Tools for a newbie?

[Arnoldjeff]

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie so please have patience. I just got a 2014 19 foot flying cloud Bambi. I am about to embark on my first long trip. What tools would you recommend are must-have for me to take on the trip. I already have a torque wrench and I'm able to torque the lug nuts. Does anyone have recommendations for other must take items – such as extra fuses, extra lug nuts, etc.?

Thanks!

[overlander63]

By a strange coincidence, the latest issue of Airstream Life happens to cover that question. If you don't have your copy yet, it should be there in a few days.

[Cannonball]

Here is our "go box" of tools, which fits in one of those flat toolboxes designed to go under a truck seat:

Screwdrivers, Philips and straight, and a bit driver with the various bits stored in the handle

Pliers, regular

Needle nose pliers

Small rubber mallet

Small hammer

Collapsible "t" wrench for lug nut removal

Small jewelers' screwdriver kit

Two crescent wrenches, small and smaller (fits the water heater drain plug)

Teflon pipe tape

Pipe joint compound, small tube

Bathroom caulk, small tube (your shower track will probably leak the first time out)

Box cutter knife with snap off blades

Bunch of wire ties, various sizes

Extra fuses (list in trailer manual, buy at auto parts store)

Couple of rags

Extra gaskets for the sewer elbow fitting (Wal Mart)


In the outside compartment we carry various lubricants ( WD 40, Corrosion X, silicone spray), an extra water hose extension, cable tv cable, a set of Lynx levelers, and adapters for 30A to 20A, and 30A to 50A. Also a couple of extension cords and an old surge protector multi tap to use for decorative lights outside. Couple of pairs of leather work gloves, and a box of disposable latex gloves for poo-poo work. "Y" connector for water faucet, water filter, and pre-coiled utility water hose with a nozzle.

We also carry a 6 ton bottle jack in the truck. Have not had to use it yet!


Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas!

WBCCI #4387, Air #84080

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[Rich W]

I have a couple of canvas bags and Sterilite tubs I take along on any trip, but I'm kind of a survivalist That being said, I've never been stuck on the side of the road and needed to be saved. Here's what I pack:

• Multimeter
• Fuses, assorted size box from 5 amp to 40 amp
• Soldering gun and solder
• A roll of red, a roll of black 18 gauge wire
• Scrap pieces of heavier wire
• Small spool of braided nylon line/string
• Wire strippers
• Tool pouch of pliers and wire cutters (Lowe's Cobalt pack; inexpensive)
• Tool pouch of SAE (standard) wrenches
• Tool pouch of SAE socket wrenches 3/8" drive, hex wrenches (Lowe's Cobalt tool kit; small and handy)
• Adjustable wrenches (3, different sizes)
• Assorted sizes screwdrivers
• Mechanical fingers (used to retrieve small objects in hard to reach places)
• 1/2" breaker bar about 3' long and large socket set (Harbor Freight)
• Pop rivets and rivet tool
• Hammer
• Box cutter
• Zip ties, various size packs
• WD-40 (penetrating oil)
• Tub of wheel bearing grease
• Tub of waterless hand cleaner
• Permatex black gasket sealer (this stuff is very tough)
• Shop towels
• Duct tape, electrical tape
• Flashlight
• Heavy duty gloves
• Neosporin and band-aids

All this fits into 2 canvas bags (Harbor Freight) and 2 medium sized Sterilite tubs in the back of my 4Runner. Doesn't take up much room and I think I can cover most roadside emergencies, at least so far. Having a McGyver type thought process is most helpful as well.

[streaminwild]

A box of vinyl gloves to keep hands clean. First aid kit... just in case.

[Thalweg]

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[TomS]

The essentials are duct tape, cable ties, pliers, a 2 lb ball peen hammer for those fine adjustments...and a credit card.

The optionals include a cordless drill, assorted hand tools, a rotozip tool set, a selection of stainless sheet metal screws and washers. I tend to use down time on the road to fix little things, and I have used all these things and more. I filled up a small tackle box with electrical parts like wire, connectors, stripping tool, etc, but have not had much occasion to use them yet.


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[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Arnoldjeff

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie so please have patience. I just got a 2014 19 foot flying cloud Bambi. I am about to embark on my first long trip. What tools would you recommend are must-have for me to take on the trip. I already have a torque wrench and I'm able to torque the lug nuts. Does anyone have recommendations for other must take items – such as extra fuses, extra lug nuts, etc.?

Thanks!

Money

Andy

[Revery]

That's right Andy and don't forget the cell phone, nothing ever happens when it's convenient.