Travelling over the Festive season? Then travel safe. And that means carrying a first aid kit. But have you thought about a second one – for your tyres?
Mickey Thompson South Africa, which imports and distributes a range of all-American 4×4 and off-road tyres, has compiled a selection of handy tyre essentials. That’s because proper planning is important when you hitting the N3 from Gauteng to Durbs or the N1 from Cape Town to Bloemfontein…but it becomes critical when your destination is a GPS co-ordinate somewhere in the Namib Desert or the Okavango Swamp.
The Mickey Thompson tyre first aid kit is designed to ensure that first and foremost you know what is going on at the four corners of your vehicle or trailer/caravan, but also to aid travellers in making a quick and safe roadside tyre change. With that in mind they recommend the following:
Longacre tyre pressure gauge: A reliable and accurate tyre pressure gauge such as this Longacre 4-Bar silicone-damped unit is arguably the most important component you can carry. Motorsport competitors swear by it, and with a pressure release button it allows for easy fine-tuning of pressures, while the 40cm stand-off hose means you can work at a convenient and comfortable distance from the actual tyre valve.
ATS mechanics’ gloves – keeps your hands clean, so that when you get going again you don’t leave brake dust and road grime all over your steering wheel. Choose from red, blue or black.
Collapsible wheel nut holder. With its magnetic base not only can you stick it to the car’s fender, but your wheelnuts will stay squeaky clean even if you stand it on the ground. Mud or sand, plus machined threads, are a match made in hell…
Grayston folding wheel spanner. With 17, 19, 21 and 23mm sockets, this fold-flat wheel brace fits virtually anything – so you only need one tool for your car and your trailers’ lug nuts. The day will come when you’ll love yourself for your forethought…or a fellow caravanner will!
Spare Check tyre monitor. Take the hassle out of checking the pressure on any inconveniently-positioned spare wheel with the Spare Check. If you can see green then all is good, if it’s red, then get the pump out.
“A relatively minor mechanical issue such as a puncture can become a big deal if you aren’t properly prepared,” says Robin Houghton of Mickey Thompson South Africa. “Success in most endeavours often comes down to good planning and with our First Aid kit motorists will be properly prepared for almost any tyre-related eventuality.”
M/T First Aid Kit
Price R1 495.00 (includes a canvas storage bag).