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Road trip tool kit

Rich.

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Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
176
Location
Newcastle, Uk
Hi everyone,

Back end of this year im heading over the pond to do a road trip around California, working my way over to Colorado, just me and the girlfriend. We're hiring an RV from cruise america and im trying to put a toolkit together to take with me. I normally just take my trusty leatherman wave with me, but with it being a more hands on holiday im looking for a more complete kit. I've done this once before and did have a few problems with the mains electrics in the RV as well as a few other little bits that needed some attention, so its something i certainly want to take. I dont need anything major obviously as it comes with breakdown cover, but if its something i can sort and be on our way, i'd rather do that than throw away 1 to 2 days of my holiday waiting for breakdown or a replacement RV. This is what i have so far, bearing in mind it will be a lot of driving and a lot of camping, which is why i've chucked my sheath knife in as i will be making a fire each night. Remember im also flying with this, so i need it to be as light as possible, im flying with BA so have a good luggage allowance, but i still want to keep it to a minimum.

Wera tool check plus - Im thinking of taking all of the duplicate bits out of this that i already have in the screwdriver set, just to save some more weight. I took the screwdriver handle out of it as i can use the one in the screwdriver pouch. Im taking the screwdriver set because i know if i only take the driver and bits in the tool check plus set, i will come across screws recessed into deep holes than it wont fit into.

Wera screwdriver set

Tyre pressure gauge

Mini magnetic LED worklight

Leatherman wave

Knipex cobra 150mm

Knipex pliers wrench 150mm

TOPS BOB sheath knife

All in a small Veto pro pack.



Im thinking of adding a small pair of snips, then i think i can cover the basics. That lot comes in at just over 2kg which im happy with. Any input on what i should be adding or taking out?

Rich
 
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gdocktor3

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Apr 18, 2015
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5,419
Location
Connecticut
Re: Road trip took kit

Vice grips always come in handy, electrical or duct tape and swap one of those pliers out for an adjustable wrench. Also make sure the RV has a spare tire, Jack and lug wrench. Why wait around an hour for someone to change a tire if you can do it.
 
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Milwookie

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Apr 20, 2016
Messages
162
Re: Road trip took kit

There have been stories of TSA stealing things out of luggage. It isn't common, but it can happen. Don't take anything you can't replace.

That being said, that trip sounds like a lot of fun. I live in Colorado, shoot me a PM and let me know where you're going and I can make recommendations on things to do while you're here.
 

drewvdw

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Dec 15, 2015
Messages
202
Location
Central Illinois
Re: Road trip took kit

I'd recommend a cheap socket set or at least 11mm thru 13mm deepwells in the event a charge cooler hose pops off. Of course, that's assuming it's diesel, I'm not sure if you will end up with gas or diesel. It certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to stop at an auto parts store when you land state side and pick that up along with any consumables you may need-electrical tape, duct tape, etc.
 
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Rich.

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Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
176
Location
Newcastle, Uk
Re: Road trip took kit

Ok, some great ideas, thanks for the tips. Not sure why i diddnt think of tape and zip ties as they're essentials! Ok so sub the plier wrenches for an adjustable, maybe just live with the cutters on my leatherman and put a small pair of vice grips in instead.

Milwookie, thanks on both counts. I'll shoot you a PM when im on a computer later!

Rich
 

mnoeltne

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Jul 8, 2012
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772
Location
Grantsville, UT
Re: Road trip took kit

Just figure on buying the zip ties and duct tape over here instead of packing it. Walmart is cheap.

Tool kit looks good. If you plan to stay in RV Parks, there are usually friendly people around and many will be willing to lend you a tool if needed. Your selections look good.
 

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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Location
Sussex, England
Re: Road trip took kit

The more the better for that sort of trip, but... however good your luggage allowance you start chewing through it pretty fast when you start packing tools!

My 'standard kit' when travelling is a decent bit driver (mine's a PB, but whatever) and perhaps more importantly a really good selection of bits. I take slotted, PZ, PH, Torx and hex, the latter in Imperial and metric. I carry decent snipe nose pliers, a sharp jackknife and a 7 inch saw made from a machine hacksaw blade!

I often don't bother with the leatherman as this lot will do more, but doesn't weigh much extra! If I was going a long way in a vehicle I'd want a lot more, but I just know I'd get weight problems! That Wera set of yours looks like a really good compromise!
 
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Rich.

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Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
176
Location
Newcastle, Uk
Re: Road trip took kit

Thanks for the tips gents. Yep, im thinking i can pick up consumables out there. I might alsoditch the screwdriver pouch and find a neater place in my main bag for them, that should save a bit more weight. The wera kit is real nice, i just wish it had some long bits in it aswell, it would save me having to take the extra driver kit.

Rich
 
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59 wagon man

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Oct 25, 2010
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hollywood fla
Re: Road trip took kit

we went to sixflags over atlantga and i had a small Keychain flashlight screwdriver combo with a knife blade smaller then your pinky finger and the security guard said return it to your car or throw it in this garbage can., just an FYI
 

BikerDad

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Apr 24, 2014
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975
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Utah
Re: Road trip took kit

I would supplement/replace the small flashlight with a headlamp, much more useful in most circumstances. Dump the tire pressure gauge, then when you get your RV, toodle over to the nearest auto parts store and get a gauge and fuse puller.
 

RichWentFishing

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Feb 26, 2016
Messages
48
Road trip took kit

I'd bring the larger 10" cobra pliers and the 7" plier wrench. That size combo just seems to work better for everyday needs. I argue against a crescent wrench as I've never touched mine ever since I got the knipex plier wrench.

I'd grab a Fiskars hatchet at a Walmart or sporting goods store for processing wood. Most campgrounds are usually pretty bare of available firewood or it's not allowed to gather any so you may end up just buying bundles of wood from town.

I would skip the wera set and just carry a picquic screwdriver and buy a cheap socket set.

Definatley get a headlamp.

A combo wire stripper and crimper will handle this most minor electrical repairs.


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techenthusiast

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Jan 20, 2014
Messages
486
Re: Road trip took kit

I'm wondering what kind of things break in the RV that you fix with those tools, any examples?

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Raymond Fast

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Apr 28, 2016
Messages
203
Location
Dallas (Paulding County), GA
Re: Road trip took kit

I'd include a tire plug kit. Also, a pair of gloves (comes in handy when things are hot), a handful of shop rags, and some mechanic's wire. And definitely have some good quality tape (I carry gorilla tape) and zip ties as has been mentioned. The idea is not necessarily to repair the vehicle on the highway, but to make it where you can limp back to civilization if you have some kind of catastrophe.

I'd also recommend not trying to carry all this stuff in your luggage. You can get pretty much everything at one hardware or parts store and they're everywhere.
 

48fordnut

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Apr 4, 2006
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307
Location
mid ga
Re: Road trip took kit

definitely Gorilla Tape, and tire plugs along with a can of sealant, or slime.
 

NUTTSGT

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Northern Central Ohio
Keep in mind and don't be surprised if that RV has SAE and Metric fasteners.

Personally, I'd be afraid of stuff disappearing out of your luggage some where along the flight line. I believe I'd keep my nice tools at home and stop by HD, in California if that's where you are coming in, and grab a few things.

Put a small amount of cash back just for this purpose and check out the HD site locally to where you are getting the RV. Before you head back across the pond, put the stuff in a box and mail it home.
 

G_P

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Jul 11, 2010
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Location
Central CT
Stop at Harbor Freight and buy a cheapie basic tool kit. Wont cost much at all, cheaper than having one of your good tools lost/stolen from your luggage.
After the trip, you can return it if you havent used it or since its so cheap, just leave it in the RV.
 
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