New to AS -What Tools Do I Need

[smsasf]

Must bought 2020 Bambi 20’ 1.5 weeks ago. And I pull with a 2020 Tundra. Needless to say, with the way vehicles are today (compared to 60’s and 70’s) there is not much I can do to work on tundra, plus there is warranty and roadside service. But on the trailer. I don’t want to lug around a full Stanley English and Metric socket and rachet set or the other tool box full of odds and ends. I have a smaller bag and am thinking of the following. Just want any idea on what I might be missing.
1) Torque wrench, 3/4 drive, and sockets that can handle both Blue Ox hitch bolts and trailer wheel lugs. And a breaker bar for these to remove.
2) 3 sizes of screw drivers each in flat and Phillips head.
3) Wire cutters, pliers (regular and needle nose), vice grips.
4) Adjustable wrench.
5) Rachet and sockets (I suppose I need to look around at trailer and see what sizes out of the set I would need).
6) Ball peen hammer.
7) I have torx set but don’t think anything uses torx.

What am I missing?
Thanks, Stephen

[rmkrum]

I carry basic hand tools, plus battery-powered impact wrench for tire changes. A few spare parts including fuses and a flush valve for the toilet. Beyond that, a cell phone, AAA, and a credit card with a high limit will get you out of most situations.

[BayouBiker]

digital multimeter, small sockets (1/4 drive) nothing bigger except for the wheels and hitch. Some strap wrenches are useful. IR temperature reader is nice or a thermocouple on the multimeter.

[Hans627]

Congrats on getting your AS!

I'd recommend a torque wrench to periodically check the wheel lug bolts.

I carry a roll up tool bag with various wrenches, pliers, etc. I also carry a roll of electrical tape and a vol meter. Plus duct tape. Various lubricants. A small ramp in case of a flat tire on the AS. I find a tape measure to be useful. And since you only have one axle I would highly recommend a TPMS. IMHO that's a critical item.

I also carry a small level, a small box of fuses, and misc. items.

Here are a few pics. There seems to be no end I know but you will find the right combination of tools for you.

[Vantair]

On the subject of fuses, like rated Spare blade fuse set for Converter zones, Amazon has these kits for cheap. Also spares for the Tow vehicle aux cig lighter/USB Outlets which may be different than these. . Experienced a bad plugin blew all those Outlets and which prevented running lights and control brake to trailer. Always Carry Auto spares now.

[jaybauman]

While not exactly a hand tool, I carry a few headband LED flashlights in my Airstream tool bag. They're quite useful for setting up camp in the dark...and for identifying the location of that errant spatula that somehow got stuck behind the drawers after a particularly rough patch of I-10 in Louisiana....

[duncans]

Rivit gun + spare rivits. Helps keep you occupied when sitting around in the evenings.

[PB_NB]

Don't forget your hoses if they didn't come with the trailer.

- Fresh water hose (usually white)
- Black water flush hose (use a different color other than white)
- Waste hoses and fittings, try connection the hose and fitting before you leave to see what works. We found that ours was missing a few parts.

- AC adapter that goes to 110V and connects to the plug on the end of your grey power cord.
- Short extension cord for lights or other electrical devices. We have a 25' cord to run our little light string hanging off the awning.

- X2 on the rivet gun

[SlvrTwinkie]

Let's see now,

Wire cutters
wire stripper/crimper
Breaker bar
13/16ths and a 7/8ths sockets
electrical tape
wire connectors
slotted pliers
needle nose pliers
Common screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Cordless drill w/1/4" and a 3/8" adapter
3/4" 3/8" drive socket
Multimeter
Adjustable wrench
Spare fuses for both the AS and TV
Caulking gun and caulk
Assorted sockets and wrenches for TV repair
Flashlight and battery powered lantern
A 12v test light
Battery charger for drill
hand rivet gun (need to get more rivets)
Tape measure
extra extension cords both regular and 30 amp

I think that is close to what I carry, but I know there are things I am forgetting.
I have an older AS and an older TV.

[Shacksman]

The only tool that I ever need is the one I didn't bring!

[kb0zke]

"The only tool that I ever need is the one I didn't bring!" That's my story, too! Others say you only really need two tools: a cell phone and a credit card with a very high limit.


Seriously, I'd suggest you start out with a minimum of tools that you KNOW you will use and then add to that as you see the need. We're full-timers, so most of my tools are with me all the time. If you return to a home base frequently you won't have to carry as much with you, as you can often delay a repair until you return home. In that case you need carry only those tools that will be necessary to get you back on the road when something breaks.


BTW, when we were camping with our kids on vacation we nearly always had to run to the nearest Wal-Mart to get something we already owned but was back home. When we moved into the Foretravel we had the luxury of having it parked literally right outside the front door of the house, so as we needed something we got it from the house and then put it away in the coach. A can opener is a very necessary tool!

[Iansk]

I carry many tool in my truck as a matter of course. As well as spare fuses for everything. Hands down the most useful trailer tool I have is a Dewalt inflater. Takes the 20v batteries I already use in my other cordless kit and has a 12v 12’ extension if I run low on the road. Keeps my tire inflation worries down to zero and I don’t need to lug around a compressor or wiggle into some gas station where I have to pay for air. Milwaukee and Makita also have a version (ryobi is junk) as well. Bonus points for filling of rafts and floats.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-110-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Another favorite tool is my Milwaukee 13 in 1 screwdriver, takes care of most things and is a toolbox in your hand...

Ian

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by Iansk

I carry many tool in my truck as a matter of course. As well as spare fuses for everything. Hands down the most useful trailer tool I have is a Dewalt inflater. Takes the 20v batteries I already use in my other cordless kit and has a 12v 12’ extension if I run low on the road. Keeps my tire inflation worries down to zero and I don’t need to lug around a compressor or wiggle into some gas station where I have to pay for air. Milwaukee and Makita also have a version (ryobi is junk) as well. Bonus points for filling of rafts and floats.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-110-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Another favorite tool is my Milwaukee 13 in 1 screwdriver, takes care of most things and is a toolbox in your hand...

Ian

I just bought the Dewalt inflater and have to agree it is an awesome tool. I used it for the first time this week and it is so nice not to have to drag an extension cord. Just set the psi you would like, attach it to the valve stem, turn it on and it will stop when the desired psi is attained. And it is relatively quiet.

[drbrick]

Read all the above and buy, buy, buy - I carry everything I know I might need and also the "just in case I might need it". Since we 95% boondock the latter is because of lessons learned.

[Vagabonds_2]

Originally Posted by smsasf

Must bought 2020 Bambi 20’ 1.5 weeks ago. And I pull with a 2020 Tundra. Needless to say, with the way vehicles are today (compared to 60’s and 70’s) there is not much I can do to work on tundra, plus there is warranty and roadside service. But on the trailer. I don’t want to lug around a full Stanley English and Metric socket and rachet set or the other tool box full of odds and ends. I have a smaller bag and am thinking of the following. Just want any idea on what I might be missing.
1) Torque wrench, 3/4 drive, and sockets that can handle both Blue Ox hitch bolts and trailer wheel lugs. And a breaker bar for these to remove.
2) 3 sizes of screw drivers each in flat and Phillips head.
3) Wire cutters, pliers (regular and needle nose), vice grips.
4) Adjustable wrench.
5) Rachet and sockets (I suppose I need to look around at trailer and see what sizes out of the set I would need).
6) Ball peen hammer.
7) I have torx set but don’t think anything uses torx.

What am I missing?
Thanks, Stephen

You may need two torque wrenches if you also torque the hitch ball which may be over 400 fi-lbs. Also, recommend tire rubber leveling blocks. We have a compressor, but haven't used it yet. You may want a battery charger if you your unit sits in storage. You may also want a cutoff switch for battery so not drained by propane detector. You may want a ladder to access top of trailer. A slinky for your sewage line to keep positive drainage. It goes on and on...

[Boxite]

Since we tow with a Ram pickup which has RamBoxes we have all sorts of tools we carry, including a 3-gal “hot dog” air compressor which fits in the Rambox. (In fact it’s the air-source for my trainhorns and runs off the truck’s inverter.) I can air up tires and air-shocks to adjust level, etc, and use a blow-gun when tinkering on the road or in the boonies, and fill up air mattresses for swimming, etc.

But the thing I carry not yet mentioned is a $39 (on sale) HF electric chain saw and extension cord which I can run off my portable generator. Not only is it handy for cutting firewood, but if you boondock and get stuck somewhere it can cut brush for clearway or traction.

While in Chaco Canyon my little 400 watt inverter in my truck also ran my pencil-soldering-gun and repaired some wiring which had failed in the DVD player, so we could watch Robt Redford explain Chaco to us for our outing next day.

[ProTech]

Originally Posted by duncans

Rivit gun + spare rivits. Helps keep you occupied when sitting around in the evenings.

Remember lots of sharp drill bits in various sizes.

[NoResults]

Don't see the need for a rivit gun. You can get it later if you need it. In over five years of owning a Airstream I have never lost more than a few rivits.

[bibbs]

You will be fine with what you have on your list, problems seem to work out, when you are on the road. People are generally friendly and helpful, if you don’t have the right tool, “I might have one”

[rocco52]

I carry a lot of tools in my truck but I was thinking about what tools I actually have used on my trailers in many thousands of miles of use besides stuff to change tires. The answer is very few: Multi-bit ratcheting screw driver, pliers, wire repair crimping tool and various connectors, small roll of 12 gauge wire, electric tape, duct tape, multimeter, can of WD40 and a box of assorted fuses. That is it. I believe in being prepared for anything but that seems like overkill now that I think about it.