Travel tool kit

[scurvy]

I used to carry a very heavy tool bag in my car - full set of wrenches, 1/4" & 3/8" drive ratchets & sockets, all the specialty tools I had made up to that point. Much like in the other thread about all the used junk to carry around in your trunk (used set of spark plugs, wires, rotor, distributor cap, etc...) one day it dawned on me that I never needed any of that stuff. Not once had it seen the light of day for anything but planned maintenance.

So I stopped carrying around any tools or 'spare' used parts. And knock on wood, so far I've never needed it.

The only thing I put in my cars these days is a good, heavy set of jumper cables (wound around the spare tire) and a 25" HF breaker bar & deep impact socket for the wheel lugs.

 

[yonyon]

I like your original list plus:
-vise-grips, two sizes
-side snips
-a 6 inch prybar
-a very small tarp
-a hammer of some sort
-comfortable slip-joint pliers
-electrical tape
-epoxy putty
-a few bungee cords
-a small box of single-edge razor blades wrapped in plastic
-tire plug kit
-compact air pump
-small LED flashlight and good batteries

In my mind the quality of the slip-joint pliers and the small prybar are pretty important and would expect to spend more on those two items than all the rest combined. The flashlight batteries should not be stored inside the flashlight.

 

[bigmike]

My tool kit:

 

[Tempest]

Metrinch tool box (the one they used to sell on TV. Seriously good car set. Half the weight and space.)

Jumper cables
fold up wheel chocks
A selection of basic pliers that will include a good set of nippers
set of 6 full size screwdrivers (small bits in the dark is iffy)
duct tape (gorilla)
3/8" and 1/2" breaker bars (the latter with socket for wheel lugs)
drive adapters
good size folding knife
old multitool (like a leatherman)
roboplier
couple of small locking pliers
some nylon rope
folding hex / torx wrench sets
small bottle of oil
cheap wire crimper / lug set
I recently added a hose clamp tool which has been very helpful in the garage.
At least 1 flash light with extra batteries.
I do carry an old multimeter with me but that is just because it was supplanted in the shop with a better one.

Probably a few other small things I am forgetting.

All this fits in 3 small bags / containers (including Metrinch set but not 1/2" breaker).

I also carry at least 1 gallon of water for the radiator (live in a desert).
I also carry a 12v inflator.