Road Trip Tool Kit

[budl]

When I take one of my hot rods on a road trip I usually grab a handful of combination wrenches, sockets, screw drivers and a pair of pliars and toss em in a canvas bag to take with me. Seems like I never take the one thing I need. As a result, I have a few spare cheapo wrenches and circuit testers in my garage.

Do any of y'all have pics of YOUR road trip tool kits? My cars are pretty limited in space so have to stuff whatever I take into a tackle box or brief case sized package.

Whattaya got?

Thanks
Bud

 

[GCncsuHD]

I guess I need to take pictures, but I have one of the Craftsman 270 piece mechanic tool sets that comes arranged in their 3 drawer plastic box with room in the top for extra storage. I filled the top with any specialty tools related to the vehicle I'm driving, pliers, screwdrivers etc that aren't included in the original set, a set of Quadbox Gearwrenches (handy) some wire, fuses, wire nuts, terminals, etc for temporary fixes. It's pretty compact for what it holds.

I also keep the briefcase sized Craftsman 220 piece set in my daily driver, also stuffed with most of the same extras as the other kit. You'd be surprised what you can fit in the cavities of that box between the wrenches and sockets.

I've only needed to use them a few times, mostly for other people, or not vehicle related repairs, but it's nice to know I have enough to at least make a good shot at making it home.

 

[LAROKE]

I took two cross country road trips in my mostly stock 1955 Chevy pickup and I tried to stay on secondary roads. I had plenty of room and I filled the pickup box with surplus Swedish Army ammo boxes.

I was so well prepared that Murphy left me alone and I never needed much of the stuff I carried with me on those trips. Here is the inventory in PDF file format.

http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/2007/roadtrip1.pdf

 

[M6erfan]

Metrinch socket set, multibit screwdriver, 7" cobras


Viair 12v compressor with tire repair kit

1/2" breaker bar with a lug nut "flip" socket set

 

[Chief919]

One thing I never though of until I got a whole bunch of them (like 5000, long story) and saw how handy they are is a pair of 24" Kevlar sleeves. lets you reach into a hot engine compartment without getting burned and lets you do repairs and keep your arms or long sleeves clean so you still look presentable when you get to your destination.

 

[zmotorsports]

Here is my road trip toolbox in the back of my Jeep.

Contents.

Tools in use replacing a water pump on the Cummins ISL in our coach while on road trip last summer.

Seems to always be the case that the ONE tool you really need to make the job easier is the ONE tool you did NOT bring with you.

Mike.

 

[M6erfan]

 

[slow]

I have a tool bag that is my vehicle tools. I move it between my 3 cars that I drive just in case.

Craftsman 8-18 mm combination wrenches Metric
8-18mm sockets 3/8" drive and 4-12mm 1/4" drive, 2 Ratchets and some extensions.
2 Crescent wrenches
Various SAE sockets and screw drivers.
Wire, crimp tools, zip ties fuses and electrical tape. Spark plug sockets and gap tool.

I try to use this bag for all basic car maintenance as well, so anything that I do not have in here, I am aware of. I use the stock jack and lug wrenches.

 

[slow]

One thing I never though of until I got a whole bunch of them (like 5000, long story) and saw how handy they are is a pair of 24" Kevlar sleeves. lets you reach into a hot engine compartment without getting burned and lets you do repairs and keep your arms or long sleeves clean so you still look presentable when you get to your destination.

Got any extras for sale? Looks like a great product.

 

[Chief919]

Got any extras for sale? Looks like a great product.

Plenty. Maybe once I have enough posts I should do a for sale/trade post in the classifieds.

 

[T45]

Classic Post here

> http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=965763&postcount=1

adjust your needs accordingly, but you can get alot of decnt tools in a small package.

 

[T45]

The key is just doing your homework and knowing what tools are needed for what job.

and they bring the visa car, cell phone, and road-side assisant plat for anything beyond the scope of your tools/space constraint.

with a modern car, the ~200 mile towing radius is usually fine. with exotic/rare/vintage you still may run into some issues with not being near someone who can help you. so you rely on fedex and 48 hours in a hotel.

 

[gungatim]

One thing I never though of until I got a whole bunch of them (like 5000, long story) and saw how handy they are is a pair of 24" Kevlar sleeves. lets you reach into a hot engine compartment without getting burned and lets you do repairs and keep your arms or long sleeves clean so you still look presentable when you get to your destination.

we used to have to wear those when I worked at a steel slitter service center but haven't had any for years. they were great for oil changes on hot exhaust. when they got too dirty and worn to use I cut off the toe of my old thermal hunting socks and used those---not as good but do-able.

I bet lots of guys would buy a set on here if you listed them.

another idea is tossing in a pair of leather welding gloves, they help on hot stuff under the hood, also work great when cooking over a campfire after the road trip

 

[sgtmac]

I have a set of tools I carry to respond to broken airplanes. It's the basic tool set that started as mostly craftsman and other hodgepodge stuff but I have been methodically replacing the craftsman stuff with gear wrench.

I will take the best of the culling and put them in my home tool set. The remainder I will sell on Craigslist as a lot.

 

[Roobaix]

I carry:

1/4" metric socket set (standard and deep)
3/8" metric socket set (standard and deep)
1/2" breaker bar, 19mm socket, and 3/8" adapter
Full set of metric combo wrenches
Full set of screwdrivers
A few different pliers
Light

All of it fits into a military tool bag (small)

 

[jeeper46]

I carry:

1/4" metric socket set (standard and deep)
3/8" metric socket set (standard and deep)
1/2" breaker bar, 19mm socket, and 3/8" adapter
Full set of metric combo wrenches
Full set of screwdrivers
A few different pliers
Light

All of it fits into a military tool bag (small)

Pretty much exactly like I have in each of my vehicles. Those military toolbags can hold a lot of tools. I keep some hose clamps and electrical tape in mine,too

 

[BFHtime]

It's Snap-On they will warranty those wheels.

 

[KnurledNut]

Viair 12v compressor with tire repair kit

How you like those engineer pliers? ;-)

 

[M6erfan]

How you like those engineer pliers? ;-)

Ha, good catch! Haven't really had a chance to put them to a test. I got them about a year and a half ago at a ridiculous price on amazon (about $8). They seem fine though...

I also have a pair of Engineer scissors in that Rothco bag. I really like the scissors. Small form factor but strong, they work well as trauma shears too.

 

[bert1913]

i also carry a 5/8 ****** with 2 hose clamps for emergency heater hose leaks

 

[davethorik]

Every road trip i take in my Honda, i take 60+ lbs of tools. Never had to use them once

 

[thor80]

Every road trip i take in my Honda, i take 60+ lbs of tools. Never had to use them once

Ha, try not taking them and see how fast you will need them lol

 

[T45]

Every road trip i take in my Honda, i take 60+ lbs of tools. Never had to use them once

10,12,14,17....what else

 

[davethorik]

Overkill. This car has only left me stranded once, with a dead battery. Knock on wood

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a basic tool kit. Wrenches, socket set, screwdriver set, pliers, tire patch kit, and small air compressor

 

[Rarified27]

There are so many of these threads and a few have helped me over the years, the best suggestion I can provide beyond listing what I carry is to look for consistency in everyone's posts. If you notice the majority of people carry hose clamps and not just tape, grab some hose clamps.

 

[Derek420]

^^^^^^WOW, prepared for anything
I have 60 pounds of tools in snap on bag the usual sockets in all sizes and drives and pliers and dont forget pliers and multi meter the usual and the rest not all is in my car atm but have had but used the bulbs its important or you can get pulled over and time wasted and always do a check on lights and fluids once or twice a week in my case drive alot and old car that drinks oil.
Jumper cables
4-way lug tool
Small floor jack and factory jack
Small tire pump
Oil and water a must
Fuses
Tape electrical
Head/tail lights bulbs
Baseball bat or big wrench, a must for weapon
Tire repair kit
Gorilla tape
Super glue
A knife/multi tool

 

[Derek420]

^^^^^^WOW, prepared for anything
I have 60 pounds of tools in snap on bag the usual sockets in all sizes and drives and pliers and dont forget pliers and multi meter the usual and the rest not all is in my car atm but have had but used the bulbs its important or you can get pulled over and time wasted and always do a check on lights and fluids once or twice a week in my case drive alot and old car that drinks oil.
Jumper cables
4-way lug tool
Small floor jack and factory jack
Small tire pump
Oil and water a must
Fuses
Tape electrical
Head/tail lights bulbs
Baseball bat or big wrench, a must for weapon
Tire repair kit
Gorilla tape
Super glue
A knife/multi tool

I cant stress enough about a weapon for defense specialy if your like me and have a loud mouth wife who flips everyone off or starts **** lol once you hang the bat/wrench out window they are gone and no need to waste time or energy fighting an idiot or crazy lady lol or you never know its also good to help other people broken down most people don't help just drive around or by its sad i always help if i can and ive had help myself a little kindness is good, i just helped a mexican guy with flat and no tools couldn't speak english but we could communicate just fine he tried to pay me for my service but i would never take it as im big on karma.

 

[GasNSteering]

Lol. Got a good laugh about the baseball bat and wife comment.......

 

[mrjaw14]

Where can good hose clamps be sourced? I have some cheap ones in my kit, but need better ones

 

[Chief919]

Where can good hose clamps be sourced? I have some cheap ones in my kit, but need better ones

I find I can get good ones at Fastenal.

 

[M6erfan]

Where can good hose clamps be sourced? I have some cheap ones in my kit, but need better ones

ABA's. Ultimate Garage is one source...

 

[Vantastic]

i carry a small amount of tools in my old van. This happened 1300 miles from home one our second day of vacation.

 

[Buster21]

Here's what I carry behind the seat of my truck. I have used it more to help other people than myself, the latest being a elderly couple in Yellowstone, they were on the phone with a tow company when I walked out of our cabin and saw their hood up, I asked if I could help, found a loose battery cable and was able to tighten it and get them going, they cancelled the tow which saved them hundreds of dollars, like others they offered to pay me and I just said enjoy the rest of your visit. My wife believes in karma to.

 

[Brad54]

There's an old thread somewhere on here for Road Trip tool kits, and a contest one of the sponsors ran, with the winner getting a Montezuma tool box.
I won it, and have REALLY put that tool box through it's paces.
It's big, but still carryable with one person... but barely.
And it's also remarkably overkill, because it doubles as my Junkyard tool kit when my friends and I hit the old yards, and a race track tool kit.
What this means is I have two of ever wrench, and three of 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 (full set of reversible ratcheting wrenches included in that count). And a full set of stubbies.
Full set of screwdrivers, full set of ratchets, with standard and deep in all three drives, plus multiple extensions for each size, and a long flex-head for 3/8 and 1/2-inch, etc. etc. etc.

I can, and have, fixed just about everything on the road with my '61 Suburban (10 years, 100K miles), and it's predecessor lived in the trunk of my '54 Buick.

For a bare-bones kit, get a surplus .50cal ammo can, and a store-bought socket set.

One full set of wrenches, and a couple adjustables for the nut, a short hammer, pliers (slip-jaw, needle nose), vise grips, full set of screw drivers, small Allen wrench set, flashlight, Mechanics gloves, shop rag, and a small multi-meter will fix just about everything.

-Brad

 

[Corndoggeh]

99% of my road trips are just 1.5 hr drives to Pheonix and I'll usually throw a couple of jugs of distilled water in the back of my truck just in case.

For longer trips I basically take a fully stocked box, distilled water, and a torch and alumiweld for brazing. The alumiweld saved my bacon one time on a already leaky radiator that that I was waiting for the replacement and it decided it was time to get hit by a rock on the highway. Box includes anything that I would think I could realistically do on the side of a road, and especially don't forget bailing wire and zip ties!

 

[Rarified27]

Post removed.