What "Special" Tools do you carry?

[GAmes]

Hey SRath,

I know this is toatally off subject, but I read a historical marker at a TX rest area and thought of you. Are you related to this guy?



Rath City, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



The marker said that at one time there were over 1 million buffalo hides at his trading post. Unreal.

 

[SRath]

I honestly don't know. One of my ancestors was supposedly a fur trapper back in the days of Jim Bridger, married an Indian, etc. But I never really knew any of my relatives on my dad's side, so the history of the family there is largely unknown to me.

 

[Midnite]

I tend to carry quite a bit of what others have mentioned, but I've found that a good pair of leather work gloves, a good length of 1/2" or 5/8" synthetic (I like nylon) rope, and a fire extinguisher are must-haves. I'm always amazed how often I rely on my 1/2" nylon rope--I've lashed down things with it, towed a number of cars short distances with it, and once I even used it as a rescue harness.



I definitely agree that I use this stuff to help out other people more than anything. It amazes me how many people go out on the road without even the most simple tools or equipment. I suppose those people are the reason we have OnStar these days.



Mike



Mike

 

[Pavemen]

I just carry a whole extra vehicle, :-laf

 

[Pavemen]

Seriously though, I've got a fairly complete tool set in both trucks, more complete in the trail rig of course. Tow rig has an extinguisher, 4-way and bottle jack, tires chains, cargo straps, some fuses, etc.

Trail rig has things like tow straps, shovel, saw, ropes, chains, stuff to improvise climbing harnesses, spare fuses, tape, bailing wire, flares, two rear axles, set of front axles, two spare unit bearings, spare ball joints, 5 qts oil, ATF, coolant, filters, serp belt, power steering box, u -joints for axles and drive shafts, squad size military first aid kit, extinguishers, 1-11/16 and 1-5/8 sockets with adapters, breaker bar, replacment bulbs for head/tail lights, misc nuts/bolts from 1/4" to 1".

Also have spare wheel studs and lug nuts,

When leaving my driveway (actually going really far out into the boonies) I add the 3/8" drill and bit set, sawzall, 4-1/2" grinder, drop light and extension cord that can be powered with my 750/1500W inverter (dual batteries and 170 amp alt help).

I need to find some welding rod to take as well to use with the jumper cables and dual batteries.

Then I toss in my backpack with cooking stuff (fuel, stove, pans, cutlery), water purifier (not just a filter), tent, sleeping pad, candles, compass, gps, TP, binocs, emergency blankets, matches, firestarters, folding cups, carabiners, ropes, water containers all incase I need to hike out from somewhere.

Backpack and first aid fit in the cab withthe extinguisher, rest in the Knaack box on the flatbed

 

[Grumpytrkr]

I need to find some welding rod to take as well to use with the jumper cables and dual batteries.

Well, I have not heard of this being done in a long time. We use to do this in the military. Called it field repairs. Oo.



Something that has been said is a fire extinguishers. I keep 4 in the RV, and two in the truck. I use to work for a company that thought every 2 years, you got rid of the old extinguishers that were in the trucks, and bought new. And, I was the fleet supervisor. So, I asked to buy them, and they sold them to me for the "trade in" that they got from the supplier.



I also carry Max fuses. I didn't know you could pop these, but I found out different. Had a 95 GMC, shut it off at a rest area, came back out, and nothing. Started checking fuses, and found a 60 amp blown. Had a friend tell me to always carry those, and I'm glad I did.



Grumpy

 

[Grumpytrkr]

I definitely agree that I use this stuff to help out other people more than anything. It amazes me how many people go out on the road without even the most simple tools or equipment. I suppose those people are the reason we have OnStar these days. Mike

I've seen people in motorhomes that are towing vehicles that don't carry the extra pins and clips in the event they loose one when they disconnect their tow vehicle. I use the equalizer weight bars, and I carry two spare kits that can be bought from the RV dealer, that has all the clips and pins in them. And it takes up no room at all.



Grumpy

 

[Pavemen]

Well, I have not heard of this being done in a long time. We use to do this in the military. Called it field repairs. Oo.

when you are in the middle of nowhere, you need to be prepared for anything

 

[DaveHess]

I carry a medium size tool box with SAE wrenches (1/4 to 3/4) and Metric (8 to 15). Also a hammer, wire strippers, allen wrenches, torx wrenches, tube of grease (hitch ball), wire ties, electrical tape, an assortment of electrical connectors and light bulbs, needle nose pliers, lineman pliers, and channel locks. In the rear compartment of the trailer I carry a small 120v air compressor, associated air line and chuck, a Craftsman breaker bar with a 6" extension and 3/4 and 13/16 sockets. I also carry in the same compartment a 12 Ton bottle jack. Only carry one trailer spare though... ... .

 

[icman95]

Well, I saw this thread when it first came out, but was preparing for my trip from CT to SD and didn't have much time to chime in. Now, with a really appropriate story to tell, here I go:



Made it out to Wisconsin and stopped in a rest stop for a bathroom break. We were going to continue on, but smelled something burning as we got out of the truck. Turns out pass. side rear tire on trailer went down, but must have done so recently. It hadn't shreadded yet. The smell was the rubber dragging on the ground. So we stay the night there in the RV and put on the ONE AND ONLY spare the next morning. Everything's all better and we continue on. The tire that went down had a small crack in the rubber in between the treads, but close to the sidewall. Didn't look like a puncture wound, just old or bad rubber. They were the OEM tires, but only 3 years old. It is now Sunday morning.



To keep topic here, I always carry a breaker bar and appropriate sockets for taking lug nuts off. The crappy thing that comes with the truck doesn't fill me with confidence. Same with the OEM truck jack. I also bring with me an 8 ton bottle jack that worked out very well, by the way. I usually bring most of my hand tools and leave the toolbox in the cargo area of my camper-it's a toyhauler. Last time we made this trip, I had considered bringing my mig welder on it's small cart, but couldn't imagine needing it. Well, I did and had to find a welding shop back then. So this year, I loaded up the welding cart and strapped it in next to the Harley. (Of course, I forgot my welding helmet, but fortunately, I didn't need to weld this time. ) I also carry a small 12vdc compressor that's not great but will work in a pinch.



Fast forward to Sunday evening in MN, about 4:30 pm. I hear a BANG! and the truck shook. First thought was that the trailer came off, but it was still there. Then I saw a black strip of something fly off the highway in the passenger side towing mirror. Yup! You guessed it. The pass. side front tire on the trailer nuked itself. Don't know how or why but take a look at the pic.



I put back on the first bad tire and was able to get enough air into it with the little 12vdc compressor to enable us to roll to the next exit about a mile up. Stopped on the ramp to call AAA to see if they could give me info on getting new tires. They actually were very helpful and put me on the phone with the Walmart tire center in Worthington, MN-about 10 miles back. Time now 5:42 Sunday night. Walmart didn't have my size and they were closing at 6 anyway. They told me to try the Goodyear shop down the street, but they won't be open until moring either. So we spend the night on the exit ramp in the camper.



Monday AM: Drop trailer and take two bad rims to Goodyear. Arrive at 7:15, but they don't open until 7:30. No problem, they took me anyway and mounted 2 new tires. I paid for four, went to get the trailer, brought it back with one new tire on and had them replace all the rest with new ones. They couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. I was going to drop the trailer with them so we could go get breakfast in the truck. Manager of the shop said not to bother. Just gave me his car to use instead. What a great guy! We were back on the road by 11am Monday and there were 2 other RVs waiting at the tire shop with the same problem.



I read all the warnings on the TDR about replacing the OEM ST tires even if they don't need it, but never did. I wish I had. I also read all the warnings about carrying a second spare, but never did. I"m looking into that now. I would have bought one at the tire shop, but he only had 4 new ones in that size.



While we were waiting for the work to be done, I added to my tool list. Bought a small 120volt compressor at Wallyworld to use instead of the 12vdc. Haven't opened it yet and hope to never have to. I own tire plugs, but had forgotten to pack them, so bought some more. Also, bought a smaller 12vdc compressor that now stays in the bike's saddlebag along with the tire patches. Due to the wheels on my bike, I require a tube in the tire, so patches won't help there. Wallyworld sell a liquid product called Slime that you pour into the valve stem and it is supposed to seal small holes from the inside, even in tubes. Then pump it up with the 12vdc compressor and be on your way. Slime is now in the bike, too. Hopefully, I'll never have to find out if it works.



Yes, long story, but the moral is this: Change out the crappy OEM trailer tires NOW. Then go get a second spare tire. I ignored the warnings and it bit me in the butt. Also, carry a bunch of tools. I was REALLY glad I had them.

 

[bromano676]

I carry a torque wrench, re check the lugs at the first few rest stops, you'd be amazed how many times I find a 1/4 turn or so. I usually check the bearings before I set out for a long trip.



also carry an infared thermometer to check bearings, tires, and gear boxes when I stop.

usually grab the dog and the thermometer, walk around the truck real quick and take a set of readings. I found the rear trailer tires a little hotter the the fronts one time, checked the pressure, sure enough they were a little low.

 

[Midnite]

Well, I saw this thread when it first came out, but was preparing for my trip from CT to SD and didn't have much time to chime in. Now, with a really appropriate story to tell, here I go:

Wow Ken--thanks for sharing that story! That's exactly the kind of thing that I look for when I'm thinking about this kind of stuff. Firsthand accounts like this are absolute gold.



Mike

 

[icman95]

All's well that ends well, but the combination of crappy OEM tires and lack of a second spare put us a day late in arriving to our destination. It's such a long drive for us that we only have 5 days there before we have to come home. This made it only 4 days. Had I heeded any of the warnings here, I would have had that 5th day. Oh well. A perfect excuse to do the trip again.



I must say that the tire failure could partially be blamed on me. It was hot out-in the 90s and I was uh-as Chuck Berry would say-motorvating. The combination of the heat and too much speed for the tires probably did not help my cause. Had I slowed down, perhaps the tires would have lasted a bit longer, but who knows? I was doing the local speed limits, which are higher than what an ST tire loaded to capacity should be doing. Nevertheless, I now have 4 new LT 14 ply truck tires on. The old tires were 10 ply trailer tires. Lessen learned.



Maybe the best tool of all was the AAA card. Had I not had that to call for information, I would have had a really tough time finding tires.

 

[Tractorat]

Well,

I've never had to use it. My truck has always been very reliable. But I always have my cell phone in case something breaks.



TRat

 

[WDixon27]

the most specialized thing i carry in the truck is a broom stick cut off to the perfect length to push on the primer pump from the comfort of the side of the truck

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I also have added the tools to check flow return for the injection system and the tools/torque wrenches to change injectors. Unfortunately I have needed them. The miller tools needed total about $80.

 

[Grumpytrkr]

Ken's message jogged my memory. I have a floor jack in a carry case in the tool box of the truck. Forgot all about it until now.



I've got a trailer tire problem, too, and I'm going to chalk it up to cheap tires. I had a chance to buy 4 new ST225/75R15D tires on chrome wheels for $90 each. And, I sold my used tires and wheels for $50 each. And now, even though the tires are inflated to the max, they ware like they are under inflated. So, I did some quick checking, and found out that some "D" tires have more plys then others. So, before any long trips, I will buy 4 new tires, to be on the safe side.