tools

g4sbrg wrote:
not real worried about my first trip just a weekend 40 mile up the road, but trip #2 is 1000 round trip, besides the spare, jack, screw driver and rat set, basics "WHAT DO I REALLY NEED TO TAKE TO FIX" I am sure you all have your favorite tools for the road. this is an older unit that did check good. "but it is an older unit" what are the common breakdowns.

I researched this question from a lot of websites and compiled a list. I think this list is for full timers and those that spend a lot of time on the road. I'm not a full timer -- just a casual RV person. However, I don't want to be in the desert and need a tool I don't have so I took the list to Harbor Freight and spent $250 to have a decent set of tools for the RV.

Some of the items on this list are not tools, but luxury items that are nice to have.

Here is the compiled list:

RV:
50 amp to 30 amp adapter
50 amp to 15 amp adapter
Blocks for jacks.
Wheel chocks.
Leveling system/something
Hose to hook to park water (culinary hose, not garden hose)
Garden hose for black tank flush
Sewer hose support
Get a couple of spare led bulbs
Get a couple of spare fuses in common sizes used by our RV
Honda Generator(s): EU2000i + EU200i Companion + cross connect cable
Water pressure regulator
Water Y connector w/ hand turn off/on nobs
Black/grey dump hose
Power conditioner like Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C
Harbor freight scissors (cut anything)
Hand ax
Box of disposable gloves
Lock tite
Water thief or water bandit
Black tank digester
Hand vacuum
90 degree adaptor for water hose coming out of trailer
Emergency Flares and Triangles


Truck:
Tow rope
Tie downs
Jumper cables
Jack able to lift rv? (one already in truck?) Use the andersen leveler to get the other wheel off the ground.
Small air compressor (need to do up to 110 psi)
Professional trucker's tire gauge (don't cheap out)
Tools necessary to remove 5th wheel hitch
Grease for 5th wheel hitch or use a silicone plate instead of grease

Toolkit:
Toolbox or something to store tools in
Multi-bit screw driver
#2 square driver bit, get an assortment including torx bits
Small & Medium Flat Blade Screwdrivers
Small & Medium Phillips Screwdrivers
Small Stubby Flat Blade Screwdriver
Small Stubby Phillips Screwdriver
Regular Pliers
Needle-Nose Pliers
Medium Diagonal Cutter Pliers
Medium Channel-Lock Pliers
Medium Vice-Grip Pliers
Small Dental Pick (one end hooked)
Roll of RV Fix-It Tape (fix any leak)
Roll of duct tape
Regular Claw Hammer
Combination wood rasp/file
Set of Drill Bits (1/16" - 1/4")
Cheap 3/8" VSR Electric Drill
Small Digital Voltmeter
12-volt Continuity Tester
Roll of Electricians Tape
(2) 3/4" Hose Clamps (automotive screw type), a few hose clamps in various sizes
Assortment of zippy ties/Tie-Wraps (3" - 7")
Set of Various Shaped Needle Files
Small Flashlight (a Mag Light works great)
Set of Small Hex-Key Wrenches (1/16" - 1/4")
3/8-inch and 1/4-inch socket set including a 3/8- to-1/2-inch adapter and extensions

Something to hold assorted screws/nuts/bolts
A pocket knife
Box cutter
50 ft rope
Hack saw w/ extra blades
Work gloves/safety glasses
Spare batteries for things like fire alarms
Emergency radio (NOAA)

Silicon tape (for water related pipes)
Glue: gorilla, Wood glue, Small Clamps
Spray Can of WD-40
Spray Can of Lithium Grease or silicone spray lubricant, Kwik-Lube lubricant (for steps and slides)
Dry silicone lubricant is recommended by loveyourrv.com
silicone adhesive (tube) ?? Is this calk? Need something to seal leaks

Butt splices and crimp terminals, wire nuts (a few sizes)
(2) 25' ft medium duty electrical extension cord (rated for higher amps)

The one thing I didn't hear mentioned was a ball of dumm dumm, or permagun as RV shops call it. It is a great sealer and will seal just about anything until you can get home and seal it correctly.
About fifteen years ago I had a friend that was a cop make a short trip with us and one night as he was removing his gun, it accidently discharged and shot a hole in the roof. We climbed up there via a step latter we borrowed and filled the hole with the dumm dumm and it never leaked a drop of water. It was about six weeks later when I made a permanent repair.

You don't need many tools but you need the right tools for the job. There are things like getting the water heater anode out that need the right tool. Lots of tools in the sets are useless but you had better have the one you need when you need it.

Fortunately a knock on a few doors of others in the CG will yield whatever it is that you don't have. All are happy to help. Someday your turn will come to be the provider of what is needed.

I carry one of those $29 plastic tool kit'/cases and leave my roll around tool box in the shop.

BTW, I don't carry one of those huge hydraulic pieces of scrap iron called a jack either. The F 250 jack takes care of that if the need arises.

like said check it out in the drive.

Eternabond roof repair tape.

You can drive yourself crazy, not to mention overloading your rig, by trying to carry everything you could possibly need. I don't carry much. A few screwdrivers and pliers. A DVM to test electrical stuff. You're not going to need to rebuild the rig while camping. Just simple nuisance stuff. Anything major can wait until we get home, or in an extreme case can be bought/rented.

You should have the tools to change a tire, and should be tested in the driveway to make sure it all works.

john&bet wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
TrailerAid Plus, light and easy to use. Much safer than a bottle jack and light weight.

But still need bottle jack for tv. Better than the one manufactures provide.

I actually think the jack that came with my 98 works well. I have raised 40 yard dumpsters with it to place plywood under the feet so they won't damage the asphalt.

Plan the right route.
I blew a tire and shredded it in Carthage Missouri. Before I could blink the local folks came out came out of no where. It was like pulling into a Nascar pit stop. I had to stand in line to help fix my own rig. They even offered us lunch.

MPI_Mallard wrote:
As a finish carpenter without my whole tool trailer/mobile shop I feel naked but I bought one of those tool sets click add a good rechargeable drill, hand saw/hack saw, hammer, and a good sized bottle jack and that'll get you through most things.

Was that supposed to be "bottle jack" or perhaps "bottle of Jack"?

CA Traveler wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
And, sometimes the most overlooked, but important items of all.

#1 - DUCT TAPE & BAILING WIRE

#2 - Murphy's Law: What ever you need, you won't have.

#3 - Cell phone, reflective road side assistance placards &
" What's in your wallet " ?

Gorilla tape is a far superior product. Stronger, sticker and lasts very well in the sun.

And a small bottle of Gorilla Super Glue.

And we all over-looked "a case of beer" !!!