The main difference between the usual driving we do in our TR's and the long distance drive is sustained speed. This means all things that go around go around faster for more time. Wheel bearings, water pump bearings, drivelines, axles, fan belts, and alternators all need to be checked before leaving. A small leak at 50 mph is a big leak at 70 mph, more gas than you have used in the past year is going thru the fuel system in 3 days, so filters should be clean and a spare should be carried. Radiator and heater hoses are going to be tested so check and replace before you leave. The things that I consider givens or already in good condition are the cooling system, the brakes, all lights, oil pressure, tires and balance (6 days shaking down the road at speed is not fun!) All filters should be fresh so you don't need to change them on the road, if something is not up to scratch don't bring a replacement on the trip, change it in your own garage, not the side of the road.
Just for reference, in the past three trips of this nature only a wiper blade blew off, a Speedo cable broke, a TR 3 tie-rod end came apart, and a set of points burned out on a TR 8. All were repaired or ignored on the move and all TR's made it home under their own power. Not bad for over 10,000 miles in very old cars.
The worst that could happen, short of a bad accident, is a major component giving up and the TR is immobilized. The fix? Remember this is worst case. Get out your credit card, rent a U-Haul truck, insert one TR, drive back to Seattle and tell all your friends some outrageous story for why you came home early. Much more probable is a phone call to Moss, or the Roadster Factory, or Victoria British to order the part and have it shipped to the next hotel so you can give a tech session in the parking lot.
There was a Breckenridge tech session at the February 6th. meeting to go over the ways to check all the above rotating things. All Tyee members are welcome and who knows, you may learn something new about your Triumph!
-Tom Eller