What is your "Must have" Over The Road Tool Kit? We are converting our 1987 MCI 102A3 and would like to know what tools you would have on board? We will be on tour for aprox. 2 years+. And where do you stow them? PIC"S PLEASE. We will be making a list. All the Best, Michael & Christi
The LIST:
Coach-Net road service and a high-limit Visa card. Everything else is optional.Sean
Two full sets of combination wrenches from 3/8 to 1-1/4. 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2" socket sets in English
3/8" drive metric sockets
50' of air hose with tire chucks and a blow nozzle
Multimeter
wiring pliers
side cutters
vice grips
water pump pliers
needle nose pliers
forceps
Drawer full of screwdrivers from jewellers' to really big
Hot glue gun
soldering kits
hammers
3/8 cordless drill & a complete drill index
3/4" drive socket set
1" impact with tire sockets to fit the bus
1" breaker bar with a 4 foot snipe
2 x 20 ton bottle jacks
a variety of C-clamps
staple gun
caulking gun
electronic leak detector
Cat 5 cable tester
2 really big (like 14") Crescent wrenches
Oil and fuel filter wrenches
2 1/2 gallon yellow diesel can filled
crimper and a selection of crimp-on electrical terminals
5-tool combo kits, (the kit came with a drill, sabre saw, reciprocating saw, mini circular saw, chain saw, and flashlight
right-angle drill
Jack stands & cribbing
big channel locks
A/C guages
Magnifying glass
dremel tool
bullseye glass repair kits
hacksaw
butane torch
step ladder
those little stretchy numbers with the round ball on the end (?)
And, as we discussed last night, that most versatile tool of all --- the IR thermometer
utility knife
hammer
handheld grinder
heat gun
5 foot folding ladder also stows under a bunk bed inside
I carry a parts drawer set of various lamps ( marker, turn sig etc)
peumatic connectors, Tee's, valves, of various sizes,DOT tubing.
6 amp 12V battery charger
Don't forget the duck tape! (DreamscapeEagle) LOL
3 gal compressor
air assist bottle jack
run up ramps
Pencil and paper for "what if"
DOT flare kit
A piece of Wood to Knock On, Hence " Knock on Wood"
Big tool chest
three orange warning triangles
duct tape and bailing wire
starting fluid
selection of wire ties
WD-40
Table saw, shaper, router, dovetailer lol, glue clamps, assorted saws, drills, pipe clamps, etc, just the basics lol, oh and maybe a cresent wrench and plyers, along with a planer, molder etc.
OK Cody, now thats a cabinet tool kit. M&C
oops sorry lol
With a shop full of tools, and knowing it is not possible to take them all.
I adopted a rule that if I used a wrench or tool when working on or servicing the bus I put a duplicate in the tool box that is carried in the bus.
You never know what you need till you need it. But if you needed it once you can bet you will need it again. :)
This thread ran on Escapees for a while and eventually it comes down to two camps: those who carry EVERYTHING and those who carry as little as possible. We fall in the former category so I'll kick off the list. Two full sets of combination wrenches from 3/8 to 1-1/4. 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2" socket sets in English. 3/8" drive metric sockets. 50' of air hose with tire chucks and a blow nozzle. Multimeter, wiring pliers, side cutters, vice grips, water pump pliers, needle nose pliers, forceps. Drawer full of screwdrivers from jewellers' to really big. Hot glue gun, soldering kits, hammers. 3/8 cordless drill & a complete drill index. Three grease guns and spare cartridges. That's probably the end of the stuff that gets used regularly but its only a fraction of what I carry. There's also a 3/4" drive socket set, a 1" impact with tire sockets to fit the bus, a 1" breaker bar with a 4 foot snipe and 2 x 20 ton bottle jacks. I carry a variety of C-clamps, a staple gun, a caulking gun, an electronic leak detector, a Cat 5 cable tester as well as a bunch of other stuff that I have no doubt forgotten. I've got an 11 drawer mechanic's chest that sits on the end of a set of 5' full extension slides so that I can carry oil, filters, and big tools behind the tool chest. Personally I subscribe to the notion that whoever dies with the most tools wins. YMMV.
Bob's list was a real good start. Personally, I am constantly reaching for two items: my electrical multimeter, and my 3/8" cordless drill. Seems like I can't do anything without one or both of those items being involved. .... Oh, and I would add the imfamous duct tape to Bob's list.
That's easy!
Prevost parts, Central Florida Bus Repair & Jack Conrads phone numbers.
A little dog food for Bud and were good to go!
Ace
Add to that 2 really big (like 14") Crescent wrenches to take care of the really big hydraulic lines (or just carry a very heavy open end wrench set). Remember the more weight you put on the bus, the more fuel it takes to push it. Good Luck, TomC
If I had the choice, I would carry nothing but a check book. Unfortunately, I do pack a pretty full tool box for every trip.
Oil and fuel filter wrenches. You will be changing filters on the road you can plan on it. Also a 2 1/2 gallon yellow diesel can filled with fuel for priming the filters.
Hope that helps
Quote from: Singing Land Cruiser on April 02, 2009, 06:26:54 AM
What is your "Must have" Over The Road Tool Kit? ...
Coach-Net road service and a high-limit Visa card. Everything else is optional.
Seriously, the road service thing is not to be taken lightly. We pay around $100 per year, and even changing one tire will save you more than that amount; a "routine" tow (whatever that is) with a heavy-duty wrecker will cost you upwards of $350. So if you buy just one "tool" for the bus, this would be it.
We're full timers, so we carry every tool we own. I would guess that adds up to nearly a thousand pounds of weight. Before we hit the road, I went through every tool box and shelf and got rid of all my duplicates -- it's amazing over the years just how many #2 Philips drivers one can accumulate.
The other thing I did was to sell off all my cordless power tools, which, while often "best of breed," all needed their own batteries and chargers. Then I went down to Home Depot and bought one of those 5-tool combo kits, so now I have all tools that use the same battery pack and charger (the kit came with a drill, sabre saw, reciprocating saw, mini circular saw, chain saw, and flashlight, and then I added a right-angle drill to the mix). In five years, we've used all the cordless tools at one time or another.
I carry two 20-ton bottle jacks, which have gotten us out of several jams (including tire shops whose floor jacks would not fit under our weird bus). What I don't carry, though, are any tire tools. We don't carry a spare, so having a 5' long lug wrench (or a 1" impact wrench) and other specialized tools doesn't make sense to us. There isn't any place we can drive in North America where we can't get a tire brought to us, along with the tools and a guy who is more capable of humping a 300-lb wheel than I am.
We carry a small spade-type shovel, about 30" or so in length. In addition to being legally required if you are going to build a campfire on public lands, we've had to use it to dig the bus out of soft spots. Sometimes I only need to dig enough to get a board and a jack in the right place, to put more boards under the drivers, or whatever, but it beats digging by hand or with a kitchen spoon.
Absolutely do not leave home without a decent multi-meter. If you have an MSW inverter, then spend the extra bucks to get a "true RMS" type meter, otherwise the generic ones will do fine. Also, get a good crimper and a selection of crimp-on electrical terminals; I can assure you that you will need them at some point.
Outside of that, a normal complement of hand tools, plus a full set of SAE and metric sockets and combination wrenches, should meet most of your needs.
-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com
Land Cruiser,
That's a good list.
I would add.
Jack stands or cribbing, don't depend on the bottle jacks alone when under the coach.
A tray of assorted electrical crimp connections
A pair of really big channel locks, the REALLY big ones.
A/C guages
Magnifying glass
This is the best tool for me..
So I can get a hold of you guys....LOL
Nick-
The most important thing for me is Davids coach repair 828 874 6105
and Reeses wrecker 828 327 0700 ask for jetter.
uncle ned
huggy bear
::)Does anyone have pictures of were and how the stow their tools on board? ::)
I'm with Nick on this one and a cell phone.
A few things I missed that I have since noticed: (in addition to the many other items others have already posted that I initially missed)
- dremel tool seems to get a lot of use
- bullseye glass repair kits from Permatex are must haves if you drive gravel (or sanded roads)
- hacksaw, butane torch, step ladder and those little stretchy numbers with the round ball on the end
And, as we discussed last night, that most versatile tool of all --- the IR thermometer
I carry a tool box full of screw drivers, wire cutters, utility knife, hammer, and the like, another tool box with a full set of sockets and wrenches, and a bag filled with a set of cordless tools. In addition I carry a handheld grinder, heat gun, and a Dremel tool. I also have a 12 gallon rubbermaid container full of various screws and fasteners along with electrical parts like crimpon terminals and heat shrink. A 5 foot folding ladder also stows under a bunk bed inside.
I don't carry any tools remotely big enough to change a tire. I leave that to the tire truck. No jacks either. I do have a 18 gallon Rubbermaid container with spare fuel and oil filters, belts, extra radiator hose/clamps, and extra coolant/oil/tranny fluid.
If something happens that needs bigger tools I probably couldn't fix it anyhow.
I have no set place for tools as everything just gets shoved one of the two open cargo bays. My design purposely only used one full luggage bay for systems to maximize open cargo space.
In addition to all those who have contributed:
I carry a parts drawer set of various lamps ( marker, turn sig etc)
Also one pound coffee can of peumatic connectors, Tee's, valves, of various sizes. I also have a length of DOT tubing.
I, like Belfert have a straight 6' step ladder, almost enough for me to every thing from cleaning windshield, chg marker lights, add antifreeze...
I also carry a 6 amp 12V battery charger, so I can charge a battery separately. Used that bad boy twice, and needed it both times.
With all your "Hammers" you sure qualify as a "HAMMER" mechanic.>>>Dan
Does no one keep a ready supply of alcohol -- for the purpose of promoting creative thought -- in their array of necessary tools????
Melbo
P.S. a leatherman is always handy
All of the above except Cody's wood working tools! Plus a real good 3 hp air compressor I brought from Sears for the times I need more poop!
I'm sure I will find a tool I don't have that I need, but hey, that's half the fun of collecting all the Man Tools we need to service our beasts!
As far as where to put them all, anyplace that you have room! ;D
~Paul~
This is where the freezer used to be, but since owning a bus I've added a lot of tools (toys) ;D
I keep the jack and torque multiplier and big wrenches up front in the little compartment out side at the bottom on the driver side
I have a HF tool bag that all my plumbing tools have collected in i have it on board at a minimum.
Definitely the IR temp sensor and flashlight are must haves.
Hey PP, That is a really nice set up. M&C
You forgot fuzzy dice and a set of wind-up chattering teeth.
First off, I sold my Crown Super Coach and am presently Bus Conversion-less! Augghhhh! Probably not qualified to answer this with my own views.
How about determining the specific use of your Conversion and then determine the specific solutions to your presented potential problems or concerns?
Cell Phones fail. Repair/tire men fail to show up. Perhaps your coach may fail and at the least expected time and place. Why not work backwards for a solution?
My sold Crown was a 10 wheeler and could go places that would puke some SUVs. Not that I would; but it would have taken a tank retriever to pull it out.
If..you limit your touring to the Interstate corrider, then a minimalist approach works fine. We are sooss lucky. However; if you like "off the beaten track", then......?
How about first sit down with your honey and have a fun time planning the actual use of your Bus Conversion? Then play "what if" and work backwards? HB of CJ
tool/parts Post
my favorite tools are a multi meter, 18 V flashlight that runs on the same batts as my drill/screw driver, IR temp sensor, Black duct tape ('cause it looks more "pro"). I also carry full sockets and impacts, 3 gal compressor, air assist bottle jack, and run up ramps. Oh and my tool bucket which is my preferred tool chest at work and has all the little things I need in it (a lot of which are now stuck at the bottom of the deeper pockets) yeah the list goes on..... Grinder and sawzall.....I like the idea of having a dedicated tool chest for the bus but I need my tools for other stuff/vehicles as well.
My favorite tool is the one I need at that time. With so many different systems on the bus (AC & DC electrical, plumbing, tires & brakes, suspension, drive train, etc), it is difficult to list which tool;s are the most important. I do all my own repair work (or at least 98% of it), so I carry everything I can make room for. Jack
I just thought of an important item that I think has been missed so far - a DOT flare kit. Just because we aren't legally obligated to carry them doesn't make them any less essential if you are broke down on the side of the road.
An old truck driver told me long ago that if you leave on your trip in good shape you will most likely get home in good shape. I subscribe to this theory and it has served me well. I do carry some tools but other than trailer light wires I do not remember anything that has ever quit on the road. ( knock on wood)
The place to start would be with the biggest tool you need. . .the tool chest itself.
Make sure you get one big enough to store all your tools plus lots of room for the other ones you will collect!
There is nothing more frustrating than spending half your time looking for tools or buying more because you just can't find what you need!
Happy trails. . .
Jim
I forgot to mention I do have a set of three orange warning triangles.
I have had exactly one breakdown on the bus on the road. A coolant hose wasn't properly clamped after replacing the water pump and radiator. It didn't start leaking for almost 1,000 miles. We had an issue with our trailer last year, but that was caused due to loose cargo getting caught between trailer frame and tire.
Burbon, a lawn chair, and an umbrella, if I can't roll out the awning. ;D There is no way that you can carry all of the tools that you need. If you could then where do you put the spare parts? I've spent many years on the road fixing things with duct tape and bailing wire to get me to a shop if needed or home (preferred). Sometimes it works, sometimes you just need road service. A basic set of hand tools, a filter wrench, fuel to prime, extra fuel filters, (which should be changed if they are questionable as this will save you many headaches) and starting fluid (often used as a torch or for starting fires). Just remember that most major cities have someone who will come out and do roadside repairs for a price. You just have to decide if standing outside in sub zero or rainy weather is worth the price. My favorite saying is "It's all part of the adventure."
My road service, which I am changing (poor performance) from coach-net to Good Sam
Luke and Bill's # 888-coach-34
John
I have read all of the suggestions, and forgive if I missed this, but the only time I was ever "alongside the road" was after going thru an OK toll booth, and noticed I was listing to the left. I paid my toll, pulled ahead and to the right out of the way. Obviously, my left rear air suspension had a problem. I did not know the nature of the problem and the bus was wayyyyy too low to crawl under there. I bottled jacked it partially up and could see that my leveling valve arm was no longer connected to the upright strut from the axle. I reached in with a long screw driver and adjusted the arm so that the air bags would fill (the bus was still running). Then, I reached in with one hand and threaded a WIRE TIE thru the hole where a BOLT should normally be. I cinched it up, and then added yet another WIRE TIE for redundancy. So....like duct tape.....I never leave home without a selection of wire ties....and they do not take up much room.
We live in NASCAR country...(I'm not braggin' bout' it...just a fact)...and we were taught years ago that you onl.y need two tools;
If it's stuck and shouldn't be...use WD-40.
If it's loose and shouldn't be use duct tape...or as we call it, '200 MPH tape'!
PP...when I saw that nice little slide drawer on the toolbox I looked at Dianne and said "Look at this...what an ...-....!LOL ;D Neat buddy...nice job!
OT...when the Superbird's, Talladega's, you know...the wings cars came out...Duct Tape was pretty new. They would wreck the crap out of a winged car...throw a bunch of Duct Tape on it and low and behold it got faster. They learned two things...sometimes it help to disturb the air...and also that if they made the car in a teardrop shape...almost like an egg...with the pointy end to the rear...it would really go FAST!
I would like to Thank each one of You for all your great input with regards to bobofthenorth for kicking it off. This list gives me my christmas list for years to come. Now that we have our tools, were do we put them in our bus? Please see new thread.Tool Storage in our buses. Pic's Please All the Best, M&C
M&C,
Great thead.
John