A few handy "Spares" to carry

[Desert_Captain]

I was a boat guy for 35+ years many of which were spent offshore and/or in third world countries. This tends to shape how you think about what will happen when things fail.... because they do. My theory has always been that there are three things that can happen when a piece of gear packs it in:

1. You simply live without it.... but if you had it in the first place this is usually not a viable option.

2. You repair the item.... this presupposes that you have the tools, skills and spare parts to effectively complete the repair. :h (I don't know about you but in my case.... not likely.)

3. You pull out a spare, replace the failed item and pat yourself on the back for being so prepared. Spouses need to be aware that this usually is followed by several hours of chest thumping and at least a beer or two. :B

Depending on what type of rig you run the list will vary and assumes you have a decent set of the basic tools but here are a few my "Don't leave home without it" items:

A collection of fuses for truck and trailer (several of the more common sizes but at least one of each).

A pack of spare hitch clips (various sizes)

A back up break away switch

Tire repair kit

Spare water pump (or at least a pump repair kit for the existing pump).

A collection of stainless steel screws, nuts, bolts, washers etc..

Package of butt and ring connectors with a crimping tool, a few spare heat shrinks are nice to have as well. Don't forget an assortment of wire ties.

Spare light bulbs.

:C

[conmoto]

It seems many of the back ups I bring are always helping someone else as we travel. I find it kind of fun to do the Boy Scout thing and be "Always Prepared"

[robsouth]

I have a pair of pliers. Had a screwdriver, but I lost it somewhere.

[noe-place]

portscanner wrote:

mlts22 wrote:
The nice thing about RV-ing is that an RV won't sink if it has issues.

I strongly disagree with you. An RV can sink if it has issues




Credit to jimd1050 for the picture

Let me guess; emergency brake failed?:E

[portscanner]

mlts22 wrote:
The nice thing about RV-ing is that an RV won't sink if it has issues.

I strongly disagree with you. An RV can sink if it has issues




Credit to jimd1050 for the picture

[dverstra]

rockhillmanor wrote:
I used to. Took it all out. Bought a toad.

Now when I break down? I unhook the toad, throw the keys to the MH to the tow truck driver and tell him to call me when it's done! While I drive to the nearest motel check in and sit in a nice air conditioned room watching cable and having a cold one.:C

+1 on this idea!

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Not much. I found out a long time ago that if I need a spring I have a bearing and if I need a bearing I have a spring. And if I have both I will need a chain.

Always something. :R

Now I won't leave home without my cordless impact and a small tool pack and some duct tape and wire. I can't change points or a water pump on the road anymore anyway.

My dad talked about changing an engine main bearing on the side of the road way back when. :E

[rockhillmanor]

Veebyes wrote:

I come from a 25 year boating background. On the water you really need to learn how to take care of yourself. Nobody has gotten out of a boat, walked on the water, & gone to look for help in over 2000 years.

The self sufficient mentality has carried over into the 5er. The tool stock is quite extensive. The trailer itself is slowly being marinised. For example the cheap & nasty converter/charger is history, replaced with a very nice inverter/charger & a decent battery bank.

:B Good one!

[CincyGus]

A cordless drill, a small cloth tool bag with a few adjustable wrenches, a dogbone socket wrench, a small sledge (used for tent stakes and anything else that needs a strong wack), a pair of heavy duty side pliers, wire cutter, few rolls of 12 gauge wire and connectors and crimper, electical and gorilla tape, some 1" and 1 1/2" self tapping screws, a couple greased bearings and seal kits, a spare hitch pin, tape measurer, small pancake air compresser, small 3000lb floor jack, can of WD40 and some silicone spray and a half dozen misc sized zip ties.

Pretty much seal, fix and secure anything I have come across with this stuff and most of the bigger items gets duel use in setup/tear down. Power drill used for stab jacks, sledge for tent and carpet stakes, air compressor for floats and bike and trailer tires.

[Veebyes]

I come from a 25 year boating background. On the water you really need to learn how to take care of yourself. Nobody has gotten out of a boat, walked on the water, & gone to look for help in over 2000 years.

The selfsufficient mentality has carried over into the 5er. The tool stock is quite extensive. The trailer itself is slowly being marinised. For example the cheap & nasty converter/charger is history, replaced with a very nice inverter/charger & a decent battery bank.

[noe-place]

I have Coach Net for things I can't handle but I do carry a few "odds and ends" for some situations.:B

[silvercorvette]

Anyone that has any type of pull behind RV can unhitch and move on, Last summer my break away cable got snagged on something and pulled out / activated the brakes. All I had to do was plug the switch back in to release the brakes but it did make me wonder what I would do if the brakes were stuck. I think I am going to add a spare brake switch to my buy list

[rockhillmanor]

I used to. Took it all out. Bought a toad.

Now when I break down? I unhook the toad, throw the keys to the MH to the tow truck driver and tell him to call me when it's done! While I drive to the nearest motel check in and sit in a nice air conditioned room watching cable and having a cold one.:C

[BruceMc]

I carry a 12 ton bottle jack, inexpensive torque wrench and a variety of metric hand tools in my toolbox. My parts box has misc screws & bolts, velcro, felt pads to stop rattles, bits of wire an electrical connectors, tape, etc. Also, that foam knee pad comes in real handy!

When the front end fell apart in Arches Nat'l park last summer, we had the right tools to jack up & support the front end to reassemble it. The torque wrench doubles as a 1/2" ratchet, and while I carry only 3/8" sockets, I have a 1/2 to 3/8th adapter.

When preparing a tire-change kit, test the kit, don't make assumptions. I had a shallow socket that fit the lug nut, and had made a cursory check on the front lugs. mistake - it wouldn't reach over the longer studs on the rears. Next, you'll need an extension to reach the rear lugs with a torque wrench...

Else, I carry a small limb saw and boy's axe, and a tow strap.

It has all been used at one time or another.

[pasusan]

An ignition module.

Back in the 90s we had a few problems with the truck not starting and/or quitting while driving. We went through a couple of these ignition modules and now we always carry a spare in the tool kit. Never needed one since, but we've got one! Along with the WD-40 and the duct-tape. :B