Tools in the tool bag

[Shadowcatche]

I am cleaning out the 'tool bag'. tools migrate in and well duplicates. What to take is the perennial question and I am forced to admit it is inclusive, and I feel like I am missing something.
In part what is there is based on what went wrong in the past 15+ years. Electrical, I use a lot of Power Poles and have the connectors and tool to crimp, assortment of heat shrink connectors, wire stripper 14 to 8 gauge. Fuses 6 to 40A, VOM multimeter. Plumbing is PEX and I have the rings and crimper.
Tire pump and torque are always in the tow vehicle.
So what do all take?

 

[DrewsBrews]

I'm not experienced in pulling a camper around yet. But I've done week+ multi thousand mile trips on the motorcycle while tent camping and mostly feeding myself off what I packed. I realy had to think hard about what tools were necessary to bring. And I definately had to use them multiple times. I went over the bike with a wrench set to determine every size needed and only packed those sizes. Wire ties helped me strap a muffler back to the bracket due to a lost bolt. Electrical tape held on a side mirror that I accidentally smashed off. And a number of other fixes, adjustments and maintenance.

For me it would depend on the trip. A longer/more remote trip I would probably bring more tools. For shorter weekend outings closer to civilization, I would probably have bare minimum to bodge a temporary fix, go to the store for a cheap tool If I have to, or make it safe enough and just do without that system for a couple days.

Streamlining needed tools can be part of the construction philosophy too.. such as limiting the different kinds of hardware used. Same for plumbing and wiring (limiting fittings, wire and connection types/sizes). I have a distaste of advanced systems for this kind of thing. My 120v wiring would entale extension cords/power strips with internal breakers. If something goes bad, unplug and plug in a replacement.

 

[Tom&Shelly]

Just pulled into a site a few minutes ago and the camp host asked if we had a coat hanger. Next time we may pack a coat hanger, or more likely a slim jim.

 

[philpom]

Lug wrench, pliers, screw driver, hammer, duck tape, spare fuses including fusible link, and a multi-tool. I just need to get by in a situation, if it's drastic I'll buy what I need.

 

[Shadowcatche]

Lug wrench, pliers, screw driver, hammer, duck tape, spare fuses including fusible link, and a multi-tool. I just need to get by in a situation, if it's drastic I'll buy what I need.

Some times we are nowhere close to where you can find tools. I carry a torque wrench and the sockets that stay in the TV along with the adapter that allows me to use the TV spare on the tear.

 

[MickinOz]

I take a set of hand tools, metric and imperial.
A shifter, spanners, a few screwdrivers, hammer, cable/zip ties, pliers, knife, roll of duct tape, etc.
Wheel brace, jack, etc.
Basically, a toolbox full of everything I have used for projects in the last few years.

One thing I take that not everyone does.
I changed the bearings on the boat trailer as a precautionary measure.
Same part numbers as the ones on the teardrop, so I washed the old bearings with turps, spun them in the races, found a set that didn't make any noise or feel rough, packed them with grease and put them in a jar, with the washers, castellated nuts and split pins.
I have done a few emergency wheel bearing changes. Not on my stuff, I try keep everything in good nick.
But if I have to, I have everything I need to change a set of wheel bearings on the side of the road.
I find that leaving the wheel on the hub makes it very easy to knock the old bearing races out and tap in the new ones.

 

[pchast]

I carry a similar kit of bearings.

 

[DrewsBrews]

In my case I purchased a 3rd pre-packed hub to keep in the tongue box.

 

[Capebuild]

I have a bunch of tools I keep in a "tool bag". The bag is kind of bulky and with all the tools in there I find it helpful to carry a photo on my phone of what's in the bag so I don't have to go fishing around in the bag in case I've forgotten what's actually in the bag. I also carry a bottle jack, battery powered
drill and a few other items. I have spares of all the fuses the trailer uses. Torque wrench (not in the bag). Shovel, axe, rope.....Probably some other items I'm not remembering.

John

 

[DrewsBrews]

I stumbled upon this today (better pics here). Gives a "remote" switch on the end of a 15' wire for a 120v 2-prong connection. Figured it could come in handy to bypass a wiring issue but maintain ability to turn something on/off that is otherwise difficult to access.

 

[swoody126]

as w/ all my toys i carry the tools i would use to address anything i am capable of dealing with on the road(away frum the barn)

i get my roll around stool and a full set of tools and go around each new toy when i get it listing on a yellow pad what tools are needed to perform ... addressing any potential issue i can imagine

sometymes i find i can change certain fasteners out so more of them all use the same tools

example ... i change out phillips head screws for allen heads which saves space and weight

i've been guilty to cutting wrenches and welding the open end of one size to the box end of another size so 2 wrenches can handle both the head and nut for 2 sizes of bolts

as mentioned above i can also do a bearing replacement on the side of the road

the kit is made frum the list

each toy gets it's own set of toy specific tools instead of trying to remember what to pack each tyme i switch toys

sockets needed for particular applications are usually 3/8' drive except for the smallest one which is a 1/4" drive

a long 1/4" drive T-handle and long extension are my driver instead of a ratchet for each size

a 1/4" > 3/8" adapter is used for the larger sockets and they will slip onto the extension for carry using the adapter for a keeper and carrying the smallest socket on the T-handle

toy specific tools live in the leg of an old pair of jeans w/ a long flap to pour them out on

in my TV kit i carry a Klein 10/1 screw driver that has flat n phillips along w/ square and torx drivers and 3 different sizes of nut drivers all in one very good quality product

Klein has different combinations and they also sell replacement driver bits

when hauling bicycles a/o motorcycles along w/ the travel trailer i carry tyre repair/patching equipment

a plug kit for tubeless and cold patch for tube type and a small comprssor

the one i like is a Campbell/Hausfield w/ a small tank under it and a coiled hose w/ quick disconnects for both shrader valves and a blow gun for cleaning coils and other dusty funky situations

if hauling 2-wheelers goto HF and get one of their long combination wrenches for each axle nut size you have along

cut the open end off and grind the cut end into a tyre spoon

that's for starters

BON VOYAGE

sw

 

[Shadowcatche]

Some times we are nowhere close to where you can find tools. I carry a torque wrench and the sockets that stay in the TV along with the adapter that allows me to use the TV spare on the tear.

I do as well and good suggestion.

 

[Modstock]

Have a craftsman socket set and a small bag of various universal tools, Cresent wrench, channelloks, bailing wire, 36mm socket for the jeep, bearings.
Also have a swing out truck box that fits all my fluids (1gal oil, coolant, power steering fluid, gear oil, atf).
Craftsman 1/2" impact just added after changing a spare last Oct.
Napa twin head air compressor and HF battery jump pack, tire plug kit.
CB and hf radio's.
Probably missed something but when I go into the middle of nowhere during winter, gotta be prepared.
If I break down and can't fix it. I'm hanging out in the trailer until AAA comes.