The time time come!

[raddksn]

I'm working out of town and recently had two problems with my truck, first one intermittent high idle got some good tips here thanks to all,second one altinater quit just dropped it at the shop hate that, I try to do all my own work . So the time has come to put together a road bag of tools, I know combo wrenches sockets and ratchet screw drivers, what else should I / do you guys carry besides the basics. Keep in mind I sometimes have to park in less than safe places I don't want a huge bag or box saying steel me, also don't want to have to take tools out of truck when I park in those places defetes the purpose. As always thanks for any tips!

 

[Chuck122]

Channellocks and visegrip
They are the meat and potato of every down and dirty/get her done repair

 

[dclassical]

A while back I put this together for long trips (from multiple days to weeks on the road):

Stanley toolset (cheap, compact) similar to:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009EMKMCG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Small bag with (I am sure I will forget some):
pliers, screwdriver & bits, adjustable wrench, vise grips, gloves, rags, hammer, hose clamps, multimeter, electrical and duct tape, zip ties, telescopic magnet.
Rope, leatherman, piece of pipe (multiple use), ...

It is actually very compact.

 

[porschedude996TT]

AAA Card, a warranty, and a Credit Card for a hotel.

 

[ilovevocs]

I carry allot of tools, nothing compact. It typically consumes the extended cab of my superduty.

In addition to what has been mentioned I like to carry a small butane torch, a few feet of poly tube, spare fuses, a jumper box, tow strap, flash light, hand held and head lamp, parachute cord (50' or so), peanuts, a few packs of tuna, water, spot locator, compact first aid kit, emergency blanket, folding tree saw, and jumper cables. I take preparedness to the extreme but have a fear of being stranded in an area without cell reception with my family in the middle of winter with family in tow.

Torch and poly tube you can drain fuel for and start a fire if need be, food with long shelf life is always good, you could add beef jerky to the list too. Spot I carry when snowmobiling / dirt biking so I carry it in the truck during trips.

Parts of the yoop are no place for the unprepared.

 

[ilovevocs]

AAA Card, a warranty, and a Credit Card for a hotel.

I'm not saying this I'm a condescending way, but you have to be a city boy. Their are parts of the country that renders those items useless in a breakdown.

 

[stratman977]

Sockets, Ratchet, Hammer, Punch, Utility Knife, Screwdrivers, Needle nose, channel lock, linesman pliers, vise grip, double open ended wrenches, adjustable wrench, small pipe wrench, torx bits, etorx sockets, allen bits, electrical tape, zip ties, flashlight, 12v test light, 2" scraper, small bottle of penetrating oil

I keep it in a beat up plastic black box that's similar to a cordless drill case. The tools are stuffed in there and a little on the heavy side but the box looks like a piece of **** so it not something someone will break a window over.

 

[Rico.]

AAA Card, a warranty, and a Credit Card for a hotel.

In England during the 1980's the words ****** and Porsche Driver became inexorably
and stereotypically synonymous with each other, which lasts to this day. I, of course, am
far too highly educated to believe in stereotypes... As, I am sure, are all the members of
Garage Journal.

I hope the OP doesn't mind me posting a non relevent Cultural Anecdote in the middle
of his thread, and that all the very helpful members here have provided great advise on
what to pack in a road box.

 

[Dennis93]

I no this sounds weird, but some distilled water. In case of emergency you can drink it, but also use it for coolant if your radiator pops a leak. I also don't think anyone mentioned duct tape. I have never fixed anything without using it <- joke do not bash me!
Plus I know some people might not realize this, but there is no sense in carrying some giant toolkit that has both metric and SAE, just the one your car uses should be fine. Unless you have one of those crossbreeds like a Toyota with a Chevy motor. I find that those open ended sockets (go thru sockets) are very versatile in a case like this and can be used almost for everything.

Which is why Porsche driver's get grouped in as rich yuppies that don't know the first thing about being a man.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I'm not saying this I'm a condescending way, but you have to be a city boy. Their are parts of the country that renders those items useless in a breakdown.

Amen to that!!

Relying solely on those things could get you killed at some of the places I've camped/wheeled at.