Looking to get ideas from some of you that have EDC pouches of some sort for your cars/trucks. I know everyone’s circumstances/need(s) are different but it’d help to see what you guys have. I know Wera has the tool check plus, does that cover most of what you guys need? Thanks!
EDC for cars?
- Thread starter Rickkyyr8
- Start date
There have been several threads on this recently, you would do well to search. A few examples:
www.garagejournal.com
www.garagejournal.com
www.garagejournal.com
This is the stuff I carry which I personally consider to be pretty overkill in the city. Good enough quality to use but also pretty cheap to acquire, not spending big bucks on something that may get stolen or just never used.
Trunk:
- Factory scissor jack and handle
- Factory sunroof crank
- Koken 450mm L-handle with plastic lug nut socket
- Asahi Lighttool 10x12 and 14x17 wrenches
- Wiha 10mm T-handle
- Vessel +2 and -6 screwdrivers
- Basic pliers
- Folding shovel (mostly for snow/ice)
- Paper towel roll
- Funnel for oil
Not pictured, also in the trunk:
- Paper road atlas
- Carpet scraps to protect the interior when hauling stuff
- Towel for rain or beach
Glove box:
- Owner's manual
- Emergency granola bars
- Tire pressure gauge
- Phone charger
- 12V spotlight
If you want something pre-made, KTC has some nice selections that might give you ideas, examples below:
ktc.jp
Wera tool check plus would be pretty useless to me since I could only use 3 of the sockets and 2-3 of the bits, the rest being dead weight. YMMV
What would you put today in a hand-assembled roadside tool kit for a truck or car?
What would you put in a modern tool kit you were hand assembling for one of today's cars? (Avoiding the just-buy-one idea, Since most of what's in one you would probably not use) My thoughts: All 3/8 drive sockets. Lots of 10 mm. Several 8 and 9 and several 11, 12 13 and 14mm A couple of...
www.garagejournal.com
So help me put together a tool kit for my kid
Off to college this Fall. Want to put together a tool kit that will fit in an ammo box that he can keep in trunk of his car. Thinking ICON from HF but not locked into that. Set of ratcheting wrenches, 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet and deep sockets, couple of pliers and adjustable wrench, some screw...
www.garagejournal.com
Pick ONE Ratchet for Portable 3/8 Intermediate Socket Kit
I have a set of craftsman US intermediate length 3/8 sockets that I want to add to my portable car toolkit which has zero sockets currently. This particular socket set came with a stubby handled non-locking flex head 3/8 drive ratchet. I still have it, but it seems suboptimal as a single do-all...
www.garagejournal.com
This is the stuff I carry which I personally consider to be pretty overkill in the city. Good enough quality to use but also pretty cheap to acquire, not spending big bucks on something that may get stolen or just never used.
Trunk:
- Factory scissor jack and handle
- Factory sunroof crank
- Koken 450mm L-handle with plastic lug nut socket
- Asahi Lighttool 10x12 and 14x17 wrenches
- Wiha 10mm T-handle
- Vessel +2 and -6 screwdrivers
- Basic pliers
- Folding shovel (mostly for snow/ice)
- Paper towel roll
- Funnel for oil
Not pictured, also in the trunk:
- Paper road atlas
- Carpet scraps to protect the interior when hauling stuff
- Towel for rain or beach
Glove box:
- Owner's manual
- Emergency granola bars
- Tire pressure gauge
- Phone charger
- 12V spotlight
If you want something pre-made, KTC has some nice selections that might give you ideas, examples below:
9.5sq.ライダーズメンテナンスツールセット（ツールバッグタイプ）[14点]
●持ち運び時にコンパクトに収まるロールタイプのツールバッグ MCKB-B を採用したツールセット。●ソケッ...
Wera tool check plus would be pretty useless to me since I could only use 3 of the sockets and 2-3 of the bits, the rest being dead weight. YMMV
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
I have a small toolkit in my car but the focus isn’t on fixing stuff wrong with the car. It’s to fix stuff wherever I happen to be near when I’m away from home.
WWheeler
Well-known member
Even if you have a AAA membership or some other roadside assistance, EVERYONE should at least keep handy a lightweight bright colored raincoat/poncho, a reflective safety vest, a good flashlight and fresh pack of batteries for it (replace yearly), and a couple warning triangles and/or LED flares, and a first aid kit.
AAA isn't going to get there in time to save you from other motorists that can't see you, especially in inclement weather, and staying in your vehicle until help arrives isn't always an option.
AAA isn't going to get there in time to save you from other motorists that can't see you, especially in inclement weather, and staying in your vehicle until help arrives isn't always an option.
Last edited:
chappys4life
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2008
- Messages
- 421
I really think it depends on what you drive. I have mostly older American cars so some wrenches, 2 screwdrivers (phillips/flat blade), plier 7” hf cobra clone, crimper/stripper, 1/2 breaker bar, 3/4 socket, few feet of red & black wire, cheap multimeter, fuses, quart of oil, gallon of coolant, quart of atf, small first aid kit, headlamp, flashlight, some paracord, 2 glowsticks, duct tape. I use a 5 gallon yeti bucket and a hf cheapie tool bag the $5 black one to store it.
Unless it’s my corvette then it’s pray and use towing.
Unless it’s my corvette then it’s pray and use towing.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
Glock, collapsible baton, breaker bar, and a dedicated lug nut socket for me.
Every Day Carry? A Buck pocket knife and a Springfield pistol. But seriously it has been covered a million times, and you already said it yourself....everyones needs are different. I drive all domestic junk....If I feel like my vehicle isn't maintained enough to make a trip then I can throw in a meter, hammer, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 21, 22, and 24 mm and rebuild the entire vehicle on the side of the road. Look at YOUR vehicle and what kind of repairs you actually think you are going to do along the side of the road.
I have a Jansport backpack I carry with me anywhere. Inside I have the small 125mm knipex plier wrench, my leatherman wave, a wera bit driver with bits in the handle and a wurkkos fc11 flashlight. Also some band aids, some regular office tape, some paracetamol, a zippo with a butane insert. I feel like this allows me to tackle many simple problems if they were to show up. However, the Land Cruiser never left me stranded anyway.
In the car door I also keep some fake "Leatherman Raptor" trauma shears off of Aliexpress. Original ones are expensive and useful for paramedics. Mine are in the car for years and are almost never used. If I do need them, they cut rather well and also have the finger ring clippers, a belt cutter and the end-point for breaking a car window. I'm really surprised how well the Chinese copied them, I held the real ones that my paramedic friend has, and they're about 95% there, maybe a bit more sloppy in some minor ways, but for something I'll hopefully never need I paid 15€ for the Chinese ones while the real ones cost 105€ over here.
I also keep a blanket in the car. Some spare money. Regular tire servicing kit. First aid kit (the shears in those can be really ******)...
In the car door I also keep some fake "Leatherman Raptor" trauma shears off of Aliexpress. Original ones are expensive and useful for paramedics. Mine are in the car for years and are almost never used. If I do need them, they cut rather well and also have the finger ring clippers, a belt cutter and the end-point for breaking a car window. I'm really surprised how well the Chinese copied them, I held the real ones that my paramedic friend has, and they're about 95% there, maybe a bit more sloppy in some minor ways, but for something I'll hopefully never need I paid 15€ for the Chinese ones while the real ones cost 105€ over here.
I also keep a blanket in the car. Some spare money. Regular tire servicing kit. First aid kit (the shears in those can be really ******)...
A little plastic plano case with a handfull of fuses and spare bulbs for anything that isn't LED. In my 06 truck I had head lights, brake/turn, reverse, and front signal bulbs. I never picked up the DRL bulbs or the fog lights for some reason. In my 2016 it's just fuses since the lights are all fancy ****.
I try and be realistic.
No name metric wrench set and a smattering of pliers, screwdrivers, and a random hammer in the actual toolbag. Otherwise its just a tire patch kit, jumper cables, washer fluid, duct tape, zipties and shop towels in the same tote that holds the toolbag. Couple old hi-viz work coats ride folded on top, can either wear it, give it to someone in need (think car accidents) and its something to kneel/lay on.
No name metric wrench set and a smattering of pliers, screwdrivers, and a random hammer in the actual toolbag. Otherwise its just a tire patch kit, jumper cables, washer fluid, duct tape, zipties and shop towels in the same tote that holds the toolbag. Couple old hi-viz work coats ride folded on top, can either wear it, give it to someone in need (think car accidents) and its something to kneel/lay on.
Hannahranga
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2023
- Messages
- 217
Being realistic is the main thing, what you can fix with spares is pretty limited so carrying tools gets pretty pointless quickly. I've got a little bag with a few of the special tools for my car including a propshaft socket/spanner (cos it's an AWD). Plus a breaker bar, socket and jack to change a wheel.
Because I tend to end up working on vehicles not at home my tool backpack with way more than is sensible tends to live in the back of my car so I'm not great at following my own advice
Because I tend to end up working on vehicles not at home my tool backpack with way more than is sensible tends to live in the back of my car so I'm not great at following my own advice
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Small tool kit, tire plugs, a plug in compressor, Lug -and- torque wrench and a socket to fit the lug nuts. First aid kit, and all my required emergency ****. Some super basic tools, but if it really goes to s#!t, then I grab the cell phone and call for help.
bwringer
Well-known member
The most common issue that you might be able to fix roadside is a tire puncture.
In each vehicle, there's at least:
- A Nealey tire repair kit (basically the finest sticky strings known to man; they work a bit differently, don't need glue, and they're amazing),
- Some sort of multitool with pliers
- An air compressor (the high volume model from HF is quite nice, about $30-$35; on motorcycles, I carry a "Slime" brand compact compressir). And a tire pressure gauge.
- A flashlight, probably two or more
- Maybe something to throw on the ground while wrestling a tire and wheel.
- On motorcycles, the means to elevate and remove the wheels should that prove necessary.
And of course in cars, you have the stock spare, lug wrench, and jack. Best to test the lug wrench to make sure it actually will do the job, and consider tucking in something easier to use. There are also some really weird, cheap little cigarette lighter powered electric impact wrenches out there that will actually do a pretty good job.
A jump pack, assuming it's charged, is also good to have around. Or perhaps jumper cables. Almost always used to help someone else; I replace car batteries before they die.
Of course, I often carry lots of other stuff, too. Volt meter is handy, and a few spare fuses are always tucked into the glovebox. Paper towels and/or hand wipes are nice to have.
In each vehicle, there's at least:
- A Nealey tire repair kit (basically the finest sticky strings known to man; they work a bit differently, don't need glue, and they're amazing),
- Some sort of multitool with pliers
- An air compressor (the high volume model from HF is quite nice, about $30-$35; on motorcycles, I carry a "Slime" brand compact compressir). And a tire pressure gauge.
- A flashlight, probably two or more
- Maybe something to throw on the ground while wrestling a tire and wheel.
- On motorcycles, the means to elevate and remove the wheels should that prove necessary.
And of course in cars, you have the stock spare, lug wrench, and jack. Best to test the lug wrench to make sure it actually will do the job, and consider tucking in something easier to use. There are also some really weird, cheap little cigarette lighter powered electric impact wrenches out there that will actually do a pretty good job.
A jump pack, assuming it's charged, is also good to have around. Or perhaps jumper cables. Almost always used to help someone else; I replace car batteries before they die.
Of course, I often carry lots of other stuff, too. Volt meter is handy, and a few spare fuses are always tucked into the glovebox. Paper towels and/or hand wipes are nice to have.
Houdini5150
Well-known member
I have a tool bag with needle nose, channel locks, set of pliers, duct tape, electrical tape, gloves.. And I have a set of jumper cables... some people like to carry a jump pack but I am ok with the cables. Anything else I cant do I call the insurance company or I bring my EDC Bag for road trips...