What's in your RV's tool box?

If we took a look inside your RV's tool box, what would we see? Would it be stocked with all the necessary tools and gadgets to keep you and your RV humming right along down the open road? Or would we find just a few random items that, at best, would help you change a flat tire or repair a torn awning? When you take your home on the road with you, you need to be prepared for anything and everything that could happen. Roofs leak, bolts come loose, and toilets break. Trust me on this last one! The hose on the back of our RV toilet jiggled free going down the road and became disconnected from the wall. While we didn't have the replacement part that we needed, we were able to buy one in a nearby town with an RV dealership (lucky!) and attach it with the tools we had in our trusty tool box! Every component on an RV has the potential to need repairing, so you need to be prepared to be its mechanic. And just like with houses and cars, RVs never choose the most convenient time to need immediate attention. Follow our list below of RV tool box essentials and you'll be prepared for when (not if!) something on your RV needs repairing. All items should fit nicely into a standard-sized tool box for easy storage.

Adhesives

• Silicone sealant (to keep water out)


• Vinyl adhesive (for vinyl)


• Threadlocker glue (for screws and bolts)


• Multipurpose adhesive (for almost anything else)


• Electrical tape


• Duct tape


• Velcro® hook-and-loop strips

Tools

• Sockets (a small set that contains ¼ & 3/8 drive sizes will do)


• Screw drivers (pack a multipurpose driver that comes with an assortment of bits that include torx, hex, phillips, & regular)


• Pliers (needle nose and a set of locking pliers)


• Drill and bits (A hand drill with a small set of bits is great for fastening items back together with screws or bolts. Don't forget an extra battery ... and the charger too!)


• Wood and self-tapping screws


• Wrenches (A metric set that runs from 8 to 20 should see you through. You should also consider standard sizes from ¼"-1".)


• Utility knife and extra blades


• Straight cutting tin snips (for cutting wire, heavy-duty tarps, canvas, etc.)


• A saw (a few types of reciprocating saw blades and a folding holder/handle will allow you to cut wood, metal, and plastic)


• A hammer


• Extra washers, nuts, and bolts


• A digital multi-meter (You're bound to incur a loose connection or a split from mice sooner or later. This will help diagnose your issue quickly).


• Polarity tester (this gadget works great for checking the "shore" power to see if it is wired correctly before you plug into it and fry something)


• Soldering iron (great for reattaching wires)


• Mini voltmeter

Miscellaneous Items

• Zip ties


• A flashlight


• A head lamp for hands-free illumination


• Spare bulbs for your tow vehicle and/or trailer (headlights, signaling lights, etc.)


• Sturdy disposable latex gloves


• Extra fuses in various amperage ratings


• A fire extinguisher


• Baby wipes (for hands)

Did we miss something? Let us know what's in your RV's tool box by leaving a comment!