Travel tool kit

Status
Not open for further replies.
JHZR2

JHZR2

Staff member
Joined
Dec 14, 2002
Messages
56,168
Location
New Jersey
What's your recommendation for a set of tools to put into a travel tool kit? The kind of thing that lets you do 90+% of any repairs that you could practically do on the side of the road?

My euro cars all came with a wrench set. its a group from 10-17mm, open end with a different size on each. They work well enough... not snap on tools by any means, but they will turn a bolt. Also with a dual head screwdriver so you have a flat and a philips.

The MB comes with pliers, the BMW kit does not.

But all these tools can be improved upon.

Im thinking:
-set of 3/8" standard sockets (metric) on a metal strap
-3/8" ratchet
-Better screwdriver with interchangable bits
-a right angle screwdriver to use the same bits for tight spots
-better pliers
-Small adjustable wrench

Any other suggestions?

Tell me about pliers... just a standard common size plier? Something bigger? Maybe a smaller or needlenose version?

Anything else? I suppose some rubber hose. Multimeter if you really want to get serious, though Ill bet the heat in a car will kill it.

THanks!
 
I have killed a multimeter from leaving it in a car. I left it exposed to the sun in the back hatch area of my 924s, the meter swelled up so you couldn't rotate the knob.
 
Keep it light, small, and simple:

Multi-tool
One of those screw drivers where you spin the handle to select different bits (see Craftsman)
Adjustable wrench
Duct tape
Small sledge hammer
pry bar
towels/handcleaner

If that don't do it, use your cell and call for help.

If I want to get real serious, I'll bring a bottle/floor jack. Factory scissor jacks suck.
 
What if you have an issue or are helping someone with an issue? Anything from a possible bad battery to a popped fuse to a bad fuel pump. Wouldnt it help?

Maybe its not needed in an everyday kit, but at least for a trip, may be helpful...
 
Ummm, no.

Seriously. I have driven from Michigan to SoCal four times. Took the south route, two middles routes, and a northern route to make sure I seen everything.

Never needed a multimeter. Not to make myself sound like an [censored], but I never have stopped to help anyone either. As long as you stay on an interstate, help/gas stations are always close by.

Except Montana. They call that big sky country for a reason. [censored]!
 
And Ive driven cross country too. I did once have a battery that developed a shorted cell out of the blue at one rest stop.

I did once also have a fuel pump go bad, but that wasnt on a road trip.

Were not arguing the necessity of a multimeter here. Waste of time. If you dont see the need for one (and Id generally agree), fine, done, enough.
 
Vise grip pliers seem like a good multi purpose tool.

Flash light, Toilet paper.

And, of course, a set of Ka-Bar Zombie Killer Knives: (Zombies are almost a given when broken down on a dark, lonely highway.).
Ka-Bar-ZK-Knives.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
And Ive driven cross country too. I did once have a battery that developed a shorted cell out of the blue at one rest stop.

I did once also have a fuel pump go bad, but that wasnt on a road trip.

Were not arguing the necessity of a multimeter here. Waste of time. If you dont see the need for one (and Id generally agree), fine, done, enough.


But we are (I'll use debating and not arguing) the necessity of a multimeter for a travel tool kit. You say bring one (maybe), I say waste of space. I have to emphasize my point using your examples and I'll leave it alone...

You had a battery with a shorted cell. Did you have a multimeter to tell you that? What changed if you did? Did you need one to figure out you had a battery problem? Would a multimeter fix the battery?

Bad fuel pump. Hhmmm... Crank/no start. Bump the key. Don't hear pump. Hhmmm... Multimeter shows 12v to pump. Pump don't work. Hhmmm.

A cell phone would be far more useful than a multimeter using your examples. We're not trying to play master diagonostic technician on the side of the freeway. We need to get/limp the vehicle somewhere safe to fix the problem correctly in the proper location and/or get the family out of a dangerous situation.

Travel tool kits are to fix little annoying things along the way or to help with a flat tire etc.
 
Some of the cheap tool kits from HF have a bunch of tools for a decent price.

I bought a small suitcase size auto kit from Sams club years ago and its got a bunch of things that have come in handy. Tow strap, worked several times until I tried it pulling out a 1 ton truck loaded with firewood. First aid. Poncho. Blanket I added. Its missing the zombie killer knives. Where do I get one from?
 
Originally Posted By: Oil Changer

But we are (I'll use debating and not arguing) the necessity of a multimeter for a travel tool kit. You say bring one (maybe), I say waste of space. I have to emphasize my point using your examples and I'll leave it alone...


This is a good discussion, so here are my answers based upon those experiences:

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer


You had a battery with a shorted cell. Did you have a multimeter to tell you that? What changed if you did? Did you need one to figure out you had a battery problem? Would a multimeter fix the battery?


Well, in that case I was driving to Chicago. We probably had stopped five times between gas, food, bathroom, etc. I like to take breaks and move around, so it is normal. Had put in about 700 miles, and stopped outside of Chicago (Gary) to get gas. Turned off the car, all was well. Turned it on and got nothing. Just the gauges fluttering a bit and a soft click upfront. Great. So what do I know? Nothing. Figure something broke (stressful). Tow truck comes and tries to jump it, car won't jump. Even more stress. If the battery was just dead, it would have jumped, right? Finally we try shorting the starter with the tow truck on jumper leads, thinking that maybe the starter was shot... Car fired right up. Turns out it was a shorted cell in the battery. A multimeter would have let me know that the battery was only at 7.9V and thus it was bad, rather than anything else.

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer


Bad fuel pump. Hhmmm... Crank/no start. Bump the key. Don't hear pump. Hhmmm... Multimeter shows 12v to pump. Pump don't work. Hhmmm.


When we had this one happen, we were driving interstate, got off the road at an exit into a traffic jam and the car just died. No electrical funny business, so figured it wasnt a bad battery and the car would crank. But who knows? Messed with fuses, but was unable to test them. I would imagine that if I saw no current flowing to the fuel pump, I could have easily diagnosed it as that, and then perhaps gone and bet on the fuel tank to try to get it going. I had pressure in the fuel line, so that wasnt a good indication. Its again just a good tool to have in order to have some clue what is going on if you encounter a problem. Makes it a bit less speculative.

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer


A cell phone would be far more useful than a multimeter using your examples. We're not trying to play master diagonostic technician on the side of the freeway. We need to get/limp the vehicle somewhere safe to fix the problem correctly in the proper location and/or get the family out of a dangerous situation.


I agree so that you can call AAA or check the net for how to diagnose/fix. But the situations I cited wasnt to play master technician, it was to make good determinations on if a tow was needed, what was wrong and if a roadside fix could be performed. That's what it is all about - information so that you can make an informed decision if something is fixable or not, and then get on your way.
 
How about a PC with OBDII software and a OBDII connector?

Or do we assume its the "norm" for a BITOG member to have a laptop on the passenger seat constantly displaying the critical engine values?
 
4 in 1 screwdriver
vise grips, small and large
whatever you need for your battery terminals
8mm-19mm sockets and wrench
pipe to lengthen tire iron for leverage
chunk of plywood to put under jack when it's on sand
nitrile gloves and baby wipes
hose clamps
3x 6 feet 14 ga electric wire-- take an old computer cord and strip this stuff out. Makes good tie-up wire in addition to its electrical ability. I haven't rewired anything in the field but I have jumpered relays to test cooling fans and fuel pumps.
Tire plug things (ya I know, you snobs)

Even if your own car doesn't need help, you could look like a genius to a hot girl stranger.
 
In my Ford, I keep a 9/16-1/2 ope-end wrench, 2 screwdrivers, a razor blade, a hammer, and an adjustable wrench. I always get it going again.
 
Ah, I got the basics in my trunk, but I pretty much never need 'em. I'd add a stout little wire cutting "dikes" to the set and some repair materials. Duct tape was mentioned, good. I think I'll throw one of those metal wire coat hangers in my trunk. We're talking quality repair jobs here, folks!
wink.gif
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

rstsco
No-Skip Metric Combination Wrenches Needed
3 4 5
Replies
81
Views
2K
barbersurgeon
T
oil filter wrenches and tools
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
K20FA5
tbm5690
Purpose of 1/2" Chrome?
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
RyanY
Deadwood
Battery powered DIY tools
2
Replies
21
Views
993
GrumpyCat
burbguy82
Best Ratchets for the Money Today
3 4 5
Replies
82
Views
5K
Nessism1
Back
Top Bottom