Road tools for new people to the road

[B. Cole]

Ok newbies, since nothing is going to stop your Glamping expedition faster than a flat tire on your rig, I'll stay on tire related stuff for a while.Before I branch out
It's amazing how many 25 yr old guys, or whatever,for example, have never changed a tire.With this record camping trailer season brewing, waiting for AAA road service, on a weekend, is going to be interesting.Compounding that, is being in a more remote area.
So, you want to make sure your spare tires ( Tow vehicle + trailer) are in good shape ( that's why at the very least, you want to have a $9.99 12 Volt Air compressor, you can plug into cigarette lighter) and basic equipment to change a tire.Safely.
While you're at Harbor Freight, pick up a couple black rubber tire chocks.Not the little yellow plastic chocks.Those are for tiny lawn trailers, not your large Airstream.These trailers can and will hurt you, if allowed to be unchocked when unhooked.
The black rubber large chocks are around $8 + .
Im giving prices on things, so you see how inexpensive proper equipment is.
For trailer tire changing, they have all sizes of bottle jacks.A 3 Ton bottle jack will lift most of these.As well as changing tire quickly on your tow vehicle.You can go bigger, but that's easy enough to handle.About $29 or whatever.You also want a couple jack stands.They are sold in pairs, about same price as bottle jack.You also want to carry a wood board, in case you're on soft ground, so that Jack doesn't sink in or move.Its doesn't need to be more than a foot square or so.
The place to practice changing your first tire, is in your driveway.Not on the side of a road, with traffic flying by.Break the lug nuts loose with tire on the ground, then jack it up.
Put the jackstand in place before removing tire.
This way, even if you can't change it yourself, someone else has everything they need to help.
Oh, the jackstands and bottle jack will come in handy, if your tongue jack fails.Especially the electric jacks on these.See how I'm doing this?? You are prepared....
Have fun !

[OTRA15]

. . . an updated reminder -- in this brave new "small screen" world -- of the various other tool threads on AirForums per Post #6:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

FYI there is a wide variety of "tool" threads touching on this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=tool...=airforums.com

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ls-211291.html
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...ep-193279.html

Lots of good ideas, including some interesting posts from early in this century . . . . . . hundreds of posts in those earlier threads . . .
. . .

. . . as well as a reminder of this helpful "Towing Tips" thread: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f23...es-220328.html

FYI
FWIW

[Mikebrady62]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Bob
🇺🇸

AHH the important stuff...after it, no tools required.😂

Resembles my tackle box too.

If you are not sure what tools to bring, you may not even know how to use what you have. Then you end up borrowing from a neighbor and they will show you how to use it. Problem solved. Then back to Bob's box to say thank you.

[OTRA15]

FYI there are additional good "liquid tools" here:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ne-220430.html

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

. . . an updated reminder -- in this brave new "small screen" world -- of the various other tool threads on AirForums per Post #6:



. . . as well as a reminder of this helpful "Towing Tips" thread: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f23...es-220328.html

FYI
FWIW

Thanks, I looked at the first Airforum link.Im going to pick up that Harbor Freight 3 pc "Flip Socket " impact rated lug nut set for $17.99.Gives both Standard and metric sockets.
Like I need some more tools to lend out, and never get back ..

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by Mikebrady62

Resembles my tackle box too.

If you are not sure what tools to bring, you may not even know how to use what you have. Then you end up borrowing from a neighbor and they will show you how to use it. Problem solved. Then back to Bob's box to say thank you.

Thanks.That opens the door for making new friends at trailer parks.Im sure Bob has some good tips.
Me, I always take candy from strangers, but these newbies might want to ease into the whole trailer park thing....

[majorairhead]

Patience, which I forget to bring along from time to time.

[OTRA15]

Good reminder . . . Patience . . . also wise to pack this IMO:


https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Motor...8148200&sr=8-2


"Don't leave home without it!"

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by PatLee

Thank you, B. Cole.

You're very welcome.Its the least I can do, and I'll do it.Glad to help...

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Good reminder . . . Patience . . . also wise to pack this IMO:


https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Motor...8148200&sr=8-2


"Don't leave home without it!"

Thanks for the 1970s flashback !!
650 Triumph motorcycles+ the madness of Lucas electrics and Amal carbs.Standing outside the bar at 2am, burning spark plugs off with a lighter in the snow....The good old daze

[OTRA15]

BSA Victor 441 . . .

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

BSA Victor 441 . . .

Very nice British classic!

[B. Cole]

Ok, almost forgot.Make sure you have a fire extinguisher or 2 in your trailer.One mounted inside by front door/ kitchen area.And one in your tow vehicle.
For people new to camping, with everything new going on, inside and outside,it's easy to forget something on the stove, or grill.Keep grills away from awnings.
And keep flammable materials away from stoves/ hot plates/ portable heaters, in the close quarters of campers.
And use a couple battery powered smoke detectors,mounted near ceilings.
Also, keep candles out of campers.Fireman hate candles.They are a leading cause of all dwelling fires.Especially when used around children and pets.
Speed in dealing with any fire is important, keep extinguishers handy and in plain sight.

[Mikebrady62]

[QUOTE=B. Cole;2482282]Ok, almost forgot.Make sure you have a fire extinguisher or 2 in your trailer.One mounted inside by front door/ kitchen area.And one in your tow vehicle.

And use a couple battery powered smoke detectors,mounted near ceilings.
Also, keep candles out of campers.Fireman hate candles.They are a leading cause of all dwelling fires.

1. Cooking
2. Portable Heaters
3. Electrical issues
4. Smoking
5. Candles

[Foiled Again]

Ah... reason I bought "rice grinder" (Japanese motorcycle). The old BSA (B**tard Stalled Again) ran like a rabbit part of the time and died beside the road more often than I could stand.

Originally Posted by OTRA15

BSA Victor 441 . . .

[ROBERT CROSS]

FE's...Quality, size and ck often. BSTS.

Bob
🇺🇸

[farafield]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Bob
🇺🇸

AHH the important stuff...after it, no tools required.😂

The Balvenie is a personal favorite!

[OTRA15]

Paula . . . please post a photo of you on a 441 . . .
Bob . . . did you sneak into the back yard and take a photo of my van? . . .
Hey Kim, good to hear from you . . .

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by farafield

The Balvenie is a personal favorite!

We have a few too...👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by B. Cole

Agree! I like the big old school 4 Way.But, here's a tip, especially when a tire shop puts on new tires.Have them not overtighten, like many do, with air impact.Just have them snug them, and torque to your specs yourself, as soon as you pull out of shop.Get in the habit of that anyway.Sometimes they miss a lug.Or worse.

Tire shop under-tightened lugs happened to me once on a 1966 VW bug. I noticed it when I was in a tight curve and could hear the shoe rubbing against the drum. You could feel the wheel trying to come off.