Tools

[roxie134]

Not sure where I should post this question, but here goes-What tools do you all carry?  I am not in any way, shape or form mechanically inclined, but I keep reading articles about what tools to carry and my tools are taking over, but if I can't do the work, why am I wasting the space?   I have a very small Roadtrek 170 that I will be traveling in full time with my dog and cat, so storage space is at a premium.  Please can anyone help with basics that even those of us not mechanically inclined should carry.  If something happens to my vehicle, I will just have to call for service, I know that , and am prepared for that, I also know that if I have a few basics, maybe someone else could help me, if necessary, but I figure if they are the handy type they probably have their own tools.  I would love to learn about the basics, but don't know a soul that has any abilities of this type.  Maybe when I get on the road, I will be able to meet some mechanically inclined people, but starting out, what should I be carrying?  HELP!

 

[highdesertranger]

carry your basics,
hammer
screwdrivers
pliers
wire cutters
wrenches to fit your vehicle
this is in addition to everything you need to change a tire.
highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

In order of importance:

A cell phone and a roadside assistance plan like AAA, Coachnet, or Good Sam

A good spare tire, a good jack and lug wrench, a board or piece of plywood to put under the jack on soft ground.

A 12 volt air compressor to blow up slow leaks so you can limp to a garage.

An assortment of fuses to fit your vehicle.

Spare fluids - oil, tranny, anti-freeze, brake, power steering . . .

Duct tape and baling wire

A minimal tool set - a couple of screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench or two, vise grips and needle nose pliers.

Beyond that, you can go crazy.  I'll do a couple more posts.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

For those who want to go beyond the minimum, here's a list I put together based on some 4x4 sources for people who travel WAY back in the back country:

1: Service Manual
2: A jack that can lift your FULLY LOADED vehicle for tire changes.
3: Two flashlights, large and small.  Optional 12 volt trouble light with long wires that hooks to car battery.
4: Work gloves to protect hands.
5:  Pair of clear safety glasses to protect eyes.
6:  8 to 12 ounce ball peen hammer.
7:  Short handled 3 pound sledge hammer for heavy “persuasion”
8:  Combination wrenches ¼ to 1 inch (or 8 to 24 mm)
9:  Tubing wrenches – some vehicles like Fords need a special tool for fuel line fittings.
10:  3/8 inch drive socket set – 6 point, inch or metric sizes as listed for combination wrenches.  Can supplement with ½ drive larger size sockets and ½ inch breaker bar.
          a: Spark Plug socket
          b:  3, 6 and 12 inch extensions
          c:  Swivel
          d:  ½ and 3/8 adapters
(Note:  6 point sockets are less likely to round off nuts and bolt heads than 12 point sockets.  But some vehicles have 12 point heads and if so, you may need a few 12 point sockets too.)
11:  Screwdrivers, regular & Phillips, various lengths.
12:  Inch and/or metric Allen wrenches – if needed.
13:  Torx bit set - if needed.
14: Wire cutters and wire stripper/crimper.
15:  Combination and needle nose pliers.
16:  Large Channel Lock pliers.
17:  Locking pliers (Vise Grips), large and small sizes.
18:  Large adjustable wrench, 12 inch or bigger.
19:  Small, medium, and large punches, center punch, and cold chisel.
20:  Hacksaw and extra blades
21:  Small crowbar or pry bar.
22:  Files, large flat and small round, half round, and triangular.
23:  Siphon hose and funnel (suitable for ATF fill).
24:  Jumper Cables.
25:  Tire pressure gauge.
26:  Valve core removing tool.
27:  Utility knife & extra blades.
28:  Electric drill (rechargeable, kept charged) and assortment of drill bits.
29:  One large and two small C clamps.
30:  Torque wrench (optional).
31:  Digital Multimeter.
32:  OBD code reader – if needed.
33:  Spark plug tester.
34:  Small grease gun.
Special tools such as spindle nut wrench for your 4X4 axle, tie rod tool, etc.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

And the middle of nowhere spare parts list:

1:  Inflated, full size spare tire.
2:  Duct tape
3:  Spare fuses, at least two of every size in your vehicle
4:  At least one gallon of water above and beyond your drinking water
5:  Assorted zip ties, tiny to huge.
6:  Water pump, power steering, and alternator belts.
7:  Radiator stop-leak, heavy duty.
8:  Silicone emergency tape for patching radiator and heater hoses.
9:  Can of GOOD penetrating oil.  (PB Blaster!)
10: Can of CRC 5-56 for drying wires.
11:  AT LEAST one quart of motor oil, one quart of ATF fluid, one pint of brake fluid, one pint of power steering fluid, one gallon of anti-freeze.
12:  15 to 20 feet of ten gauge wire.  A few shorter lengths of smaller wire.
Small assortment of crimp on connectors.
13:  Roll of baling wire.  (Sometimes sold in auto part stores as “Mechanics Wire”.)
14:  Roll of GOOD electrical tape.
15:  Roll of plumber’s Teflon tape.
16:  Tube of hi-temp silicone sealer (gasket maker).  IMPORTANT!  REPLACE ANNUALLY!  GOES BAD EVEN IF NOT OPENED.
17:  Loctite thread restorer.
18: Small can of wheel bearing grease.
19:  Extra tire valve cores, caps, and at least one new valve stem.
20:  Quick-set epoxy (JB Weld).
21:  Fuel tank repair kit.
22:  Tire plugging kit.
23:  A few feet of fuel line – sized to your vehicle, and a spare fuel filter.
24:  Small can of misc. hardware – assorted nuts, bolts, screws, washers, hose clamps, cotter keys, etc.

 

[roxie134]

This looks like a place where I can start,   I have way too much stuff, and I feel if I can't use it why I am I carrying it around.

 

[caretaker]

what I'm going to carry is one of those craftsman socket sets, for the basics the smaller sets are good, the nice things about them is you can buy what you can fit to your budget and have what you need. a QUALITY tire tool, jack, hammer, small saw. if you need anything else get it as you need it, that way you will only carry what you have the skills to use, whats WAY MORE important is knowing how to change a tire, check fluids, know your fuzes. plus keep a haynes or chiltons manual for your vehicle, if you need help the person helping you has something to go by.

 

[TrainChaser]

A tire iron extender. Many of the shop guys who put tires onto the wheel overtighten the lug nuts with their power tools, and when you're out in the middle of nowhere, you can't get some of the nuts off.

Roadside service assistance only works on PAVED roads -- they're not going to look for you on dirt roads in the back country, so don't expect it.

The guys above have provided some good lists -- but if you don't know how to use something, it's wasting space.

 

[TrainChaser]

Take along a can of FixaFlat, sized for your tires (use the brand name, no cheap-junk substitutes) for small leaks for when you're in a bad spot (roadside at night, dangerous position, scary people around, etc). Position the problem tire w/the valve in the low position: Ϙ. Tell the tire repair place immediately that you used it-- some refuse to deal with it (someone else will). If they will fix your problem, find the guy who did the actual work and give him a $10 tip and say thank you.

 

[Almost There]

I carry tools that, while I know how to use them, my hands are too weak to actually fix something with them.

There's a reason I carry them though. When I need something fixed there is usually at least one person around who can either just do the muscle work for me (including most of the other women I know) or someone who can actually fix it for me.

I can't begin to count the number of times my own tools have come in really handy for fixing things beyond my capabilities. If nothing else it keeps others from having to walk back and forth from their own campsite retrieving this tool and then that wrench.

If you've already got the tools then I'd suggest you take a hard look at what you can get packed. Even if YOU don't need them, loaning them to someone else in need isn't a bad thing.

 

[Gary68]

something like this and you can do the majority of repairs

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-230-...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJrJgvmfzdQCFdaIYgodi6QKcA

 

[tx2sturgis]

Whichever tools you leave behind are the EXACT tools you will need later on.

This is more than just coincidence...its Murphy's Law!

 

[poncho62]

Code scanner and a cell phone

 

[CautionToTheWind]

I always think safety....can't count how many times people broke down on a dark road, no hazard flashers, and they are trying to change a tire on the shoulder line. I'd suggest getting a 3-pack warning safety triangles (come in a very small red box).

Found a link: http://www.autozone.com/safety/roadside-emergency-kit/victor-3-pcs-emergency-triangle/9466_0_0

 

[djkeev]

I carry WAY more tools than I need to, but I like to be prepared for those unexpected things. I'm the guy that you want to pull over and help when you are stranded!
I wish I could bring my whole tool box but 50 years of wrenching has helped me narrow my travel tool kit down to this little (but heavy) bag........








Dave

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I always think safety....can't count how many times people broke down on a dark road, no hazard flashers, and they are trying to change a tire on the shoulder line. I'd suggest getting a 3-pack warning safety triangles (come in a very small red box).

Found a link: http://www.autozone.com/safety/roadside-emergency-kit/victor-3-pcs-emergency-triangle/9466_0_0

Agree totally!  I've got one of those bright yellow safety vests with reflective tape that I keep in my truck.

 

[caretaker]

in europ its the law that you have one of those vests, not a bad idea. will get one myself

 

[olddude48]

Zip ties,duct tape,hammer,screwdrivers and pliers. If you don't know how to use certain tools then why carry them. Chances are you will camp near someone at some point that will have the tools and know how to use them and would be happy to do any minor fix for you. Roadside assistance on your insurance and a cell phone should get you by. I usually go overboard and carry all kinds of tools that I do know how to use but can't tell you how many years it's been since I had to use any of them.

 

[tx2sturgis]

A little Honda Ruckus or something similar mounted on a hitch rack would be doable....yes it's 2 wheels, but a very DOCILE 2 wheeler. And being a street legal 49cc moped or scooter means that in most states its a very minimal license endorsement needed, if at all, and you can legally ride it on any street other than an Interstate Highway.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Something happened there and my post ended up in the wrong section...