What Tools Do Fulltimers Carry?

[Bierp]

WD-40.

Also, +1 on the cheater pipe. Had to leverage a slide to remove an unfortunate jam on the side of the road once. Glad I had it.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by penra

Forming a tool list for our first trip in the fall. Also spare parts suggestions.

<snip>

Also, after trying hard to convert I dislike tool bags, they are like big purses and everything is lost on the bottom. I have multiple small tool boxes with specific tool types. Any feedback on what people carry tools and parts in?

I've used bags most of my refrigerator serviceman career. Most bags today have numerous pockets and my most recent bag, given as a gift ~10 years ago still works well. Easier to describe with pix how my crap is setup.

[Bnrc73]

I also carry a battery charger and a booster battery, along with an air compressor. To save space I put everything small, that I probably won’t use anyway, in a heavy duty storage box that I stow ahead of my hitch in the back of the pickup. If I need it it’s there.

[fredetteb]

My wife complained when we started fulltime 4years ago that I was bringing too many tools

If room allows I would add a small air compressor and fittings. Amazing how handy they are between airing up bicycle tires and pool floats to powering a small pneumatic nailer or nut driver.

Watch out, follow all the advice of the crowd and you'll need a second trailer for your rolling workshop

[TBW Ventures]

I Like the list. I have a misc container of various screw, glues, tapes, silicone thrown in for good measure . A soldering iron could be handy but an assortment of wire connectors is valuable as well.

[laverdur]

WOW! That's a lot of tools but to each his own. I carry my tools in a small canvas bag. You are right - the tool you want is always on the bottom. Sockets, open end wrenches, screw drivers, square drive bits for a small battery powered screwdriver, wire cutters, vise grips. If your TV is by Ford, you'll want metric tools if you anticipate doing any work on it. I can't speak to what other manufacturers use. At one time i carried a battery powered impact wrench for lug nuts. The one time I needed it, even with a fully charged battery, it could not loosen the lugs. I now have a 18-inch breaker bar and a 4 foot section of aluminum pipe to use as a cheater.

[Byron B]

I replaced the brakes several weeks ago and treated myself to a new Ryobi 18v 1/2” impact gun. No cheater bar needed. The middle of three settings torqued the luge to 110#.

[mlh]

If you carry all this stuff you would need two more wheels on your camper and a Mack truck to pull it.
Lynwood

[Ed C]

Don't forget a set of allen wrenches. On a trip from California to Alaska, I pulled into St. Regis, Montana, and my plate on the Anderson hitch receiver was loose. I did not have allens to tighten the set screws, but the owner of the RV park kindly loaned me his. It was very generous of him. Who would have thought you might need allen wrenches in a Montana?

[jas]

Hi,
In addition to what you listed I also carry an extendable pole saw for cutting smaller higher branches that may hit my trailer or block my slides as well as a long handled pruner for the smaller jobs

[Rod Spohn]

Originally Posted by DQDick

I carry 4 large Dewalt tool boxes that have a large bottom and a removable top that has adjustable compartments so I carry a lot of tools and small parts. All my portable tools are Makita professional grade and the thing I get more use out of than I expected is a reciprocal saw. I use it for cutting firewood as well as the typical uses and carry blades for wood, metal and large wrecking blades. I also carry a pex cutter and shark bites for most things that could happen and some that shouldn't.

As I'm new to at this could you mention what size shark bites you carry? That's something I hadn't thought of.
This is a great thread

[penra]

Originally Posted by masterdrago

This is a great thread. I have, from day one tried to carry the full kitchen sink. Every time I think of a tool I do not carry or see a mention of one, I add it to the boxes. Like the soldering iron. Although not a "tool", I did not see roofing tape or sealant specifically listed. The Eternabond stuff -- http://www.eternabond.com/RV-Leak-Re...ducts-s/22.htm


And a big cheater pipe for breaking those nuts loose.

This has been informative for me too, appreciating all the suggestions.
Did you make that cheater bar or buy? I was trying to avoid a $300 investment in a 1/2" impact driver and was going to try to loosen my lug nuts with my 3/8" impact driver and then use the torque wrench to reinstall but having a cheater bar would be peace of mind. I'm going to refresh the original list with the added ideas so we can keep this going. Can you ever have enough tools?

[penra]

Originally Posted by mlh

If you carry all this stuff you would need two more wheels on your camper and a Mack truck to pull it.
Lynwood

Good point! Toss out the canned goods and liquor bottles if you need to reduce weight?

[jgroves]

Originally Posted by Rod Spohn

As I'm new to at this could you mention what size shark bites you carry? That's something I hadn't thought of.
This is a great thread

I'm about to buy this right here for myself, as I've been out on the road and had to rent one of the crimper tools for about the same price as this kit:

https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Crimpin...fsclp_pl_dp_14

[penra]

Originally Posted by masterdrago

I've used bags most of my refrigerator serviceman career. Most bags today have numerous pockets and my most recent bag, given as a gift ~10 years ago still works well. Easier to describe with pix how my crap is setup.

Looks like a lot of good crap!
Bottle jack capacity? Jack stands; I've been looking for some compact but heavy duty, where did you get them?

[Dave W]

A 3/8" cordless drill is a less then great choice. A 1/2" may be a couple bucks more but usually has a bit more power. I carry a Bosch or a DeWalt though do have a 'budget' Harbor Freight that stays with the 5er 100% of the time that works Ok for most things.


I carry a big DeWalt box and a full plastic bin in the basement plus a small tool box in a cupboard for those occasional 'honey do's'

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by Dave W

occasional 'honey do's'

Who are you kidding-- occasional?

[penra]

Originally Posted by Dave W

A 3/8" cordless drill is a less then great choice. A 1/2" may be a couple bucks more but usually has a bit more power. I carry a Bosch or a DeWalt though do have a 'budget' Harbor Freight that stays with the 5er 100% of the time that works Ok for most things.


I carry a big DeWalt box and a full plastic bin in the basement plus a small tool box in a cupboard for those occasional 'honey do's'

I got a good price on Makita 18v brushless 3/8" cordless drill and 3/8" impact driver. The impact driver is impressive in spite of its size but I didn't think thru that I might be better off with a 1/2" drive. At least I did think thru before I purchased a half ton truck!
I'll look at HF for a deal on one.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by jeffba

Who are you kidding-- occasional?

Gotta be nice. SWMBO sometimes reads over my shoulder

Originally Posted by penra

I got a good price on Makita 18v brushless 3/8" cordless drill and 3/8" impact driver. The impact driver is impressive in spite of its size but I didn't think thru that I might be better off with a 1/2" drive. At least I did think thru before I purchased a half ton truck!
I'll look at HF for a deal on one.

This, below, is my opinion and and thought train so please don't take offense



My main reason for a 1/2" drive is that even a 7/16" drill bit will not fit in a 3/8" drill chuck - and I often use drill bits larger then 3/8". Reduced shank drill bits - not all sizes are easily found plus quite expensive



A 3/8" impact limits you to a reduced torque, especially breakaway and forces you into using adapters for the much stronger 1/2" drive sockets.

[oeeman]

My montana has an electric drive for moving the landing gear up and down. there is a square shaft and it has some grade 8 cap screws in it. If they break you up a creek. especially if the truck is still attached. I always carry a couple of spares of both sizes. One side is different than the other.