Tools for the Car.
- Thread starter TeeDee
- Start date
OK, for entertainment's sake
and this isn't even everything. I realize this is beyond what you were asking for but just pick and choose. If you want a full discourse on tool kits for trekking, recovery and vehicle survival I recommend 'Vehicle-dependent Expedition Guide' by Tom Sheppard.I used to deliver the training for a response group and I've given people training for overland trekking.
Basic recovery kit:
- Rated tow rope or tow strop
- Rated shackles – various sizes
- Spade or shovel – ideally not a folding shovel
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Jump leads
- Tyre pump
- Torch
- Work gloves
- Hi-vis jacket or vest
- Safety boots or rugged footwear
- Warning triangle (ideally two)
- Toolkit (see below)
- Multi-size wheel brace (and security wheel nut keys)
- Standard jack – scissors or bottle jack
- Club hammer
- Rated winch – hand, electric or petrol
- Winch blanket/sail
- High lift jack or air jack
- Snatch block/pulley
- Short, rated, strops for pulley and remote anchoring
- Grip mats/waffle boards
- Snow chains
- Shortening chain
- Ring and open spanners (from 8mm to 22mm ideally)
- Adjustable spanner
- Pliers
- Long-nosed pliers
- Wire cutters
- Flat blade and crosshead screwdrivers
- Mole grips
- Mini hacksaw
- Small socket set
- Allen keys
- Tiewraps
- A selection of jubilee clips
- 10A (min) electrical cable
- Insulation tape
- Waterproof tank tape
- Two-part rapid epoxy adhesive
- A selection of M6 and M8 bolts, washers and nuts
- Vehicle fuses
- Spare warm clothes
- Waterproof clothing
- Sleeping bag and/or blankets
- Food for two people for 24 hrs min (not requiring heating)
- Water for two people for 24 hrs min
- Maps of the area being covered
- Compass
- First aid kit (see separate list)
- Stove and boiling vessel
- matches and/or lighter
- Communications equipment – phone and/or radio
For extended periods away from civilisation consider:
- Vehicle spares – such as alternator, fuel pump, fuel filter, tyre inner-tube etc.
- Hacksaw (full size)
- Battery drill, drill bits and charger
- Wire crimp terminals and crimp tool
- Tyre levers
I'd recommend a Bahco SL25 kit, or imperial alternative. It's compact and bijoux but will do you for what you need for 90% of road side fixable issues. things like changing light bulbs, tightening up alternator belts, and removing hoses to ducktape.
If there's something you can't do with that kit then you probably need a tow anyway, then it'll be time to get under the blanket and sleep til help arrives.
If there's something you can't do with that kit then you probably need a tow anyway, then it'll be time to get under the blanket and sleep til help arrives.
I've replaced a cylinder head gasket by the side of the road in my youth
I wouldn't do it now mind!
I actually carry a spare collar and lead for stray dogs I might come across. I also carry small bike tool kit for similar reasons.
As for my car, just the usual small socket set, screw driver, pliers, foot pump (or self inflating can), high vis, fire extinguisher and warning sign.
With modern cars there's little that can be done to fix them roadside these days. I've even heard front lightbulbs requiring almost the whole front end of a car needing to be dismantled to replace!
As for my car, just the usual small socket set, screw driver, pliers, foot pump (or self inflating can), high vis, fire extinguisher and warning sign.
With modern cars there's little that can be done to fix them roadside these days. I've even heard front lightbulbs requiring almost the whole front end of a car needing to be dismantled to replace!
Not much these days, not much beyond, breakdown stuff, essential fluids, stirrup pump and pressure gauge ( I got a leaking rim) and a few spares, repair manual, bulbs, fuses. valve cores etc as it doesn't go far, mind, I don't trust it to go far. What I do have is good breakdown cover.
And why 'not much these days', why, because, despite my car being 20 years old, I no longer have a car I can beyond the basics do much to, so no point even carrying my tool box.
As to think, the last major breakdown this car had; a failed cylinder head gasket to the point I had steam coming out the exhaust, I managed to nurse it home through stopping every few miles to top the coolant up.
In fact the only time I have been in a position to use the tools I carried was when I ran an air cooled camper, to once whilst camping pull the engine out to attend to a sticky clutch release bearing.
And why 'not much these days', why, because, despite my car being 20 years old, I no longer have a car I can beyond the basics do much to, so no point even carrying my tool box.
As to think, the last major breakdown this car had; a failed cylinder head gasket to the point I had steam coming out the exhaust, I managed to nurse it home through stopping every few miles to top the coolant up.
In fact the only time I have been in a position to use the tools I carried was when I ran an air cooled camper, to once whilst camping pull the engine out to attend to a sticky clutch release bearing.
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Not trying to be a smart bottom here, just honest. All i need is my mobile phone, warning triangle and normal wheel changing kit.
Anything else is weight and space in the car that i will never use.
Anything else is weight and space in the car that i will never use.
I reckon I have about half of that list in my van at any time anyway as I'm a subcontractor carpenter and a lot of those are needed for work.OK, for entertainment's sake
I used to deliver the training for a response group and I've given people training for overland trekking.
Basic recovery kit:
Additional recovery equipment:
- Rated tow rope or tow strop
- Rated shackles – various sizes
- Spade or shovel – ideally not a folding shovel
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Jump leads
- Tyre pump
- Torch
- Work gloves
- Hi-vis jacket or vest
- Safety boots or rugged footwear
- Warning triangle (ideally two)
- Toolkit (see below)
- Multi-size wheel brace (and security wheel nut keys)
- Standard jack – scissors or bottle jack
- Club hammer
Toolkit and repair kit
- Rated winch – hand, electric or petrol
- Winch blanket/sail
- High lift jack or air jack
- Snatch block/pulley
- Short, rated, strops for pulley and remote anchoring
- Grip mats/waffle boards
- Snow chains
- Shortening chain
Personal and Safety Equipment
- Ring and open spanners (from 8mm to 22mm ideally)
- Adjustable spanner
- Pliers
- Long-nosed pliers
- Wire cutters
- Flat blade and crosshead screwdrivers
- Mole grips
- Mini hacksaw
- Small socket set
- Allen keys
- Tiewraps
- A selection of jubilee clips
- 10A (min) electrical cable
- Insulation tape
- Waterproof tank tape
- Two-part rapid epoxy adhesive
- A selection of M6 and M8 bolts, washers and nuts
- Vehicle fuses
Extended kit list
- Spare warm clothes
- Waterproof clothing
- Sleeping bag and/or blankets
- Food for two people for 24 hrs min (not requiring heating)
- Water for two people for 24 hrs min
- Maps of the area being covered
- Compass
- First aid kit (see separate list)
- Stove and boiling vessel
- matches and/or lighter
- Communications equipment – phone and/or radio
For extended periods away from civilisation consider:
- Vehicle spares – such as alternator, fuel pump, fuel filter, tyre inner-tube etc.
- Hacksaw (full size)
- Battery drill, drill bits and charger
- Wire crimp terminals and crimp tool
- Tyre levers
Not got jump leads or a decent towrope cos I lent mine to my brother. Never to be seen again. To be fair those are the two main items as well.
Tools. Everyone should have a Bahco 31.
Feeler gauge, adjustable, built way over spec, and a pipe grip.
I’d also recommend a Wera screwdriver set. I bought a Wera Kraftform Kompact to save space on tools in the camper and despite the initial gasp at the price, I’ve been really happy with it.
www.toolstation.com
Wera KK20 Multi Function Screwdriver in Pouch
2 position blade - extended as shown or retracted in 'stubby' mode. Features Rapidaptor bit holder for one-hand bit change, detaches for use with power tools.Multi-component Kraftform handle for comfort during extended use. Push button pop-up bit storage for six 25mm screwdriver bits. Includes...
www.toolstation.com