Full time tools recommendations

[bevandtomH]

Seems like we are moving at glacial speed towards our end goal, but we are counting...

I am trying to assess what types of hand tools, socket sets, etc. we made need to FT with regards to EC.
We are about 90% sure this is the brand we will settle on.

Not the bigger stuff to trim trees, or those things. I think I have a handle on that....

Would/will we need Standard or Metric? Torx, Square head?
What do you run into doing 'normal' repairs?
What range of wrenches, socket sizes do you regularly need for some DIY jobs.

You can surmise, I want to sell what we might not need and focus on what is required while I can 'afford' it. Ha.
Thanks in advance.
Tom

[Old-Biscuit]

I carried a small tool box with the basics......duck tape/bailing wire/electric tape, screw driver, small hammer, pliers (standard/vise/channel), hack saw, small pry bar, small socket/ratchet set, tie wraps and some electrical connectors----------good digital voltmeter

Other than that.........CASH, Debit Card, Credit Card depending on size/cost of repairs.

First off.........
Broke down ----typically not much one can do beyond routine repairs
Not too many places allow repairs on site

So good tow service (my FULL TIME Ins covered that)
And a happy face cause stuff happens so deal with it WHEN that occurs.

[brobox]

I carry a full set of SAE and metric. All of the Chinese items are going to be metric. Entegra and Spartan are SAE. Many of the bolts on my 2016 toad are metric.

I have a 4 drawer box, sockets are in another drawer.

Hose tape, clamps, sealants etc. for emergency repairs.

[nothermark]

FWIW not full time but I keep an on board set of tools for out C. I'll leave the mechanics to their preferences other than to say keep a good set of 1/4 drive with all the bits. The rest is other things I carry.

For lot of reasons a good 1/4 hex handle with a large variety of bits to do anything from cell phone and computer repair to drywall screws for hanging things. If the job gets too heavy for the handle I grab a socket and extension out of the 1/4 drive mechanical kit. That also supplies nut driver type duty. Add a heavier pair of electricians needle nose pliers, 4" needle and side cutters, 6 or 8 inch vise grip that also acts as a vise for small stuff. The mechanics will cover the rest of the pliers. If you do much small wire work or jewelry fixits add a 4" smooth round nose plier. A small half round file might be handy too. Add a heavy pair of scissors and a good utility knife for the odd trimming job. Also add a low end DMM with a clamp on ammeter function. The clamp is a good hanging hook when not in use as a current monitor. They will usually not do DC with the clamp but will help sort out AC problems. I also carry a non contact voltage sensor. It saves time figuring out where the power stops.


I also carry a 12 V LiOn drill and impact driver for small jobs. They do the job for most fixits. If I had a slide that could use a drill motor as the power source when the regular one fails I would have a 3/8 or so corded drill or impact driver. The generator will supply power and it will work a lot better than any cordless. If I had a source for air I would also carry one of the cheap stapler/brad nailers from Harbor Freight. They work well on paneling and trim.

i also carry an hack saw with a couple of blades and a 15" tool box saw. A stiff putty knife also does a lot of prying and scraping as well as spreading.

[FaithBowls]

You'll quickly figure out what you need as you start making repairs. I have 3 socket sets from small metric up to big size sae. I need big sizes to adjust my hitch and small ones for electronics. Screwdrivers a plenty - there are lots of screws to come loose. I also have several pliars, vise grip and basic plumbing tools. Hose and plumbing repairs will happen. You may want pex. Definitely some wiring tools - I've done a few emergency wiring projects. Do have a rechargeable drill as the battery can be used in emergencies on your 12v systems. Also some screws and bolts, various glues, tapes, velcro, zip ties for different needs. I bought a saw on the road to rebuild the bedframe - you never know what will happen. If you tear the roof you need a wallpaper roller and caulk gun - you can't anticipate everything. Torque wrench and tire tools are good to have. Battery trickle charger, window breaker, first aid kit, fire extinguisher... the list can get long.

[bevandtomH]

Thank You. This gives me a starting point.
We are slowly putting together totes of things we are planning on taking. I know this will change every week. Though it's kind of fun thinking about getting rid of 40+ years of stuff not counting things we inherited. I won't miss the lawn mower.

Figuring out what to purge now is easier than when I really need to and then saying 'wish I kept..." trying to avoid unnecessary and hurried decisions.
Not planning on a storage unit, even for one year. But that may change too.
I may also be carrying inventory for our next career so that has to be figured in as well.
I would like to cut down on weight. None of this stuff is light. I may have to go look at some of the newer dual purpose combination tools out there.
Thanks again.
Tom

[Cruzer]

You wouldn't believe all the stuff I carry. I can handle most repairs on the road, including dismounting and remounting tires. Although I do leave my welder at home.

I don't mind doing the work and am capable plus it means I have minimal downtime when traveling. But for most people they only need the basics.

I find certain tools that I use frequently. A cordless drill/screwdriver is a must. Also a SnapOn ratcheting screwdriver with a complete kit of accessories so that I can handle any screw type - torx, Roberts, flat, hex key or Phillips. Also the power adaptors to use them in the drill. My second go-to tool is a Blue Point multimeter. The ability to check ohms and both AC and DC voltages is paramount.

After that its the usual selection of wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and a 3/8" drive combination metric-SAE socket set by SK.

Don't forget spare parts. Fuses, bulbs, filters and rescue tape are first tier items as well as fluids such as oil, coolant and boiler anti-freeze. Also a filter wrench to remove your fuel filter. If you get a bad batch of fuel while traveling you'll need that wrench and that filter to get you running again. The oil filter can wait but not the primary fuel filter.

[kerryvan]

I'm in the process of doing the same, but all those 12v adapters that I use in the s&b will be reduced to a few, yea... I keep thinking of the positive, if needed it can easily be replaced. Not like a big boat going out to sea, where your ability to repair is limited to what is on board....

[FaithBowls]

That's true. There are hardware stores everywhere. Don't take too much, but take essentials. I left my power saws in storage so had to buy a saber saw on the road. I do like the new combo tools. I can use the same batteries with a variety of tools.

[Gary.Jones]

I carry three tool chests, which occupy half of the front slide on my 15 Anthem. Within those three tool chests, I have complete metric and SAE combination wrenches, complete sets of sockets (short handles and long handles) from half inch drives down. I have a complete set of flair wrenches (I probably only need the one that you should have to change the Onan fuel filter). I have 2 full sets of screw-drivers. I have 2 larges sets of bits for both my Ryobi battery operated driver which include all normal square, star, phillips, straight blade, Torx, which can also be used manually etc. etc. which means I can remove or replace almost any fastener made, two battery operated saws, and all small electric tools (diaqs (dikes), needle nose, automatic wire strippers, manual strippers), and full standard nut driver set...... and more (thread tape, 3M "33" electrical tape, single and double edge razor blades, carpet knives, all sizes of large, small, and micro fuses used in the coach, a good Fluke digital meter, a cheap analog voltage/resistance meter, "jumper" wires (alligator clips on both end for temporary connections), wire nuts, butt connectors, a variety of electrical connectors, etc. etc. spare bulbs for all bulbs that I have in the coach (very few real bulbs now). I know I have more tools along than I will ever need at any one time, but there is nothing that "drives me crazy" as much as not having the tool along (that I know that I have in my garage tool chest at home) for the repair that I need to make, so I would rather error on the side of taking too much than be in a situation where I dont have something that I need. If I still have not needed something that I have been carrying with me for 3 years, I will probably weed it out.

I went out and bought new tools for all of this because now, the tool companies are packaging an amazing number of tools all in one nice compact box (for example, the Kobalt socket set that I bought has all standard and metric sockets, and all three standard drives, plus all hex, and all bits for virtually every type of screw that is made, all packaged into one plastic box with all tools positioned and labeled so every tool goes back into its own space). Amazing array of tools in one small space!

[dexters]

Originally Posted by bevandtomH

You can surmise, I want to sell what we might not need and focus on what is required while I can 'afford' it. Ha.
Thanks in advance.
Tom

From my reading of all the problems with Class As I'd suggest your tool chest contain a good automotive mechanic with knowledge of RV plumbing, electricity, mtc. etc.

[Cruzer]

Originally Posted by dexters

From my reading of all the problems with Class As I'd suggest your tool chest contain a good automotive mechanic with knowledge of RV plumbing, electricity, mtc. etc.

That part generally occupies the driver's seat.

[Barmats]

Good ideas for tools. I try to carry almost every tool I own because you never know what will be needed.

I'd also recommend carrying some spares for items that you know are going to fail. Specifically, a spare 1.5" sewer hose for the sanicon macerator, as well as the correct fitting needed to connect the hose to the ABS female connector in the hose bay (depending on the year and model of your coach). The fitting that comes with replacement hoses is NOT the correct part needed - you'll either need to specify this when requesting a replacement hose, or make a trip to the hardware store to pick this up. And some PTFE (teflon) tape for the fitting threads.

[hogdriver]

Duct tape