Tool box
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Forum Name: Miscellaneous / Off-topic
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9328
Printed Date: 19 May 2025 at 10:57pm
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Topic: Tool box
Posted By: Steve 911
Subject: Tool box
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2017 at 8:25pm
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newbe question. What items do most Podders carry in their tool boxes? I mean beside the basics like screwdrivers, crescent wrenches, etc. Thanks ------------- Firefighter Steve (retired) 2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod) 2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg. E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller. |
Replies:
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2017 at 9:00pm
well lets see what this old guy carries other than the basics. Small wire stripper and connectors,volt and amp meter,a set of jumper cables (so you can help the guy next to you start his car) hammer, extra tent stakes for the guy that left his at home. baling wire so you can tie up the tail pipe that got broke when you backed in. a pair of vice grips. small tube of calking, a pair of channel locks. will check in the morning to see if I carry any odd stuff 
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Posted By: Steve 911
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2017 at 9:03pm
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Thanks for your reply. What this old fireman remembers is two of the most important things we carry in our wild land apparatus is, bailing wire and toilet paper...lol ------------- Firefighter Steve (retired) 2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod) 2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg. E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller. |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 8:50am
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Screwdriver with square head most of the factory fasteners have this type. Square-recess/RobertsonMeantime this profile is virtually defunct in Europe, but very common in the USA. It is still used by electricians to open electrical switch cabinets or by motor mechanics working with vintage cars. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 9:21am
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I would have to disagree with the idea that the square-recess profile is not effective for transferring high torques. It is very much superior to the Phillips-head screwdriver. I don't know how many screw heads I have had strip out when the cross-tip of the Phillips-head screwdriver experienced cam-out and reamed out the head. I have not had that happen when the square-tip was fully seated in the recess--only when I did not have the driver lined up with the recess when I could not see the head (removing the stereo unit, for example) where it removed the black paint on the top of the screw head but did not strip out the recess. See this article on different https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives - screw drive types . It is quite informative. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: texman
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 9:38am
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add: 1. a "real" lug wrench and a hydraulic jack. 2. Duct tape. 3. fuses 4. jumper cables 5. flashlights 6. can of "fix a flat" 7. chocks 8. rain poncho 9. still thinkin' ------------- TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9122&title=texman-182g-mods - TexManMods |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 9:46am
I just copied that to get the correct name for the drive not to make a statement. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 11:19am
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Unfortunately, what you copied gave me the impression that you were saying that Robertson screws were inferior. I did not know it was just copied. My apologies. It turns out (from the article I cited) that the cam-out of Phillips screws is intentional. It is frustrating though when one needs to drive a screw and it strips out the head instead. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 1:11pm
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A small floor jack and a torque wrench
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Steve 911
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 2:15pm
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Wow. All good suggestions. I see I should have gotten a larger trailer. One with more outside storage...lol Thanks ------------- Firefighter Steve (retired) 2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod) 2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg. E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller. |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 3:54pm
| I recommend a medium-weight axe (not a hatchet), in addition to the previous. |
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 5:20pm
| guys file tip point off the phillips screw driver and it will fit and hold better |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 5:20pm
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Any decent medium sized general tool kit will have most of the implements you need. Two items you absolutely have to add are a torque wrench of at least 100# capacity, and a ground fault plug-in indicator to test the output of a camp ground riser. The use of the torque wrench should be obvious- Every lug nut upon departure and, in the course of any lengthy trip, at rest stops along the way. The circuit tester will indicate any non-standard condition of the electrical supply riser. Techtrek also recommends a tester to see if there is a charge on the trailer frame, if I recall. I have one, and I know the function, but the nomenclature escapes me. Perhaps TT will jump in and expand. Other suggestions posted above are certainly worthy of your consideration. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 5:26pm
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Most of the stuff I carry in Pod is in appropriate sized storage bins. Not just on floor. I also tow with pickups so I have on board storage boxes in bed, I carry jack, tool kits and hitch/tire stuff. I do have a road service contract with USAA, I would recommend a road service contract. That way you're not changing a tire on the interstate at rush hour. I do carry a Dewault half inch impact wrench and by the way don't forget several types of tie wraps to include heavy duty ones. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 8:10pm
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I agree with Bob and Joyce that a good general purpose tool set will have almost everything you need for tools. If you look for one where all the tools are in slots in a case, then you only have one item to store instead of a number of items and you can see that everything is in its place if all the slots are full. Some tools recommended are not essential (such as an ax) but some will be needed if you need to change a tire (hydraulic jack, lug wrench or impact wrench and torque wrench). The key is to find the balance between the desire to take everything you might need vs. the space and weight all those things will require. What that point will be depends on you. I purchased a http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-1-2-half-inch-emergency-impact-wrench-92349.html - 12V impact wrench from Harbor Freight . It is slow as it has to spin up and take a hit, then repeat the spin up and hit, but it will remove the lug nuts. It is relatively light weight and does not take up much room. The jacking block I made to work with the hydraulic jack I purchased is detailed in my mods. I carry a http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-239.html - 100 ft.lb. torque wrench also from Harbor Freight. I have a 1/2" drive extension and the same bit from the impact wrench fits that so I use that for lug nuts. Another Harbor Freight purchase was a http://www.harborfreight.com/130-pc-tool-set-with-case-63091.html - 130 Piece Tool Set . With coupons and sales, I have gotten some good buys on these items and others. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 7:34am
I always keep a first aid kid handy 
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Steve 911
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 9:05am
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I appreciate everyone's comments. Thank you. I'm off the the hardware store.... ------------- Firefighter Steve (retired) 2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod) 2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg. E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 9:22am
Must be a boy or girl scout.  We have a first aid kit in our car. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 9:36am
Ah, with respect, I firmly believe an axe is the ONE thing that everyone should have. Yes it's a tad heavy, but it lays down flat in the slide-thru, taking up very little space. It was said of the pioneers that one could go into the wilderness with only an axe and come out a year later with a team and wagon. An axe can help in setting up camp and with fire wood, and when you are really in trouble because of a blow down in the road or a deep mud hole, it's there to save your bacon. So let's shed a little respect on that valuable tool, the axe.
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 4:38pm
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ooops almost forgot...............................a 12 pack of silver bullets to go with the first aid kid purely medicinal
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Steve 911
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 4:40pm
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On ice 👍🏻 ------------- Firefighter Steve (retired) 2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod) 2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg. E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller. |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 9:04pm
| Crazy glue, epoxy cement, cheep ohms meter. Just a thought, I think Harbor Freight was conceived for us rPoders. |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 4:28pm
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This is a little late, but .... One absolutely vital 'tool' that a new person to podding might not consider is a portable air compressor to keep the tires of the trailer and tow vehicle up to proper pressure.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 4:39pm
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How about a tube of Flex Seal, not an endorsement:) ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |