Need Help With Figuring Out What Tools To Buy

Topic 12121 | Page 1

Page 1 of 1
Sarah S.'s Comment
member avatar

My fiance is new to trucking. He has completed training, and now drives on his own. His birthday is coming up, and I would like to buy him some tools, but am completely lost. I want to buy a durable brand. He mentioned socket wrenches before. So, I go to amazon.com and look through socket wrenches and there are so many different brands and sizes of tool sets. I was hoping someone could point me into the right direction.

Information that would be much appreciated:

Durable brands of tools (stanley, craftman, etc?) Are socket wrenches pretty standard, or are there special ones for Semi Trucks? Other tools that truckers need?

Thank you!!

Hrynn's Comment
member avatar

My fiance is new to trucking. He has completed training, and now drives on his own. His birthday is coming up, and I would like to buy him some tools, but am completely lost. I want to buy a durable brand. He mentioned socket wrenches before. So, I go to amazon.com and look through socket wrenches and there are so many different brands and sizes of tool sets. I was hoping someone could point me into the right direction.

Information that would be much appreciated:

Durable brands of tools (stanley, craftman, etc?) Are socket wrenches pretty standard, or are there special ones for Semi Trucks? Other tools that truckers need?

Thank you!!

I don't think I can help you with the socket wrenches, but one thing that has helped me out a lot is a good pair of vice grips. Sometimes when you pick up an old trailer, the tandem arm groove is so worn down that it won't stay in the locked out position so you have to find someone else to pull it out while you slide the tandems. You can use the vice grips to hold it open youself. I have had to do that many many times and it is a must have tool if he does not already have some.

Tandems:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Tandem:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

J Johns's Comment
member avatar

I like the vicegrips idea. I haven't even entered training yet so this might not be any help, but I'm packing:

Black rubber gloves from Sally's Beauty Supply to fuel with, just because I had them around, in addition to hardier work gloves

Combination digital tire pressure gauge, flashlight, emergency hammer, seatbelt cutter

Plunger-style tire tread depth gauge

And just about everything else recommended in the threads on "packing" that popped up when I used the search bar.

Miss Red's Comment
member avatar

I like the vicegrips idea. I haven't even entered training yet so this might not be any help, but I'm packing:

Black rubber gloves from Sally's Beauty Supply to fuel with, just because I had them around, in addition to hardier work gloves

Combination digital tire pressure gauge, flashlight, emergency hammer, seatbelt cutter

Plunger-style tire tread depth gauge

And just about everything else recommended in the threads on "packing" that popped up when I used the search bar.

The black rubber gloves from Sally's are genius! I kept trying to decide what gloves to use to fuel.

C. S.'s Comment
member avatar

He won't be using the socket wrenches a lot unless he's an owner op. But they are handy to have for regular mechanic/household work back home. Craftsman is a good brand of tool and offers a lifetime warranty on all hand tools. Kobalt (sold by Lowes) and Husky (Home Depot) are the same way.

Other tools/useful stuff: bungee cords, a small pair of snippers for metal seals, tire thumper, collapsible push broom, claw hammer, thick leather work gloves, grime boss hand wipes, cordless hand vacuum for inside the cab (if he is able to charge one). And yes to the vice grips mentioned earlier, they will come in handy.

J Johns's Comment
member avatar

The black gloves were especially purchased for hair dyeing and I admire their strength. They came in a pack with two pairs so I'm wrapping up a set for my team mate.

Speaking of admirable strength, C.S. clearly knows what she's talking about. I'm intimidated :p

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Sarah S.'s Comment
member avatar

Thank you so much for all the support and knowledge everyone shared! It has really helped! The gloves from sally's suggestion is brilliant, I would have never thought of that!

Stevo Reno's Comment
member avatar

Harbor Freight Tools, sells rubber powdered or non-powdered mechanic / dr gloves 100 to a box for under $10 bucks, on sale usually for $5-6 bucks....Or even lightweight rubberized garden type gloves that ya can use to fuel and not have to throw away. A spray can of WD-40 or Nut Buster, I'd carry, to loosen up rusty , sticky pins

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

BUDLIGHT Express's Comment
member avatar

Get him an assortment of screw drivers. Flat head (long and short), Phillips head (Star type), Needle nose vice grips too. Regular pliers, expandable type grip pliers, wire strippers, black electrical tape, a few sizes of Crescent adjustable wrenches. Over time he can pick up some plastic zip ties, and a small roll of baling wire and duct tape (You laugh but it comes on handy on a dark road). (Craftsmen is very good for what he'll need them for). You don't even need to go that expensive, he's not a full time mechanic. Assorted Hand wrenches YES....go Craftsmen at least. Hopefully he's not gonna spend to many hours on the side of the road fixing his equipment up. Good luck

My fiance is new to trucking. He has completed training, and now drives on his own. His birthday is coming up, and I would like to buy him some tools, but am completely lost. I want to buy a durable brand. He mentioned socket wrenches before. So, I go to amazon.com and look through socket wrenches and there are so many different brands and sizes of tool sets. I was hoping someone could point me into the right direction.

Information that would be much appreciated:

Durable brands of tools (stanley, craftman, etc?) Are socket wrenches pretty standard, or are there special ones for Semi Trucks? Other tools that truckers need?

Thank you!!

Page 1 of 1

New Reply:

New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features

Bold
Italic
Underline
Quote
Photo
Link
Smiley
Links On TruckingTruth


example: TruckingTruth Homepage



example: https://www.truckingtruth.com
Submit
Cancel
Upload New Photo
Please enter a caption of one sentence or less:

Click on any of the buttons below to insert a link to that section of TruckingTruth:

Getting Started In Trucking High Road Training Program Company-Sponsored Training Programs Apply For Company-Sponsored Training Truck Driver's Career Guide Choosing A School Choosing A Company Truck Driving Schools Truck Driving Jobs Apply For Truck Driving Jobs DOT Physical Drug Testing Items To Pack Pre-Hire Letters CDL Practice Tests Trucking Company Reviews Brett's Book Leasing A Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Learn The Logbook Rules Sleep Apnea
Done
Done

0 characters so far - 5,500 maximum allowed.
Submit Preview

Preview:

Submit
Cancel

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training