Toolbox for your Motorhome

[KingKid]

Okay guys, I have a question about what kind of toolbox that you carry and although it seems simple, I would like to know your setup. I have been carrying a big toolbox when I was towing my TT and my 5th wheel in the back of my truck so since I just recently bought a new MH I would like to get some ideal. The toolbox that I have is big and heavy so I want to get something a little less if I can.

I was thinking on just buying a small toolbox and add some of the tools that I think that I will need or just get one of those toolboxes that have everything in it, like one of those tools hard case. Let me know your thoughts?

[l1v3fr33ord1]

KingKid-

I carried a Sears 6500 toolbox (link here) and a battery-powered drill, either in a hard case or a soft bag. The toolbox, with tools, weighs about the same in pounds as its age- 45 years.

[theroc]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

KingKid-

I carried a Sears 6500 toolbox (link here) and a battery-powered drill, either in a hard case or a soft bag. The toolbox, with tools, weighs about the same in pounds as its age- 45 years.

Oh jeez! I looked at that and wondered "how did you get my toolbox???"

That's exactly what I used to carry. Bought it I believe in either 1968 or 69 (back when it seemed that everybody had Craftsman tools) ...so mine's over 50 years old!! ...and I did carry it in all my motorhomes as well as several lighter weight totes for some tools. I still have that old toolbox somewhere in my garage.

[Skip426]

I have several toolboxes , one similar to Mark's probably +20#, a complete socket set 1/4,3/8,1/2 drive and a dedicated ; emergency electrical box for all those , need to fix it NOW if not SOONER moments .

I will admit not everyone needs a 600ft/lb torque wrench along .

[KenZ71]

For the most part I am mechanically inept. So I simply have a 20 piece tool set with sockets, a couple screw drivers, pliers and a spare credit card.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by theroc

Oh jeez! I looked at that and wondered "how did you get my toolbox???"

I would have said the same ... but mine's red . lol

[KingKid]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

KingKid-

I carried a Sears 6500 toolbox (link here) and a battery-powered drill, either in a hard case or a soft bag. The toolbox, with tools, weighs about the same in pounds as its age- 45 years.

Lol, man that go way back, do they even make them anymore, thank you for your comment.

[Dutch Star Don]

I carry one like this. It has room for the basic tools I might need and the top of the box, holds a drill, soldering gun and spare parts. I have some specialty tools, like a 1.5" wrench for my slide. It is stuffed to the top in each drawer and upper box.

I'm pretty handy and can fix most things. This box carries enough tools to do that. I do carry a couple of plastic Harbor Freight boxes with dividers for small parts. Every couple of years I toss stuff I've never needed. Some parts I carry will no longer work on my current coach, so they get taken out.

My coach has a 3/4 slide that only exits the passenger side and is not under a slide. I have the toolbox in that slide tray so it's easy to pull out and access. I can even pull up a chair and do work there, like a work bench.

[KingKid]

Thank you for all of your comments, I appreciate it and the pics, lol, I guess that I will just buy a small toolbox and start adding tools in it.

[KingKid]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I carry one like this. It has room for the basic tools I might need and the top of the box, holds a drill, soldering gun and spare parts. I have some specialty tools, like a 1.5" wrench for my slide. It is stuffed to the top in each drawer and upper box.

I'm pretty handy and can fix most things. This box carries enough tools to do that. I do carry a couple of plastic Harbor Freight boxes with dividers for small parts. Every couple of years I toss stuff I've never needed. Some parts I carry will no longer work on my current coach, so they get taken out.

My coach has a 3/4 slide that only exits the passenger side and is not under a slide. I have the toolbox in that slide tray so it's easy to pull out and access. I can even pull up a chair and do work there, like a work bench.

Attachment 374421

Yes, and something like this is what I need the one I carry in my truck is a beast, so I really don't want to take it I need one that I can keep in the MH.

[eddndee]

I carry a multi-tool in my pocket. Beyond that I am dependent upon the kindness of others.

[UFO Pilot]

[rarebear.nm]

My tools are divided into three groups. One most frequently used tools, another for less frequently tools and third for seldom used tools. That way the weight of any one box is not too much to pick up and carry to where I'm working.


I do nearly all of my own service and maintenance. While working on the RV at home I try to use what's in the boxes. If I need something more I'll grab it out of my shop and perhaps buy another one for the RV. I don't even carry full sets of sockets and wrenches. Many of those sizes are not even used on my RVs, a 5th wheeler and a MH. Each has it's own tool sets as each has unique needs. I carry what I need and know how to use.


This was not part of the OP's question, but I'll include my tool list.


Tool List

I do all/most of my own maintenance and service on my 5th wheeler and the motor home. While working on a rig at home I try perform these functions out of my on-board toolbox, if I’m short something it will probably get added. I’m one of those guys that never met a tool I didn’t like, so my shop is well stocked. I carry what I think I’d need on the road for most things. We are not full timers, so optional maintenance may get deferred until we get home with full shop access.

What YOU carry needs to reflect your ability and skill level at various tasks. For some people this list condenses down to a credit card and cell phone. If that works for you, then use that solution. Also at play is where do you travel and camp and how long you’re on the road. If you truly boondock verses staying at full service sites you may have different needs. A full timer’s needs would be very different from weekend campers. Those in the middle who travel for weeks/months at a time have still different needs. This is simply my list. I have similar lists for hookup stuff and emergency equipment.

Multi bit screw driver with a wide assortment of special bits, including security bits
Basic dedicated screwdrivers, square drive, Phillips, straight, etc.
Miniature screw driver set with large bit assortment
Most of a Lowes pliers set, left a few things behind
6, 8 & 10 in. adjustable wrenches
8” vise grip pliers
Both 3/8” SAE and metric socket sets, my rig needs both
Both 3/8” SAE and metric combination wrenches
A combination set of ¼” SAE and metric sockets
Medium ball pin hammer
Wire strippers and crimpers
Allen head wrench sets
Tape measure
Dermal tool with assorted bits and cutters
PEX hose cutter and crimper for steel PEX bands
Caulk gun
Grease guns, small and standard
14” pry bar, use to do the last inch of lift when changing tires, makes life easy (never had a flat)
Digital multimeter
Both AC and DC ampmeters, the DC unit should be able to measure low amperage
ODB II scanner with live display
Infrared thermometer
Digital tire gauge and an analog tire gauge
Hydrometer, best if temperature compensated
Turkey basting tube for adding battery water
Propane gas sensor
Battery internal resistance meter
Torque wrenches, I check my trailer wheel lugs every morning along with tire pressures
Four-way tire tool
Long ½” breaker bar with another 30” pipe cheater
12 ton jack
Cordless drill with charger & matching work light
Odd assortment of items used to change a wheel bearing
Utility knife & razor scraper plus spare blades
Small mirror
Telescoping magente for small part pick up
Utility razor knife with spare blades
LED flashlight in toolbox and in each compartment
Snap ring pliers, inside & outside
I use a CO2 system to inflate tires instead of a compressor, I frequently do not have 110v power for a larger compressor
Air blow gun and a extension blow gun (up to 22”) tire inflator
Hand held propane detector
Sewer line wrenches, plastic
Sewer drain plug wrench, plastic
Window wiper, for windows and solar panels
Spark plug socket for the geny
Hacksaw & spare blades
Small wood saw
Jumpers cables
A two step stool to clean the windshield and other tasks
And what ever I can’t recall

As for supplies and spare parts:
Full set of fuses
Spare bulbs
Electrical, duct, Eternabond, Teflon tape & awning tape
Spark plug, filters and oil for generator
Crimp ends for wires, custom selected for wires on-board
Spare length of 12Ga. Wire
Cable ties
Spare wheel bearings, race, seals, etc.
Bearing grease
Grease gun and extra grease for suspension bolts
Propane pipe joint compound (the yellow stuff)
Disposable gloves, 5 & 9 mil weights
Leather work gloves
Nitrile gloves, in light and heavy weights
5 x 7 ft plastic tarp, those free ones from Harbor Freight
Rags
Silicone spray
WD40 (this is not a lube)
Boeshield T-9 (this is a great lube)
Spare PEX fittings and PEX clamps (includes PEX end caps) & short length(s) of PEX pipe
Spare sewer hose seals for the ends of the fittings
Assortment of screws
Roof repair materials
Caulk, Proflex for outside and latex for interior
Superglue, epoxy, Gorilla glue
Thread lock
Butyl tape
C-clips for compartment door latches
Dicor self leveling sealant
Brake fluid for the trailer’s disk brakes
Spare rubber brake line and misc. parts
Distilled water for batteries
Washers for water hose, spare wire mesh filter for the city water connection
Spare water filters for whole house filter
Manuals for everything I’ve found manuals for
Hand cleaner
Windex
Roll of paper towels
Other things I can’t think of sitting here

Not really tools or supplies:
30 ft sewer line
60 ft water line, 300 PSI
Portable water filter for filling fresh water tank
50 & 30 Amp primary shore power cables, twist-on connector required for trailer end. Normally I only use the 30 amp cables
50 & 30 Amp extension cables
Assorted power cable adapters, from and to combinations for almost anything
Outlet receptacle tester and circuit analyzer can be used with 30 & 50 amp adapters prior to plugging into shore power. The built-in EMS does the real job.
20 ft remote switch setup to bleed the disk brakes
25 ft coax TV cable with coax wrench and female to female adapter, needed in a few places
Sewer drain height adapters, used when sewer drain is in a sunken concrete pad, just take male and female threaded by slip joint ABS connectors and join them on the slip joint, very simple if one side is street type connector. Both 3 & 4” sizes
Macerator pump and dedicated hose segments, on some trips
42 gal. Barker waste water tote, with short sewer hose adapters as required, on some trips
60 gal water bladder with 12 volt water pump configured with hose fittings to refill fresh water tank, on some trips
Traffic cones
Safety Triangles, LED lighted
Safety vests for DW and myself
Heavy duty tire plug kit, lives in truck

I carry this stuff in four places, a regular plastic toolbox for the most used things, another box for the cordless stuff, another plastic box for rarely used tools and a large plastic tub for the spare parts. Small parts live in an assortment of plastic part boxes from Home Depot. I have avoided buying those assortment kits of parts. I select only the sizes and types that are actually used in my rig and in quantities that might be needed. With exception of wheel bearings I’ve used most of the stuff at some point or another.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

KingKid-

I carried a Sears 6500 toolbox (link here) and a battery-powered drill, either in a hard case or a soft bag. The toolbox, with tools, weighs about the same in pounds as its age- 45 years.

I carry that same box! Bought it while I was in the Navy in 1964.