Tow Vehicle Tools, Diagnostics, etc

[david2015]

Hi,
What do you carry for tow vehicle tools and diagnostic equipment?

In addition to the usual set of hand tools, lights, mirrors, and such, I'm thinking about:

1. Multimeter
2. 12v circuit tester
3. Mechanic's stethoscope
4. Remote IR thermometer
5. Tire pressure gauge

I'm on the fence about an OBDII scanner.  It seems like a lot of geeky fun, not sure if I'd use it enough to warrant packing one along.

What's in your toolbox?




David

[whoofit]

[quote timestamp="1444371032" source="/post/15915/thread" author="@david2015"]Hi,
What do you carry for tow vehicle tools and diagnostic equipment?

In addition to the usual set of hand tools, lights, mirrors, and such, I'm thinking about:

1. Multimeter
2. 12v circuit tester
3. Mechanic's stethoscope
4. Remote IR thermometer
5. Tire pressure gauge

I'm on the fence about an OBDII scanner.  It seems like a lot of geeky fun, not sure if I'd use it enough to warrant packing one along.

What's in your toolbox?




David


[/quote][p]Depends on what you mean by "standard kit". In my standard kit the tire pressure gauge is already included. But so is the jumper cables. I didn't see jumper cables on your list. Are they in your standard kit? If not they should be. Fuses as well.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Truthfully, when I was younger and driving older vehicles, I always carried tools for most any eventuality. On top of that I would carry rubber goods like belts and hoses, strapping for dangly things underneath, spare plug wires and associated ignition components, fuel system components...some of all of the fluids.[/p][p]
[/p][p]But these days a basic set of wrenches, drivers and sockets, flares, fuses, test light, tire gauge and jumper cables coupled with the vehicle jack.....and AAA or manufacturer roadside assist seems to be the way for me. We are always on roadtrips with vehicles 2 years old and newer.
[/p]

[walt3]

All the time cables, breakdown 4 way(factory lug wrenches suck), some pliers screwdrivers. With trailer for a few days small trolley jack, sockets1/4-3/8-1/2 met and sae, full set of wrenches, my electric bag ( crimp tool, extra wire, crimp connectors, fuses, electric tape, assortment of wire ties) batt drill and saws all, rope, ratchet straps, and prob a dozen other things I can't think of at the moment. I do have older tow vehicles so do go a little more prepared. Murphy repellent!

[david2015]

I really appreciate the feedback!  I guess much of it is driven by how far out you go, what work you're willing to take on (nobody mentioned a valve grinder, for instance), and noobs like me get quite a lot from your input.

Thanks again,

David

[david]

In my very younger years I once repaired a broken ignition condenser wire in my 1960 VW bug with the remains of a plastic coated metal wire tie I found in the crack of the back seat. No tools, just some red neck ingenuity.

But today, not so much. When we go on a car trip I carry nothing, well jumper cables and a bit of rope tie down in the trunk and some spare fuses in the fuse compartment. With today's vehicles, there isn't much one can do without instruments- the basic mechanicals just don't break, and if they do there is almost certainly nothing that can be done by even the best shade tree mechanic.

When we go on a camping trip, I do bring along my tool bag which has a full complement of wrenches, VOM, wire crimper and assorted crimps. But I have only used it for connecting and disconnecting the battery terminals and in the case of winterizing yesterday, a pair of channel locks for the PEX fittings.

So, I think that there is no pat answer. It depends on each individual's skills and capabilities as well as the kind of vehicle he drives.

David

[pinstriper]

Having the right wrench to replace a $0.75 part does you no good without a chain hoist to lift the motor out of the way.

I have a multi-meter (Harbor Freight giveaway), a thing that plugs into 15A 3-prong to test polarity (HFT), and another thingie that plugs in the 12v to tell me if the battery is OK. These stay in the trailer.

All vehicles have jumper cables and flashlights and dog poop bags.

In my old truck I carry an OBD II (HFT w/discount was around $30) which I use to reset the sensor fault that hits every time in cold weather. And a roll of duct tape.

[charliem]

Having the right wrench to replace a $0.75 part does you no good without a chain hoist to lift the motor out of the way.

[font size="3"]Hmmm. The story of my life.

And a roll of duct tape. An absolute necessity along with WD40.
[/font]

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/15923/thread" timestamp="1444403108" author="@pinstriper"]Having the right wrench to replace a $0.75 part does you no good without a chain hoist to lift the motor out of the way.

[/quote]That pretty well sums it up. Also a good reason for less tech under the hood.

[daplumbr]

I'm way off in the deep end on this question. I've got 3 bags of tools and spare parts along for most trips. I could even use my winch as a chain hoist if I needed to. I won't embarrass myself by listing everything, but I will note that an OBD-2 scanner along with a list of codes for your vehicle can quickly tell you if a check engine light is minor or serious. I've got a cheap one ($30) in both vehicles. 

[david2015]

[quote source="/post/15934/thread" author="@sandroad" timestamp="1444439468"]I'm way off in the deep end on this question. I've got 3 bags of tools and spare parts along for most trips. I could even use my winch as a chain hoist if I needed to. I won't embarrass myself by listing everything, but I will note that an OBD-2 scanner along with a list of codes for your vehicle can quickly tell you if a check engine light is minor or serious. I've got a cheap one ($30) in both vehicles. [/quote]I like the way you roll!

[joanne]

[quote source="/post/15934/thread" timestamp="1444439468" author="@sandroad"]I'm way off in the deep end on this question. I've got 3 bags of tools and spare parts along for most trips.
[/quote]I end up that way too - having brought along everything needed for a wheel bearing swap and having tested the wheel bearing swap using only the tools in my tool bags.

30 years ago I pulled my engine and swapped out the camshaft in my grandmothers garage, using only the tools in my car and a rented engine hoist. Today? Probably couldn't do that on a new truck or car.