Having a few basic tools on board your RV or tow vehicle or in your camp kit-- and some basic mechanical skills -- can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and an extremely uncomfortable situation or even disaster. Whether your RV is motorized, you're towing a trailer with another vehicle, or you're car camping, you have a motor vehicle of some kind that will require regular maintenance and sometimes may need emergency repairs. If you don't already know now, learn how to diagnose and repair simple problems, such as a leaky radiator or heater hose or a slipping or damaged fan belt. If you are camping in a remote area, it is often a good idea to carry spare radiator and heater hoses and fan belts, since these rubber items can sometimes fail without warning. And, of course, check your belts and hoses before you leave home. If your outings include any motorized toys, make sure you gain some understanding of their mechanical components. Things that go wrong with Jet Skis and how to fix them can be quite different than the problems you might encounter with dirt bikes or ATVs. Having done some work on your lawnmower at home might be better than nothing, but actually knowing specifics about your machines will be of most benefit.
Make sure the tools you have are appropriate to your vehicle or vehicles. If you bring motorized toys with you (dirt bikes, ATVs, Jetkis, snowmobiles, etc) they may require different tools than your main transportation. For example, I thought I was well prepared for my first dirt bike outing. For years I had carried a rather complete tool set in my RV. To my great disappointment and embarrassment, I quickly discovered that the SAE tools that were adequate for my American made motor home were totally useless on the metric fasteners on my Japanese dirt bikes. My motorcycle trailer is now equipped with a pretty complete set of both SAE and metric tools, along with specialty tools for the dirt bikes. Most tasks can be almost fun when you have the right tools and skills. Conversely, even the simplest task can be a pain the neck (or about 2' lower!) when you don't.
Relevant owners manuals are essential and shop manuals will be even more helpful if you want to do any of your own mechanical work.
Basic hand tools. If you're already a pretty good do-it-yourselfer, you probably have a good idea what tools you use most. For the newcomers, here are some suggestions:
* Pliers
* Screwdrivers (a variety of sizes of flat and Phillips)
* Hammer
* Socket set
* Combination wrench set
* Adjustable ("Cresent") wrenches
* 12-volt test light
* electrical tape
Some optional items I've found really helpful include:
* Diagonals (special cutting pliers)
* Wire crimpers
* T-handle sockets
* T-handle allen wrenches
* Wire tie pliers (for securing OHV hand grips)
* Hot vulcanizing tire patch kit
* File
* Hair spray (to treat slipping fan belts and for installing OHV hand grips)
* Cable ties
Basic outdoor tools. Some basic outdoor tools will make life around camp easier. They would include:
* Axe
* Shovel
* Rake
* Wood splitting wedge
If you cut a lot of firewood a chain saw may also be helpful.
Many stores offer "automotive" tool kits designed to carry in the trunk of your car. I've seen them for around $30-$50 and many have most of the basic tools mentioned above. They usually come in a blow-molded plastic case that keeps them clean and organized and is easy to transport and store. If you don't have any tools, picking up one of these would be a good investment. You will likely pay more for brand names like Craftsman, Crescent, and Husky, but in my experience, it pays off. Cheap tools too frequently are of poor quality and lack precision. That makes them hard to work with and they may slip and damage your equipment. They often break just when you need them most. When that happens at home it is irritating and inconvenient. When it happens in a remote camp site, it can waste a lot of time and getting things repaired can be expensive. I like tools with a "lifetime guarantee". While it is nice to be able to get a free replacement when something breaks, it is even nicer to have things that don't break -- an no manufacturer wants to give away a lot of free tools so those with lifetime guarantees are usually more durable. And not all tools with a lifetime guaranty are high priced. Harbor Freight offers a lifetime guaranty on all their Pittsburg (house brand) hand tools. I have had a few opportunities to exercise their lifetime guaranty and they have always honored it pleasantly with no hassle but for the most part their tools have served me well.
Socket sets come in a wide variety of prices and quality. They also come in different sizes ranging from little 1/4" drive sets that handle small fasteners to 3/4" drive sets mostly used on heavy equipment. While you can often find inexpensive combination sets that include 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sets, my personal experience with them has not been good. I've found it to be a much better investment to buy better quality individual sets in each size. You'll pay about as much for each better set as you would for one cheap combination set, but it will pay off. Better quality sockets an ratchets will work much better and last much longer -- and avoid a lot of stripped fasteners and skinned knuckles!
Combination wrench sets also come in a lot of configurations. Small sets may only have 5 or 6 wrenches, with the largest usually 9/16" or 5/8". Larger sets will be more complete, usually going from 1/4" to 1" by eighths of an inch. Better quality sets will be more precise and will fit the nuts and bolts better. I like ones with nice sharp edges where they grip the fasteners. I also prefer polished tools rather than textured ones. I find they're easier to keep clean and they look nice.
RV specialty tools. RVs often have fasteners with special heads. Square drive and torx (star) drive screws are often used on paneling and to secure windows and roof vents. It is a good idea to check to see what your RV has and pick up a matching driver. Keeping these fasteners snug can prevent extended damage that would far exceed the nominal cost of the tool.
OHV specialty tools. Some OHVs required special tools for even routine tasks. I've had dirt bikes that required custom spark plug wrenches. It is literally impossible to change the spark plugs without them. No standard spark plug wrench or even deep well socket will work. Some other handy items are spanners for adjusting shocks and tightening steering heads. A spring puller for exhaust springs will save injuries (and loss of blood!) and lots of time, frustration and cursing. You might get by using a screwdriver to remove the springs and some pliers to put them back on, but once you've used a spring puller, you won't want to waste time -- and skin off your knuckles -- doing it any other way. Because of how we tend to line up our eyesight to get the best view of pulling a spring into place, eyes are often the first and worst casualties when a spring slips. Usually it only throws dirt and grease but a flying spring can do serious and permanent damage to delicate eye tissue. A proper spring puller minimizes the risk. Another handy tool for OHVs with handlebars is a pair of safety wire pliers. These are used to tighten and secure safety wire on hand grips.
Duct tape is always a good thing to have around. You may be able to use it to effect a good enough repair on a damaged radiator hose to limp back to civilization -- or to temporarily repair a damaged hinge on a cooler. It is good for temporary repairs on tears in awnings and tents and I've even used it to hold loose siding on a trailer until I could get it home and make permanent repairs. You can use it to secure a cracked or broken window to keep out the weather and prevent further damage and possible injuries. It is also a good way to secure splints when someone is injured.
Hair spray sprayed on a slipping fan belt will often provide enough extra stickiness to get you home or to a repair station. If the belt is really loose, you'll need to tighten the adjustment. This usually is done my loosening the bolts attaching the alternator to its bracket and pushing the alternator out until the belt is tight, then re-tightening the bolts. Don't over tighten a belt. It will put stress on the pulley and bearings in the alternator and any other belt-driven accessories (like A/C, power steering, and smog pumps). Hair spray is also good for installing hand grips on handlebars. It temporarily lubricates the surface to make installation easier, then dries to hold it in place like glue. You can buy special grip cement, but I've found hair spray works just about as well and is much cheaper. You can even buy it at your local dollar store.
I carry a variety of size and colors of plastic cable ties. They have endless uses, such as repairing cracks in OHV plastic parts, anchoring tarps, securing gas lines, and makeshift boot latch repairs.
Your RV contains many of the same systems as your house: water, power, heating, cooling, sewer and failure of any of these components can put a serious damper on most outings. Most of these systems are engineered for a mobile existence, but the constant vibration and stress of travel, often over rough roads or no roads at all, can eventually take their toll -- as does ordinary wear and tear. Invest a little time reviewing the operator's manuals for each of you RV appliances and comply with required maintenance to avoid unnecessary problems. These manuals may prove to be an invaluable source of information if you experience an unexpected failure, especially if you are in a remote location. Make sure your tool box includes tools for tightening loose water or propane connections and familiarize yourself with where these fittings are. Propane leaks may be initially detected by the nasty odor present in the gas, even if you haven't yet been alerted by the "gas sniffer" alarm that should be present and functional in all RVs. To confirm the specific location of a propane leak, apply a soapy water solution to the suspect fittings or pipes. Any leak will cause the solution to bubble. The rate of bubbling and size of the bubbles will be an indicator of the size of the leak. Leaking water pipes can usually be discerned from wetness in the area, drips from pipes or fittings, or a mist or spray at the site of the leak. Sometimes, fittings can work loose from vibration, twisting of the RV body, or from expansion and contraction from heating and cooling. Simple re-tightening them may seal the leak. But be careful not to over-tighten any connection. You may just make things worse. If you damage the connector or the threads, it may have to be replaced entirely in order to be repaired. If a propane pipe or tube has been damaged and is leaking anywhere but at a fitting, it cannot be repaired in the field and must be replaced as soon as possible. Turn off the propane at the tank and do not turn it back on again until the damaged parts have been repaired or replaced. Leaking propane can accumulate and result in a rather spectacular (and deadly) explosion. Leaking water pipes create less of an immediate hazard, but left alone can soak surrounding parts of the coach and cause bad smells and extended damage that can be time consuming and expensive to repair. If you have a leak, turn off the city water faucet or the RV water pump whenever you aren't actively using water to minimize collateral damage -- and loss of fresh water.
Gadgets. As you experience the RV lifestyle, pay attention to your fellow campers. You will learn lots of tips and tricks from them -- which gadgets are the most useful, how to choose utensils that have multiple uses to minimize how much junk you carry around with you, what things make your camp outs less work and more fun. An uncle of mine introduced me to camp fire pie makers -- little long-handled fold-over cookers into which you place slices of bread, filled between with pie filling. They take up little room and create really tasty treats from simple, easy, inexpensive ingredients. There are special cook sets designed for camping and RVing that store within themselves to take up minimal room while providing a variety of cooking options. A lot of camping "tricks" are just simple common sense. For example, bring along a shampoo/conditioner/body wash combination instead of three separate bottles to save space and weight without sacrificing functionality. Gadgets tend to fall into three categories: RV accessories, tools, and toys. RV accessories will make camping less work and more fun. Tools will minimize repair time and, by selecting multi-purpose tools you may be able to reduce weight and space needed for tools. Good tools are just plain fun to have and use and enhance the overall "get away from it all" experience.
Tools for your OHV. OHVs often require some special tools, sometimes to perform routine functions like changing a spark plug. If a toolkit came with your OHV, make sure you bring it a long. Keep it on the OHV or in your fanny pack if possible for emergency on-the-trail repairs. Some other things I've found handy over the years include a tire patching kit -- I like the hot-vulcanizing patches. They stick better than the common peel-and-stick patches often used on bicycle tires. Another handy specialty tool is a cable-oiler. It clamps around the upper end of a control cable and has a rubber fitting where you can insert the tube from a can of WD-40 or any other appropriate lubricant to force oil all the way through the cable. I have found that T-handle socket wrenches make repairs on my dirt bikes a lot easier and faster than conventional wrenches or socket sets. Same with T-handle allen wrenches. Some sets even include T-handle screwdrivers. If you ever have to deal with the exhaust pipes, a spring puller tool will prevent a lot of cursing, skinned knuckles, chasing errant springs and will speed repairs. I may have gone overboard, but I even carry a bench grinder and a small acetylene welding set. In addition to an electric powered bench grinder I can use when running the RV generator, I managed to find a crank-operated, manual grinder for off-the-grid use. A manual tire pump is a necessity for any wheeled toys and an electric-powered air compressor (12 volt or 120 volt) is a nice upgrade. I keep a small 120-volt "pancake" compressor in my motorcycle trailer. It makes tire repairs a lot faster and easier and supplies air for a variety of tools and cleaning tasks. An inexpensive cordless drill is another convenient addition. You may not have the need or the room for my extra, "luxury" power tools, but I mention them as a potential service and because they have made my off-road life easier -- and assisted a number of my fellow campers on more than one occasion. If you decide to include cordless power tools, be sure to check and recharge the batteries regularly.
Race kit. Ever since I got my first enclosed motorcycle trailer I've maintained a set of tools and spare parts in the trailer so I'm not caught off-guard 150 miles from the nearest bike shop like I was on our first outing. When my daughter started racing -- and often going to races by herself and doing her own wrenching -- I put together a "race kit" -- a single tool box containing essential tools so she'd be prepared. And, yes, my beauty-pageant contestant daughter did her own wrenching on her dirt bikes when she was racing. Even after she stopped racing we've kept the race kit for outings when, for whatever reason, we don't take the big trailer. It takes only a half a minute to grab the kit and it has saved more than one outing. For many people, my race kit would be all the tools they'd ever need and wouldn't have to stock their trailer. I may have gone over-board in the tool department in my trailer, but it is nice to know I have the tools to handle just about any repair that can be done in the field. And I like them to be convenient to find and to use. It is pretty frustrating if you discover a loose bolt just before a ride and spend 20 minutes looking for the tool to tighten it -- and any fellow riders who are waiting for you are going to get ticked off. If it happens too often you'll start getting left behind.
Tool organization and maintenance. You are going to want to keep your tools clean, in good repair, and well-organized. Dirty tools are cumbersome to use and can damage fasteners and your body when they slip. Check your tools often and discard and replace any that are bent or damaged. Clean your tools after each use. Never put them away wet or greasy. Store them in appropriate tool boxes that allow you to organize them so you can easily find what you need when you need it. If you can't find it when you need it, you might as well not have it. You'd be better off leaving things at home and saving the weight than have things you can't find.
Trail tricks. If you do any amount of trail riding -- or even hiking -- eventually you will have something break when you're far away from your base camp. Fortunately, the tools you need to take care of most hiking repairs are small, lightweight, and fit easily into your pack or on your belt. A good "multi-tool" like Leatherman pliers gives you most of the implements you need to effect emergency tent, pack, clothing, and pack frame repairs. If your sport includes off highway vehicles you'll want to carry a little more. Fortunately, you can usually get the tools you will need most into a fanny pack style tool kit or a fender bag that attaches to your OHV. When selecting tools to bring along look for compact tools that can serve more than one purpose. A small adjustable wrench comes in handy. Unfortunately, I've found that they often contain enough slack to let them slip, especially on smaller nuts and bolts so I try to carry combination wrenches to fit the most common fasteners on my dirt bike. I also picked up a small t-handle socket set with just one handle and interchangeable sockets that make trail repairs quick and easy and don't round off fasteners. I once was heavily teased, even chastised, by another rider, an editor of a major motorcycle publication, about the number of tools in my fender bag. It wasn't 20 minutes later I came across him broken down on the trail and now VERY glad for my "everything but the kitchen sink" tool kit. His face literally lit up when he saw me coming and I never got any more flack from him. A tool roll is a good way to keep tools clean and organized and prevent them from rubbing through the fabric of a tool pack and getting lost. I once picked up almost a complete trail kit that had fallen out from some unfortunate rider's tool kit along the trail. Never could identify the owner so they made a nice contribution to my own tools. Been on the other end of that loosing situation too. My wife once lost her entire fanny pack with all of its tools and parts. Even though we retraced our route we never did find it. Someone must have picked it up before we could get back for it. I have since installed an extra snap link behind the buckles of all our off road packs to prevent them from falling off if the buckle breaks or comes apart.
Spray the inside of new handle-bar grips with hair spray. It will make it easier to slide them on and when it dries it helps hold them in place. You can also buy special grip glue at your local motorcycle shop, but I've found hair spray works just about as well. It can also sometimes be used to temporarily treat slipping fan belt. And its a lot cheaper than grip glue, especially if you buy it at the dollar store. And who knows, you might even use it to control "helmet hair" after a ride so you feel more presentable at the campfire. Wire tie pliers are really handy for securely fastening grips to handle bars. You can twist the wires with ordinary pliers, but wire tie pliers make it a lot easier and give much neater results.
If you don't have a chain breaker you can usually grind or file down the end of the pins in chain so you can drive it out to shorten it or make other repairs. I splurged and bought a small electric bench grinder for my motorcycle trailer. I have to run the RV generator to get power to run it. I also have a hand-crank operated grinder I picked up at a garage sale for when I don't have power. I just need to recruit one of my kids or a fellow camper to crank it so I can focus on the grinding. It can be done by one person, but it isn't easy, cranking with one hand and trying to guide the object being ground with the other. Two hands are much better, which reminds me of the teen age boy who, when stopped by a police officer for driving with only one hand on the wheel ( the other arm was wrapped around his girl friend's shoulder and holding her tight) was, asked "Don't you know you're supposed to use both hands?" to which he replied "Yeah, but I needed one for driving!"
Shiny tools appeal to me. Nice chrome-plated or polished wrenches and socket sets have almost the same attraction to me that jewelry does for most women. (But I believe my tools are far more practical!) Some people like the textured surfaces for extra grip but smooth surfaces are easier to clean and usually more comfortable to hold. For the most part you don't rely on surface friction to hold onto your tools. Keep your eyes open for bargains whenever you're in your favorite auto parts store or home center. I got sets of both SAE and Metric "Gearwinder" wrench sets for half price at my local Lowes. These are not as essential as regular wrenches can handle most tasks, but I have found them useful -- they save time and they are kind of fun to use. My wife, knowing my passion for tools, bought me a set of Craftsman "cross force" wrenches for Christmas a year or so ago. These come in solid, combination wrenches, as well as fancy racheting tools like "Gearwinders". What makes them unique is the handles are twisted so the flat side rather than the edge is against your palm when exerting force to loosen or tighten fasteners. Given how much more comfortable they are it is amazing that someone didn't think of this a long time ago! Another useful option are "Metrinch" tools that combine metric and SAE tools in a single set, reducing the weight and space you need to transport and store them. Note some metric sizes have interchangable SAE sizes -- 14 mm and 9/16" wrenches and sockets are essentially the same size, But others aren't. A 1/2' SAE is smack in between 12 mm and 13 mm metric sizes. A 12 mm won't fit on a 1/2" fastener and a 13 mm will be in danger of slipping and rounding off the head.
There are a few power tools you might find useful to bring along. The first that comes to mind is a cordless drill/driver. I also like to have a cordless impact wrench for use on my dirt bikes (especially when working on the clutch!). My favorite tool is a 4 volt Worx screwdriver with an extendable shaft. It is small and light weight but remarkably powerful. Power tools can save a lot of time keeping fasteners tight on RVs.
OHV riders will want to carry tools with them on the trail. There are many fine bags designed for this purpose. I have used fanny packs, tank bags, and fender bags. I once got a deal on several denim shaving kits at a liquidation store that I adapted as fender bags and they actually outlasted some of the expensive tool bags I bought from a motorcycle shop. Some riders prefer using a back pack. My daughter had a teddy-bear back pack she wore while racing. It was more attractive and feminine than an ordinary back pack and helped us identify her on the trail. Everyone at the races knew the "girl with the teddy bear pack". There are specially designed off-road fanny packs with pockets for tools and compartments for other necessities. If your fanny pack doesn't have tool pockets, you can buy a tool roll or make one from the leg of an old pair of jeans. In addition to basic tools, I carry a flashlight, a chemical light stick, a pocket first aid kit, a water-proof container for matches, and a flint and steel fire starter. I try to keep a poncho and/or emergency blanket in my tool kit too, in case I get caught out in the rain or have to spend the night along the trail. "Space blankets" are aluminized mylar and take up about as much room as a folded handkerchief but are said to retain about 70% or so of your body heat, which could be life-saving if you're caught out in cold weather over night. In hot weather they make a pretty darn good sun shade. Since they shine like a mirror they can also be used for signalling.
Spare parts and supplies are essential to keeping up with what happens during an outing. Brake and clutch levers are frequently damaged on dirt bikes and ATVs. Shift levers run a close second. Having spares on hand can save your weekend. Engine oil and other necessary lubricants are necessary to keep things working smoothly. Some extra coolant and brake fluid may be needed to top things off between rides. A variety of fasteners (nuts, bolts, washers, screws, cable ties) gives you an alternative to sidelining a vehicle or making a trip to town for parts in many cases. When I first started riding I got the mechanic at my local motorcycle shop to cough up a can full of spare nuts and bolts from his stash. These days you can buy kits containing the most commonly used fasteners for almost any brand of off road vehicle -- or a "universal" kit. Nice thing about these are they're all brand new and shiny. They fit right and look good. They can run as much as about $50, but are well worth it. I like to watch for them on sale and stock up then, often getting them for under $20! You won't need or want to carry all this stuff on the trail but having adequate replacement parts back in camp has saved more than one outing for me and my group.
One of my favorite campfire safety tricks is one I learned from my little sister. Use a stick to hold wood when splitting it for kindling instead of holding it with your fingers. If you should miss, you only shorten the stick and not your fingers, which are difficult to reattach and won't grow back.
Trick or Treat?
Pick the tools and tricks that will be a treat to use.
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