Do I need tools ?Will I use them ?

Don't forget a filter wrench. I've got one that looks like a pair of channellocks, and it might just be at that. I've got the larger pair. It fits a number of different filter sizes. It's come in very nice when having to change out a dirty fuel filter. Can also use to tighten up oil filters that somehow come loose and start leaking.

 

Yep, got one just like that, plus a siphon to pre-fill fuel filters from my fuel tanks..... Thanks!

 

Yeah, that's another thing. I can't remember what it's called, but it's one of those that you dip in the fluid and jiggle it up and down until it starts flowing. It has a check valve in the end you dip in the fluid. A lot better than sucking on a hose, diesel just doesn't taste that good. Believe me, I know!!

 

The advice I gave about adjusting self adjusting brakes came from a Utility Trailer Shop. I guess you could do it while sitting still but I was told while it was rolling.

The oil filter I use is the strap that rolls up and it doesn't take up much room in my tool pack. If you don't have a wrench but a long screwdriver then drive the screwdriver through the filter and loosen it up but be fore warned you'll get oil or diesel all over your self. Another WARNING: DO NOT TIGHTEN filters with the filter wrench! Hand tight unless you have no upper body strength then VERY LIGHTLY with the wrench. You can break the seal with to much tension put on the filter causing a nice leak of oil or fuel. OR strip the center threads which isn't a fun repair to be doing on the side of the road or paying someone to fix for you!

I have the same siphon hose with the check valve in the end! ANYTHING you have to siphon can taste bad well except beer out of a bad pony keg!

A 20' or longer set of jumper cables with 3 gauge or smaller cables.OR go to a welding shop and get what ever length you want but the smaller the gauge the better for the transfer of DC power! It's a resistance thing electricians can fill you in on as it's been a really long time since I did that kind of work and school! The clamps are best bought at the welding shop or a NAPA store as they are everything auto!

That 60' long air hose with the glad hand on the end. I put a quick release on the tool end and the matching nipple on the attachments to it like the air chuck and a nozzle. The nozzle you'll need for in case you ever forget to check the fuel even in a reefer unit! A tennis ball is the other half of this tool. Punch a hole through the tennis ball put the nozzle in one side and press the ball against the filler neck on the reefer tank and put air into the tank and the pressure will push the fuel up the line into the hand pump to the release nut on the injector bank. I have also seen repair trucks with a long valve stem sticking through the ball also!

WARNING!! You must know which nut to open when you have to "jack off" the hand pump or as it's really called "pump the fuel up" but standing there in front of the unit with the doors kinda hiding you that's what you look like, a deviate running loose on your trailer! But loosen that nut or you'll damage the injectors! When fuel starts to leak out of the nut then stop with the air or pumping, tighten the nut and start the unit and I'll bet it'll be a LONG time before you let that thing run out of fuel again as it's way to much like work! Well unless someone siphons your fuel out for you!

Have fun but remember until you own your own truck just the basic hand tools are what you need. 2 types of screw drivers small and larger, lock jaw and regular pliers, set of combo wrenches plus another 9/16 and 1/2 (CB Work!) 6" up to a 16" combination wrench, wire cutters, Stanley box knife with a retractable blade (for cutting shrink wrap while unloading. DO NOT use your Buck Knife as shrink wrap dulls a knife faster than cutting cement!), circuit tester with the light in the end unless you understand a voltage meter, wire stripper and assorted splices, assorted fuses of all sizes and voltages, electrical tape and DUCT TAPE! torque drivers also known as star drivers and a fold up hex wrench kit, and a tool pouch. I use a cool pouch that my company gave me. It's like a lunch box but soft sided. It fits into my big nylon bag that I have incase I ever have to bail while on the road! Tools you NEVER leave behind! it's like leaving your kids behind but that's a man thing and most of us older guys can relate to this! LOL

Now Owner Ops own their truck and will need more tools and I've seen complete tool boxes peeking out of side boxes. I even saw a Pete with the passenger side step box with a custom made tool box in it! Real sharp! But as a company driver you want to be sure you aren't going to get canned for putting a tool to the truck other than a light bulb, loose screw as in the dash or something minor that they won't care about but refrain from engine or other major work!

I left a lot out but I have never seen the other link on tools to carry for some strange reason! Go figure me out! ROFL! )OH! keep your receipt=s for any of the tools as you're using them for your work thus and I'll not scream it, oh yeah I will! IT'S ALL TAX DEDUCTABLE! OH YEAH!

Good Luck
Rollover

 

Once again Doc, very informative! I think your posts really benefit the newer drivers. Especially the ones that didn't have trainers. Even if they aren't mechanically inclined they can be directed on the phone by a mechanic if something needs to be done to the truck to get it somewhere safely. Also very important to carry tools if you run reefer. It could really make you a hero if you fix your broken reefer under a load! Thanks again Doc! How bout a Doc's Daily Dose of Driving thread?

 

You know This Thread has Gotten a ton of Help From Rollover Original. I am Glad another Forum Member jumped in like he did with Word of Wisdom, Sometimes because of being on the road for so long, I forget to mention things. Like Bleeding the fuel check ball on the Reefer ( and to think I have hauled trash for the last 16 years) this is important to know, I have had to do it more than once, (ran out of Fuel once, Tank ruptured once thanks to a hunk of steel sticking up at consignor, all the fuel was gone in 30 seconds thanks to a gaping hole big enough to stick my head in, I could not get the reefer shut down in time) for that I am thankful that someone Like Rollover was Johnny on the Spot and helped me when I ran out of Fuel, or I would have been at the Thermoking shop looking like an idiot?

 

AWWWW GEEEE Doc! {Blushing}!

 

I've got an idea.... while I have you all here


Lately we've had some threads that have discussed the, shall we say pros and cons of having a trainer or not and also the level of training available to new (and somewhat experienced drivers). In these threads various people have posted that newbies don't know how to correctly do "something". Recently it was sliding tandems.

I think that we ought to have a thread devoted to "training" the new driver where some of the old hands could address some of the finer points of the trade like sliding tandems or how to set up for a back for example... make it a sticky so the newer folks can have a resource.

just thinkin' out loud.


.......... Jim

 

Nahh... don't need no stinkin' tools 'n trainers! All 'em noobs are sooopertruckers right outta the box! They fix everything with duct tape n' bungies!!!

 

Thats a GREAT Idea!



American Trucker