical....running around down where you routinely go I would have thought you turned a wrench or two in your day.

Good luck on your future trips. Carry cash?