What Tenting Tools Do I Want? A Full Record
Campers and RVs are going to want some routine upkeep and sometimes some repairs. You by no means know what the street will deliver, so be ready.
Have the best instruments readily available to make some easy repairs for higher journeys. There are additionally some instruments to maintain at house that may make upkeep simpler. Most of the instruments listed are ones you could have already got, however investing in a set to maintain within the camper will preserve them prepared while you want them.
LOOK AROUND
Earlier than you construct your camper’s instrument package, stroll round it to see what varieties and sizes of fasteners it has, and be sure to have them in your instrument package. Nothing can be extra irritating than getting out your screwdrivers to tighten up a few free screws solely to seek out everyone seems to be held along with Torx screws and all you may have is Philips.
TOOLS FOR THE CAMPER
- 10-1 screwdriver
- Socket set
- Hammer
- Degree
- Huge flat-head screwdriver
- Pliers
- Multi-tool
- Tire gauge
- Inflator – 12v
- 110 to 12 v converter
- Security glasses
- Silicone
- Hatchet
- Noticed
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Duct tape
- Wd40
- Wenches
- ½ impression gun
- Bottle jack
- Lego leveling blocks
- Multi-tester
- Non-contact tester
- Zip ties
TOOLS TO KEEP AT HOME
- Grease gun
- Wash brush
- Flooring jack
- Jack stands
- Caulk gun
- RV caulk
TOOLS TO STORE IN YOUR CAMPER
Wrenches and a socket set (mechanics instruments)
I all the time have a 275-piece mechanics instrument package in my truck. To spherical out the package, I included some pliers and screwdrivers. The package contains 14-inch, 3/8-inch, and 12-inch ratchets, in addition to customary and metric sockets. Wrenches in each customary and metric sizes. That is greater than I would like and has extra sizes than the truck and trailer have, however at the very least I do know I’ve it. I’ve hardly ever want however have been glad to have with me on a number of events. Like that point on the best way to work {that a} caliper bolt got here free or when the battery died within the car parking zone of Huge R. I had the entire crucial instruments and accomplished the repairs proper there within the car parking zone.
As a result of the package lacked the right dimension for the plug/anode rod on the water heater, I added that socket to the package. This package contains the right dimension lug nuts for the trailer and truck. It additionally features a multibit screwdriver, Allen wrenches, and mixture wrenches in each customary and metric sizes. The fantastic thing about these kits is that they preserve all the things collectively and arranged in a plastic case.
Should you don’t have a giant package, a 12 inch ratchet or breaker bar with the right socket for the trailer and a small 3/8 inch ratchet and customary and metric sockets ought to cowl a lot of the sizes in your camper. With an adjustable wrench, you need to have the ability to tighten any free nuts or bolts out of your travels.
Toolbox
Begin by making a instrument field to carry all the things in your tenting instrument package. It doesn’t must be fancy however get a high quality one with a superb latch. A 20-inch field held all the things for me as a result of a lot of my instruments are already within the truck.
Screw drivers
A ten-1 screw driver will get you a lot of the sizes and kinds present in a camper. A multibit sort with a big package with plenty of sorts of bits may also get the job accomplished. The ten-1 contains among the extra widespread sizes of Philips, flat blade, torx, sq. bits, and nut drivers. A really massive flat blade can be beneficial as a result of it may be used as a pry bar if crucial.
Hammer
Preserve a hammer readily available for driving tent stakes or in the event you arrive at your campsite and uncover some free nails protruding from the picnic desk. I additionally preserve a hatchet within the camper the making kindling.
Pliers and different multi-tools
Needle nostril, channel locks, and multi-tool. Most needle nostril pliers include a wire cutter, which might be helpful if it is advisable to make any electrical repairs. The channel locks are designed for pipe repairs or gripping any nuts or bolts which might be bigger than the sockets or wrenches you may have readily available. The multitool will embody a knife and a file, in addition to some extras that can be helpful.
Degree
If you arrive at your campsite, the extent is used to stage the camper. You will get ranges the connect to the camper. I merely preserve an affordable 2 foot stage within the camper. A small 9-inch torpedo stage may also suffice and can match neatly right into a instrument field.
Electrical testers
{The electrical} tester to maintain in your camper are a multi-tester and a non-contact tester. See our article on energy provide testing. Is It Secure To Plug My Camper In? How you can Carry out a Shore Outlet Check.
Different Objects to Have on Hand
Some further objects to maintain within the toolbox to help in restore. Small tube of silicone to seal any leaking seams. Duct tape as a result of, other than the truth that blowing issues up is enjoyable, you possibly can repair or construct virtually something with duct tape. Zip ties are almost as helpful as duct tape for making inventive repairs. For any squeaky or sticky hinges or cussed bolts, use WD40 or liquid wrench.
Saws
A small hack noticed that matches into the instrument field in case it is advisable to minimize metallic or plastic, in addition to a fold pruning noticed for any tree branches or firewood that must be minimize.
Tire Inflator
It’s vital to maintain the tow automobile and trailer tires correctly inflated. Preserve a tire gauge and inflator within the camper to do that on the go. I just like the inflators the plug into the 12 volt energy outlet, that means I can use if even when I don’t have electrical energy. It connects to the 12 volt energy provide of the truck or camper. I purchased a 110v to 12v converter in order that it may be plugged into an outlet if energy is obtainable. These inflators may also be used to inflate bicycles and seashore toys. The inflator has a gauge, however I additionally preserve a separate digital tire gauge within the truck to test the entire tires, so I don’t have to tug out the inflator.
Bottle Jack/Lego blocks
The facet of the freeway shouldn’t be the place to find if the jack that got here along with your automobile won’t carry your camper. Check it earlier than you hit street to see if it is going to work. If not, buy a small bottle jack for the trailer. The Lego-style leveling blocks are another choice for lifting the trailer to vary a tire. Make a pleasant tall ramp out of the blocks and carry the nice tire onto it. The defective tire will merely carry off the bottom. Clearly, this solely applies to tandem axle trailers.
Mechanic’s gloves and security glasses
Security comes first. The glass will turn out to be useful particularly if it is advisable to crawl underneath the camper to make a restore and grime is falling in your face. The mechanic’s gloves will defend your palms from sharp edges and are warmth resistant in some instances. The mechanic’s gloves preserve your palms heat with out sacrificing dexterity.
Energy Instruments
A drill with drill bits that’s cordless. To make some repairs, you would possibly must drill a pilot gap for a screw or drill out a damaged bolt. Should you didn’t deliver the drill, you may not have the ability to make that restore. Should you deliver your drill, you will get a bit that may increase and decrease the stabilizing jacks. The camper will profit from a small 12 volt drill.
I wouldn’t purchase a cordless impression gun as a result of it solely serves one function and they are often fairly costly. A 12 inch cordless impression gun will shortly change a flat tire if you have already got one or are searching for an excuse to purchase one. The impression gun is just too highly effective and can strip the threads on the stabilizers, so don’t use it there.
Don’t neglect to pack the chargers simply in case you need to drill extra or have a cussed lug not.
TOOLS TO KEEP AT HOME
Apart from the instruments listed above, there are just a few others you need to have at house that can assist you keep your camper. You would possibly need to embody a wider vary of screw drivers, pliers, and sockets. Maybe an air compressor to inflate the tires; they work higher than the small inflators however aren’t required.
The instruments listed beneath are ones you need to have however don’t must deliver with you on the street.
The Flooring Jack
The bottle jacks are small and handy, however ground jacks are preferable. These jacks roll on the ground and have good excessive lifting heights and lengthy handles that make them easy to make use of. A ground jack is one of the simplest ways to carry the truck or camper each time it is advisable to change or rotate the tires, grease the bearings, or examine the brakes. They’re very cumbersome and heavy, making them unsuitable for packing within the camper. Get just a few jack stands as properly. I’ve a 3-ton mannequin, however relying on the dimensions of your truck and trailer, you could require a bigger mannequin.
Grease Gun
You will want to maintain the wheel bearings greased to maintain the trailer rolling down the freeway. Every hub could have a grease becoming for a grease gun. Grease weapons get greasy and nasty, so go away them at house until you’re happening a multi-month street journey. If you’re small weapons the desire match neatly it a container. For the perfect sort of grease in your trailer, seek the advice of your proprietor’s guide.
Caulk gun
Identical to your lavatory at house, the lavatory and different seams in your camper will should be re-caulked regularly. Ensure to get RV-specific caulk.
Brush for laundry
You spent some huge cash in your camper, so preserve it wanting good by washing it a couple of times a season.
Having the best instruments at house or on the street will lead to higher journeys and fewer frustration if one thing breaks or falls aside. If there may be something lacking from this record that you simply wanted or wished you had when one thing went fallacious, please go away a remark. One thing you don’t notice you want till you’re making an attempt to repair it.
