'Must Have' Tools

When I was on the road I had the following.
-As mentioned above, a tire inflation gauge.
-Also mentioned. A hose with an air chuck that locks onto one of your air lines.
-Cordless screwdriver (Makita with spare batteries). Also one of those universal tool kits that has extra 1/4" drive type sockets, drills, torx bits, and so on.
-A 3 pound hammer, good for knocking stuck pins on the tandems.
-A good flashlight. I used to use a mag lite. These days I found you can get a 140,000 lumen rechargeable light that you can point anywhere and see what ever you need to work on. Also good for pretrips at night.
-A clipboard with calculator. Mine had a locking lid with plenty of room for extra pens. Easier to get a signature when there is something to write on. As some one local to me pointed out, if needed it would make a helluva club if needed for a altercation.

 

(links on where to find items in above post)
The rechargeable light
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-SL10...&sr=8-4&keywords=rechargeable+work+spot+light
Also not listed here. If you have access to 5 gallons of water for solar showering on the catwalk
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000...8&qid=1488882772&sr=8-3&keywords=solar+shower
Cordless screwdriver
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker...8882928&sr=8-48&keywords=cordless+screwdriver
The hammer, I prefer the one with a tapered back. Never know when you need to concentrate the force.
https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-3-Po...qid=1488882989&sr=8-6&keywords=3+pound+hammer
Clipboard
https://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Des...83102&sr=8-20&keywords=clipboard+with+storage

 

Sadly in my neck of the woods, buying T-bolts off the shelf does not exist anymore. Maxi's / Spring brakes come with T-bolts attached on the side but many have been used and never returned, or have been robbed off the trailers or trucks. I lucked out and found 5 of them in a toolbox at the local pawn shop, bought all 5 for $3. That's cheaper than paying $35 + for a new maxi just to get the T-bolt. And yes you are correct, it is nice to have a few extras just in case.

 

I need to invest in a pair of coveralls. And I keep meaning to change the end of my airline to a quick coupler. It'd be nice to have the ability to use other air tools.

A dummy light for electrical is good to carry. Gloves are useful. Wheel chocks or a couple wood blocks. Spare light bulbs and pigtails. Tarp straps. Mechanics wire. Spare fuses. The list is almost endless

 

A ratchet wrench specifically for caging bolts...

 

I get where a couple of you hands are talking about the bolts (I carry them myself), but I wouldn't want most of my generation having them. Flying down a mountain and forgetting you have 1 less brake active. OR trailer gets dropped at a yard never having been fixed, then I get stuck taking it to the shop losing my hours for the day.

 

Add to the lost a good large crowbar, if you pay f'n attention it can save quite a bit of time when sliding your tandems. Also, if you do dry van, it's useful for pulling nails after a blocked load.

 

Most of the idiots wouldn't know where to stick a caging bolt. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I'm paid by the hour. When my truck breaks down I dial roadside service in slow motion, lay out in my day cab and go straight to sleep. The slower that mechanic gets to me the happier my old lady gets at pay day.
I broke down next to an In-n-Out burgers once, it took 6 hours for the tow truck to arrive. Did I complain? Nope.

 

The only way you'd be down a brake by caging it is if you also pinched off or blocked the service line to the chamber. The only thing caging the brake chamber does is the job the supply side air pressure does...just without the air. Service side is still functional.