What tools to take on 2 month trip?

[Bank_of_Dad]

In late August we are driving from FL to UT, 2013 3/4 Suburban and 2013 23ft TT.

What should I do to the truck and trailer to prepare. It is stored on a lot near my house. Gasp, I haven't used it since February.

Also, what tools to take with us. I have a small air compressor already. And one of those things you drive up on to change the tire. And I have US Rider road service (cause I pull a horse trailer too).

Thanks

Judy

[LanceRKeys]

I enjoy these posts, I have a fairly well equipped toolbox that I take with me that has most of the items listed so far. The only thing I want to add is a spare hub assembly for your trailer. If your bearings go out you could swap it and move on. I enjoy being resourceful and self sufficient, calling roadside assistance is depressing for me and I try to avoid it as much as possible.

[rbpru]

All good advice but I have found that anything I need outside of my day to day toolbox, is at the Wal-Mart in the next town.

What is important is to know how to use what you have. Particularly how to change a TT and TV tires. It is the difference between a twenty minute delay and waiting for road service to find you.

After changing a couple of TT flats, I traded my jack and boards for a Tire-Aid ramp. Naturally I have not had a flat since.

Good luck

[afidel]

coolmom42 wrote:

krobbe wrote:
Spare fuses for both TT and TV. (a couple of each size)
Voltmeter
A pack of screws for the cabinet hinges and other things(#6, #8, #10)
Gorilla Glue
grease
A combo screwdriver that includes the various tips(square, star, slotted, phillips)
channel locks pliers
hammer
large ratchet set that includes a 1/2" drive socket to fit lugnuts
1/2" drive torque wrench to torque lugnuts(100#)
bottle jack(10 or 12 ton)
cordless drill(for the TT stabilizer jacks) and bit to fit same
a good air pressure gauge (you have a compressor)
good voltage surge protection
motor oil
coolant(mixed 50/50)
windshield washer fluid
leveling blocks (I carry 2 sets of the orange ones)
comfortable chairs
beer and wine

And most of this can be purchased at any Walmart, as needed. Carrying all that doesn't leave much room for anything else.

Not sure where you camp but all 4 of my last 4 big trips I was 45 minutes to an hour to the nearest Walmart for most of the trip (sometimes farther like when we were going from White Sands to the North Rim). The only thing on that list that I don't carry is oil and coolant but we have the truck serviced before any big trips.

[1320Fastback]

sgfrye wrote:
cork screw and bottle opener

This is the correct answer

[1320Fastback]

I have a shop filled with tool but I only take a jack that will work under both the truck and trailer, one 1/2" breaker bar, 1/2" drive socket for truck lug nuts and 1/2" drive socket for trailer lug nuts, one adjustable wrench, 5-17mm wrenches, 1/4"-3/4" standard wrenches, a pair of wire strippers, a wire cutter, a DVOM and a roll of duct tape. All of this fits one one standard small tool box except the bottle jack.

If we take our dirtbikes which we did when we went to Idaho and Wyoming I take a few more specialized tools for them but is really not much more.

I am fine buying whatever I need if I don't have it with me.

[wanderingbob]

Since May 1st we have done three separate 2,000 trips . No problems of any kind , but I always carry a generator and air compressor . And a few hand tools !

[Lwiddis]

Coats and auto parts. Got it!

[sgfrye]

cork screw and bottle opener

[Edd505]

BillyBob Jim wrote:
- One forty-five caliber automatic.
- Two boxes of ammunition.
- Four days concentrated emergency rations.
- One drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills.
- One miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible.
- One hundred dollars in rubles.
- One hundred dollars in gold.
- Nine packs of chewing gum.
- One issue of prophylactics.
- Three lipsticks.
- Three pair of nylon stockings.

You forgot chocolate for bribes

[OleManOleCan]

ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
🙂 Hi, Mostly some basic tools, a torque wrench and proper sockets for lug nuts, and a good credit card.

I second the credit card. (Amazing what money can buy 😉 )
I carry a pretty good assortment of tools and a cell phone too.
You never know what you may need... That's where a cell phone can get you additional help.

[goducks10]

BillyBob Jim wrote:
- One forty-five caliber automatic.
- Two boxes of ammunition.
- Four days concentrated emergency rations.
- One drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills.
- One miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible.
- One hundred dollars in rubles.
- One hundred dollars in gold.
- Nine packs of chewing gum.
- One issue of prophylactics.
- Three lipsticks.
- Three pair of nylon stockings.

No beer?

[rbpru]

Lots of good advice but the most important thing is knowing how to use the tools you have.

I have had two truck flats and one trailer flat. I had practiced changing them at home. Knowing what to do and how to do it, is the difference between an annoying 20 minute delay and waiting for road service to find you.

Also I carry my toolbox and a socket set plus a torque wrench that doubles as a breaker bar.

Most of the time when I have an issue, the solution is in the Wal-Mart in the next town.

[BillyBob_Jim]

- One forty-five caliber automatic.
- Two boxes of ammunition.
- Four days concentrated emergency rations.
- One drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills.
- One miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible.
- One hundred dollars in rubles.
- One hundred dollars in gold.
- Nine packs of chewing gum.
- One issue of prophylactics.
- Three lipsticks.
- Three pair of nylon stockings.

[Edd505]

asullivan920 wrote:
Always love reading the tool lists! Every once in a while I find something to add to my own kit.
This is what I carry with out going into tiny details.
Always in Tow vehicle.
Jack (I use have a HI-lift and a bottle jack)
wood blocks (to use jack on soft soil or make it reach)
set of tire chocks
jumper cables
tow strap
12V air compressor & tire pressure gauge
6X9 tarp (never know what you may have to lay down on or in)
5 gallon bucket (use as a seat or part of a spill kit)
Tool kit
Socket and wrench set (going up to 1.5 in and 24mm I think)
Adjustable wrenches from a small 6in to 24in
many sizes and types of screw drivers
duct and electrical tape
electrical connector kit
Knife and hack saw
hose clamps small to 6in sizes
bailing wire and 550 cord
torc wrench
Tire iron that fits truck and trailer
Full size spare (remember if you put larger tires on your vehicle your OEM spare is not full size any more)
Fluids (windshield washer, anti-freeze, brake, power steer, and oil + filter)
Hammer 3lb and regular claw hammer

Trailer:
More wood blocks
impact gun with sockets for wheels and stabilizer jacks
shovel
lever for stabilizer hitch
hand crank for stabilizer jacks
spare tire
2 sets of chocks
extension cord
generator
grease gun

As far as maintenance goes before you head out.
Truck:
check all fluids (maybe change before long trip)
check air filter
check all tires to include spare and make sure the spare comes down.
Trailer:
check all tires to include spare and again make sure it comes down.
check all lights
check brake away system
depending on how long between (check brakes and lube bearings)

I also just pulled my trailer out of storage and never used it last year. Set it up in the driveway for a few days. Made sure every appliance worked. Check to make sure the fridge and hot water heater worked both on gas and power. Put out the awning, changed batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, charged and checked water level in batteries, kicked on furnace/AC, and the sanitized water system.

good list:
add Flash light, spare batteries for what ever battery power stuff you have, command hooks, scissors, super glue, a small assortment of nuts, bolts, & screws ( I carry an old coffee can and put stuff like that in when I find it) Volt/Ohm meter, test light, spare fuses, bulbs (always in two packs so I end up with a spare) WD or Break Free, cordless drill & extension cord.