What tools do you take along?

Freshaire

I know I am going to get some great advice to this question. . . .what tools do you have at all times in your T@b or TV?  I want to put together a grab bag or buy a curated selection that I can store in my T@b that should help prepare me for any mishaps that may come my way when I am traveling.  As a newbie I am starting from scratch.

Thanks in advance!

ChrisandAlexis

One of the first things I bought was a breaker bar and a socket to fit the lug nuts on the T@B tires and another socket that fit the spare tire.

Verna

http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/53523#Comment_53523

And, as mentioned in this link, a search for “tools” will find more links. Skip the discussions that aren’t mentioning tool kits and you’ll find a lot of info, probably a lot of tools you hadn’t thought of needing. 

Homebodyatheart

A soft side bag to store it all in (soft scrunches when you need space for something else vs a hard case). What I've used regularly I've starred for you.*Silicone spray, *bubble levels, both *phillips and *flathead screw drivers, *cordless drill, *bit set including square head drill bits (most of the T@b screws are square head), *adjustable pliers (comes in handy when my hands don't have the strength to untighten things I've tightened previously), *10" ball bungee's (invaluable purchase, comes in handy when you least expect it! I've got three sets...), rubber mallet, hammer, small collapsible shovel, duct tape, *black electrical tape, scotch tape, *rope, 25' measuring tape, *small case cutter tool, tire pressure guage, circuit tester. I also carry my blow out valve for winterizing, more rope, variety of mosquito repellent, gorilla glue. First aid kit stays, but I've only used one band aid this season. Small sewing kit, which I've used for some mods here and there. Flashlight, head lamp, Luci solar lights. Hope this helps!

Freshaire

Thank Verna for the link.  I did seach under "tools" but didn't have any luck.

@Homebodyatheart--very helpful!  I've got some purchasing to do!

rkj__

In TV:
Stubby wrenches, metric and imperial
Measuring Tape
Small vice grip
Rag / towel
Screwdriver with changeable bits
Leatherman multi-tool
Breaker bar with 19mm socket

In T@b
Axe
Bubble level
Tape
Flashlights and Headlamps
Scissors

Maybe a few other things I'm forgetting to list.

BcsTractor

I bought a Home Depot Husky socket set which includes the square screwdriver bits.  It is now only 14.95 and by cutting off the silly plastic handle it now fits in the TV toolcase.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Stubby-Set-with-Extendable-Ratchet-46-Piece-New/206981936

JohnDanielsCPA

Good suggestions above.  I would add a roll of rescue tape.  It can be used to seal water leaks and secure electrical wires among other things.

4ncar

X2 on all above. I would add a selection of electrical terminals and a crimp tool & wire strippers. Also, fuses, as indicated in many other posts on this forum. As a side note, your best "advice" is experience. You'll find yourself in situations where you " wish you had..." that's when you add that item to your kit, or in reality, when u get home! 

Homebodyatheart

Thanks for the reminder @4ncar! I've got two boxes of assorted fuses, just in case I need them.

Ratkity

@Homebodyatheart casually mentioned a rubber mallet. I call mine the "magic mallet". It can unstick stubborn hitches, knock out the dual axle chock I got wedged in pretty good (er, um, long story). It can do so many things! hehe. I have yet to knock myself or anyone else on the head, I swear. More people have borrowed that mallet because of stubborn hitches. Also a plus for medium type ground for tent spikes.

Homebodyatheart

@Ratkity is it purple? 

Freshaire

Oh Lordy. . . .thank you everyone for your suggestions.  I wrote them all down, no duplicates, and I have almost three notebook pages.  I've got a $100 gift card to Lowe's and I know exactly how I am going to use it!

Homebodyatheart

Welcome to the beloved money pit on wheels! If you don't already have one, an Amazon Prime account is very handy, too. Have fun shopping!

Ratkity

@Homebodyatheart nope, not purple, but there is fluorescent tape on it so I can find it after I set it down! I should check for purple fluorescent tape....

ericnliz

@Freshaire, A $100.00 gift card will get 'ya started! Better join Amazon Prime!

Freshaire

@ericnliz,  yah. . . .I know $100 isn't going to go far.  I already have an Amazon Prime membership.  My UPS delivery man and I are on a first name basis.

norwood

  Box end or adjustable wrench to fit the nut securing hitch ball. It is a large size (typically 1 1/8”) and your Home Depot tool kit will not include one. Very important to check tightness of this nut before pulling away or you may get to try out your safety chains! 

ScottG

A screwdriver with multiple bits, an adjustable wrench, and a roll of duct tape will solve most problems.

For everything else... a dead blow hammer and a corkscrew.  ;-)

ericnliz

I also have a small super glue dispenser....'ya never know ...super glue & then cover that patch with duct tape!!

ScottG

I dunno about that, ericnliz. The only things I can ever seem to stick together with super glue are my fingers!  :-0 

ericnliz

@ScottG.....That way you can hold on to what yer workin' on!

BrianZ

+1 for the soft-sided toolbag.  In the section of Lowe's where they have tool bags/boxes, I found an inexpensive 2-pack of zippered nylon bags with handles, one black & one slightly smaller gray bag, well made, and about 3x longer than wide.  They fit perfectly in that narrow storage space under the bench seat near the door for easy access. 

In the larger one I keep tools, including hatchet, hammer, socket wrench, pliers, vicegrips, ratcheting screwdriver socket set that includes zippered pouch with small sockets & various kinds of driver bits, electrical multitool for cutting/stripping wire, & more.  In the smaller bag, I keep all kinds of small parts & supplies, like small boxes of fuses, wire connectors, nuts & bolts, adapters, wire, string, cords, & small instruments like pocket multimeter, refractometer, propane tank weight scale, etc. 

And because I'm 1/4 Swiss, I always have my SwissChamp Red Swiss Army knife on my belt. (it's got tweezers for splinters & tiny screwdriver for tightening eyeglasses, corkscrew, fish-scaler, bottle & can openers, etc).  My wife has asked me on more than one occasion to open a can, because she forgot to pack a can-opener.