What basic tools to you take on a trip?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Georgia
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What basic tools to you take on a trip?
I'm straightening up the garage & "reorganizing" my tools and got to thinking about putting together a "road only" tool set. In past road trips I've tended to throw in a pile of stuff which undoubtedly included a bunch of unnecessary things. So here's what I want to know .........
Wrenches? what kind/what sizes (not necessarily a complete set but the minimum needed on a trip)
Sockets? what kind/what sizes
Screw Drivers?
Pliers?
Other items?
What is the best tool case for the road?
Remember, I'm not looking to max out a tool bag with complete sets, but rather those critical need tools. I'm betting that we get some really helpful & good responses to this post. Thanks in advance.
Wrenches? what kind/what sizes (not necessarily a complete set but the minimum needed on a trip)
Sockets? what kind/what sizes
Screw Drivers?
Pliers?
Other items?
What is the best tool case for the road?
Remember, I'm not looking to max out a tool bag with complete sets, but rather those critical need tools. I'm betting that we get some really helpful & good responses to this post. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
I don't own that many tools... but what I have I can fit into a medium-size box (which is what I take with me....) Lets see, if I had to pick:
1/2" metric set for suspension parts/brakes/wheels
I also have the craftsman ratcheting wrenches (7 SAE, 7 metric) which are essential IMO; but a set of tappet wrenches is a good alternative
3/4" socket for the jack? double-check that one (I use a ratchet instead of the supplied bar)
1/2" Breaker bar
3/8" english, metric and your torx bits for the intake and misc. engine compartment.
1", 3", 6" extensions in 3/8" drive, with a 1/2" adapter and 3/8" universal
One multi-tip screwdriver (they sell ratcheting ones with various tips you can store in the handle... quite handy!)
Good Flashlight
I tend to take a small jackstand with me as well, if I have the room (HEY, you never know!)
I also carry a MAPP torch and penetrant (WD40)... because you KNOW there's always one bolt that just won't come out.
This I think would cover the basics, after this... fill in the space with opposing sets in different drive sizes?
:cheers:
Oh, and if you're not in a CCW state, a 3' crowbar is always a nice addition (just make it easily accessible) :jester
[Modified by Ramanstud, 1:53 AM 2/25/2003]
1/2" metric set for suspension parts/brakes/wheels
I also have the craftsman ratcheting wrenches (7 SAE, 7 metric) which are essential IMO; but a set of tappet wrenches is a good alternative
3/4" socket for the jack? double-check that one (I use a ratchet instead of the supplied bar)
1/2" Breaker bar
3/8" english, metric and your torx bits for the intake and misc. engine compartment.
1", 3", 6" extensions in 3/8" drive, with a 1/2" adapter and 3/8" universal
One multi-tip screwdriver (they sell ratcheting ones with various tips you can store in the handle... quite handy!)
Good Flashlight
I tend to take a small jackstand with me as well, if I have the room (HEY, you never know!)
I also carry a MAPP torch and penetrant (WD40)... because you KNOW there's always one bolt that just won't come out.
This I think would cover the basics, after this... fill in the space with opposing sets in different drive sizes?
:cheers:
Oh, and if you're not in a CCW state, a 3' crowbar is always a nice addition (just make it easily accessible) :jester
[Modified by Ramanstud, 1:53 AM 2/25/2003]
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Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
:cheers:
I carry a very long and very large breaker bar with a socket to fit the lug nuts( I had a flat out in the middle of nowhere)!
I also carry one of my "custom" keyways to fit the Belt torgue/tensioner and a long 5/8's box wrench that fits my keyway.
I carry a spare serpentine belt also!
After that, I carry my triple A card :D :rolleyes:
:steering: [I love that Lil Guy!]
I carry a very long and very large breaker bar with a socket to fit the lug nuts( I had a flat out in the middle of nowhere)!
I also carry one of my "custom" keyways to fit the Belt torgue/tensioner and a long 5/8's box wrench that fits my keyway.
I carry a spare serpentine belt also!
After that, I carry my triple A card :D :rolleyes:
:steering: [I love that Lil Guy!]
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Denham Springs, LA, USA
Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
I always have a small toolbox with wrenches, screwdrivers, a hammer and a small cheap socket set. I have a spare serpentine belt. The single most important thing is my AAA card. :cheers:
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Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
I have a socket set, some screwdrivers, a set of torx bits, and a flashlight.
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From: Kentucky
Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (grapeknutz)
A spare belt, maybe a gallon of coolant, flashlight, to add to the list of sockets above I would have a 7mm and 10mm, a few torx screwdrivers, a flex wrench. I thought about getting a Gator grip socket to cover the majority of them. I also have a cell phone and a AAA card, but there are a lot of places the phone is out of area and sometimes I might not want to wait forever when I can just change a belt or something right there.
Burning Brakes
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Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
I think you should think about the things that might fail that make the car undriveable and that can be fixed with mimimal effort and for which parts are readily available. Things that immediately come to mind are the drive belt, the alternator, the battery, the starter, the distributor rotor and the ignition module (inside the distributor). Besides the tools required to replace these parts, you need copies of the sections of the manual needed to perform the appropriate tests and a cheap digital multi-meter. And I agree that the AAA card is the most important tool of all.
Safety Car
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From: Shindand AB
Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
Duct tape, if you can't fix it, duct it. :lol:
I do have some electrical tape and plastic tie straps in the storage compartment. Funny how one little leak from a hose will make you do that.
I do have some electrical tape and plastic tie straps in the storage compartment. Funny how one little leak from a hose will make you do that.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Georgia
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Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (ZylaRace)
Wife mute button, w/ extra batteries.
I use a soft tool bag for trips (stores easily) and tend to carry many of the tools suggested in this topic .... but thanks to your good ideas, looks like I might be modifying what I carry.
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Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
After changing my alternator in the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts, with borrowed tools, in Asheville NC I knew I needed some tools in the car. I went to Northern Tools and found a small set that came in a handy carrying case. The whole thing is about 4x4x1.5 but has several each of screw driver tips, torx tips, sockets and a couple of drivers. I wouldn't want to use them for heavy rebuild stuff but they would be great on a break down. A lot better than what I had in there, nothing.
Le Mans Master
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Re: What basic tools to you take on a trip? (tuband)
I usually carry a NAPA toolkit with me. Its about 12x12x3 in size and has pretty good selection of metric/SAE sockets and wrenches, screw driver, extensions, etc. Got it as a Christmas present from my grandparents.
This is all I had when I had to get my car working after its engine fire. Had to remove pass side inner fender well to pop hood open, replace dist cap and rotor, coolant hoses, vac. lines, thermostat, etc.
Also a cell phone for the bigger stuff.
Dale
This is all I had when I had to get my car working after its engine fire. Had to remove pass side inner fender well to pop hood open, replace dist cap and rotor, coolant hoses, vac. lines, thermostat, etc.
Also a cell phone for the bigger stuff.
Dale