Could be in multiple places

[wantedabiggergarage]

What tools, do you keep seconds of, for leaving in the vehicle, for emergency diagnosis and repair?

I had an intermittant no start issue last year, and of course it always happened at the worst of times (some kind of emergency, and I didn't have all the right tools at the time to figure out exactly what).

It never happened during the winter, then showed back up last week. I figured something electrical, and actually had the right stuff to determine what finally (fuel pump relay), but now I am thinking I should have had some electrical test leads left in the vehicle.

How far do you all go with roadside work?

Thanks

 

[AkronCRX]

i have a small tool bag that sits in the trunk, it has:

phillips and standard screw drivers
a cheap 3/8 metric ratchet and socket set
needle nose pliers
channel locks
electric tape
and then there is the jack and tire iron that came with the car

 

[Ray-CA]

I have a tool bag that I take to the "Pick-n-Pull" yards. That gets tossed in the vehicle when I take a trip. It has a set of metric/SAE sockets, metric/SAE wrenches, a screwdriver with 4-tips that also doubles at a nut driver, a small selection of pliers (needle-nose/vice-grip/channel lock,) a multi-meter, some duct and electrical tape and at least one flashlight. This is in addition to the Leatherman tool that I never leave home without. Oh, yeah, and my AAA card.

Ray

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have a tool bag that I take to the "Pick-n-Pull" yards. That gets tossed in the vehicle when I take a trip. It has a set of metric/SAE sockets, metric/SAE wrenches, a screwdriver with 4-tips that also doubles at a nut driver, a small selection of pliers (needle-nose/vice-grip/channel lock,) a multi-meter, some duct and electrical tape and at least one flashlight. This is in addition to the Leatherman tool that I never leave home without. Oh, yeah, and my AAA card.

Ray

That just goes to show, I am not the only one who doesn't keep a lot in the vehicle, for around town daily driving. I think my grandfather is rolling over in his grave.

 

[Terry Kennedy]

How far do you all go with roadside work?

For the BMW, just the tools that came with it, plus a pen and pad in the glove box to write down anything important in case of an accident. For the Atom, I carry a lot more tools and spares, since it isn't something I can just have towed to a dealership. The complete list is here. That's just the tools and stuff. Since there isn't any trunk to speak of, I have to make everything count, space-wise. For example, the car cover I use when parking outside at night is silver reflective, so it can be used as an emergency sunshade (I've driven the Atom through Death Valley).

Before I got more comfortable with its fluid consumption, I also carried a 5-gallon gas container, a quart of motor oil, and 2 gallons of water. That was on the trip back from Oregon (7700 miles, the long way) when I picked up the car from the manufacturer.

 

[BearHit]

I found a set of utility bags at Lowe's after I bought my truck.

I have one bag full of bungies under the seat.

One bag has the cleats and tie-down straps.

One has the quick-charge/air compressor.


Got a first-aid kit under the seat - in case one of the kids gets hurt during some of the sporting events.

I usually don't take tools along.

Got a cell phone that helps in emergencies.

 

[GN4WHLN]

Small set of screwdrivers and end wrenches, pliers, wire cutters, tape, zip ties, trash bags, wire, fuses, flashlight, spot light, glow sticks, emergency blankets, first aid kit, flares, small pack with water and a couple of MRE's, 25K tow strap, jumper cables. The truck also has on board air. If I am on a trip, I also keep a tactical shotgun in the tool box. Because I somtimes travel places where there is no cell phone reception, I have an amateur radio transceiver on board.

 

[MikeYC]

Small Ammo can (9mm ball i think), its watertight, sealed, fits inside the spare tire ( no wasted space ) and makes a great water carrier in a pinch. It's filled with a garage sale set of tools. Sockets, ratchets, pliers, wrenches and a cheap Multimeter. The rest of the spare tire well has a tarp, rope, extra belts,rad cap, gas cap and jumper cables. The hide a Key has a spare key plus a $50 in it too. When stored properly it doesn't take up any more room than the inner well of the tire.

 

[loveofjazz]

* If I'm just driving around town (within 15 - 20 miles of home) I don't carry anything unless I've been fixing a specific problem and fear it could rear it's head again. If that's the case, the necessary tools will ride along until I've confirmed that the repair I've done is sufficient.

* If I'm heading to a gig, I usually take along metric sockets and various ratchets (regular size and a stubby), metric & standard wrenches, an adjustable wrench, large & small vise grips, electrical tape, duct tape, masking tape, fuses, and a BFH. I try to keep extra oil, coolant, and perhaps an old timing belt for any possible failures that may occur.

* If I'm going on a trail ride (usually far away from civilization and decent cell phone coverage), I take all of the aforementioned tools PLUS certain spare parts that could fail on the trail like u-joints, timing belts, fan belts, a spare clutch cable, a spare throttle cable, spare transmission shifter bolts, transmission & transfer case shifter sheets, a steering rag joint, and upper & lower radiator hoses. I also carry coolant, brake fluid, oil, gear oil, silicon lube, a retrieval strap, gloves, and eye protection. In addition, if there are any tools that facilitate a more rapid repair on a specific component then I try to remember and pack it along, too.

Sorry if that was too much. Hope it helps.
-jimbo