Terry....I would have to assume by your question you would know what to do with all these tools?? I keep a very small arsenal of tools because I am limited on what they would be used for and how to use them....I do keep plenty of bandaids and gauze with antiseptic for when I do use these tools and get hurt. My first aide kit takes up very little room and the weight does not take away from my MPG.

I got rid of most of my tools. I kept an assortment of tools to handle small jobs, screwdrivers, hammer, pliers and wrenches, socket set, drill, dremel set, volt meter. I bought a plastic tool box that holds everything and is easy to store in the basement. I didn't bring any of my plumbing tools and parts and may regret that someday. But I just didn't think I would need everything, and space is at a premium.

What I miss is all my miscellaneous odds & ends type stuff, ie. nuts & bolts, wire wraps, extra parts type stuff. After many years of owning a home I always seemed to have the items I needed when doing repairs. Now I make regular runs to the hardware store and buy only what I need so there is nothing left over to store.

I use a medium sized ammo can, a tool pouch and a plastic tool box.

I have an assortment of sockets, wrenches, pliers, wire cutters and specialty tools in it to work on the truck and mechanicals of the trailer. I just dump the contents onto a table or in the bed of my truck, use the tools I need and then put everything back in the box when I'm through.

I also carry a tool pouch with a kit of power tools by Black & Decker, it includes cordless drill motor, sabre saw, 6" circular saw, hand vacuum, stud finder and worklight, plus extra battery and charger. This takes care of any home repair type projects and helps with firewood. This stays in the basement storage of the 5'er.

I also have a plastic tool box to carry hammers, more pliers, clamps, hand saws, drill bits, electrical testers & tools, dremmel tool, and other tools and spare parts. This box is a foot tall, 20 inches wide and 10 inches across. It's made by Stanley and has a tray inside plus small parts compartments on the outside. It's very handy. I carry this and the ammo box in a cross the bed tool cabinet in the truck.

So depending on the job to do, I grab the appropriate tool carrier(s).

I find this combination has served well, I've completed major repairs on my old truck while on the road (replace radiator, brakes, U-joints, starter..etc)  and on the 5'er I've built shelves, repaired the refrigerator door when it fell off, replaced faucets, traced down and fixed electrical problems....etc.   I've been able to do craft projects as well.  Just like at our sticks & bricks.

There's been several occasions where I didn't have the correct tool, but have been able to get by using what I have on hand.  A couple of times, I've gone into town to buy the correct tool.  

-- Edited by thebearII on Monday 11th of May 2009 08:36:07 AM

I volunteer on church building projects so I carry quite a few power and hand tools besides a portable air compressor and 2 portable generators . I bought a aluminum toolbox from Lowes and put it on the back of my truck plus I have tool compartments built on my truck. Weight would be a problem on my trailer but not my truck. I'm glad I decided on a medium duty truck it has been really good choice. I almost bought a 450 and would not have had the weight capacity.

We debated on tool boxes. Seems now most go with the canvas/plastic molded bags. We have a couple of those and one that hangs over a 5 gallon bucket. We use a small canvas pouch/bag for the wrenches and another for our spikes (tent pegs for our large mat). Seems to work very well. We also have plastic case(s) that came with our Craftsman ratchet set, another one for a drill with a battery pack, and another for a set of drill bit.

Hope that helps,
Randy and Pam