Road trip tool bag

I think your list is pretty solid. For my travel sockets most are in blow molded cases. Maybe add a set of side cutters to your list too. And of course jumper cables but those I’m sure will be separate from your bag or box. And one more thing I’d have at least a small hammer. Maybe a stubby one like HF sells. The reason for having a hammer would be if your starter was going bad while on the road and you can’t get it started at least you can tap it with the hammer and hopefully get it started. Another reason it’s good to have is if you have to take a battery terminal off for something and can’t get it all the way back down just tap it. You could tap both those things with different tools but I think a hammer would be easiest and I’m sure you could find other uses for it by the road too.

I know there isn’t much you can do by the road but I was able to help a lady out tonight whose oil cap was stuck. Had I not had a set of pliers to get it off i couldn’t have helped her. That’s one benefit to having tools in your car. Some people think we’re crazy for keeping tools in there but tonight I was the hero for having some. That’s why I think it’s wise to have some in the car at all times but on road trips for sure.
 
Cheap scanner, jump box and a 3/8” Kobalt impact that’ll take lugs off. I just did a brake screw up of my own making in an advance auto parking lot, borrowing their rental tools.
 
D1dad said:
Cheap scanner, jump box and a 3/8” Kobalt impact that’ll take lugs off. I just did a brake screw up of my own making in an advance auto parking lot, borrowing their rental tools.
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Good old thread.

I’ve carried breaker bars with a lug socket. Impact is too big and has battery baggage with it, same as jump box. Right, wrong or otherwise, I try to avoid batteries in cars.
 
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I live where it can get to 115°+ in summer. I make sure to have at least a full case of bottled water, a means to improvise shade and a fully charged phone. If traveling to Death Valley, or other remote regions, a satellite phone is highly advisable. I don't carry much else. Duct tape, some pre cut pieces of coat hanger, a single 10mm wrench, multi bit screwdriver and a pair of pliers.
 
Mine for tools - all fits in a fairly compact tool box.
Full set of 3/8" metric sockets/rachets (fixed, swivel and flex head) plus invidual deep wells in 10mm, 13mm, 18mm and extensions
Full set of 1/2" metric sockets/ratchet plus deep well for lug nuts plus swollen lug nut socket and extensions/adapters and breaker bar
Full set of metric combo wrenches
Screwdrivers
Pliers (need nose, wire cutter, and channel locks)
Sledge hammer
Fan clutch wrench
Sil-glyde
Zip ties
Allen keys (metric)

Separate - dewalt 1/2 drive impact, cordless ratchet

Survival kit for off road trips:
First aid kit
two gallons water
Non-perishable food
duct tape
Compass

Winch box:
2 Warn winch controllers
Soft shackle
Tree strap
D rings
kinetic recovery rope
Viair 88p compressor
Staun tire deflators

Diagnostic:
Gap IID tool (Land Rovers)
OBD2 reader/security bypass cable with Jscan (Jeeps)
 
JHZR2 said:
What are your thoughts on a sufficient yet minimalist road trip tool bag to bring on longer trips just in case.

Space is a premium, smaller is better.

I think at minimum:
- multimeter
- multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver
- pliers (regular, needle nose, channel????)
- non ratcheting wrench set
- Regular socket set (3/8?)
- deep socket set (?)?
- universal joint and extension
- electric tape
- knife
-???

Would love to do all sockets in 1/4 for space and weight. Is a long handle 1/4” SO ratchet strong enough to handle the torque? Is a 3/8” drive set a must, especially if a set of wrenches is brought? Particularly if they’re 6 point wrenches? I did get bit once bringing ratcheting wrenches which were too thick.

How about socket sets? On a metal or plastic backer, loose, or in a case? Case seems biggest but best for organization. Again, smallest size for the most tools is key.

Any other thoughts? The intention isnt to rebuild a transmission 1000 miles from home. It’s to do what is practical on your back in a parking lot, which isn’t a ton.

So what would you bring for a 1000+ mile road trip?
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For a long road trip, your list is honestly pretty solid already. You really just want stuff that’ll get you out of a parking-lot situation, not a full toolbox.
What I usually toss in for a 1,000+ mile drive:
  • multimeter
  • 1/4" socket set with a couple 3/8" pieces
  • a small set of combo wrenches
  • needle-nose + a small pair of channel locks
  • multi-bit screwdriver
  • utility knife
  • electrical tape, duct tape, zip ties
  • a few fuses
  • tire plug kit and a little inflator
  • flashlight/headlamp
A long-handle 1/4" ratchet is fine for most stuff, but a tiny 3/8" ratchet is nice for anything that’s stuck. I keep sockets on a little rail instead of a case because it takes way less room. And honestly, a small OBD2 scanner is one of the handiest “tools” you can bring. I usually toss in a Bluetooth one or a compact tablet scanner like Autel or Youcanic just to check codes if something pops up. Saved me more than once.
 
I have a heavy canvas bag that has 1/4- 1/2" sockets ratchets and extensions, Also wire splicing tools an zip ties and electrical tape and heat shrink. Also rags and penetrant in small can and various pliers, vise Grips and screwdrivers and a C clamp for brake pads. Also a multi meter and OBDII scanner. Its a heavy bag but I keep it in an outside bin on our motor home. I use it for other things too cause it can go wherever I do if one of the kids cars breaks then Dad to the rescue. My age is catching up though so if they need something big done now I just send them to a trusted mechanic and I have my favorite towing company on speed dial.
 
On our trip from Connecticut to Alaska last April in the Mercedes 300D 2.5 turbo:

2”x12”x12” piece of wood for car jack
Breaker bar, 17mm deep socket for tire lug bolts
Tekton 1/4 drive socket and ratchet set
Screwdriver set
Clamp to shut fuel line
NOCO Jump Starter
Top off oil (didn’t need any)
Oil filter and oil drain bolt crush washer + appropriate tools
Fuel filters, pre filter and main filter + appropriate tools
Fuel pump + appropriate tools
Starter motor
Vacuum pump + appropriate tools
Rope
Zip ties
Makita tire inflator
Tire repair kit + extra tools
Scissor jack, crimp block for backup should I need to raise car for an extended time
Coolant hoses
Fuses
Multimeter
Constant pressure clamps, ABA screw clamps

Obviously this is a long trip with less support than I might have in the lower 48. But you get the idea.
 
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Sam_Julier said:
On our trip from Connecticut to Alaska last April in the Mercedes 300D 2.5 turbo:

2”x12”x12” piece of wood for car jack
Breaker bar, 17mm deep socket for tire lug bolts
Tekton 1/4 drive socket and ratchet set
Screwdriver set
Clamp to shut fuel line
NOCO Jump Starter
Top off oil (didn’t need any)
Oil filter and oil drain bolt crush washer + appropriate tools
Fuel filters, pre filter and main filter + appropriate tools
Fuel pump + appropriate tools
Vacuum pump + appropriate tools
Rope
Zip ties
Makita tire inflator
Tire repair kit + extra tools
Scissor jack, crimp block for backup should I need to raise car for an extended time
Coolant hoses
Fuses
Multimeter
Constant pressure clamps, ABA screw clamps

Obviously this is a long trip with less support than I might have in the lower 48. But you get the idea.
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That was quite an adventure @Sam_Julier. Doing that took a certain amount of boldness on you and your wife's part. I was impressed. You two were living young on that trip!

Scott
 
slo town said:
That was quite an adventure @Sam_Julier. Doing that took a certain amount of boldness on you and your wife's part. I was impressed. You two were living young on that trip!

Scott
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Thank you Scott. The only thing I would have done differently was to add stiffer rear springs. We were loaded. Otherwise I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
 
Now that this thread has been revived, I see that my list is outdated. I have now added a medium size hatchet and extendable breaker bar, long and short zip ties, and a small can of spray lube.
 
RyanY said:
Now that this thread has been revived, I see that my list is outdated. I have now added a medium size hatchet and extendable breaker bar, long and short zip ties, and a small can of spray lube.
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I can’t imagine why one would need a hatchet on a routine fair weather road trip. Same as someone above talking about c-clamps for brake pads. If your brakes were in that much disrepair that you have to do pads in the middle of a road trip, and do them roadside to keep moving, something is way wrong.

Folks can obviously bring what they like, there is no incorrect tool box. I just scratch my head at some of these things for most road trips to most places.
 
JHZR2 said:
I can’t imagine why one would need a hatchet on a routine fair weather road trip. Same as someone above talking about c-clamps for brake pads. If your brakes were in that much disrepair that you have to do pads in the middle of a road trip, and do them roadside to keep moving, something is way wrong.

Folks can obviously bring what they like, there is no incorrect tool box. I just scratch my head at some of these things for most road trips to most places.
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Yeah brake pad changes are definitely something that should be maintained/replaced before the trip starts!

The tools to include in the travel set definitely depend on the type/place of travel. We camp in the mountains several times each summer, and I try to minimize the tool set but maximize functions for the needs that are most like to arise. I now bring a hatchet because of the potential need to cut/construct/hammer something during the trip when no town/store is near.

I previously carried a hammer in my bag but the hatchet essentially does the same thing while adding the ability to cut/chop. This was a good choice just last year when the van's rear hatch shocks failed at camp. A few whacks of the hatchet on a fallen limb created a makeshift hatch support so we could more easily use the hatch area for the rest of the trip. A saw would have also worked, but then I would have needed another tool!
 
In the back of my truck, there is a large Makita box (an upgrade from a previous box). In it are the following:

3/8” Williams socket set
1/2” impact wheel sockets
Breaker bar
8-27 mm Stahlwille combination wrench set
8” adjustable wrench
12” channelock pliers
8” Malco Eagle locking pliers
Slip joint pliers
Wire cutters
Screwdriver set - 10 piece
Makita 18v impact
Makita 18v inflator
Makita charger
Power inverter
Tire plug/repair kit
Tire gauge - mechanical with pressure bleeder
Voltmeter
Foxwell 530 scanner
Jumper cables
Tow strap
Two heavy ratchet straps
Four smaller ratchet straps
50’ of 5/16” nylon rope
Duct tape
Two lifting straps

In addition, inside are two very bright LED flashlights (Streamlight, not junk, with li-ion batteries that don’t leak), first aid kit, digital tire pressure gauge, Sealed Lead Acid jump box, washer fluid, water, and a couple MREs.

And a duffel bag with winter coat, fleece, hat, gloves, scarf, blanket and little foam pillow.

At the bottom of the duffel is an Atlas of the USA, a gift from my kids, who know me well.
 
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I should add - it was about 0F in the Marriott parking lot at Newark Airport when I got to the truck at midnight last night. Of course it started right up (thanks @High Performance Lubricants for that 0W30) with no drama and no noise.

But I used to live in Northern Vermont, and drove some very lonely roads in the dead of winter during much, much colder weather where there was absolutely no cell coverage.

If something would’ve happened during one of those drives, I was either gonna fix it myself or spend the night.

There were no GPS units in those days. So, one had to be completely self-sufficient, and a good Atlas was a big help if a road was found to be closed unexpectedly.

Old habits - particularly when it comes to preparedness- are hard to break.
 
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Some great ideas!!

When we pull any of the horse trailers, I bring:
Wooden tire change ramp.
Pry bar
Tire change kit that includes large breaker bar and ratchet.
100 or so piece socket set.
Multi piece ratcheting screw driver set.
Battery impact.
Brake spoon.
Zip ties.
 
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