What tools are essential for Rving?

Years ago while pulling our Komfort travel trailer through Santa Rosa, New Mexico the wind began peeling the panneling off the upper side of the trailer. I had a cordless electric drill, but I didn't have any screws. We felt conspicuous driving through town with a flapping pannel but I found a TrueValue Hardware store, purchased some screws and we were back on the road in no time. From that experience I learned to be better prepared.

Many Rvers bring tools along with them whether it's a weekend trip or they are full-timers. The kind and amount of tools you take largely depend on your style of Rving.

Toy people (those with toy haulers) will frequently bring enough tools to do minor surgery on a quad or motorcycle while other RVers have a different concept of what tools are necessary. Ultimately the essential tools for RVing depend on the style of RVing and the level of mechanical ability of the RVer.
Ray Bentsen from San Diego, California is a craftsman and made his own tool chest in one of his storage bays. He made the tool chest himself from aluminum (I'm jealous). I particularly like the way he organized his screwdrivers and a few other essential tools, however I usually need my screwdrivers handy at the location where I'm working, so I keep them in my portable toolbox.As a full time Rver I bring along only the tools I need. If I haven't used a tool or set of tools for a year, I eject them. The tool I use more than any other is my cordless drill. The second most used tool is a utility knife followed by my multimeter and portable air compressor.

I keep a modest set of mechanic's tools. I value a professional grade wire stripper along with a supply of electric connectors. I have an assortment of drill bits, a grinding wheel and wire brush (for the drill) and a set of hole saws. I have a hack saw, staple gun, rivet gun, caulking gun, funnels, strap wrench and safety goggles.

I keep a box of replacement bulbs and fuses, bolts, nuts, washers and screws. I keep caulking on hand as well as several kinds of tape and adhesives. I pack a small spool of electric wire and an assortment of wire ties. I store my tools in an outside storage compartment except one – the Leatherman, which I keep inside the coach for quick jobs.

In the utilities bay I keep a pair of channel-lock pliers, a water pressure gauge, water pressure regulator and some extra washers.

Though they may not be considered tools, I use gloves when I hook-up my towed vehicle and they save a lot of wear and tear on my hands.

Tooling up for another great RV year – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing