Carl L
Moderator Emeritus
Merry said:Quick questions - what kind of hand tools should an RVer keep handy?
1. A ratcheting screwdriver set, the ones that have various bit types including square bits.
2. An ordinary largish screw driver about a #1.
3. A pair of 13" channel lock pliers with curved jaws. This is the universal hose and plumbing fitting tool.
4. A pair of needle nosed pliers and a pair of wire cutters.
5. A 6 inch and a 12 inch adjustable crescent wrench.
6. A 120V circuit tester: the kind that shows wiring problems by the mean of three LEDs. A small digital multimeter is handy also.
7. A pair of leather gloves for handling steel. A pair of long cuffed industrial plastic coated gloves for handling sewage issues.
8. A small Maglite flashlite -- the kind you can hold in your mouth while fiddling with something. A big 3 or 4 cell Maglite for highway and wayfinding in the dark.
9. A Johnny Cock ?, a small plastic sleeve gizmo that fits into the throat of your RV toilet to hold the valve open for flushing and tank filling. Find it at an RV supply house like Camping World.
10. About 25 feet of cheap light garden house for sanitary purposes. Never use your white drinking water hose for this.
11. A supply of hose washers. Electric tape. Teflon pipe tape.
12. A tire pressure gauge.
13. Whatever it takes to change a tire -- even if it is a cell phone and the number of the AAA or other road assistance service.
14. A 2 gallon plastic bucket to hold your sewer hose gear. A gallon of plain chlorine bleach for cleaning up sewer accidents, sanitizing water tanks, and, oh yes, bleaching laundry.
Trailer RVers will accumulate a different set of other tools than a motorhomer or a vanner. I have not mention those more specialized needs. And of course lists like this are a subject to much argument and
expansion.