Small tool set for travel?

[wyo george]

Growing up my Dad always had a tool box that he kept in whatever vehicle we were driving. In the early days it was a small metal box and then later one of the sears under seat plastic ones. He carried a decent set of tools to handle roadside breakdowns like belts, hoses, etc and we even changed a timing gear on the side of the interstate once in the mid 90's.

I'm putting together a small box of my own, one to handle roadside repairs when we travel across the country and was wondering if anyone else had such a kit and if you'd like to share pics or description of what you carry?

Oh yeah, this is the box:

 

[redmed]

I used to use a toolbox like that but it took up too much space under the seat. I now fill a old cotton sock with tools. It takes up less space and can also be used as a rag.

 

[mrjaw14]

I carry a small kit. It's pretty stocked as a small toolbox not only for my own issues, but helping others, and having tools available if I'm say at a friend or parent's house.

Socket set
lug nut sockets and breaker bar
set of cheap wrenches
multimeter
assortment of pliers
electrical and duct tape
gloves
foam pad - I work in dress clothes, don't want to knacker up my pants kneeling to change a tire
flashlight
knife
handle for sawzall and hacksaw blades - tires can disintegrate and wrap around axles and nearly impossible to remove without a saw. at least I'll have something.
multi-meter (I do lots of electrical work)
assortments of screwdrivers
cheap multi-tool
zip ties and cordage

 

[NUTTSGT]

I had tools in one of those CMan boxes but it was too small. I switched to a tool bag which still fit under the back seat. My original tool set was a 42 pc Cman kit in a zippered pouch. It has grown from there to the point the bag probably weighs a good 15 lbs.

 

[d.mcfarland]

A lot of similar threads. A search might bring up the results you are looking for.

 

[Jacobson]

$50 AAA card.
Leave the tools at home.
Some person texting could plow right into you.

 

[orca8589]

Here's an interesting read I found a while back. I incorporated some of the ideas into my own kit.

http://bevhoward.com/Misc/Tools/

~Chris

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Mine isn't very "small", but it's my go to kit when leaving home. I started with a Craftsman 250pc set as I wanted the blow molded case, and I needed all 3 drive sizes and both SAE/MM for what I work on. Since I've taken these pics, I've added universals in all 3 drive sizes and traded out the ratchets with Dual 80's.

Gorilla Tape, Joe's tire gauge, ball pein, gloves, headlamp, pry bar, 18" breaker, allen keys, ignition wrenches, 1/4"-3/4" SAE & 7mm-19mm wrench set (wrapped in oiled shop towels), 10" adjustable, snap ring plier set, electrical crimpers/strippers, 5pc plier set.

3/8" socket set

1/2" socket set, Dzus button wrench, razor knife, finger bit driver

1/4" drive, sockets, bit driver and bits, torx sockets, 3/8" and 1/4" extensions, pick set, punch and chisels (wrapped in oiled shop towels).

 

[ecotec]

I use that same box to store my beam torque wrench in.

I have thought about putting together a box for my car, but I never have.

 

[Jawn]

I found this for about $25 before taking off on a long road trip.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E0P70E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Later I picked up this tool roll:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G8XIFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

All the contents of the Crescent set plus a few other goodies fit in that roll.

 

[Givl Reggin]

$50 AAA card.
Leave the tools at home.
Some person texting could plow right into you.

^^^ Good advice right there.

Realistically just how much work are you going to do on the side of a road?

Be sure to have a spare tire (with air in it!), jack & tire iron. Jump-start battery cables. And a few basic tools; screwdrivers (slotted, phillips & torx), pliers (or Vise-Grips) duct tape. I'd recommend to have more than $50 in cash on you, a fan belt alone is that much.

 

[chris142]

I have enough to change a belt,battery,alt and and injector in my pickup.I even carry a spare injector. Anything other than these will require a tow. I'm not going to do anything else on the side of the road.

I try my best to keep my cars in good shape.I replace parts before they break or at the first sign of trouble.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

$50 AAA card.
Leave the tools at home.
Some person texting could plow right into you.

AAA isn't going to tow my truck when I'm 30 miles off the pavement, and I'm sure as hell not going to wait for a tow truck when I can have a problem fixed by the time they show up. I would rather have too many tools than find out I don't have enough!

 

[LonewolfZ]

\

Later I picked up this tool roll:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G8XIFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

All the contents of the Crescent set plus a few other goodies fit in that roll.

How do you like the roll? Just about to order one on Amazon

 

[wyo george]

AAA isn't going to tow my truck when I'm 30 miles off the pavement, and I'm sure as hell not going to wait for a tow truck when I can have a problem fixed by the time they show up. I would rather have too many tools than find out I don't have enough!

This summer we had an alternator belt break 23 miles from the nearest town and we were on a "highway" (It's Wyoming, there are long stretches of nothing) I ended up having to walk three miles just to get to cell service and call a friend to come pick us up, I did call a two truck and they said it would be 3-4 hours and they couldn't haul passengers so we'd still need to arrange a ride. I would have dearly loved to have a spare belt and a couple tools that day.

^^^ Good advice right there.

Realistically just how much work are you going to do on the side of a road?
.

I guess I come from a different background than most. As mentioned before, we tore down a Ford 300 six and changed the cam gear alongside I-80 once. Another time while in college I pulled the transmission out of my mustang on the side of the road in -20F temps, pulled it apart and fixed the shift linkage that had slipped on the shaft, then re-installed everything all by myself while freezing.

If a AAA card works for you that's wonderful; enjoy the tow truck ride and rental car. It's just not my style and with some repairs I can be on my way before a tow truck got there if I had a few simple tools and a couple spare parts (belt being one!!)

Thanks for the input everyone, even the input I disagree with

 

[devoncoolman]

On long road trips i always have the aaa card just incase i cant fix it or need to atleast get off the interstate to a safer parking lot or such. Always have a tire plug kit, 12v air pump, jump box, flip type lug socket set with the twist socket on the other side, 24in breaker bar, 18v 1/2 impact, random pliers and vice grips, various screwdrivers, metric 1/4-3/8-1/2 sockets and random extensions, pry bar, large ball peen dead blow, soft faced deadblow to beat wheel off if needed, kneeling pad incase I'm in rocks or its raining, 12v test light, i drive gm vehicles so i bring assorted wrenches i know ill need, grab my serp belt tool for which ever car/truck im in, lockout kit. Thats my road trip set up.

My everyday set up is just various sockets and ratchets in 1/4-3/8 metric wrenches from 7-19, random screwdrivers and pliers, vice grips, small wire brush, 12v test light tow alot of trailers so comes in handy with inop lighting, flip sockets and 18in breaker bar with an old half of a jack handle i cleaned up and painted for a cheater, access tools lockout kit.

 

[ajchien]

I carry a small box. My theory is carry what you can fix on the roadside. I probably carry more than I need already.

Well, the things that have gotten me stuck on the road have been ... Flat tires. Tools Check. Dead battery. tools Check. Busted coolant hose. Check. Dead alternator - not covered ... because I don't have a spare alternator around. Bad radiator fan causing an overheat, not covered ... No spare fan motor either ... Idk. What else goes wrong that suddenly?

 

[classicJackets]

I have a small toolbox i keep in the floorboard of my backseat since I rarely need the space. I keep flat and philips head screwdrivers, basic metric sockets with a breaker bar and ratchet, as well as dogleg and combination wrenches. All Metric as I drive a Honda. More convenient for wrenching in the driveway (has everything I need in one place) but would be good if I needed it on the side of the road

 

[bwringer]

The tools I carry on my motorcycle pretty much go everywhere with me. The core of my motorcycle tool kit is a tool roll, with a couple of zippered bags to hold other stuff, like a small tire pump, multimeter, etc.

The standard advice is to try doing all your maintenance work on your bike using only the tools in your kit. You'll quickly learn what you need and what you don't need.

 

[wyo george]

The tools I carry on my motorcycle pretty much go everywhere with me. The core of my motorcycle tool kit is a tool roll, with a couple of zippered bags to hold other stuff, like a small tire pump, multimeter, etc.

The standard advice is to try doing all your maintenance work on your bike using only the tools in your kit. You'll quickly learn what you need and what you don't need.

This I do on my bike, or at least I have done each process at least once with my tool kit. On the bike I made a tool tube to carry extra tools, tire irons, spare parts, etc. when on long trips. You can see it in this pic, it's the PVC tube with a test cap on it

 

[nicksnothereman]

Growing up my Dad always had a tool box that he kept in whatever vehicle we were driving. In the early days it was a small metal box and then later one of the sears under seat plastic ones. He carried a decent set of tools to handle roadside breakdowns like belts, hoses, etc and we even changed a timing gear on the side of the interstate once in the mid 90's.

I'm putting together a small box of my own, one to handle roadside repairs when we travel across the country and was wondering if anyone else had such a kit and if you'd like to share pics or description of what you carry?

Oh yeah, this is the box:
(craftsman truck box small)

That's the box I use too (and on purpose) so I don't carry so much. Got some heater hose and vac hose in the trunk though.

 

[Coach James]

How do you like the roll? Just about to order one on Amazon

I ordered that tool roll back in November 2012 and it has lived in my truck since. I was surprised how well it has held up and plan to order another for my car.

Coach

 

[methomas70]

Coil. Battery. U-joint. Alternator. Battery cable. Tail light bulb. Headlight bulb.
Turn signal bulb. Radiator hose. Stuck thermostat. Variety of belts. Shifter linkage.
Clogged fuel filter. Jeep carb that got mud down the bowl vent. Hit a rock in the road, bent inner part of rim slightly, was rubbing against brake caliper, remove wheel, whack rim with hammer.....fixed. Rusted muffler hanger. Muffler u-bolt. 4x4 manual locking hub. Fan clutch.

These are just some of the things I've fixed/replaced on the side of the road that I could rattle off in the past 4 minutes. All of them were performed with tools kept in the vehicle.
Sometimes I've had to walk to a parts or hardware store, but the AAA card stayed in the wallet.

 

[Jawn]

How do you like the roll? Just about to order one on Amazon

I'm happy with it. Holds what I need. Hasn't lost anything yet, as far as I know.

 

[frugalscotty]

For many years I carried around a metal box packed with enough tools to weigh in at about 15 pounds. Then one day I had it out of the car and realized I had NEVER used any of it for a break down or emergency. That minute I decided to leave the heavy box at home and replaced it with a 6n1 screwdriver and a leatherman tool in the glovebox. The gas I must have wasted chauffeuring that heavy box all over the country.

Props to those who can actually fix a car beside the road but that's not me.

 

[Leadberry]

I inspect fluids, tires, belts, hoses, suspension, brakes, etc. on a regular basis. I don't carry tools in my car other than the jack, tire iron, and jumper cables. We have too many idiots around here. After years of riding a motorcycle, I want to spend as little time as possible on the highway outside the safety of my steel cage. Instead of preparing for failure, I avoid it by knowing the condition of my vehicle and keeping it in top shape as best as I can.

Edit: I can see where a tool box might be more useful out west. Driving through Iowa and Nebraska was a learning experience for me...I'd never experienced so much empty space. But when we brought the Nebraska kids back to Ohio, all they had to say was "look at all the trees!"

 

[Farmall 1066]

Hey George! You and me are of the same "fix it where it fails" mentality.
80 mile commute driving old junk means I stay prepared.
This spring, I decided to try a tool roll setup. Couldn't decide between Bucket Boss or the CLC at the time, so ordered both off Amazon. 6 or so months in, I find I'm using both, but like the CLC much better. Carry them both in a Husky tool bag.
SAE & Metric 3/8 sockets, ratchet & extensions, combination wrenches 3/8-3/4, and 8-19mm, 8 and 10" crescents, couple Vise Grips, pliers, needlenose, 6 in 1 screwdriver, a Dewalt drive bit assortment, and Snap On ratcheting driver. 16oz ball peen hammer, long tapered punch, 1/2" chisel and a 5/16" pin punch.
Old Fluke 73, and test light, electrical tape, assortment of connectors, zip ties, roll of wire, some hose clamps and spare fuses and bulbs. Strong telescoping magnet too.
Crowbar in trunk (very useful to get a fender off a tire after a deer strike) a Harbor Freight 12v compressor (the $25ish all metal one is awesome) and a plug kit. Jumper cables also, 2qts oil and a gallon of used antifreeze in there too, along with second spare.

This gets a bit heavy, but has saved me from a long hike through cellular no-man's land a few times. Surprisingly, I find I use this more to fix things for other people, when I'm at their house or away from my toolbox.
Good flashlight, Leatherman Wave, Snap-On HL138 pliers (accept no substitutes!) and my Swisschamp are with me too...don't leave home w/o them!

 

[bigredcornhead]

I have an old tanker bag with a wrench roll with sae and metric wrenches. A nice little 3/8 S&K Metric socket set and a craftsman SAE 3/8 set. Set of harbor freight screw drivers the free ones lol. Rags and socks and pliers dykes etc basically any tool that came with another tool you wanted hahaha

 

[MemphisR32]

I set up a small kit for quick car repairs and bicycle repairs at a homeless outreach I serve with. Since I didn't want to have anything in the kit I wouldn't mind losing I picked up some China made craftsman stuff when on sale. Out the door this kit was less than $50. I still need to add some 3/8" stuff, extensions and pliers but the primary focus was bicycles. It's all fits in a small tool bag in my trunk.

1/4" ratchet set
7-18mm wrenches
Screwdrivers
SAE and Metric hex keys
Torx key set

 

[panhandle461]

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[T45]

For storage, I like the 12 inch c'man soft bags ($10 on sale). Agree with other posters: CC and insurance with towing is the way to go. Realistically, what projects are you preparing for?

I think this really depends on what you need to handle based upon your make of car.

Preventative maintenance (eg, oil changes/coolant flushes/brake bleeding)

Small fixes (eg, loose sensors, battery jump/replacement, air hoses, fuel lines etc)

Damage control (only relevant if outside of towing distances, IMHO)

Flat repair and Battery Jumps is needed always.

This is one area where cheap tools are useful. Small sockets, some nut drivers, pliers, small wrenches, etc. For $100 bucks you could have all this covered.

The other issue is modern cars-- there is so much that needs you to check for thrown codes. So you need dianostic tools if you really want to track down what's happening.

So now you are talking about a mobile kit for your car. But you need a place to work. Kits in my experience are useful for having backups and great for doing work when over at a buddies house or what not (whenever you can't get back to home-base).

It would seem from experience, true repairs in the field (as in: side of the road) are very rare indeed and best avoided by prevention.

But maybe others have stories of being saved by such a kit.

Maybe they could chime in.

 

[ultgar]

This kit fits in an 8" wide case.........

This tool roll sits in the trunk under the spare tire in my wife's suv....

SD

 

[wyo george]

Good input everyone, I like the ideas.

To clear up a recurring point; I actually do have roadside assistance, but as stated before, some places in Wyoming (and out west in general) there may be one single tow truck within a 100 mile radius and he's busy when I need him Always have at least one backup plan, preferably two!

I stay on top of all maintenance, to the point of being obsessive and rarely do I ever have a mechanical failure. I just like to be as prepared as possible in the event I do and I have room for tools so why not?

Another great point brought up a couple times; NEVER work on a vehicle close to traffic unless it is a dire emergency. I'll drive well off the road and work in the grass, even to change a tire. Previously I spent 6 years working as a deputy sheriff in rural Wyoming and saw numerous instances of parked vehicles being slammed into, some even had flashing lights on the roof! There are way too many distracted drivers out there to take the chance.

 

[jabin]

I changed out my box with a tool roll and will never go back. So much less room needed and no more noise.

 

[BFHtime]

^^^ Good advice right there.

Realistically just how much work are you going to do on the side of a road?

Be sure to have a spare tire (with air in it!), jack & tire iron. Jump-start battery cables. And a few basic tools; screwdrivers (slotted, phillips & torx), pliers (or Vise-Grips) duct tape. I'd recommend to have more than $50 in cash on you, a fan belt alone is that much.

 

[strelnik]

^^^ Good advice right there.

Realistically just how much work are you going to do on the side of a road?

Be sure to have a spare tire (with air in it!), jack & tire iron. Jump-start battery cables. And a few basic tools; screwdrivers (slotted, phillips & torx), pliers (or Vise-Grips) duct tape. I'd recommend to have more than $50 in cash on you, a fan belt alone is that much.

I have done tires, a brake, a water pump, alternator and muffler repair.

Not by choice, life happens!

 

[wyo george]

I changed out my box with a tool roll and will never go back. So much less room needed and no more noise.

I think this is the route I'll go when I get back from my trip. I have a box for now, but I also brought more than needed just since it was already in the box!!

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

$50 AAA card.
Leave the tools at home.
Some person texting could plow right into you.

My thoughts exactly. $99 a year which includes one 250 mile tow.

 

[expfcwintergreen]

Realistically just how much work are you going to do on the side of a road?
=========
You may not be able to do much work by the side of the road, but if you can get to a parking lot, particularly at a parts house where you just bought a part, you may be able to do some repairs, especially if you don't park in a conspicuous place and don't make a mess. I have changed an alternator and a starter in parking lots and have seen a water pump and a fuel pump (in the tank-Chevy Astro) changed in frigid weather in parking lots.