Must have tools

Ever stop at one of those brake check areas and crawl under the rig, that is such a lovely smell and then a change of clothes is needed so you can breathe again.

 

I get paid per hour so I'm the trucker who will call road service even if it's just to change the rubber grommets on the glad hands lol.

If you are gonna carry crap, besides tools don't forget spare bulbs and fuses

 

For 20 years I did most maintenance on company truck I carried full kit 3/8" drive to 3/4" drive. About 300 lbs hand tools
Now I carry a screwdriver, hammer, multitool and crescent wrench and they see very little action

 

I pull a company flatbed. Here’s a few things I have.

I keep a small sledgehammer. For checking tires. I can also use that to dull/smooth sharp corners on dunnage that stick out past the product, saving my tarps from ripping. Also if I want my bulkhead lumber to be perfect a sledge can straighten those out.

I also have a normal hammer to help assemble wooden v-boards if they are required by a shipper. I keep roofing nails for this reason.

I keep scissors and rubber cement for tarp repairs. I keep an adjustable ladder secured to my headache rack. Keep a few of my own 1” truck straps for tarp and ladder control.

I keep PB blaster spray for lubricant of winches and binders. I keep a variety of gloves, including just simple thick black latex gloves for fueling.

I keep extra gladhand seals. I also keep extra cotter pins for my chains. I have pliers for that.

 

most companies now don't want the drivers messing with the equipment.
judging from what a lot of the kids today don't know about mechanical things it's probably a good idea.

 

300 dollars at lowes or home depot. Make sure u get wrenches up to 1 1/4 inch. Shallow and deep sockets. 3/8 drive for smaller sockets 1/2 drive for large. Wrenches channell locks and adjustable wrenches ( that's 2. small and large). Electrics tools kit. I carry a 0 - 120 ft/lb torque wrench. Saves u breaking smaller bolts. Doesn't take much to pull 50 ft/lbs. Prybar nail puller. Then if you need it or think it's a good idea...buy it. Don't break the bank fixing what isn't yours and make sure you have permission to fix stuff yourself.

 

The most important tools is a cell phone and call the owner of the truck to send someone out to fix it. Keep the tool money in your pocket, 90 percent of the tools I have carried I never have used, Vice grips, good 2.5 lb hammer, maybe couple of harbor freight screwdrivers, flashlight.

 

You are fortunate that you will be in the same truck and trailer so you can learn it’s issues. Depending on the year of the Volvo, I would keep a spare H11 low beam bulb and a spare 9005 high beam, along with a couple 194 marker lights for the corner, and a couple 3157s for the turn signals.
Tools have been mentioned, big maul type hammer, electrical tape, needle nose pliers for pulling fuses, ratchet set with metric and standard, wire strippers, and flat blade and Phillips head screwdrivers. Allen wrenches for certain Volvo parts, zip ties and super glue for cheap plastic issues. Air hose, air gauge, crescent wrenches and you should be able to fix most minor issues. Unless you break down in front of a shop, expect to sit for several hours on what could be an issue you could fix yourself if you have the tools.

 

^^^ This!!!! ^^^

All the suggestions here will keep a guy or gal rolling, to get unloaded/reloaded and to a shop (if necessary) Theres no reason to halt productivity for many hours (and cost yourself and/or your boss) hundreds extra for an unnecessary callout.