Stocking Your RV Toolbox
What's In Your Toolbox?We’ve all been there… getting camp set when something snaps. Cracks. Rips. Tears. Bends. Leaks. Or sparks. Now you’re 50 miles from nowhere and on your own. Here’s a handy guide to Stocking Your RV Toolbox to ensure you’re equipped to tighten, loosen, pound, pry or cut any disaster waiting to spoil your trip. What’s in your toolbox?
General:
- Socket wrench set (standard and metric) for tightening and loosening bolts and machine nuts.
- Phillips head and flat bladed screwdrivers (large, medium, small) for tightening and loosening screws; also for prying items apart.
- Standard pliers for holding machine nuts while installing or removing, or squeezing items together.
- Channel-lock pliers (medium and large) for dealing with oversized machine nuts or turning pipes 10-inch Crescent wrench-for when sockets won’t fit properly.
- Small drill bit set with sizes ranging from 1/16- to 1/4-inch. Get the type that works with both metal and wood.
- Cordless drill with spare battery for turning the drill bits that make the holes. Also good for lowering and raising trailer stabilizing jacks.
- Sturdy claw hammer enables you to straighten what got bent, bend what got straightened, drive nails and stakes, and pull ’em out again, and provide “persuasion” where needed.
- Pocket knife for cutting rope and twine, stripping wire insulation, or just whittling if you’re so inclined.
- Hobby knife with blade protector and extra blades, extremely sharp, for making very precise cuts in canvas, vinyl, tape, paper, wood and some plastics.
- Wire cutters for cutting electrical wire, or turning metal coat hangers into marshmallow skewers.
- Small tape measure to determine how much electrical wire you’re going to need, or how much ground clearance you’ll have while trying to get over that boulder embedded in the road.
- Mini hacksaw with extra blades good for cutting away twisted bolts, damaged metal work, thicker plastics…anything where a knife won’t work.
- Small two-way bubble level to make sure your rig is properly leveled so you’re not sleeping with your feet higher than your head.
- Folding tree saw for cutting trees that have fallen across the only road out and you can’t back up. Emergency use only; rangers and camp hosts frown when you start your own tree service on government and private land.
- Tube of ball hitch lube to minimize grinding while towing.
- Small travel-size can of spray lubricant.
- Spare fresh water hose washers.
- Roll of Teflon plumber’s tape.
- Wide tipped felt marker (permanent) for making signs, marking your belongings, and keeping track of which wire is which.
- A coupler or kingpin lock can take care of security concerns you might have about your trailer being stolen; and for any other situations not previously mentioned: an assortment of bungee cords to strap things down.
And finally: - Two-way radios-for backing your rig into a site, hitching up the trailer, monitoring the kids, and more. The hands-free/headphone type is preferable so you can keep both hands on the wheel. Eliminates the need for your spouse to shout instructions.
Adhesives are useful for many purposes. Here’s what you’ll want to add to your collection of RV tools:
- “Super” glue for high strength repairs.
- Vinyl adhesive for fixing tears in same-named fabrics.
- Threadlocker glue to prevent screws and bolts from vibrating loose.
- Multi-purpose adhesive for re-affixing door seals, loose trim and molding, and re-sticking peeling decals.
- Silicon sealant to keep the rain from creeping in.
- Seam sealer (for tents), for keeping the dew on the outside.
- Duct Tape: a universal fix-it!
Hardware and Fasteners:
- Screws, bolts, nuts and washers: In varying sizes and lengths
- Plastic zip ties: removable and permanent
Electrical:
- Fuses: in various amperage ratings
- Spare bulbs: brake, turn and running light replacements as well as interior light bulbs
- Voltmeter: tracing shorts and measuring battery voltages
- Insulated wire: bypass problems
- Electrical tape: prevent sparks
- Battery or butane soldering iron: for making solid electical repairs
- Flashlight: to shine light on the problem!
- Waterproof matches: to light a fuel lantern or properly prepare a campfire
Hand Protection
- Latex or nitrile gloves
- Sturdy pair of leather gloves
Visit the experts at All Seasons RV to help you stock your RV toolkit!
