What's in your toolbox?

[float5]

If someone asks me if I have any duct tape I say "what color"

Ron

See what I know. Didn't know it came in other colors. Will have to look for it. Can't believe we stupidly bought three or more rolls of the same color!

 

[gbaglo]

I've never seen a QCC hose end without a plastic coupling nut, and it's not just an add-on to the nut, it's the threaded part. Are you still using the old left-hand-threaded POL hose end?

Too technical for me. This is my illustration of using the safety chains to padlock the tanks to the trailer for security. Not that I do this.
You can see what I have.

 

[Brian B-P]

Too technical for me. This is my illustration of using the safety chains to padlock the tanks to the trailer for security. Not that I do this.
You can see what I have.

Yep, those are the old POL hose ends. They're not used with small cylinders any more, but they still work and are still available. Escape probably switched to the current QCC style soon after that 2008 trailer was built.

There are plastic handwheels to use with those POL hose ends, but if you don't mind needing a tool it's a lot easier with the wrench.

I prefer a fixed-size open-end wrench for propane fittings, rather than anything adjustable, but the hex size for a POL nut is large (7/8"?) so the correponding wrench is quite large.

 

[Zardoz-ESC]

Mine changes a bit, but right now it contains roughly the following:

Torque wrench
Breaker bar
Assorted sockets
Robertson bits/screwdrivers
Cordless Drill/driver
Utility knife
Electrical tape
Teflon tape
Vise grips
Pliers (assorted)
Adjustable end wrenches
Level
Zip ties
Hammer
Mallet
Wire stripper/crimper
Wire terminals
Small assortment of spare wire
Spare fuses
Spare anode rod
Spare led bulbs
Assorted small box of heat shrink
Tube of Lexel clear or Proflex clear
Assorted fasteners
Assorted drill and driver bits
Dremel kit
Small pack of assorted sandpaper

Not counting things like the black tank wand, water heater wand, sewer stuff, etc.

Robert. Seriously? No Duct Tape!?

 

[gbaglo]

Robert. Seriously? No Duct Tape!?

I carry no duct tape ( or Duck Tape ) as it leaves a sticky residue. I have a couple rolls of gaffer tape. Much more expensive, but worth the extra.

 

[Zardoz-ESC]

I carry no duct tape ( or Duck Tape ) as it leaves a sticky residue. I have a couple rolls of gaffer tape. Much more expensive, but worth the extra.

Ok, I was using the generic term (never heard of "duck" tape - maybe only available up north?). I carry a Gorilla Tape; superior holding power as evidenced by significantly more residue. ;D

 

[gbaglo]

Duck tape is what "duct tape" was originally called. It's duck cloth with sticky stuff on it. Got confused in the language with duct tape, which is actually an aluminum tape with sticking stuff that is used for sealing duct work ( see your basement ;D ).
Gaffer tape is used in the movie industry to tape cables down etc. where you don't want to leave residue.

Whole history is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape
Not sure what you are supposed to ask for these days if you want tape to seal your duct work. Might have to ask that old bugger at HD.

 

[rbryan4]

I carry no duct tape ( or Duck Tape ) as it leaves a sticky residue. I have a couple rolls of gaffer tape. Much more expensive, but worth the extra.

Yep, have a 1" and a 2" roll of gaffer tape in the trailer. Jon Vermilye told me about it some time ago. Works very well.

 

[gbaglo]

A caution: do not rip the gaffer tape off quickly. Just pull slowly and gently and it will release from most surfaces without damage or residue.
There is a hotel ballroom in downtown Vancouver missing some flocked wallpaper because I was in a hurry.

 

[hey_rls]

Speaking of tools.....my factory jack for my Ford F250 4X4 is junk. So I purchased a 6 ton hydraulic jack plus some accessories from Safe Jack so I can safely get my truck/camper off the ground by the axle or frame. Also bought an Esco 3 ton jack for support. I never trust a jack.

https://safejacks.com/collections/bottle-jack-accessories

https://www.amazon.com/ESCO-10498-Jack-Stand-Capacity/dp/B0019JVIPM

 

[Marry-ESC]

Just wondering here..... How are you guys do the wood hacking?
Using a wrench, knife, drill, breaker bar, hammer, or what???
Why is no one bringing a axe?

 

[rbryan4]

Just wondering here..... How are you guys do the wood hacking?
Using a wrench, knife, drill, breaker bar, hammer, or what???
Why is no one bringing a axe?

Have a hatchet and a small axe. I guess they qualify as tools, but I didn't mention them. Didn't mention the camp shovel either.

 

[gbaglo]

I've got a hatchet, sledge and small folding saw.
Bought wood from the camp host and drove it home, back to the interior and home again several times.
Just not that much into fires.

 

[float5]

Just wondering here..... How are you guys do the wood hacking?
Using a wrench, knife, drill, breaker bar, hammer, or what???
Why is no one bringing a axe?

Almost all places we go do not allow any wood to be collected and they sell it themselves. No wood can be brought in and all wood has to be local due to elm disease. So it is always already cut.

 

[Bobbito]

Besides most of what has been listed, I bring a Multi-tester and an outlet ground tester. The former has been useful on the truck and could help diagnose electrical issues on the Escape in the future. I also carry contact cleaner and lubricants.
Bob K


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[padlin]

Shamelessly modifying Robert's list... and without going out to see what I really have.

18" Torque wrench, it'll also be my breaker bar if I ever need it as such.
2 sockets, wheel lug and anode
Robertson bits
Cordless Drill/driver (used for the stabilizers)
Swiss Army knife that travels in my pocket
Electrical tape
Teflon tape, water and gas
Channel Locks, wire cutters, crimper/stripper, long nose pliers
Adjustable end wrenches
Level
Zip ties
Wire terminals
Small assortment of spare wire
Mechanics wire
Spare fuses
Assorted fasteners
Multimeter
multi tip screwdriver, and few odd screwdriver.
Star wrench set, for the truck
Hex head wrenches, for the bikes

An extra of any part I've lost or broken over the years, although I've yet to use any of them.

I carry a Fiskars X17 spitting axe, great tool. A bottle jack and enough wood/vinyl scraps to raise the trailer, although I've never used it. A good 12v compressor, the truck tires are pretty big.

I carry the tools in the back seat floor of the truck.

Can't think of making any repair on the Escape while traveling, but then it's only 2 years old. I have however helped others with their troubles.

Note to self, change the multimeter battery.

 

[kstock11]

I use a milk crate to carry all my tools. This goes in the TV and has all the "hitching tools" as well as anything else I want to carry for the trailer.

 

[Dave Walter]

Almost all places we go do not allow any wood to be collected and they sell it themselves. No wood can be brought in and all wood has to be local due to elm disease. So it is always already cut.

In many places (Western Canadian National Parks, Alberta Prov Parks, BC Prov Parks), much of the supplied firewood is not split small enough to easily burn (it is often quite wet), and so it is often necessary to have an axe or hatchet along to split at least some of the wood into smaller pieces.

I don't bring any tools in my Escape. I have a drawer in the back of my FJ where I keep a minimal grouping of wrenches, sockets, screw drivers, and a few other odds and ends. If I need anything else, I carry a small plastic card in my wallet that works great to access a wide range of tools at any tool store.

 

[Jim Bennett]

In many places (Western Canadian National Parks, Alberta Prov Parks, BC Prov Parks), much of the supplied firewood is not split small enough to easily burn (it is often quite wet), and so it is often necessary to have an axe or hatchet along to split at least some of the wood into smaller pieces.

I don't bring any tools in my Escape. I have a drawer in the back of my FJ where I keep a minimal grouping of wrenches, sockets, screw drivers, and a few other odds and ends. If I need anything else, I carry a small plastic card in my wallet that works great to access a wide range of tools at any tool store.

A small axe is MUCH preferred as a hatchet is more of a danger than anything, and does not work as well. I always carry my Gransfors Bruks Small Splitting Axe. I have had it for 10 years now, and that sucker has split many a full round of wood, even knotty stuff. Not cheap, but a quality tool, available at Lee Valley.

https://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/product/gransfors-small-splitting-axe/

I too just carry a minimal tool bag of tools, and should they not suffice use my CC too, though have never needed it for this purpose.

Duct tape
Electrical tape
Masking tape
Tie wire
Cable ties
Sharpening stone
Spare batteries
Spare bulbs
Pliers - lineman/needlenose
Sidecutters
Hammer
Contact cleaner kit
Multi-meter
Adjustable wrenches - 10" and 6"
Screwdriver set
Utility knife
Tape measure
Ball lubricant
Torque wrench - with 1/4" hex, 15/16" & 13/16" sockets
Small level
Tire pressure gauge

Tools separate from tool kit;
Booster cables
Small folding shovel
12V Air compressor
Axe

Sometimes;
12V drill and driver set

 

[Dave Walter]

A small axe is MUCH preferred as a hatchet is more of a danger than anything, and does not work as well....

I agree. And it sure beats the claw hammer I split wood with last summer when I forgot both axe and hatchet at home.