What tools should every trucker carry?

Geez I hope not but maybe I am getting old.

 

Something else to carry is spare air lines. It was cold enough in Montreal one night this winter.....close to -40...I snapped one in half in the consignee's parking lot. I never thought that plastic would snap. I didn't have a spare but I did have an assortment of compression fittings so I was able to repair it. I had to take the hose off and bring it into the bunk to warm it up because when I slid the ferrule on the plastic turned to powder. First thing I did when I got back to the shop was ditch the plastic curly lines and make a set from rubber air line.

 

First thing I'd do is move somewhere warmer. -40!?

 

Here's a few things I always carry. Ball pein hammer, broom, vice grips, flashlight, screwdrivers, hex keys, flashlight, small shovel, small ratchet set, isopropyl alcohol, adjustable wrench, electrical tape, duck tape, and a small bag of screws and bolts.

 

Yeah it was ~2:00 AM so no sun. At least it wasn't windy.

 

Let's assume as a Wannabe you will soon finish school and go into training for a mega carrier, then "upgrade" to solo status. You want to be able to carry everything with you and it should fit in DUFFLE BAGS, not roller luggage, when you get into your trainer's truck. At most a large duffle bag to hold your lightweight things like a sleeping bag and clothes, maybe a small duffle for food and heavier items, and perhaps a laptop or small duffle you use for your shower bag.

You don't want to bring a lot of heavy tools with you during training. The trainer will have all that. There won't be a lot of room in the truck for a lot of luggage (like wheeled luggage), so only bring your personal effects.

When it gets close to time for you to upgrade to solo, then start purchasing essentials, like a Rand McNally road atlas, etc. The ESSENTIAL tools when you get into your own truck would be vice grips, tire pressure gauge, pliers, screwdrivers, and air hose. You may very well be upgrading at a terminal far from home, so you can make do with these essentials until you get home to get the rest of your tools (assuming you have plenty of tools at home). When you get home you can stock the truck with the rest of it, or if you need to purchase tools then you can start adding them as your income allows.

One thing I've found essential is a good screwdriver set. It's amazing how many different types of screw heads there are in a truck. Get one with the socket to use all the specialized bits, like five or six point star heads, etc. Yes, they are going to come in handy at one point or another.