What tools should every trucker carry?

+1 to zipties. They may be more useful than duct tape.

 

I carried a ton of stuff as a company driver, and as a O/O. You will be surprised how little room a good tool kit takes. And don't buy into the....... not working on company equipment BS you hear from some folks. If a trailer is overall safe, but needs a latch, light, glad hand gasket, small patch......you are always better off fixing it than driving another 100 miles to pick up another trailer that might be just as bad.

 

A brain, common sense and fingerless gloves!

 

Ok Sean,bare minimum for company driver, assort. of scewdrivers, socket set,large adj. wrench, vise grips,wire cuters,small sledge hammer,crowbar.filter wrench,test light. From ur shop; belts,fuel filter(s),gallon of fuel to fill filter,wd40,either,couple tubes of grease.if the company has a problem, ask yourself this,do I want to freeze my nuggets off waiting for a service truck, or fix it myself and get rollin. I am an owner operator, if I told you all the stuff I carry we would need more paper, lol. Asyou go along you will come up with some ideas of your own. If you become an owner operator revisit the forum and me and my fellow drivers will be glad to hook you up. Hope this narrows it down a little for you. PS, don't forget your test light !

 

can of WD40?

 

yeah works wonders on rusted fastners and sqeeling belts

 

Might consider a leatherman also and extra keys. If your locked out all
those tools become useless.

 

PB Blaster. I'll never use WD40 again.

 

PB Blaster is a hell of a lot better than WD40.

As for the original question, I'm gonna be honest here... it really depends. I've seen some hack jobs by people who should be face dismemberment if they ever touch a wrench again (or, especially, wiring tools).
Costco has these basic "mechanic" sets for $100... those should cover everything you need for what you might actually do as a fleet driver (e.g., replacing mud flaps, replacing trailer air lines, etc.). Add a decent sized crescent wrench which can open up to at least 1-1/16" inch. That, and a small... maybe 2 - 3 lb. sledge to hit on your drums if your brakes freeze up. If you're running anything open deck (with a wooden deck), you'll want a good claw hammer... I like the Stanley single piece hammers with the Antivibe grip, personally. Perhaps a test light to check for blown fuses, as well.
Really depends on how mechanically inclined you are, and also what your company will allow... you try a DIY repair, butcher it, and end up voiding a warranty, expect your feet to get held to the fire for it.
If you're halfway competent with wiring repairs, then some butt connectors, shrink wrap, wire cutters/crimpers/strippers (for the latter, I prefer automatic wire strippers), and a small butane torch in case a pigtail to your tail lights gets broken or cut somehow.
A good multitool is definitely an asset, as well.

 

here we go again