Tools for towing

[TboneMan]

We purchased a 26' Mallard TT w/ slide out (about 6000#s). This is my first major towing expereince. We are now in the process of "collecting" all the goodies we need for trailer living.



When it comes to tools/equipment what do you all recommend carrying onboard (truck/trailer repairs) when traveling.



Thus far I've though of:

My small pancake air compressor

1 1/8" socket and wrech for fuel filter change (plus an extra filter)

clannel lock pliers

wire cutters

skrew drivers

strap wrech and oil filter

multi-meter

hammer



While I know bringing my hole tool box would be best, for obvious reasons this would not be appropriate.



Any other MUST HAVES?

 

[LarryB]

#ad

 

[DiTrani]

While it killed me to do it initially, I ordered a tool set from Harbor Freight to keep in my truck. HF has really cheap (_really_ cheap) tools (made in China) that I'd never buy as a primary set, but they're more than adequate for emergency use. You can completely stock a tool box for about $100.

 

[wyosteve]

Wrench for lug nuts on the trailer and you might consider one of those drive on ramp dealies for tandem axles or a hydraulic bottle jack. Changing a tire on the trailer can be a pain without one or the other.

 

[pwknapp]

WD-40 and some bailin' wire.

 

[PCrabill]

Pack together some extra light bulbs for all the different exterior and interior lights. And I carry a extra set of wheel bearings and seals and a can of grease. I have never needed them, but just in case.

 

[PHaller]

Anything you may need to change a bearing on the road for the trailer including a hub puller, if needed, a lug wrench, and grease. An extra inner and outer bearing and races incuding a seal. I carry a full set of tools and 5 minute epoxy glue.

Another usefull set of stuff is a rubber roof patch, glue, and self leveling Dicor calking for when you tear your rubber roof.

-Paul R. Haller-

 

[NVR FNSH]

Good Sam Emergency Roadside Service card



Brian

 

[5thram]

I bought a set of tool at Sam's Club for $60 that contains english and metric sockets, allen wrenches, screw drivers and end wrenches that'll do nicely for about anything minor. They're Chinese, but they store nicely in the plastic case so you don't have to dig around in your ammo box. Ditto on the bottle jack and the lug wrench previously mentioned. Happy camping!

 

[WMeyers]

Regarding the lug wrench, note that often times the size of the nuts holding the spare on are different than the size of the lug nuts on the wheels; I went for a year thinking I was well prepared -- luckily I noticed I didn't have a way to get the spare tire loose before I needed it.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I tow a boat long distances. Granted, keeping a boat trailerfunctional is harder than a travel trailer, particularly one that has seen a lot of salt water. Next drag will be about 3500 miles. I always carry a full set of brake pads, and everything needed to rebuild 1 wheel on the trailer. For me this is a stub axle, hub, bearings & seals (2 full sets) disc brake caliper and rotor and extra lug nuts and studs.



A nice thing to have is latex or vinyl gloves to wear while doing repairs. Really eases the roadside cleanup.



A can of Kroil or PB blaster is good for things that are hard to get apart. I carry a MAPP gas torch for tough disassembly as well.



Everything I listed fits in a milk crate (also useful as a stool for wheel work)





I figure out what it is that I want to be able to fix and go from there.



Be prepared and then go out and HAVE FUN!!

 

[RedRamer]

Portable drill and lots of screws to keep them trailers together.

Rubber gloves for those $hitty jobs on the way out of the park.

multi-purpose tester & wiring to fix the wiring on those trailers

Spare propane to keep the beer cold

 

[TPCDrafting]

I bought a telescoping lug wrench at Checker (auto parts) for around $10. It stretches out to around 2 feet. If your trailer is heavy, it can be a bugger to get the nuts off once youve gone the 100 yards or so trying to stop the rig with a flat. This wrench has saved the day many times. It comes with 4 - 1/2" sockets but you could put on any other size you want on top of that.

 

[Utah Willie]

It may not help your towing... . but you might add SPELL CHECK to the list..... just a thought.

 

['956Wheel]

Duct tape, glass cleaner, those wet hand towels, some electrical connectors..... and the stuff to make a good pot of chili! Clean and grease your coupler befor hitting the road. Oh, a can opener.



I wood knot wery abote a spel khecer... as I understood you just fine!



Happy traveling!



Mike

 

[Shooter]

I dont carry a lug wrench. I carry a cheap, spelled Harbor Freight, 24" 1/2" drive torque wrench with sockets to fit truck and trailer. Takes up less space than a 4 way lug wrench.

 

[Turbo Thom]

True 956:

Willie must be a Demacrat. He knows best and is at his best when correcting another. I knowed just fine what wuz said.



Oh, by the way, check old english spelling.



As for the tools, a good system to change the tyres. I keep box of tools in my truck and the battery drill in the rear seat. Chocks for blocking the wheel. Really you will not be able to carry everything you need. I even have a bucket and rag, soap, brush for washing.



You will find out what you need in time. A container with electrical parts is a must, though.



. . Preston. .

 

[pwknapp]

When we were kids the family would go tent camping and fishing at Cape cod for two weeks each summer. Dad had a master list of all the things we carried and a new list for needed items. After each trip he would modify the old list and have it on hand when we packed to go again. It sure was a good way to keep track.

 

[Loren]

TboneMan,



Pilots use checklists for everything. I do the same as pwknapp's dad. I start with my list, print it for each trip, and modify it as necessary when I get home.



I will second the opinions on some items already mentioned. I have found a cordless drill to be handy occasionally, especially when I chuck up a 3/8" extension with the female end cut off. That allows me to use the drill and a socket to run nuts in or out. It is not an impact wrench, but it will turn the loose ones fast. It also works as a power screwdriver and... A DRILL. Be sure to bring the charger, screwdriver bits, and drill bits.



I haven't had to use it on the road, but a multimeter will pay for itself the first time I do. Mine's small and light, so it comes on every trip.



I learned the hard way about bringing a bottle jack. Be sure to get one that will lift a lot. I bought a 20,000 pound jack for a 14,000 pound trailer. Sometimes even this one is difficult to use. You won't always be able to get the best leverage on the pump handle. Also, be sure it will fit under the axle, frame, or other jacking point with the trailer sitting on the rim. I had a flat that was so bad, it might as well have been on the rim. That's why the jack is a stubby model. You can always raise a short jack with blocks.



One item that hasn't been mentioned yet is a light. A flashlight will work, but a lantern-type is better. I use a DeWalt trouble- light type flashlight. It uses the same battery as the drill, sits upright by itself, can be aimed at various angles, and provides a wide, bright light. A standard flashlight will be very frustrating to use when you are on your back under the vehicle trying to use both hands to start a bolt and nut, while still aiming the flashlight with your armpit.



I have found that the best way to torque the lug nuts is with... TA DA! A torque wrench! I bring one and I use it. A torque wrench is expensive, but what is the cost of having a wheel come off at 55 mph? Even if it doesn't hit anything (anyone?) the cost of a good wrench seems minuscule at that moment.



Some others have mentioned gloves, and clean-up wipes. I just bring hand cleaner and Boraxo in the RV. Don't forget, though, that you may be crawling around in the dirt or mud. I carry blue jeans, a work shirt (long-sleeved), and work boots. I've used ‘em too.



It's a long post, but I hope I've helped.



Loren

 

[Ben Rumson]

Cell phone, small grease gun, extra fuel filter, Coleman Lantern ( I carry both the gas and battery types), Large rechargable flashlight under the center seat, RTV, electrical tape, nylon bailing twine in 5-gal bucket with hole in lid (clothes lines, fastening, etc), extra fuses and bulbs, window cleaner, mapp gas, coleman one-burner, leather gloves, large C-clamp and torx bit for servicing front disk breaks, 1 qt axle 90 wt. differential oil, high lift jack, shovel, axe, tow strap, wd-40, needle nose pliers, quick dry epoqy putty, "monkey suit"/mechanic cover-alls, 4x4's cut at 45* angle for wheel chocks, small lengths of 2x4's and a few 4x4's for leveling trailer, a spare tire for the trailer, fly swatter, mosquito repellant, CB radio for passing the big rigs, checking traffic, and road conditions - great for the open road.



I've used each of the above items on more that one occasion. I get as far from society as humanly possible - note my TDR name...



When towing - I ALWAYS carry a side arm. RVers are great people, but roadside drifters in out of the way places and along interstate highways can get pretty weird/desperate. It's your RIGHT to bear arms. Protect yourself. At least carry a can of CS Tear gas or Bear spray.



Yappy barky little mutts are fairly good protection/warning sirens also. No, I don't have one, but have walked past plenty of trucks/trailers that did have them and, trust me, I wanted to be anywhere but near their outfits.



Happy Trails !