Tool box needs...

[Shadow Catcher]

I admit I am NOT a neat person I will venture to say I am by nature a clutterer! Nancy will agree.

My problem is the tool box(s) I take with us, I have tried one big one (did not work too much clutter) so I separated it into three smaller ones, A) electrical, B)wrenches, screwdrivers..., C) plumbing and an assortment of miscellaneous.

The problem, Three tool boxes and they are still a mess.
We got a bunch of bright folks here what have you done?

[les45]

I keep all my electrical gear in a Rubbermaid container including extension cords, adapters, and a simple circuit tester.
I keep all my "trailer gear" in one 17" tool box including wrenches, needle nose pliers, hammer, locks and keys, spare receiver pin, spare bearings, cotter pins, and a long cheater bar (this box goes with my other utility trailers also and contains basically everything needed to change out a wheel or bearing).
I carry a separate tool box for camping gear including ax, pry bar, folding shovel, tent pegs, rope, ratchet straps, carabiners, etc.
The only other tools I carry are the usual small stuff (wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.) in a small bag that stays in the TV at all times just for any roadside emergency.

[lrrowe]

I am right up there in the same classification as Shadow Catcher. I am not organized and tend to bring wayyy too much with me. I must improve in this area.

[ctstaas]

Hi shadow Catcher,
Les45 is spot on and I like to have those tools, cords, adapters dedicated so they always stay with the TD. My Cressent wrench I call my Cressent hammer although I also carry a hammer. I found an adjustable end wrench with a hammer head and the jaw reverses into pipe wrench function. I like me some vise grips of all different sizes and shapes for my TD box. Electricians tend to have great hand tool and what ever you have in your TD tool box should be of similar quality if possible.
Enjoy, Chris

[Socal Tom]

I have a small ammo can that has my TD tool set. 2 crescent wrenches, some screw drivers, a small volt meter and some fuses. I have an altoids box with an assortment of blue and red crimpable connectors. and a crimper/stripper, a roll of electrical tape and a roll of 14 ga wire and some duct tape. 14 ga is plenty for most things, if I need something more I can double it up, and replace it with the right ga when I get home. I have a lug wrench and jack in the TV.
The fact is there probably isn't any thing "critical" on the TD that I couln't live without if it broke so I don't bring a whole tool box along to fix stuff. There isn't much on these things to break, so why bring a bunch of tools ( now on my old RV, installing new headers had to be done one trip, so I NEEDED to bring a big set of tools). A TD is a rolling bed, with space to carry some pot and pans, so what did you expect to work on? Though a spare shackle bolt and nut and maybe a spare spring ubolt could be a good idea.
Tom

Now, if I installed some new widget recently, then I might carry the tools I needed to fix that, but other wise if it breaks, then I probably just leave it broke until I get home or duct tape it to a safe condition, then fix it at home.

[Shadow Catcher]

The three current tool boxes are dedicated and stay in the tongue box.
On top of this are tools that come and go. An AC/DC clamp meter...

At one point I was working with a company doing industrial ultrasound and my partner made up a briefcase to hold the calibration standards and transducers cut to fit in foam. Since the coupelent tends to be slimy we coated the foam in the briefcase with liquid rubber.

There are a lot of items in my toolbox that do not lend themselves to this sort of treatment, wires, test leads...

[ae6black]

I bring it all and typically can handle most any need as it arises. The problem is it's getting heaver and I am getting older. Recently I've taken to just letting my tools sit in my TV.

Art

[M C Toyer]

I too tend to carry much more than I'll ever need on the off chance I'll need something I'm not carrying.

These aren't mine but are similar to several I have made from cut-off jeans' legs for specific purposes and I carry the one(s) I need depending on the trip and trailer / motorcycle / bike. Very compact, well organized, and easy to tell if something is missing.
Harbor Freight sells ready made ones for less than $10.

Each is pre-packed and labeled so I just grab the one(s) I need. I have one universal electrical roll with testers, wires, fuses, bulbs, connectors, etc. that is always in my tow vehicle.

On my motorcycle and bike I carry the roll(s) in a plastic welding tube permanently attached to the rack. In the tow vehicle and trailer(s) I just slip the roll(s) in any available space.