What tools do you keep in the truck?

[Chuck Tribolet]

What tools do you keep in the truck? Here's my list, organized in priority order. Now, one can carry arbitrarily many tools, but there's a law of diminishing returns.

Swiss Army knife
Duct tape
Metric combination wrenches
Phillips-head screwdrivers
Long #2
Stubby #2
Normal #1
Flat-bladed screwdrivers
Normal 3/16"
Long 3/16"
a bit shorter than normal 3/16"
8" adjustable end wrench ("crescent wrench")
4" adjustable end wrench (see above)
Slip-joint pliers

1/2" metric sockets *1
1/2" ratchet
short 1/# extension
1/2" x 13/16 spark plug socket

Metric allen wrench set

3/8" metric sockets *1
3/8" metric deep sockets
3/8" ratchet
3/8" breaker bar

Metric box wrenches
feeler gauge set
Metric open-end wrenches

*1 Mine are 12-point, but I'd get 6-point next time.

[Densetsu]

In addition to a Swiss Army knife I always have with me, I keep a small kid-sized backpack full of a bunch of stuff in any vehicle I drive...

- Switchblade
- Leatherman tool
- Crescent wrench
- Screwdriver w/8 different bits
- Flashlight
- Tire gauge
- Air compressor
- Tire repair kit (plug)
- Circuit tester
- Mini-voltmeter
- Trailer light tester
- Spare fuses
- Spare bulbs (I switch out dead lights in pair, and keep the one that was still good)
- Duct tape
- Tiedown straps, bungee cords
- Tow rope
- Paper towel, toilet paper
- Gloves, scarf, toque
- Kitty litter

99% of the time, I'm driving within a hour of family and friends, so if I ever got in a situation where I completely broke down and couldn't fix it with the stuff I had, I can just give one of them a call. Like you said, diminishing returns.

There was a time when I kept a ton of stuff in my vehicle -- full tool/socket set, spare fluids, belts and hoses, the whole 9 yards. Plus an AMA membership (same as CAA or AAA). After years of driving and never having to use them, I ditched most of that stuff when I switched to the Pathy.

[amaff]

I just keep one of these strapped in the back of the truck, with a few additional items added:


http://www.creanium.net/wordpress/wp-co ... g_7734.jpg

It has almost as many tools as my big tool box in the garage, and I could pretty much disassemble the race car down to a bare shell with what's in it (and probably get close to it w/ the Pathy too). Add a few zip ties and a plier set and you're there. I had gotten it as a christmas gift as I had asked for a nice 'travelling' tool box to take to the track with me. Except that I haven't found a reason to take it out of the back. Need a tool? I've probably got it with me





But, you know, that may be overkill...

[miamiheat3332]

a 12 gauge, 2 screwdrivers, and quick detailer plus cloth. should suffice.

[CanuckQx4]

Flat head screw driver, heavy duty booster pack, flashlight, tire pressure monitor

I packed a little satchel of 2 socket sets and a few basic hand tools but I havent put it in my car yet

[Towncivilian]

Metric ratchet set, stubby Phillips screwdriver, ... that's pretty much it. I really should get a tire pressure gauge too, if nothing else.

[01silvapathy]

-A simple 94 piece craftsman metric and standard socket set with added extras like a hammer, allen keys, a few cresents, vise grips, snap ring pliers, needle nose pliers ect.
- 20ft 20k recovery strap
- 4 way tire iron
- random tie downs and bungee's
- stock hubs incase one of the WARN's goes out
- Leatherman
- Small Fire Extinguisher- Screwed into floor
- A few lighters
- Mag Light
- Road Flares

Soon to get a handgun to mount in my center console. Gotta love Texas!

[fueler]

ive got pretty much all the stuff you guys mentioned, plus ZIP TIES, electrical tape, jumper cables, camping chair, and skewers for roasting stuff over fire

[ARKQX33V6]

What tools do you keep in the truck? Here's my list, organized in priority order. Now, one can carry arbitrarily many tools, but there's a law of diminishing returns.

Swiss Army knife
Duct tape
Metric combination wrenches
Phillips-head screwdrivers
Long #2
Stubby #2
Normal #1
Flat-bladed screwdrivers
Normal 3/16"
Long 3/16"
a bit shorter than normal 3/16"
8" adjustable end wrench ("crescent wrench")
4" adjustable end wrench (see above)
Slip-joint pliers

1/2" metric sockets *1
1/2" ratchet
short 1/# extension
1/2" x 13/16 spark plug socket

Metric allen wrench set

3/8" metric sockets *1
3/8" metric deep sockets
3/8" ratchet
3/8" breaker bar

Metric box wrenches
feeler gauge set
Metric open-end wrenches

*1 Mine are 12-point, but I'd get 6-point next time.

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Nothing I keep it in tune