Tools for new trailer tech

[Lucky13don]

Morning folks. So I need suggestions for tools for working on big rig trailers? Mostly brakes and tires,some electrical. Mostly hand tools, I believe all air tools are supplied. But might buy my own down the road. Thanks in advance.. Love the forums. Already cost me money...

 

[d.mcfarland]

You're going to need to read a lot of threads here. Buy once, cry once. That's all I'll say when it comes to big stuff.

 

[ibedayank]

buy USED lot less crying needed

 

[MJD1]

A good circuit tester, wire stripper and crimper. Either a butane torch or heatgun to shrink terminals. Slack adjuster wrench and release tool. Vise grips and prybar for the springs. A good 4 lb hand sledge and a smaller ball pein. Long handle punches and chisels. Impact driver , that you smack with a hammer. Philips, torx and hex bits. The majority of fasteners will be sae, unless you are working on reefér units. A long 24" flexhead ratchet with a 1-1/8" socket for air springs. Get a decent dual angle tire Chuck, and put about a 6" steel pipe extension on it , between the air ******. Thin putty knives if you will be changing door seals. Also a good cordless drill and bits, especially 1/4" and 17/64". An end nipper for pulling plastic rivits and a good length side cutters.

 

[Ruger_556]

Brake tech makes nice tools for installing brake springs, also a mid depth 1 1/8 socket for air bag nuts. I bought a 1/2 drive torque adapter for the same use and it's nice to have for getting a long ratchet into a tight spot. Air bag nuts on the forward axle can be miserable to get to and break free.

 

[geartow]

Otc 7077 cone pliars, and the snap on brake spring pry bar that is notched to install new brakes, also a pair of bolt cutters about 14-16 inches to cut the old springs for fast removal of brake shoes.

 

[atomicpunk]

What kind of trailers? Lowboy, roll off, reefer, dry van, flat bed, do any have lift gates? Most likely you will buy specialty tools to make life easier such as brake and slack adj. tools. One fleet I worked for I bought my own wheel bearing nut sockets because everyone used an impact on the shop ones and you needed 2 people to keep them on the nut when removing/adj. bearings.
SnapOn makes an extra deep 3/4 impact socket for caging brake chambers.
I also keep assorted length high quality valve stem extenders for checking the air on the inside tires.

 

[Lucky13don]

Thanks for the info.as to trailers mostly bottom dumps.used to haul coke out of the refinery's. Some end dumps. So who has slack adjuster wrenches on the lower price side?