What "Special" Tools do you carry?

[Grumpytrkr]

Saw this question on another forum, and, something like it in Trailer Life Magazine. Figure I would toss it out here on this forum. Might make somebody's tool box a big bigger??????



For example, I carry a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar with deep well impact sockets for the lug nuts on both my truck and trailer. I can stand on the breaker bar to get the lug nuts loose, I can put a pipe on bar if needed. And, it don't take up near the room of a 4 way lug wrench.



Regards,

Grumpy

 

[Bob Cochran]

Saw this question on another forum, and, something like it in Trailer Life Magazine. Figure I would toss it out here on this forum. Might make somebody's tool box a big bigger??????



For example, I carry a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar with deep well impact sockets for the lug nuts on both my truck and trailer. I can stand on the breaker bar to get the lug nuts loose, I can put a pipe on bar if needed. And, it don't take up near the room of a 4 way lug wrench.



Regards,

Grumpy

I have both the breaker bar and 4 way. To be honest I carry enough stuff people say I can almost rebuild anything. Usually wind up helping others more than my own stuff LOL. Example big expensive diesel pusher motorhome trying to air up tires with a little plug-in DC air compressor. I would have guess he had on board air compressor Not. Pulled out my little Husky and aired his tires for him. All the stuff I have I have collected over 40 years of RVing when I found I needed it once.



That's why I have to keep getting bigger and bigger RV's!!!!

 

[Grizzly]

I too carry a 1/2" Craftsman breaker, extension and impact sockets. In addition I carry my 18V Makita drill with an adapter to crank the rear stabilizer jacks up and down.

 

[CKelley1]

about the same as bob.

 

[RHestand]

Included, along with my tire changing tools, I carry an emergency roll-up tool pouch. Rolled-up it's about 6" round x12", and comes with either Craftsman (reasonably priced), or Snap-On (expensive). It includes a well selected group of tools, that I've used many times to get myself and other people out of some bad situations.

For on the road emergency repair, seldom if ever, have I been in the position of needing a tool that was'nt in there. (I once removed, repaired, re-installed a blown inter-cooler on my 03, 6. 0 ferd,( The plastic cap blew off. ) in the middle of nowhere, MO. I then continued on to WI. )

It has SAE and metric sockets, end-wrenches, allens, torx, plus channel-lock and wire cutting pliers, etc. All in the most used sizes.

I think I bought mine (Craftsman), on-line, from a Harley-Davidson website. I can't remember for sure, I've had it for many years.

Ray

 

[Grumpytrkr]

It has SAE and metric sockets, end-wrenches, allens, torx, plus channel-lock and wire cutting pliers, etc. All in the most used sizes. Ray

Do you remember the "metwrench" sets that were sold years ago? My wife bought me a set in a case. They are handy, and will work with metric and sae nuts and bolts.



Regards,

 

[Grumpytrkr]

To be honest I carry enough stuff people say I can almost rebuild anything. Example big expensive diesel pusher motorhome trying to air up tires with a little plug-in DC air compressor. I would have guess he had on board air compressor Not. Pulled out my little Husky and aired his tires for him. All the stuff I have I have collected over 40 years of RVing when I found I needed it once.



That's why I have to keep getting bigger and bigger RV's!!!!

I bought a rechargeable air compresser from Menards, thinking it would be OK for the wife's mobility scooter, and small jobs. I did find out that it will air up 4 pick up truck tires from 55PSI to 75PSI, and all on one charge, in less then an 45 minutes.



I'm guilty of to many tool boxes also. I even carry a 3/4 drive set in the event I need to work on the hitch.



Regards,

 

[steved]

about the same as bob.

Ditto.



I carry pretty much every tool needed to work on either my truck, the trailer in tow, or other's junk. I don't specifically carry things for working on my truck, but rather I carry them to fulfill projects I have going on that I can't be without tools.



Some tools specific to the truck are the 1-11/16" hub nut, the spindle nut socket for the Dynatrack, filter wrenches, etc...



FYI, in a pinch a 24" pipewrench works wonders for removing padlocks...

 

[GAmes]

Besides tools, I carry parts. A lift pump, serp belt, throttle cable, OFV, thermosat and gaskets, and more I can't think of, all parts I replaced while they were still working, and of course oil and fuel filters. When I added the "companion" tool box behind the 5er hitch it added 500 pounds to the weight of the truck:-laf

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I swear, I carry enought tools to overhaul nearly anything in the truck or trailer - now that we're getting a motorhome, will have to duplicate most of it all over again... :{

 

[Bob Cochran]

Never to many tools or spare parts just room to store them all. I will admit I don't carry 3/4 or 1". HHMMMM maybe should check into it and try find a spot to store them!!!

 

[BDaugherty]

I have a small tool bag with a 3lb short handled hammer, a set of mm/sae wrenches (no duplicates. example: 9/16, 15mm, 5/8, 17mm, 18mm, 3/4 etc. ) stubby and standard screwdrivers, one of those multi-bit drivers for all the misc torx (hint: you can use a 1/4" wrench or socket on the bits), a couple vice grips, combo wire cutter/stripper/crimper, channel locks, needle nose, pipe wrench, duct tape, electrical tape, misc wire connectors and terminals, a few feet of #14 wire, a small roll of thin baling wire, a trailer wire connector schematic, a small multimeter, some zip ties, and a few rags. There may be a few more tools in that bag, but that's the big ones. It covers most situations and fits under the driver's seat. I have all the factory tire changing equipment and it will still work on my truck. I carry a 60" high lift jack and the handle comes off easily and makes a great cheater pipe. I also have a small 4 way zip tied to the top of the spare tire on my trailer. I have a nice tool set in a plastic case that I have added additional tools to that can be thrown in the toolbox anytime I think I might need a few tools. I keep a roll of those blue shop towels under the back seat. They're handy for emergency toilet paper as well as being rags. Right next to them is a couple pairs of gloves, a fire extinguisher, assorted ratched straps and bungee cords, and my trailer wire adapters. I keep bottled water in the door pockets.

Also, I carry some basic recovery gear. I leave my winch at home most of the time, but I always carry a 30' snatch strap, a receiver shackle bracket, a couple extra shackles, and a couple of those reciever hitch pins with the quick release on the end. That way I can use the strap on someone else's reciever hitch without having to rely on them to be prepared. I also keep a 10' choker strap that can be used to spread the load to both towhooks or as a tree-saver. I have a 8' piece of 3/8" chain that I grab whenever I think I might need it.

ALSO: Jumper cables. You wouldn't believe how many people don't have any of these. While good ones can be a little pricey, you can get a very basic set for 6-9 dollars that will get you out of a pinch.



I'm sure there's more that I'll think of later.

 

[E2360]

First and foremost I carry TWO spares. Seen a few people on the side of the road with 2 tires on one side bad and only 1 spare. Electrical tools, terminals, fuses shrink tubing and wireties. A nice socket set. #2 robertson screwdrivers since all the screws seem to be square drive. Extra fliuds, serp belt, oil, 2 fuel and air filters.



Yes the tools weigh more than the food... ... ... easier to find food on a sunday afternoon.

 

[GAmes]

Only 2?:-laf When you have a duelly you have 3.

 

[E2360]

I must confess, that was 2 spares for the trailer. I am a bad boy and only carry one for the truck.

 

[Grizzly]

Besides all the essential tools most people carry the most important tool I carry is my AAA card.



What I don't carry is all the tools necessary to overhaul the engine. No point in it because most of us couldn't if we had to anyway.

 

[AMink]

First and foremost I carry TWO spares. Seen a few people on the side of the road with 2 tires on one side bad and only 1 spare. Electrical tools, terminals, fuses shrink tubing and wireties. A nice socket set. #2 robertson screwdrivers since all the screws seem to be square drive. Extra fliuds, serp belt, oil, 2 fuel and air filters.



Yes the tools weigh more than the food... ... ... easier to find food on a sunday afternoon.

If you lose one tire on a side, you might as well replace them both. Especially with the crappy ST trailer tires. I have two spares; doesn't help if one is at home! Also have two spares for the truck when I know I'm going boony stompin' or hunting. If you have one spare and use it, you don't have any more spares. I also have two spare spares for the truck, unmounted. I figure I could take one of them if needed. Some of the small (and I mean small) towns in Nevada will have someone who can put a tire on a rim, but they might not have a tire to fit.



I carry a nice tool set in a blow moulded case. Also have a heavy moving blanket and a tarp. Bungees, zip ties, straps, come-a-long, gloves, first aid, 4 way, etc. I used to carry one of the Ryobi kits with circular say, recip saw, and drill. Actually ended up using to repair some decks while on vacation!

 

[Grumpytrkr]

Also have a heavy moving blanket

Now, this this something I never thought of. I've got 4 or 5 old king size comforters, or bed spreads that came from a hotel while they were remodeling. Bought them for $1 each. I've used them for moving blankets, too, however, tossing one or two in the tool box in the back of the truck would be a good idea.



Thanks,

Grumpy

 

[Andersonville]

A Gorilla bar from Les Schwab. It comes with popular lug nut size sockets and extends to about 2' long. I use it to sock down the lugs on the RV's I tow too.

 

[SRath]

Like Grumpy, I have to say good things about my Metrinch socket and wrench set when space is a factor. Very good tools and they fit BOTH metric and sae AND they grab the flats, not the corners, of the nut or bolt. Very handy!



Depending on how "packed" we are, I also have a corded Dewalt 1/2 inch drive electric impact that my generator runs just fine. That's the easy way to deal with lugnuts and such. Usually, we are pulling a fully-loaded motocross trailer with more tools than the local Sears store, so not having what I need is not a concern, tool-wise. Cordless impact and drill set and bits are worth their weight, too.



A bowsaw is a must. I also take along my folding pruning saw I use for bowhunting. Axes are not the best way to cut firewood, though I have one of those, too.



Also like Grumpy, I have an stack of heavy-duty, diamond-stitched, padded, professional moving pads/blankets at home. I take a couple along to add additional padding over those annoyingly uncomfortable cracks in the couch-cushion beds. Great upholstery protection. You can use them outside, too, for tent camping, picnicing, and to lay on for RV repairs. And they are definitely warm should temps dip lower than you anticipated.



The huge, 7000 pound paper rolls I haul at work are loaded on end with just a rubber mat to keep them from sliding around. Most places throw the mats away. They are @18 to 24 inches wide and 3 to 4 feet long and have more floormat, workmat, entrymat uses than I can count and roll up very small. Some are smooth rubber; some are non-skid like toolbox drawer liner.



Marine epoxy. Two-part. Mix and apply like playdough. Cures like steel. Apply anywhere, even on wet surfaces. Stops any leak in your roof or holding tanks or boat or gas tank. Probably even your radiator.



Hand-held, corded or cordless, rechargeable 12v spotlight. Handy, handy, handy.



No travel kit is complete without a roll of duct tape and several bungie cords and some rope, of course.