On-the-road tool kit. What's in yours?

[gomotomoto]

I think I'd be a good idea to get a conversation going about essential tools to bring on the road. Here's my thinking, let me know if I'm missing anything.

socket set
vice grips
adjustable wrench
sears handy cut
screwdrivers
compact drill
wire strippers
pry bar
hammer
MIG welder (kidding)

What's in your basic kit?

[mimiandrews]

Duct tape (of course)
Pop rivet puller
misc pop rivets
Electrical wire terminal crimper
misc wire terminals

[clancy_boy]

Everything I did not have in the kit for the last repair I did on the side of the road. Nothing like experience to show you what you forgot. Mine is a basic tool kit - some would call it overkill, and a parts box from the fishing section at Walmart I use to hold all the small parts you need: bulbs, hose fittings, clips, screws, switches, fuses, and all the small parts I took off to remind me of what I fixed in the past - always useful when you pull into Camping World and want to restock.

[Nomad518]

1/2 inch drive breaker bar and torque wrench with 3/4 in socket for wheel removal
Assortment of screws for interior repairs
First aid kit for injuries incurred during repairs
Shot glass for after the repair is done

[Protagonist]

Reflective vest. One for every person who is going to get out of the car by the side of the road, kept tucked under a seat so it can be put on before getting out. A former coworker of mine (now deceased) was crippled for life when he was run over by a hit-and-run driver while changing a tire by the side of the road. Staying safe while you work is just as important as doing the work.

That's also why I swapped out my set of three reflective triangles for three lighted collapsible traffic cones. Cones work better in daylight when they're easier to see than the triangles, and even at night since they have their own light they are easier to see than reflectors. Plus, many— but sadly not all— drivers have a natural aversion to running over cones because they're more recognizable as warnings.

[Paddledipper]

Zip ties. They held our awning together when it was needed.

[Goal15]

Can of silicone spray.... good for loosening stuck awning arms, and a dash in the 7-pin connector before connecting can make quick work of any residual moisture or dirt that has settled on the pins in storage.

[terryV]

all of the above PLUS a Boy Scout knife and a good multi tool, Sure Fire flashlight with extra batteries, .45 auto with 2 mags, and a PS90 with four 50 rd mags.

[ggoat!!!]

Oh God...

Growing up camping with my parents years ago, we ALWAYS broke down no matter what rig we had. So, I'm accustomed to having damn near everything you could ever possibly need on the road.

Extra Mobil-1 oil
Spare Mobil-1 75/90 gear oil for rear end and filling funnel
Extra funnel
Extra Distilled Water
Extra Coolant (old fashioned Prestone)
Extra brake fluid/clutch fluid (Motul RBF600)
Turkey baster (for flushing hydraulic clutch if needed)
Hitch grease/axle grease
Extra air bags for truck (even though I don't use them)
Original Bilstein rear shocks for SSR (I have Monroe Airshocks but you never know!)
Extra coolant overflow tank (GM quality known to split at the seams)
Jumper Cables 2 gauge
Hammer
Mallet
Two socket sets
Full tool box
Spare tire for truck (didn't come originally with a spare)
Tie-wraps/zip ties
Acryl-R
Stainless screws, nuts, bolts, washers, finishing washers
91% alcohol
Full assortment of polishing and cleaning and washing supplies and towels
Volt meter
Soldering iron/solder/electrical tape/various connectors
Spare roll of 10g wire
Spare string
Hat lights
Flashlights
Bicycle locks
Wheel chocks
Leveling blocks, plastic and wood
Aluminum hydraulic jack
Extra tranny fluid
K&N cleaning kit
120v tester/amp reader
Stainless cleaner
Foaming window cleaner
Scott Towels
Latex gloves
Extra hubcaps (they tend to come off even when RTV'd)
MAF cleaner
WD-40
Toilet chemical
Extra hitch parts/pins/ball socket
Trailer wiring converters (just in case I have to tow something else)
Aluminum Stepladder
Extra throw rug/mat
Extra tire pressure gauges
Air compressor
Extra fuses
Bug spray
Bubble levels
Bungee Cords (mostly to keep the drawers and fridge closed)
Rubber tie-down straps
Broom/dustpan
Minidisc player/minidiscs
Bottle of Seafoam
Full assortment of rags and towels
Jewelers screwdriver set
Wood glue
RTV/3M clear marine silicone adhesive
Extra belts
Dielectric grease
Lugwrench/socket set
Electric impact wrench
Extra hoses
Bottle of Redline Water Wetter for radiator (just in case)
Extra hoseclamps


...and on this last trip I forgot the damn 30 to 20 amp adapter. Gak.

[richinny]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f312...it-116169.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f295...it-102727.html

and if not listed in those threads... a credit card and phone. :-)

[wahoonc]

• Duct Tape
• WD-40
• Pump Pliers
• Vise Grips (large pair so they can double as a hammer

In reality my tool kit is a bit more involved. We used to refer to the above tool list as the Dash 8 overhaul kit as in DeHavilland Dash 8

Probably the one thing that has saved me a lot of grief has been an roll of aluminum foil tape, the kind with the release paper that has to be removed. It makes a super temporary patch over a leaking rivet until I can get to where I can deal with it properly.

Aaron

[crisen]

Originally Posted by gomotomoto

I think I'd be a good idea to get a conversation going about essential tools to bring on the road. Here's my thinking, let me know if I'm missing anything.

socket set
vice grips
adjustable wrench
sears handy cut
screwdrivers
compact drill
wire strippers
pry bar
hammer
MIG welder (kidding)

What's in your basic kit?

Actually I carry a cheap flux core MIG!! Unfortunately we have had to use it on the Alaska highway at least once and wish I had it another time.

[NavyCorpsman]

I agree with your basic hand tools with the following niceties:
Waterless hand cleaner
Tire Plug kit for a temporary fix
12 Volt air compressor
A gardening foam knee pad to save your knees
Mechanix gloves
an LED light

I always buy the best tools that I can afford. If the repair causes misery, at least you have a nice tool to appreciate.

[Twinke58]

I also carry a roadside assist card. (Good Sam's, etc.) and charge cell phone.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forum

[AirEgger]

May be I missed it, but a moisture meter. I think the Acryl-R and caulk have been mentioned for possible use after using the moisture meter.

[Photobum]

What 75thBambi said, minus a few things, but more than I need because:

What Twinkie58 said.

[Goal15]

Originally Posted by 75TH BAMBI

Oh God...

Growing up camping with my parents years ago, we ALWAYS broke down no matter what rig we had. So, I'm accustomed to having damn near everything you could ever possibly need on the road.

Extra Mobil-1 oil
Spare Mobil-1 75/90 gear oil for rear end and filling funnel
Extra funnel
Extra Distilled Water
Extra Coolant (old fashioned Prestone)
Extra brake fluid/clutch fluid (Motul RBF600)
Turkey baster (for flushing hydraulic clutch if needed)
Hitch grease/axle grease
Extra air bags for truck (even though I don't use them)
Original Bilstein rear shocks for SSR (I have Monroe Airshocks but you never know!)
Extra coolant overflow tank (GM quality known to split at the seams)
Jumper Cables 2 gauge
Hammer
Mallet
Two socket sets
Full tool box
Spare tire for truck (didn't come originally with a spare)
Tie-wraps/zip ties
Acryl-R
Stainless screws, nuts, bolts, washers, finishing washers
91% alcohol
Full assortment of polishing and cleaning and washing supplies and towels
Volt meter
Soldering iron/solder/electrical tape/various connectors
Spare roll of 10g wire
Spare string
Hat lights
Flashlights
Bicycle locks
Wheel chocks
Leveling blocks, plastic and wood
Aluminum hydraulic jack
Extra tranny fluid
K&N cleaning kit
120v tester/amp reader
Stainless cleaner
Foaming window cleaner
Scott Towels
Latex gloves
Extra hubcaps (they tend to come off even when RTV'd)
MAF cleaner
WD-40
Toilet chemical
Extra hitch parts/pins/ball socket
Trailer wiring converters (just in case I have to tow something else)
Aluminum Stepladder
Extra throw rug/mat
Extra tire pressure gauges
Air compressor
Extra fuses
Bug spray
Bubble levels
Bungee Cords (mostly to keep the drawers and fridge closed)
Rubber tie-down straps
Broom/dustpan
Minidisc player/minidiscs
Bottle of Seafoam
Full assortment of rags and towels
Jewelers screwdriver set
Wood glue
RTV/3M clear marine silicone adhesive
Extra belts
Dielectric grease
Lugwrench/socket set
Electric impact wrench
Extra hoses
Bottle of Redline Water Wetter for radiator (just in case)
Extra hoseclamps


...and on this last trip I forgot the damn 30 to 20 amp adapter. Gak.

Just let me know where you are camping and I will just be like that neighbor . . . "Say, have you got a spare what's-it's?"


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Isuzusweet]

A shovel, just in case I pack it in on some lonely stretch of highway somewhere and the wife doesn't want to drag my carcass to town, (cause I'll stink up the coach).

Oh and a pair of gloves cause God forbid she gets her hands dirty.

Cheers
Tony

[COUNTRYSONG]

A full Blown Snap-On 7 drawer tool box with god only knows what all from socket sets to drills to cordless drills and I still buy tools..You would think I would have one of everything now but I guess I'm just a "tool junky" --- I hate to have to ask around for tools I don't have. --- I also carry a battery charger that I have Needed a couple of times -- somebody (Guess Who) didn't close the drivers door all the way on the TV and the interior lights burned (most of the night)...Just pack as many tools as you can -- you might need them someday -- Countrysong

[Gearheart]

Murphy's second law states that "Whatever goes wrong next will require a tool not yet in the kit".