Best Tools for the Road

Don't forget the Torx bits. Vice Grips come in handy too.

 

You pretty much covered it all but I have a few extras like the air hose that connects to my glad hand to put air in my tire from anywhere. The only two tools I use the most are my cutters for metal seals and mallet for when the trailer pins don't want to retract. Even though I know I could just rock the trailer to loosen the pins, a small tap does the trick.

 

Common sense would be the #1 needed and most forgotten.

I carry a full socket set, 1/4" up to 1/2" plus electrical supplies (wireties, buttsplices.etc.), five pound sledge, maxi crowbar, 1/2" impact wrench and sockets, and lots of spare parts (lights, fuses, etc.)

But I'm serious about the common sense..

 

I also carry a military e-tool. One of those folding steel shovels.

 

Yeah, What he said!

 

Don't forget if you go to a company that has new trucks and trailers they will hardly need any elbow grease. My friend left my company and went to another that tries to save every penny and his truck and trailer is rusted out and falling apart. Our trucks and trailers are less then two years old and everything is still clean and working.

 

I carry two sets of wrenches from 1/4 to 1 1/4" some metric also. Spare couplers for air lines are handy too . all this in a small tool box that fits in my bunk compartment.. a couple small good ratchet straps also are handy , we tied a fuel tank up to get to a shop one time.

 

The previous comments were good, also add heavy jumper cables, tire valve stems and a valve tool, a circuit test light is a true necessity and a good assortment of fuses....and a good pair of leather gloves.

 

Woof, you're gonna need extra batteries for that flashlight, and a spare bulb (if it uses a bulb instead of LEDs). The kind that is mounted on an elastic headband is great!
I second the suggestions for vice-grips, cutters for the metal seals, and the electrical supplies.

I also suggest:
a can of penetrating oil (for sticky slider pins)
a pair of needle-nose pliers, for pulling fuses out of their sockets
a test light
electrical tape
carburetor cleaner or naphtha, for cleaning oil & grease spots
a 5/16" nut driver for hose clamps
a boxcutter with a new, sharp blade
epoxy or JB Weld, duct tape, and rubber bungee straps (you WILL need these at some point)
spare gladhand seals, fuses, light bulbs, a gallon of engine oil, several gallons of antifreeze and/or water, a funnel, and rags.

And the most important: common sense, patience, a sense of humor, and your Bible.