What tools and gadgets should I carry OTR?

Necessary

• 3lb sledge
• 2 large vice grips
• 1 Large and two medium adjustable crescent wrenchs
• Large flathead
• Normal flathead
• Tiny flathead
• Multihead screwdriver with tourqe bits (up to size 40)
• Catspaw/flat pry/mini pry bar to take nails out (depending on what you call it in your neck of the woods)
• Needle nose pliers w/wire cutter
• Broom
• Shovel with metal head
• Pb blaster/wd 40

Nice but not necessary

• Full wrench and socket set
• Drill with socket driver and drill bits
• Glad hand air hose
• Large pry bar
• Side cutter/mini bolt cutter for braided steel cable seals
• Folding bolt cutters (1/2 inch minimum)
• Tow strap

 

What About Those Air Line Repair Kits?
I never used one, just watched one installed.

 

Excellent to keep one handy, better to have a full spare line, price is almost the same if you buy line at napa or somewhere vs repair kit at truckstop

 

The Knipex style Pliers Wrench help a lot compared to the old crescent style wrenches which are better used as nut lathes.

I carry a small version of their Pliers Wrench and Cobra Wrench. I have found that the Pliers Wrench is actually less likely to round over brass fittings than a good open end wrench because they are designed to increase pressure with the handle you push against.

After finding pliers wrenches the only thing I use adjustable wrenches for any more is straightening sheet metal. I was surprised that they were far better for brass fittings than open end wrenches and because you can rarely get a flare nut wrench in place on brake lines they are my go to before I even consider using an end wrench.

That is the huge difference between their cobra and channel lock style water pump pliers. You only have to push against one handle, and that pushing tightens the grip.

That and some electrician scissors, a multi-tool and a good set of diagonal cutters will get you out of a lot of problems especially if you through a few flare nut caps/plugs in with your kit.

I am currently a driver/mechanic so I carry a lot more than that but really I changed out an alternator last week as I broke down less than a mile from a parts store with just two sizes of pliers wrenches after discovering the tool kit on the truck was metric while the truck was SAE.

 

thickskin, butthurt cream, & a #2 washtub of lube for when they stick it to ya. safe miles & good luck.

 

Did anybody mention blinker fluid?

 

Metal hammer for when your brakes freeze and the tow guy tries to charge you $200. Wire cutters and duct tape for sure. Oh and flip flops. Definitely flip flops

 

OTR reefer driver here, got 2 different sized bolt cutters & a wire cutter (wise from HD) but this isn't doing the trick with those aluminum seals usually on a meat load like JBS put on the pax trailer handle - My tools get the job done but after striking or cutting that exact spot a few times & I had a lumper once give me a small maybe cable cutter that cut through that sucker like butter - I'm eyeing two products could use your guys advice or maybe you've had experience with them - from HD a Klein Cable Cutter or from Harbor Freight (hit or Miss I know) a Doyle cable cutter - thanks in advance

 

& an ar15 with 1,000 rounds. kevlar vest.

 

Don't really know about the Harbor Freight ones but Klein or Knipex will serve you well