Tool kit for a semi-truck and trailer.

[magicrat]

So I’m getting out of the air conditioning business after 15 years and bought a semi truck (2014 international w/Cummins). And a 53 foot reefer trailer and dry van. I have very little mechanical knowledge was wondering what small tools I could put together to keep in the truck. I generally don’t drive and my drivers are somewhat mechanically inclined. Not trying to do engine work on the side of the road but what do I need to get my by in a small emergency. I have metric sockets do I need to sae as well ?? Hopefully I did some mechanic or two will try in. Thanks

 

[Jweebothee]

Thetruckersreport.com lots of useful info there


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[Mgdoug3]

A 3/8 metric socket set for minor things, wrench big enough in case you need to cage the brakes to limp home and a cell phone that has a towing company's number.

Will also need caution triangles and a fire extinguisher on board. If you have a spare tire, throw a torque multipler and jack big enough to lift the axle. Most likely, if you're broke down on the side of the road, you'll need either a mobile mechanic or tow truck.

 

[magicrat]

Yes I’ve been saved by a couple mobile mechanics. But was thinking of things like what u said about limping back home, or at least to a shop.

 

[strength_and_power]

I’d do a quick once over with either the metric socket set or the SAE set. It should be very obvious which one you should carry. In my experience, it is pretty rare for a manufacture to use both.
Flashlight, towels, hand cleaner, spare light bulbs and fuses.
A repair major enough to require tools is probably going to require some parts. At some point you have to draw the line


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[finn]

Just have the required safety equipment and make sure your driver religiously follows the mandatory pre trip walk around inspection procedure. He should catch anything that may go wrong before he leaves the yard.

You don’t see many drivers working on their own trucks on the side of the road anymore. If he carries anything, a scan tool would be the first thing that comes to mind, and I doubt you want to spring for that.

I haven’t even seen a driver change a tire in the last twenty years.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Most fittings for air lines on the truck and trailer will be SAE. If its an isx cummins, most of that will be metric. You should carry a 12 point 1/2 impact swivel for u joint straps in case you need to pull a driveshaft to get towed. 3/4” extra deep socket or 3/4 gearwrench for caging brake chambers. 33mm (1 5/16) or 1 1/2 for lug nuts. A set of air brake adjusting tools. A power probe and test light for checking lights and wiring on the trailer which is a constant problem if youre always switching trailers. Also a Red gladhand adapter and 50’ of hose in case younneed to air up a tire. A bottle of gear oil to top off trailer hubs if you lose a wheel seal. Depends on if youre otr or local but the more you carry the quicker you can get moving again.

 

[Wrench97]

You will find more SAE on a truck then anywhere else, air line fittings are SAE, I changed a flap on a new Wabash trailer the other day the bolts were 3/8"...............
Test light, screw drivers, if there are still torx head screws in the dash of a '14 IH torx screw drivers 12" adjustable.

 

[boom10ful]

Most things on a bus are SAE. The only things that are metric are the MAN axles and the Cummins engine. I'm sure that a semi truck will be mostly the same.

 

[driz]

I never drove a semi but worked clearing trucks at the border for decades. Don’t forget the hi vis safety vests for those sucky moments on the road side.
Spare head light ( they all seem to die in Nov-Dec in Cold Country in my experience and DOT is merciless on those things.
A 20+’ length of chain! When I worked for US Customs we got trucks that shut off and discovered that dead battery at least a few times a day. I was surprised how few had a chain with them and had to wait for another truck to come along that did. There’s always some other trucker willing to tow start you although he usually [emoji3064]doesn’t have one either.
Make sure your drivers know how ( what gear to have it in when the clutch gets popped). Yea I’ve seen a couple who [emoji44]didn’t know how to drag start . No sense in paying for a service truck when all you really need Is a battery.
Here’s a little bit of advice from the legal end of things. Don’t be overly honest volunteering information when you’re talking to the [emoji1986]. I met a trucker who went into Canada. Coming back out he told me that on the way in Canada customs had asked him if he had a radar detector. He said he did but he keeps it in the sleeper and only uses it where it’s legal. They fined that poor ******* $500 and seized his radar detector. That’s the sort of stunt I never dreamed of pulling on anybody but the ones that will are definitely out there. So be careful what you say to the cops and be sure to know what you can and can’t use or need onboard where where.


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[thunderalley3]

Spare fuel filter or filters depending on what the truck uses. Getting some bad fuel can leave you stuck on the side of the road, but having spare filters and knowing how to change them will get you rolling quickly and save $$$$ on roadside or possible tow.

 

[Jazz1]

Basic tool kit 1/4" to 1/2" drive. don't forget TORX bits You can never have too many tools in truck. You could carry a 3/4" drive set, it takes little space and you can check your lug nuts.
If that truck has the automatic transmission DONT DO IT. The autos had not yet evolved on big trucks.
Had one,,never got towed so many times otherwise its a very driver friendly unit and well built truck.