List of tools new drivers will need

A good imagination is probably the most cruel tool of all...
You know.. since new drivers in training always goes so well....
Am I sick?

 

A combination of lime and a high phosphorus fertilizer are also good ina pinch.

Sick, think about this, I found your list incomplete!

 

Hammer
Duct tape
Pliers
Screwdriver
Adjustable Wrench
Done.

 

If you pull trailers with MTIS, a cheetah, or brake cleaner an lighter is nice. Systems leak and tire will loose seat. Sometimes trailer air supply will pop it back on, some times you need more

 

Socket set, hammer, flathead/Phillips, needle nose pliers (come in handy on gladhand seals imo), good bright flashlight

 

Driver off duty sign is helpful also. Works great for taking your 30 at the fuel Island

 

Really depends on what your company will allow. If you’re driving for a big fleet - and especially if the trucks are under warranty - they don’t want you doing much, if anything at all.

A mini sledge, 2 - 3 lbs. for unsticking brake drums. A claw hammer and pry bar, for nailing down and removing boards from the trailer floor. 1/4” and 3/8” ratchet and socket sets, ASE wrenches to 15/16” and metric wrenches to 19mm, and some pliers will be more than adequate for what a typical big box company driver needs. Oh, and if you drive a T680, a long set of angled needle nose pliers, because people keep wanting to turn their trucks into an electronics emporium and blowing out the fuses for the 12v outlets on the dash. The fuses are sort of a MF to replace otherwise.


I bought these after I’d left Navajo to go work for C&C of Denver, but stayed on part-time with Navajo until they gave the axe to their part-timers last October (which was stupid of them to do, since they can’t keep techs there). IIRC, $11 for the set at Harbor Freight.

Of course you need a flashlight. Another from my part-timer’s tool box, I think $8 from Harbor Freight.

This is kind of a pain in the nuts to do on my phone. Let me follow up when I’m on an actual computer..

 

1) If you want to keep light, a quality fullsize multi tool, such as leatherman or gerber with a belt loop holster goes a long way. This way if you commit the greatest trucker sin of locking your keys inside and didnt think to put a spare in a secret location, you will always have some option as long as you remeber to put on your pants when you got out of your truck in the middle of Maine winter.

2) A quality compact led flashlight with slide focus and pack of spare name brand batteries.

3) mini sledge hammer

4) small blow torch

5) mini wd 40 can

6) roll of electrical tape

7) roll of duct tape

8) roll of 18 guage mechanics wire

9) nerves of steel

10) can do attitude

 

I agree with this! I pulled a drop deck last week that I couldn’t grab my handle. My hook saved me.