What tools to get rid of... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

What tools to get rid of...

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

IMO, what to take is basically dictated by how much space you have and how much does it weigh. Seriously, if you know how to use the tools and can afford the weight and space I assure you, you will use them and need them.

People chuckle at me concerning tools and spares. Then at a Rally or the like people come to the door and say, "Do you have . . . ?"

For me, moving to the NH and the Ram 5500 with the hauler bed has been so nice because, basically, I can't overload either vehicle. So if it fits I take it if I care to.

Naturally YMMV.

Bill

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Five claw hammers are sufficient IMO. That’s almost 17%.

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

One of the sadder days of my life was the day my big red tool box rolled away to a new owner. My manhood had taken a serious hit.

In all truth I had aged out of using most of them, too lazy or too stupid to use most of them anymore. Once a year we swing through Washington and my brother has everything I might need. I save up a list that can keep me busy for a month.

I still carry basic sockets, wrenches and miscellaneous tools that weigh 100#-150#. That's been enough to get me by the last 5 1/2 years.

Each year in September we completely unload our basement to evaluate what will be taken along the next year. Stupid stuff seems to accumulate in a basement.

Cookie Dough · RV-Dreams Family Member

arcaguy

I realized many years ago, that the right tool(s) makes the job much easier. I certainly agree with the prior posts.

Sorry, but I don't have a lot of tools on our RV. However someone such as yourself, sounds like you should.

I've used the electric drill once and had to buy a circular saw for a one time use.

I didn't see mentioned some of the basics

WD-40 if something is stuck, you have the hammers if its really stuck.

Duct tape if something should be stuck together, Gorrilla tape for extra security.

A level, ours is about 15 inches long. Apparently size matters, as I saw a guy in a class C with a 4 footer

Mostly I've used a few adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers. Plus the occasional mobile RV tech

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dave,

I was also a "tool guy." However, when we started downsizing, I started looking at all the tools I had and asking myself when it was that I last used it. That process made selling stuff out of the garage or giving it away an easy process.

I got rid of most of my tools, but I purchased a couple of "kits" of end wrenches and sockets with plastic cases to hold them. I also kept a 1/2" drive socket set that I had from when I was back on the farm/ranch. While that set has the larger sockets, I have rarely used them, probably only about 2 or 3 times. Since my "new" tool sets didn't have larger wrenches, I did keep the larger ones from my old set(s) so as to have something big enough when needed. Those have also only been rarely used, but I don't plan on getting rid of them. One or two smaller pipe wrenches, a couple of sizes of "crescent" wrenches, and a few other things round out my tools.

Oh, and one oddity that most people won't have, but that I have also rarely used is a piece of railroad track that is about 10 to 12 inches long. That is my anvil. Also, I did purchase a torque wrench (first one ever in my whole life) and sockets and extensions to tighten the trailer's lug nuts and if necessary, the axle nuts. Since our DRV has torque specs of either 125 or 150 foot pounds, I purchased a torque wrench that would go up to 250 ft pounds so that the target settings would be in the middle of the range.

I also have a few files, some punches and chisels, and some other odds and ends.

Terry

mds1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good ideas. I have the same question. I look at all the tools in the house and wonder which ones I can make due with rather than buying something new. I'm not much of a mechanic so my list would be shorter. Although I hope to learn someday to handle maintenance items such as wheel bearings and brake pads.

So I figure we will start out with a mechanics tools set with three sizes of sockets, some misc. wrenches. I've been looking at this Dewalt set: www.amazon.com/dp/B00PXN00BS/ What do you think? Do you often need a full 1/2" socket set or just buy the ones you need?

Then keep a small box for electrical stuff and another small box for hammer and misc. I may keep my electric drill, saw set. I figure the saw would come in handy for tree branches. Maybe add a jack stand or two if there is room as I agree I would not get under anything without safety.

I definitely need to purchase a torque wrench and already own a small pancake air compressor but might replace it with something even smaller.

-- Edited by mds1 on Friday 1st of February 2019 11:40:45 PM

Cummins12V98 · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you can carry in in your rigs then carry ALL you can!!!

A-S Travelers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I carry a 6 ton bottle jack. No jack stands. Too bulky. I also don't want to get under RV on hydraulic jacks. If I can't crawl under or get tires up on a rise, I don't work on it. For tools: I carry a tool brief case from being a former large system computer tech (22 years ago & I still have it). It has all the smaller tools needed up to a 6" crescent wrench. A 3/8 socket set. A set of 1/2 drive sockets along with a 12" or 14" breaker bar & ratchet. A cordless 3/8" drill, lithium powered. Drill set up to 1/2". Power wood drill set up to 1". Electric hand held jig saw. Couple of torque wrenches up to 150 Ft Pounds.

I also carry a large 120V 150PSI air compressor. I run it off the inverter or run the generator if needed.

I manage to fix almost all problems I find while traveling in an RV with this tool set.

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

A-S Travelers wrote:
I carry a 6 ton bottle jack. No jack stands. Too bulky. I also don't want to get under RV on hydraulic jacks. If I can't crawl under or get tires up on a rise, I don't work on it. For tools: I carry a tool brief case from being a former large system computer tech (22 years ago & I still have it). It has all the smaller tools needed up to a 6" crescent wrench. A 3/8 socket set. A set of 1/2 drive sockets along with a 12" or 14" breaker bar & ratchet. A cordless 3/8" drill, lithium powered. Drill set up to 1/2". Power wood drill set up to 1". Electric hand held jig saw. Couple of torque wrenches up to 150 Ft Pounds.
I also carry a large 120V 150PSI air compressor. I run it off the inverter or run the generator if needed.
I manage to fix almost all problems I find while traveling in an RV with this tool set.

Thanks. I couldn't possibly carry all of my tools, besides there's no point in doing it. I have 3 circular saws, 2 sawsalls, umpteen drills, 15 or 20 chisels both wood and cold, probably 2-300 drill bits, 200 sockets (many of which i will travel with) and the list goes on and on. You have given me a good place to start. I don't know what kind of rig you have but in thinking about it the 20 ton jack is probably overkill so I'll probably scale that back. I don't remember if my battery drill is lithium but I think one of them is. I also have a tool brief case from when I owned an ISP and it's nice and sturdy and has a fair amount of room. I haven't decided on it or one of my drawered tool chests, I may bring both depending on space. Once again, thanks.

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Where you carry your tools is important too. I carry two big tubs of tools, (150-175 lbs) in the back of my toad. One tub has all my basic hand tools and the other power tools, such as drills, saws, sanders, grinders and such along with the accessories to go with them, like sand paper and blades. I have another bucket with about 25 lbs of fasteners - nuts, bolts, screws, cotter pins, hose clamps etc. Since my toad only weighs about 2,800 lbs I have plenty of room there weight wise while keeping these heavy steel tools and fasteners out of my MH. I keep my aerosol cans, 1lb propane canisters and chemicals (another 40-50 lbs) in the rv basement because I don't want them to get too hot and leak or explode. I sold all my air tools and motorcycle specialty tools (like an entire box of pullers, snap ring pliers large sockets, taps and dies, etc. that I don't anticipate a use for. If I ever do, I'll buy the specific tool I need or take it to the shop. I let both upper and lower mechanics boxes go to a good home for $100.

At first the purge was uncomfortable, but it's actually very liberating, knowing that I'll never have to do that kind of hard, heavy work again. It's an occasional light repair, hobby work and play time from now on. Heck, from this point on I think I'll even pay someone else to change my oil. It's all about your attitude. Life's good. :)

Chip

Dave MW · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm guessing a man who has 6 to 8 claw hammers has a couple or three torque wrenches, I had three, one now, and sockets for wheel lugs. No, you may not use it often. But if you check them now and then you may be surprised. And when you need a 125 ft/pds torque wrench, nothing else will do.

Dave