Tools? Downsizing home what do I keep?

[yellowcake]

I purchased my 2019 28’ FC rear twin late last summer and plan to hit the road full time this Fall. In an effort to downsize, I’m trying to decide which tools I should keep from the sale of my home. I have amassed quite a collection as a DIY, but plan to have a yard sale for most of them. I will store a small volume of keepsakes either in storage or family garage while I travel, but for the most part, everything will be sold.

I plan to travel the country staying at National and State Parks initially with the intention to boondock as soon as I’m comfortable (with the occasional stay at FHU campgrounds).

Lots of hiking, biking and kayaking with my Cavalier King Charles.

What tool(s) have you found most useful? Keeping in mind the storage and weight limitations. My TV is a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi.

Thanks!

[GMFL]

Keep GOOD Basic hand tools. YOU ONLY NEED ONE OF EACH. Socket set standard and metric. Few screwdrivers. Pliers, visegrips, cordless drill and bits, good crimp tool, wire strippers/cutters, pop rivet gun, channel locks, crescent wrench, hammer, most of the other stuff just give it to me
Good luck. I’ve never been good at getting rid of tools.

[skyguyscott]

This both easy and hard. One the one hand, experience teaches that the first tool you're really going to need is the last one you sold/left home/forgot to bring. On the other hand, you're retired! pay someone else to turn wrenches, and since it's a new trailer, its under warranty for what, three years? (leaving aside the hassle of getting warranty work done at the dealership in a reasonable amount of time OMG I could have done this myself better/faster/cheaper thing)

Do you have any kids/nephews/nieces/close neighbors that you could "permanently loan" your tools to, with the agreement that should you need to borrow them, you can?

You should know that a big part of Airstreaming is working on the thing, especially after it's out of warranty, and many of us are still accumulating tools in an ever-growing tool box/bin/trailer of its own!

Then again, there comes a point when we realize we have polished our last trailer, repacked our final wheel bearing, and many of these gadgets should be passed on (I know, donate them to me!) << shameless plug!

Seriously, ask yourself what kind of work you want to be doing on the trailer, and just keep those tools. For instance, if you're fine with the interior, you can probably ditch most of the carpentry tools. Do you want to work on your truck engine yourself? If not, there is a whole other class you can selectively toss. I suppose the key issue will be determining how prepared you are to NOT DIY and pay someone else to do it for you.

[SCOTTinNJ]

In addition to those mentioned, I kept a circular saw, jig saw, sander, heat gun, small shop vac, and a ladder (off the top of my head, maybe more). I've used each recently.

[Dan and Liz]

A hand axe and folding saw can be handy. 12v compressor,Teflon tape, spare pop rivets and assorted screws, and a bottle jack.

[yellowcake]

Thanks for the suggestions! Downsizing and prioritzing for FT living is tricky. I’m pretty sure my DIY days are over (famous last words), so probaby just looking at general maintenance tools and leave the big projects to someone else. So far, my “keep” stack mirrors several of the suggestions, which is comforting - hopefully I’m on the right track.

SCOTTinNJ. I am debating whether to keep my circuar saw and jig saw - my AS is new, so not sure what I would need them for. I think I know the answer to this, but I’ll ask anyway - - can’t I just rent what I need along the way? (Answer: of course not - because there won’t be any place close by when you need it!). Where do you store all these things? The shop vac, the ladder? I have a short lighweight ladder I use to get the awning down (I’m a shorty). It allows me to see the roof of the AS, but not to climb up there (would I need to?). Anything larger would not fit in my rear storage compartment and would have to go in the bed of the truck. Not sure I want to be moving that everytime I set up camp.

Dan and Liz - I’m not familiar with the bottle jack, the compact size sounds interesting - but after reading a little about them, I think I’ll pass. From a personal safety perspective, I have very little experience lifting vehicles (I leave this to AAA or the automotive shop). Having said that, is there another use for the Bottle Jack, other than jacking up the AS or TV that I should consider?

Hand Ax and folding saw are good ideas (better exercise than circular saw, lol).

Please keep suggestions coming!

[Acheron2010]

After a year on the road, the "tool" I have used almost every day is a set of EMT shears. The tool I wish I have when I don't the most is a strap wrench.
The most effective tool in my travels has been a simple roll of bright yellow tape. For me, my truck backup camera is not clear enough to pick out the black trailer hitch - I tried reflective tape, but a small square of yellow tape on the front sticks out best in all lighting situations.
I've never had to use a saw or sander.

[twbucksr]

When we sold our house I gave my son all my tools.

We full time in our 2018 27FBQ FC. I’ve purchased and used the following tools in the past 4 years. No sets in my tool bag due to added weight and storage space required when we travel (3 weeklong trips a year). All my tools fit a specific need or emergency situation (i.e. flat tire) while on the road and not what I might need if I decided to do some sort of modification to our AS.

In an canvas tool bag I carry a torque trench (the fact nobody prior has mentioned this daily used tool while traveling tells me they’re not checking their lugs as they should), breaker bar, multi-head screw driver, screwdrivers (phillip and flat head), small & medium sized adjustable wrenches, cordless variable speed drill with charger and backup battery, 1/4” & 1/2” drive adapters for the cordless drill, 1/4” & 1/2” drive socket wrenches, 1/2” drive extension long enough to remove lug nuts on AS wheel, thin wall socket for AS lug nuts removal, socket to fit stabilizers, open end wrench and socket sizes to adjust my Andersen WD/SC hitch and drain the water heater, hammer, multimeter, wire stripper/cutter/crimper, pliers, needle nose pliers, channel locks, wire cutters, multi head allen wrench, duct tape, electrical tape, teflon tape, lock tight, zip ties, razor blade scraper, razor blade knife, leather gloves, pencil and a sharpie.

Inside the AS I have a 6” bubble level, rain suit, headband flashlight, hand held flashlight, free standing lantern, multi-head screw driver, 12v air compressor, garden knee pad, scissor jack and 3 old bath towels for leaks, spills and foot drying when it is raining.

[Dan and Liz]

Originally Posted by yellowcake

Dan and Liz - I’m not familiar with the bottle jack, the compact size sounds interesting - but after reading a little about them, I think I’ll pass. From a personal safety perspective, I have very little experience lifting vehicles (I leave this to AAA or the automotive shop). Having said that, is there another use for the Bottle Jack, other than jacking up the AS or TV that I should consider?

After a tongue jack failure, I bless the day I put a bottle jack in the storage bin. You hope to never need it, but when you’re in a tough spot ... Doesn’t take up much space, worth its weight in gold.

[waninae39]

you can never have enough tools

keep duplicates of some common ones also in different lengths ie short , medium and long screw drivers of straight, Phillips, Robertson.
also carny torx and allen keys

power tools like a cordless drill are more than handy

[stevejones]

One of the things to figure out is what you are going to fix/adjust/install yourself and what you'll let someone else take care of. If someone else, then you don't need to carry the tools to take care of that particular thing. Tools are heavy. But it sucks to need a tool on the road and not have it and think about that tool sitting at home. On the other hand there are stores most places you go and you can usually acquire a tool you need. You have a new trailer so hopefully there is not that much you are going to need to fix.

I probably brought too many tools on our full timing adventure but I'm glad I have them. You need tools to work and adjust your hitch (whatever kind you have), tools to change a tire (breaker bar, sockets, torque wrench, air pressure gauge that goes high enough), tools for common repairs, tools to diagnose and fix electrical problems (DVM, wire stripper, wire cutters), and mechanics tools if you do your own work on your TV. I'd have a collapsible ladder, decent 12V air compressor that connects directly to your battery like a Viair, garden hose and spray attachment (I use Zero G), "Y" connector with valves for your water hoses. Then what I call repair supplies, zip ties, duct tape, hose clamps, wire connectors, wire nuts, teflon tape, that sort of stuff. If you don't have one get a good head light, you'll need it to work at night.

You'll need a way to organize tools. I started out with an old metal tool box. Now I have a roll up tool bag that holds most of my tools. I have one of those small Ikea tool sets that I keep in the trailer for easy stuff and pretty much all my other tools are in the back of the truck in a water proof trunk we got at the container store.

What you might want to do is plan a trip out for a few weeks and get a feel for what you need then make a pass back home to off-load what you probably don't really need and grab what you left behind.

Steve

[Ray Eklund]

#1: Battery operated hand drill with charger.
#2: Phillips head- long bit to get into hard areas.
#3: Some square 12"x12"x3" blocks to put under your electric jack pad when camped. (Why wear it out and also saves battery power.)
#4: Wheel bearing grease for ball.
#5: Deep socket and breaker to remove deeply worn ball if you listen to some on this Forum.
#6: About four pounds of screws, bolts and washers. You will know after three months.
#7: Electrical tape, Duct Tape... fixes everything temporarily or improve grey/black dump pvc that seems to leak.
#8: Water nozzle to flush out solids in Black Tank when dumping.
#9: ANY deep sockets that fit hitch's odd mm bolts... when you need it, you are... $%#@.

[Spartanguy]

I still have them garaged across the country, but I wish I had my ladder and surprisingly my weed eater. I prefer my site a little more groomed than the campground keeps it.

[rmkrum]

There was a hilarious thread about someone going over their one night campsite with a leaf blower to groom it properly. I can understand the need for a weedwacker on some of the sites I’ve been in as well.

OCD is a part of my engineering personality, but the term bugs me because the acronym is not in alphabetical order. I prefer it as “CDO” as do many of my Engineering buddies and IT friends.

And yes, I do wear a “GEEK” tee shirt regularly. Youngest daughter refers to me as the “World’s Oldest Geek” if she’s being charitable.

[Mike1997]

Fulltimer here into my 3rd year.
Everyone starts out thinking they need everything and every space is to be stuffed.

Every six months I empty all compartments, clean it out and sort through what goes back into the Airstream. Just finished doing it for the 6th time......I always find stuff not needed which has resulted in being better orgainized and provided room for a new gas grill plus 5gal propane tank.

Use clear plastic storage containers that will stack so you can see whats inside.

Clothes are another issue.....seems less and less is really necessary.
Good luck

[DreamStreamr]

Entering our 13th year full time living in 25’ trailer. We stopped carrying the D handle shovel and otherwise have added, rather than subtracted, tools from our carry. I carry a jig saw, sawzall, corded Dremel and corded drill. The power tools can run from the trailer’s inverter or from our portable Genset. Also carry scrap of aluminum sheet, various sizes and lengths insulated and bare wire, two bolts and parts organizers, 2gal type 1 gas safety can, and more. You can see the entire list at our website on “lifestyle” page (http://dreamstreamr.com/gearpage.html).

I most regret selling my woodworking tools. Sold nearly all of them because reasoned we would do so little of that in our new lifestyle. After working one mission project I replaced my old Skil 77 wormgear saw with another vintage one. Don’t carry it with us, keep it at in laws unless we’re pressed into service.

Don’t eliminate tools unless they’re poor quality and so you’re willing to replace them later. A real friend will keep them for you until you want the tools again.