Tools For The Truck?

A friend of mine had a death in the family and he's the executer of the estate or whatever it's called. He found a bunch of tools and asked me if there is any tools I would need once I get on the road. I have no idea what I will need. I have an old wooden bat I plan on using for checking tires. I told him I thought I may need a crow bar. After that I'm unsure. I'm sure there is quite a few tools that would be a plus to have. A wrench, but what type or size? A sledgehammer?

What do you experienced drivers suggest as far as tools for the rig?

- Tire Pressure Gauge - Tire Tread Depth Gauge - Ratcheting Screwdriver With Multiple Tips - Crescent Wrench - A Couple GOOD pairs of pliers - Mallet/Hammer - Socket Set - TORX/STAR BITS (don't know official names) - ALLEN WRENCHES (a Smitty) - A few open ended/combo wrenches

I can't tell you the exact sizes. But, it's mighty handy to have the proper size bit and ratchet, and combo wrench if you have to put on a new mudflap, or anything, really. I have had to use improper tools for jobs and it is not fun. Takes a lot longer. Time is money.

I am sure more experienced drivers will add to this list, this is just off the top of my head, but gives ya something to think about.

That's actually a great list. We have a series of articles about items to pack for the road and those will give you plenty of ideas.

I can't think of much I'd add to ButtonUp's list. He pretty much covered everything I had with me.

I checked out those articles and they seem geared toward starting school and training. Things like clothes, folders, sunglasses and that kind of stuff. I'm looking for the actual hardware needed down the road when you're in your own truck and have to fix something. Along the lines of what buttonup mentioned. Specific sizes of wrenches and things like that.

Vice grips for holding the slide pin release handle on tandem or fifth wheel . wire cutters for trailer door seals. long hook for pulling fifth wheel locking Jaw release. good flashlight for checking fifth wheel locking jaws are closed. broom or leaf blower for cleaning out trailer between loads.

What you carry in your truck, as far as tools, would be dependent on the company you drive for, and how much they want you wrenchin' on their equipment. Some companies don't even want you to change a headlight. Other companies expect you to fix everything thats broke. One way I'd look at it....if I have the tools, and I'm fixin' their truck, it ain't rollin' and I ain't makin' any money ( BUT my clock time is tickin' off). And theres the liability issue. You are expected, at the very least, to keep the truck (and Reefer) fueled, oil checked, water checked, tire pressure checked, wheel seals checked...you know that stuff you do in your pre trip. Past the point of changing out a headlight, clearance light, etc I think I'd be callin' the company for your options...If you don't get paid like a mechanic, why do the job ??

I'm going to be perfectly honest here. I have none of those tools that you guys mentioned besides the tire thumper and the air pressure gauge. I have yet to need any of that. If anything breaks I contact Over the Road Maintenance and a professional comes to me and fixes it. It never takes long. Besides the obvious, I don't feel comfortable doing repairs on my truck. I've had a bad air line and I was told to go to a terminal to replace it, they never hinted for me to fix it.

It rarely happens. But honestly I run extremely hard and never have a day off and I'm usual night driving so I would probably appreciate the 1 hour nap that'll come with a repair. Plus your helping a local business that needs the work to put food on their table.

Maybe one day it'll bite me in the ass but for now I'm 20 pounds light from not having those tools.

My instructor (I am currently enrolled in Truck Driving School at Midland College at Midland, TX) told me today that when I make up a "kit" to throw in a chain and strap and hookie thing that can be placed on the front of some tractors (if mine is set up that way) for towing. SO, if I am in a bind in a parking lot or something of that nature I can get a friendly other truck driver to give em a tow out of the spot. This is because every time you call the company for something like that it goes down as some kind of "incident" and then eventually this can work against you. This was just a suggestion and I thought it sounded pretty good. -Dave

One thing to add to the list that I bet most people wouldn't even think of: JB Weld. Not exactly a "tool," but quite useful in certain situations. Say, for instance, you pick up a trailer and one of the door hooks is loose and about to fall off. Why wait an hour or more for a service truck or repair shop to fix it when you can just slop a glob of JB Weld on it and be on your way in 10 minutes?

Vice grips for holding the slide pin release handle on tandem or fifth wheel . wire cutters for trailer door seals. long hook for pulling fifth wheel locking Jaw release. good flashlight for checking fifth wheel locking jaws are closed. broom or leaf blower for cleaning out trailer between loads.

Seems obvious, but I hadn't thought of using the vice grips on the tandem release handle! THANK YOU! Man, the time I could have saved...