with all the talk of RRE this year and spring just around the corner. the rv's will be rolling out a little more often. i thought it would be a good idea to start a thread about the things we should have on hand while traveling. what tools and parts should we have in the glove box or behind the seat? what are some time saving tips and must have's we should carry in the rv.
throw out all those thoughts and idea's that we may have forgotten or maybe never known.

 

i'd put a serpentine belt, high on both list

 

Tire pressure gauge and torque wrench for trailer lugs. I carry a cheap Stanley tool kit from walmart that has 1/4" and 3/8" sockets and wrenches. A variety of electrical connectors (butts, scotchs, etc). A few different pliers and cutters.

In the truck is always a CPS (and the necessary tools for a swap), a gallon of oil, a spare IDM (this is not something I recommend everyone carry, just something I have), tow strap, flashlight, old serpentine belt for a spare.

I'll add more if I think of it.

 

Never leave home without it...at least for a longer trip - AutoEnginuity and a laptop.

 

And a good (properly inflated) spare tire for the RV.
and one of these BLAYLOCK EZ-Jack Trailer Axle / Tire Jack #EZ100
or it's plastic equivalent.

CPS
AE/laptop
tool set
serpentine belt
gallon of oil
spare fuses
I pod
sunglasses
beef jerky.

 

Hey Franko! Cool jack man! Have you ever had a chance to use it ? If so how well does it work?

Smokie

 

I concur with FrankO on checking tire pressures in the spares (truck and trailer). And I also agree that the trailer "jack" is a must. I have gotten away with using blocks, but the one he linked works great.

I'll add spare fuses and bulbs for brake lites and tail lights and turn signals for truck and trailer. A spare trailer bearing is never a bad idea.

 

HPOP hoses
Diagnostic scanner
"Mechanics Tool Cabinet"
Gallon of oil
ICP
IPR
Old CAC boots
Extra wire, tape, heat shrink,butane iron, and solder for electrical repairs.
Slide lube
Various lubes(penetrating, blue torch, etc)
Spare bulbs for trailer lamps, and truck
I keep plenty of tools in the trailer to tackle nearly anything

 

I haven't used this design, but I have used the plastic ramp type. They sure beat hauling a floor jack around or laying in the dirt fiddling with a bottle jack.

They are a breeze to use.

 

Frank, you should still carry a bottle jack, just in case you run over something and blow both tires on the same side. Don"t ask how I know.

 

I can't speak for other rigs, but for mine, the bottle jack in the truck will reach high enough to change a trailer tire.

 

I carry most of the same tools and spares mentioned in previous posts. With the trailer attached I make sure the water tank has 20 gallons or so in it for a potential truck problem. Without the trailer I keep a gallon of pre-mixed ELC in the truck.

RRE last year the cap for the flushing connection I had installed came loose. The water level was checked at the KOA before we left but somewhere in Knoxville the cap became loose and started leaking. We were in stop and go traffic on I-40e when the truck overheated. The only indication I had was oil temp reading on my Edge CVS was over 225*. I limped into the rest area and a trucker gave my an old anti-freeze jug to refill the water. The flushing connection is no longer installed.

I also carry a 900a jump pack and one of these air compressors.
VIAIR Corporation - 300P Part No. 30033

 

great stuff guys, thats about how i run tool wise but i think i'll be adding a few more things over all. thanks so much for all the reply's.

chris

 

Of all the work I've done on the truck, the tools I use the most are...

• 13mm, 10 mm, and 8mm whatever wrench (with u-joints and extenders)
• Mity Vac (with gauge)
• Inspection camera
• AE and PC/ED manual.

Sure I use more tools than that, but I rarely escape the use of the list above.

I bought a 1/2" socket drive, 1/2" universal/extender, and some deep sockets for it to keep in the Du Ha under the back seat. It gets the ICP, IPR, EBP and the like... plus the 1/2" drive takes the tension off the serpentine belt.