What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

lets talk trail tool kits

Blazooki

Blazooki

Five-O
- In Memoriam -
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Nov 2, 2005
Posts
2,549
Reaction score
3,582
Location
Gresham OR
Whats the bare minimum trail tools you consider must haves and how do store them in your rig? Do you pick the tools first and try and fit them in a container or do you pick a container first and tell yourself if it doesn't fit then I don't need it?

If you have a 5 drawer MAC tool box stuffed in the back of your blazer..then this thread is not for you
 
Basic hand tools..... 1/4" - 7/8" wenches. One adj wench. 3/8" - 3/4" sockets. Four screwdrivers. Pliers, cutters, vice grip. Front hub tool. 12 mm wench ( For front drive shaft bolt ) Test light.
Tire repair kit. Inner tube.
Tie wire. Cable ties.
Snatch block, Two clevis.
All fits into a 2' x 1' Ammo box on back.

I used to carry a lot more, but over the years I've reduced it down to this.
I carry a bunch more tools, spare parts, fluids in the tow rig.
Keep in mind this is for East Coast wheeling, your never a mile or two from camp.
 
I probably carry more recovery stuff than tools. I've got a couple of snatch straps, a tree saver, folding shovel, 3-4 clevis's, clevis mount for hitch, snatch block, hi lift, maybe some chain with hooks. For tools I'll carry a very basic selection of wrenches, sockets, pliers and big hammer. Since most folks have the basics I try make sure I have unusual stuff others may not have like a front / rear hub sockets, snap ring pliers, folding allen / torx wrench sets, razor blades, permatex, zip lock of assorted electrical connectors with wire pliers, u-joint u-bolts and zip ties.

I've been thinking about getting an Artec "quart crate" for assorted fluids but not ready for that yet.
 
This brings up an important point to thing about, where are you going? As mentioned before, wheeling the east is often in parks and you're never very far from help. Out here it can be a LONG way to anywhere. Or not. Most of our hardcore rock crawling is essentially like wheeling a park in that it's never THAT far from a tow rig with major spares and we're typically with at least a small group. On the other hand I've done solo trips to places like the Dollhouse in the Maze district of canyonlands that is on the list of most remote places in the lower 48. Obviously different gear for each.
My main thought is to carry what you need and just what you need. There was a time that I carried my entire toolbox but it was mostly because I didn't have anywhere to keep it besides in my truck. Now I try to not even carry a full set of sockets or wrenches if that size isn't on the rig. Think about tools that can do double duty like the 7/8" deep socket for your lug nuts may be the only 7/8" socket you have since it'll work on a spring bolt also. Can you get by with a 15/16" end wrench for your ubolts or do you really need the deep socket? On some rigs you have to have the socket to tighten that critical fastener. This is where you factor in who you're with and how far away it is to some help.

Don't scrimp on electical troubleshooting stuff, carry a multimeter and a test light. You can often get by without fancy wiring supplies but not without the tools. I carry a small length of solder and some heat shrink along with a bunch of wire nuts and misc. crimp connectors and we've used that stuff to repair some wiring in weird places. Best of all this stuff doesn't take up much space at all. I carry enough to fix most problems in an altoids tin.

And I have a bag that goes with me in every vehicle with a very basic tool set and some electrical and plumbing tools and supplies along with all the boonie fix stuff like tie wire, hose clamps, zip ties, etc. That bag fixes most of what goes wrong all the time.
 
Blazooki said:
Whats the bare minimum trail tools you consider must haves and how do store them in your rig? Do you pick the tools first and try and fit them in a container or do you pick a container first and tell yourself if it doesn't fit then I don't need it?

If you have a 5 drawer MAC tool box stuffed in the back of your blazer..then this thread is not for you
Click to expand...
You used my tool bag in Moab. That bag was about 95% of what I carry for tools, I have another bag the same size with a multi meter and a few odd things, then a 4lb sledge and 18" long piece of tubing for a beater bar etc., and a set of jumper cables. I have been trying to use that bag any time I work on the buggy just to make sure it has what I need in it. When I did my front axle right before BB I found that while I had a crescent wrench to take the brake caliper bolts out I preferred to just carry the 5/8" end wrench for that task as it was easier. One big thing I see is organization, socket bars and holders take up space but wrench rolls don't, So my sockets and misc. tools float free and the wrench rolls are easy to grab for end wrenches and small things. I figure I'll have to empty the bag to find what I need but in a trail repair or work situation that isn't a big deal. I however am a big believer in having fluids, if you spring a leak in something do you fix it or just put fluid in and monitor the leak? Then of course if you do fix it you probably need to top the fluid off and it's always nice to put the right thing in. But remember any oil will work in a pinch.

I might not do a full rebuild of something on the trail but I'm of the mindset that I will patch together something that will work to get me to the trailer in the easiest way possible, I honestly don't want to replace much more than an axle shaft on the trail, if a power steering pump or alternator needs to be replaced I probably have enough tools to make that happen but not the part itself. It's a toss up as to what you want to "fix" on the trail and what you want to patch up to get to the trailer.

I can say I've been really glad a few times that we had the dude that had a rolling shop in his truck. Drills, bits, easy outs etc. are some odd ball items that can be awesome to have but typically without them you can find some other way to make things work.
 
Good stuff.. I'm getting together my tool kit for Ned. I've done the everything but the kitchen sink before..trying to go the other way this time. Definitely wrench rolls and soft bags for sure.
 
I agree with working on your truck and making a list of the tools it takes to do that work. Hub tools, special access tools for your setup, are invaluable when you need them. Good prep ahead of time is one of the best tools you can have!
 
I carry the bare minimum. But usually cause I'm throwing tools from my tool box in a bag last minute.

That's changing but still bare minimum. I don't have sockets cause wrenches will do. The few sockets I have I use a wrench adaptor on.

Take what you think you need then minimize it to what you actually need.
 
skunked said:
The bare minimum tools should be the tools to maintain your rig. Do all your maintenance and bolt checks with those tools and you'll find out real quick what you're missing.
Click to expand...

This times eleventy hundred.

Also the best tool you can carry in my opinion is cash.

A good set of shoes and a go bag if it comes to it.
 
I try to carry bare minimum, but I'm not going days away from help either. Wire, connectors and a multimeter have saved me a couple of times though and don't take up much room.
 
One of the things that I think helps those that are more experienced is the understanding of how things work.

For instance the weekend before BB we fought an issue with a propane system that presented as a lack of fuel but the tanks were full. It turned out to be a cooling issue not pushing coolant through the mixing valves and freezing them up. It took well over an hour to figure this out. When we stopped to help Jack at BB and we heard the symptoms and his tank was full we knew within 10 minutes or so that he had a cooling issue not a propane issue.

Another one is the "complexity" of the ARB compressor system. Every time someone has a non functioning ARB they instantly blame the air side of the system. In all the times I've been out and all the things I've been exposed to the ARB system has failed on the electrical side and 9 out of 10 times it's the power connection to the vehicle. When I hear hey my ARB won't lock I think well let's give the compressor some power.

Understanding how things work leads to understanding how simple things can be made and how few tools you really have to have to work on something.
 
Around here.....Auto Club card :D
fix it when I'm home

When I did the Rubicon, everything minus my spare T-case. Even if I broke a 14b shaft, which I don't have spares, I can finish the trail on 3WD. The heavier you are, the harder on the rig.
 
76zimmer said:
I agree with working on your truck and making a list of the tools it takes to do that work. Hub tools, special access tools for your setup, are invaluable when you need them. Good prep ahead of time is one of the best tools you can have!
Click to expand...

And make sure you have a jack that's tall enough to change a flat tire. Next year I don't want anyone borrowing my short jack and stacking up firewood to get it tall enough! :wink1: :haha:
 
I have a jack idea I'm working..that's on my project list this weekend.
 
I have a pair of 10" Knipex parallel jaw pliers that are one of my favorites to carry to fix just about anything and they make me wonder, just how much could I do with a couple adjustable wrenches and a couple screwdrivers? Temper this with the fact that when we're wheeling most of us are on vacation and how much vacation time do you want to spend taking fine thread pinch lock nuts off spindle studs in the dark with a pair of pliers? The ratchet and socket sounds like a really good idea then and probably worth the couple pounds and minimal space.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom