Your favorite tools for a long road trip?

[Wolfe]

Amex,visa,master,AAA. cards will fix about anything i want to deal with

[Ntex]

Moosetags, what a great list of Apps. I am going to check them out!

[switz]

In addition to 50 pounds or more of tools, two 3 ton combination bottle jack and jack stand units:

http://www.toolsmithonline.com/produ...ack-Stand.html

[ebair]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

3/4 ton truck. I carry a fairly big tool box with a lot of stuff. Box of PEX fittings and crimper. Box with electrical stuff. Box of rivets and the riveter. Roll of metal tape. Battery powered drill. In the box are lots of things I picked up at Walmart on the road for specific probalems. Changed the whole umbical connector at Walmart in Wasilla, AK, one day wne the old one came unhooked and I ground it off the cable dragging it down the highway. Overall we have had little trouble on the road. But the box goes just because I like having the stuff. The owners manual has been the most valuable tool for me. I have needed help from it with various electricl problems.

+1 on the spare umbilical connector. We had the same experience on the last trip, also a spare 30amp to 110 house adapter, ours toasted itself along with male end of the 30 amp while glamping, try finding one of those at a RV park in the sticks.

[dkottum]

We travel light as possible on long trips far from home, so tools can be a space and weight hog. We need a set of sockets and wrenches, breaker bar, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. that fit a sturdy nylon too bag. A torque wrench for the wheel lugs, plastic tire changing ramp (no jack), moisture test meter, small multi meter, Fluke IR thermometer to check tires, brakes, differential, pedestal surge protector, and a Cosco two-step ladder to reach upper side of trailer, step up into truck bed, outdoor coffee table, and is a low work seat. Not tools, but also polish, cleaners, corrosion treatment, and lubricants, and a portable water softener.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by rbs

One thing that I have needed more than once, is a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter. Breaker kept tripping on the 30 amp socket, changed to the 50 amp and good to go.

We carry an adapter that is the reverse of that- to plug a 50 amp trailer into a 30 amp socket when no 50 amp socket is available- Salmon Lake Park, Grapeland, TX only has 5-6 50 amp sites and we never get there early enough-
I want to build or purchase an apparatus/adapter that is a 50 amp female to 2 30 amp males- plug the 50 amp trailer into 2 30 amp sockets at Salmon Lake Park-

[jerry d]

Don't forget Glue. I carry several types: contact cement, wood glue, super glue, and an all purpose like duco cement.

[RickDavis]

I am amazed at how often I use a dremel tool kit on the road

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by m.hony

1. flashlight
2. Phillips screwdriver
3. flat screwdriver
4. Fix-a-Flat
5. spare wiring connectors/wire nuts
6. torque wrench and 3/4" socket for hitch tightening/adjusting
7. small 12 volt air compressor
8. hammer
That's about all I've needed in all my years of camping.
Other tools stay in the trailer for ready access to do maintenance at home.

9. 4 way lug wrench
10. Oil change ramp- if I have a flat, I back/pull the other tire onto the ramp to get the flat tire in the air-

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I read some excellent suggestions but the title of this thread is what caught my eye…"your favorite tools for a long trip"
My favorite is my cup holder. I use it a lot on long trips since copious amounts of coffee are generally consumed on a long trip.
My second favorite. My truckers road atlas. Most people use gps now. I still use an atlas.

[dbj216]

I carry too much stuff with me, that's for sure. Since we travel in the spring and fall, I bring my air compressor with me. If I break down and must leave the trailer unheated, I need to blow out the water lines. I also need to blow out lines if I am coming back to Minnesota in freezing weather.

I have used the compressor to adjust tire pressures too.

There are other methods to get this done, but I find my 110v compressor handy while traveling.

David

[RickDavis]

I carry a small compressor (12 volt) for tires but I also carry a spare water pump which I usually use to transfer water from 5 gal. containers to the trailer.
I can also use it to pump "pink antifreeze" in the trailer if I need to roadside winterize. Takes about 1.5 gallons and about ten minutes if i need to do it

[AtomicNo13]

X2 on the hi viz vest!

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by mefly2
Wrenches to tighten/torque//maintain whatever brand of hitch you have installed and wheel lugs, pliers, assorted screwdrivers, spare fuses for TT and TV, file, sandpaper, electrical tape, cable ties, multimeter, measuring tape, duct tape, masking tape, Velcro, Indiana socket set (adjustable end wrench), pipe wrench, spray lubricants, rubbing alcohol, spray protectant, small and large hammer, extra screws, extension pole, tie downs, bungees, foam wrap ... others forgotten in this list ? Help

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Do you really start on a trip expecting to need all of these tools?

In a word, YES , Antagonist(smart Alec) ... in fact, my wife was sitting right next to me adding to the list as I typed it in!

Some of us may have been Boy Scouts 50 years ago ...
or aviators with checklists ...
BE PREPARED; as a pilot, I never missed a checklist item even though I knew the status. Yes, I pre-flight the TT and TV and use a checklist.

As a law enforcement officer, I never expected (and prayed that I wouldn't) to need my side arm, but I carried it. Mock me if you must as I stop to render assistance to others ... you, sir, may wave me by!

I have found it best to not depend upon others - translation: not have to wait for AAA (around here, that might take several hours - even after you finally connect with them); and, I feel a duty to do my best for my wife and loved ones ... that means always be prepared for the unexpected. That makes life simple and everyone is happy. Happy wife ... happy life!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by mefly2

In a word, YES , Antagonist(smart Alec) ... in fact, my wife was sitting right next to me adding to the list as I typed it in!

Ouch! I am duly chastised.

I only made the comment because although it's a good list of tools to take with you on a trip, it's an awful lot of "favorite" tools to take on a trip. While I have many of the same tools as on your list, I just don't have anywhere near that many favorite tools.

My favorite tools to use, whether on a road trip or not, are my Wera ratchets (3 sizes):
and my Kniplex adjustable wrenches (also three sizes):
.
Both have contributed greatly to fewer skinned knuckles as well as a lighter toolbox because they're so versatile.

[AtomicNo13]

Things do go wrong....
With that being said maintenance and attention before the trip are very effective tools as well!

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Ouch! I am duly chastised.

I only made the comment because although it's a good list of tools to take with you on a trip, it's an awful lot of "favorite" tools to take on a trip. While I have many of the same tools as on your list, I just don't have anywhere near that many favorite tools.

My FAVORITE tool is the one that I need at the moment!

My list of favorites was terribly incomplete, but you get the idea. Very little weight is added to my payload from tools in comparison to even two gallons of water...or a generator - for that matter. The OP was asking for help in preparing for a long trip ... perhaps actually wanting a list (as indicated by the four posts). I omitted the tire change gear as that is included in most TVs - however, check to make certain that the nuts are the same size if you don't include the torque wrench and socket in this list.

If you don't have the tool that you need, then you are dependent upon someone else (either pay me now or pay me later) ...with the potential to ruin an otherwise great day with your AS and family.

Often a small item that needs attention will blossom into an emergency

... one "tool" that fits that circumstance is a fire extinguisher ... not the joke that is included in the AS and most TTs - but one that will really attack a fire. Don't forget an extinguisher for the TV as well (suggest bare min of 2 3/4# in more than one location (or even halon for the more private areas of the AS) ... one that has been disassembled and checked within the last year - as continued road vibration "settles" the powder inside of the canister and often causes pressure loss/leakage..

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by mefly2

My FAVORITE tool is the one that I need at the moment!

Ouch again! I have apparently touched a nerve here. That was certainly not my intention! Profound apologies!

[PharmGeek]

I carry a 20 inch tool bag filled with most standard tools...im too much a newbie at this point to know which tools I will most often find myself using...but I try and keep all that I could need and that will fit in this bag....beyond that my smart phone for reasons others have stated, my AAA, and just hope I have the tool for something that pops up....

And if I dont have it at the campground, ill just go begging some of you find people or other campers till I find that dude that has half a shop in the back of his truck, for which I will be thankful for

[dznf0g]

I try and purchase as many multi-use tools as I can, in order to reduce the number and weight of my home tools. There are a lot of newer creative multi-use stuff out there and I always peruse to tool isle wherever I am. HOWEVER, many of these unique tools are not quality nor for continuous use, like my home tools. BUT....I figure they are for emergency travel repair, and if they wear/break after a few uses, they're good enough...I'll replace them. Otherwise I would justify bringing the whole tool chest!!!!!