Tools for the Car.

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Damascus

Native
Dec 3, 2005
1,662
194
65
Norwich
I Second the tarp, I carry a heavy gauge plastic sheet, ever changed a tyre when the ground is soaked and some where safe to lay the nuts on, simples!
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,983
7,760
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
I'd still be equally entertained and interested in what such a list may entail.

You teach for green lane type stuff?

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
Additional recovery equipment:
  • 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
Toolkit and repair kit
  • 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
Personal and Safety Equipment
  • 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
Extended kit list

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
 
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Oliver G

Full Member
Sep 15, 2012
392
286
Ravenstone, Leicestershire
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.
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,983
7,760
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
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.

I've replaced a cylinder head gasket by the side of the road in my youth :)

I wouldn't do it now mind!
 
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slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,982
934
Devon
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!
 
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Silverclaws2

Nomad
Dec 30, 2019
287
155
56
Devon
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.
 
Last edited:

Rustyspurs

Member
Feb 7, 2021
32
15
45
N.Ireland
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.
 

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,691
710
-------------
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
Additional recovery equipment:
  • 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
Toolkit and repair kit
  • 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
Personal and Safety Equipment
  • 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
Extended kit list

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 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.
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.
 
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Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,440
2,863
W.Sussex
So what tools do people suggest or keep in their Cars ?

Beyond HiViz jacket, Gloves, Headtorch, Jumper Cables and an Emergency air inflator what else would you say is a prudent inclusion for not just 4x4 but your everyday get around car.

Space tends to be limited in many cars so the suggestion of an 18" bar Chainsaw for those oh so tricky but improbable ' trees across road' scenarios may get omitted from the list.



( List mainly for United Kingdom - So things like Bear Spray , Kevlar Body armour and EPIRB are also unlikely to be included )



Thank You.
Tools. Everyone should have a Bahco 31.

D40F4DE8-DCFD-45C8-B8F3-B56A0C31CD95.jpeg
Feeler gauge, adjustable, built way over spec, and a pipe grip.
 
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Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,440
2,863
W.Sussex
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.

 
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