Top Ten List: RV Tool Bag "Must-Haves"

[doggonecat]

I'm putting together my tool bag for our new travel trailer and while mentally running through the different roadside repair scenarios I've done on cars in my past, I realize the RVer must be prepared for a variety of tasks across multiple systems, which may be performed in settings with more limited or inconvenient options than someone in a standard passenger vehicle.

Obviously, the RVer can't (nor can your typical motorist) just wheel their entire garage on board and shove off, each selection of tool/part must be made carefully and purposefully; ideally one that is compact, lightweight, and serves a function across multiple systems.

I propose the following questions for the forum:

What are your top 10 favorite tools or spare parts that you keep on-hand in your RV, and why?

Let's do this as a David Letterman-style Top Ten List countdown. I hope this will be fun as well as useful to identify gaps in our traveling garage and learn more efficient ways how others are keeping their rigs rolling down the road.

[Johnny Lightning]

I've had this same question in the past, still do to a certain extent, but here's what I think currently (all wrenches/sockets both metric and SAE):


1. Air compressor to 150 lbs. that will attach to your tires (possibly eliminate if you have an onboard compressor for air brakes and a take off)

2. Tire plugs to get you to the tire store
3. A complete set of 1/4 through 1/2 inch drive sockets

4. Combination wrenches from the smallest you have to the larges nut or bolt you can find on your rig.

5. A couple of changeable bit screwdrivers with a good assortment of bits especially # 0 thorough #3 phillips
6. A couple of files, both round and flat
7. Small clam shell electric meter or an amp clamp (preferred)
8. Vapor wrap and electrical tape. (vapor wrap is waterproof electrical tape)
9.A small selection of wire up to the largest size on your rig.
10. Last by not least a good quality electrical crimper (Think Klein or similar here not the cheap stamped sheet metal ones)


Now the next question is supplies which is a whole different post.

[GarlicDude]

Cordless drill with a large selection of bits, large and small Crescent wrenches, common sizes of combination wrenches, star wrench for lug nuts, hammer, softface hammer, multimeter, fuses, assortment of screws, nuts and bolts, teflon tape, electrical tape. I carry a spare propane regulator after we had a failure at camp and couldn't use anything propane.

[TxTwoSome]

List Not In Any Order.

1) 4 Way Tire Iron I Learn the Hard Way Lug Nuts Are Not Created Equal.

2) Light Weight Floor Jack. Much More Stable Then Scissor Or Bottle.

3) Duct Tape! It Holds The World Together!

4) Small 12v Air Compressor. Hard To Move On Flat Tires.

5) Moving Blanket. Something To Lay On In Gravel Or Mud.

6) WD-40. It keeps The World Moving.

7) Vise Grips. An Extra Pair Of Hands.

8) Latex Gloves. Keeps Your Hands Clean And Out Of the Yuck.

9) Battery Drill. Handy, Handy, Handy.

10) Flashlight. Always Nice To Be Able To See What You Are Doing.

These Are Some I Consider To Be Essential.

[rodro123]

Floor Jack
Lug nut wrench
Flash Lights
Matches and or lighters
Charcoal and lighter fuel
Small Grill
Tool Box
Surge protector
Electrical adapters
Toilet chemicals
Sewer kit
RV-friendly toilet paper
Water pressure regulator
Drinking water hose
Leveling blocks
Tire pressure gauge
Extension chords
Wheel chocks
Shovel
Electrical and duct tape
Extra cotter pins
Extra motor oil and transmission fluid
Flashlight
Battery jumper cables
Emergency road kit
Water bottles
Cutting board
Utensils/cutting knives
Can opener
Tongs and skewers
Dish soap
Camping griddle
Bowls, plates and cups
Paper towels
Garbage bags
Plastic wrap
Zip close bags
Potholders
Dish towels
Napkins
Can opener
Skillets
Disinfecting wipes
Matches and lighter
Food storage container
Cooler
Batter mixes
Vegetables and fruits
Butter or margarine
Cereal
Condiments, including mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, etc.
Grill meats, like hot dogs, burgers, brats, etc.
Drink mix packets
Eggs
S’more ingredients
Freeze dried meals
Salt, pepper, herbs and spices
Bread
Baking items, including flour, cornmeal, sugar, etc.
Canned foods
Peanut butter and jelly
Snacks, including crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.
Cooking spray or oil
Soups
Hat
Rain gear
Shoes, including sneakers, hiking boots, sandals, etc.
Bathing suit
Sweatshirts and jackets
Socks
Underwear
Pants and shorts
Short and long sleeve t-shirts
Clothes hangers
Alarm clock
Sewing kit
Towels
Sheets and blankets
Pillows
Phone chargers
Cash and credit cards
Reservation confirmations
First-aid kit
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Batteries
Watch
Medications and prescriptions
Glasses or contact lenses
Sunglasses
Travel map and campground directory
Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Brush and comb
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Deodorant
Hair ties
Lotion
Makeup
Razor
Shaving gel
Nail clippers
Camera
Wood
Camping chairs
Hammock
Frisbee
Fishing gear, including rods, tackle, license, etc.
Sports equipment, including football, basketball, baseball, mitt, etc.
Yard games, including corn hole, horseshoes, hula-hoops, etc.
Binoculars
Books and magazines
Playing cards
Puzzles
Radio
Headphones
Notepad or journal
Laptop
Saw and hatchet
Flotation devices

[Iraqvet05]

That's a hell of a tool bag, rodro123.

I'll add a multimeter to any top 10 tool list; its an invaluable tool to troubleshoot 12V and 120V problems.

[Magnolia Tom]

I think I would list mine as this:

Cordless drill with Phillips and square bits
Tire change lug wrench or socket
Good jack
Volt meter
Electrical connectors and wire cutters
Duct tape
Assorted fuses
Pex crimping tool and clamps/fittings
Some pliers and crescent wrench
Good air compressor

That should be able to take care of most common problems while on the road.

[doggonecat]

10. WD-40
9. lug nut wrench
8. electrical kit: wires, connectors/crimper, tape, shrink wrap
7. pliers
6. flashlight
5. multimeter
4. hitch pins,clips
3. fuses
2. socket set
1. screwdrivers

[ChaosTheory]

Credit card. With a huge limit.

[WinnieView]

Don't forget an assortment of zip ties (aka baling wire).
As previously mentioned duct tape, our favorite has become the Gorilla brand, you can secure, hold, tie down, stop, limit, restrain anything and anyone with zip ties and duct tape.

[Happy wife / happy life]

Yea ,what rdro123 said!!!!!

[Midnightmoon]

EternaBond tape

[Woodworker]

Socket set

Torque wrench

4 way

Extension cord

Air compressor

Fuses

Screw drivers

Crescent wrench

Zip ties

Gloves

Beer coolie

Wire strippers

Spare beer coolie incase other one gets dirty or greasy

Grease gun

Adjustable pliers

Cordless drill with spare batteries an charger w/array of bits

[Semix-Hex]

Now this is an EDC!

Originally Posted by rodro123

Floor Jack
Lug nut wrench
Flash Lights
Matches and or lighters
Charcoal and lighter fuel
Small Grill
Tool Box
Surge protector
Electrical adapters
Toilet chemicals
Sewer kit
RV-friendly toilet paper
Water pressure regulator
Drinking water hose
Leveling blocks
Tire pressure gauge
Extension chords
Wheel chocks
Shovel
Electrical and duct tape
Extra cotter pins
Extra motor oil and transmission fluid
Flashlight
Battery jumper cables
Emergency road kit
Water bottles
Cutting board
Utensils/cutting knives
Can opener
Tongs and skewers
Dish soap
Camping griddle
Bowls, plates and cups
Paper towels
Garbage bags
Plastic wrap
Zip close bags
Potholders
Dish towels
Napkins
Can opener
Skillets
Disinfecting wipes
Matches and lighter
Food storage container
Cooler
Batter mixes
Vegetables and fruits
Butter or margarine
Cereal
Condiments, including mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, etc.
Grill meats, like hot dogs, burgers, brats, etc.
Drink mix packets
Eggs
S’more ingredients
Freeze dried meals
Salt, pepper, herbs and spices
Bread
Baking items, including flour, cornmeal, sugar, etc.
Canned foods
Peanut butter and jelly
Snacks, including crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.
Cooking spray or oil
Soups
Hat
Rain gear
Shoes, including sneakers, hiking boots, sandals, etc.
Bathing suit
Sweatshirts and jackets
Socks
Underwear
Pants and shorts
Short and long sleeve t-shirts
Clothes hangers
Alarm clock
Sewing kit
Towels
Sheets and blankets
Pillows
Phone chargers
Cash and credit cards
Reservation confirmations
First-aid kit
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Batteries
Watch
Medications and prescriptions
Glasses or contact lenses
Sunglasses
Travel map and campground directory
Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Brush and comb
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Deodorant
Hair ties
Lotion
Makeup
Razor
Shaving gel
Nail clippers
Camera
Wood
Camping chairs
Hammock
Frisbee
Fishing gear, including rods, tackle, license, etc.
Sports equipment, including football, basketball, baseball, mitt, etc.
Yard games, including corn hole, horseshoes, hula-hoops, etc.
Binoculars
Books and magazines
Playing cards
Puzzles
Radio
Headphones
Notepad or journal
Laptop
Saw and hatchet
Flotation devices

[RedHorse1]

Make sure you have what you need to change a tire . . . Lift the tire, break the lug nuts (impact driver or looong breaker bar, correct socket and extension), torque wrench and compressor (when you find the spare under inflated). Ideally, test it out before you leave port.

When we started out I put a tool bag together with the things I thought I’d need and then kept a list of things to add as I hear myself saying, “gee, wish I had a...”. For a while we didn’t consider it a “real” outing if we didn’t visit visit HF, HD, Wally Mart or Lowes to get something we needed for a fix or repair.

#10 in the “top 10” list reads “the next 10 things”, and so on . . .

[norty1]

Could you loan me 10 dollars?

Originally Posted by rodro123

Floor Jack
Lug nut wrench
Flash Lights
Matches and or lighters
Charcoal and lighter fuel
Small Grill
Tool Box
Surge protector
Electrical adapters
Toilet chemicals
Sewer kit
RV-friendly toilet paper
Water pressure regulator
Drinking water hose
Leveling blocks
Tire pressure gauge
Extension chords
Wheel chocks
Shovel
Electrical and duct tape
Extra cotter pins
Extra motor oil and transmission fluid
Flashlight
Battery jumper cables
Emergency road kit
Water bottles
Cutting board
Utensils/cutting knives
Can opener
Tongs and skewers
Dish soap
Camping griddle
Bowls, plates and cups
Paper towels
Garbage bags
Plastic wrap
Zip close bags
Potholders
Dish towels
Napkins
Can opener
Skillets
Disinfecting wipes
Matches and lighter
Food storage container
Cooler
Batter mixes
Vegetables and fruits
Butter or margarine
Cereal
Condiments, including mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, etc.
Grill meats, like hot dogs, burgers, brats, etc.
Drink mix packets
Eggs
S’more ingredients
Freeze dried meals
Salt, pepper, herbs and spices
Bread
Baking items, including flour, cornmeal, sugar, etc.
Canned foods
Peanut butter and jelly
Snacks, including crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.
Cooking spray or oil
Soups
Hat
Rain gear
Shoes, including sneakers, hiking boots, sandals, etc.
Bathing suit
Sweatshirts and jackets
Socks
Underwear
Pants and shorts
Short and long sleeve t-shirts
Clothes hangers
Alarm clock
Sewing kit
Towels
Sheets and blankets
Pillows
Phone chargers
Cash and credit cards
Reservation confirmations
First-aid kit
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Batteries
Watch
Medications and prescriptions
Glasses or contact lenses
Sunglasses
Travel map and campground directory
Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Brush and comb
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Deodorant
Hair ties
Lotion
Makeup
Razor
Shaving gel
Nail clippers
Camera
Wood
Camping chairs
Hammock
Frisbee
Fishing gear, including rods, tackle, license, etc.
Sports equipment, including football, basketball, baseball, mitt, etc.
Yard games, including corn hole, horseshoes, hula-hoops, etc.
Binoculars
Books and magazines
Playing cards
Puzzles
Radio
Headphones
Notepad or journal
Laptop
Saw and hatchet
Flotation devices

[Woodworker]

I'd hate to see the size of some of these tool boxes let alone tryin to pick one of em up

[rodro123]

Originally Posted by norty1

Could you loan me 10 dollars?

LOL your the man. You know I camped 6 weeks last year this year will be 8 weeks

If I can convince Linda to go full time in 3 years I may not be able to loan you $10. But that would be my dream to just travel 12 months a year become residents of North Dakota by spending 1 night there and have no state tax then use mail scanning

[LuckyDuck]

Definitely in the top 10: reflective warning triangles and safety vest. Also, I pack a roll of self-fusing silicone tape for an emergency pipe leak.

[Trippy1313]

10? Hmm. Have to think about it

#1 item though is a cordless drill with a socket for the stabilizers.

Only tool I guarantee I use EVERY time I camp.