Minimum Toolkit Suggestions?

[limitedreality]

Today I was cleaning out my car for sale, and I unpacked my toolkit for my current car. I always put together a toolkit of only the needed tools for the vehicle so it's light and compact. Probably comes from years of doing it for my motorcycles.

I tried searching and don't see any answers like I have for other vehicles (one post for the hybrid but no relevant answers in it). Anyone have a list of the must have emergency maintenance tools for your truck? Which specific sockets are needed/shallow vs deep well, etc?

My EB is coming in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks!

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[Gpp]

GOOD jumper cables,same basic tools that were in your car if made in last 15 years.just make sure the 10 mm wrench is still in it.there isnt so much you can work on on these newer cars and trucks.

 

[Jim D]

Harbor freight sells a basic socket set ...fits nicely under back seat.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

Today I was cleaning out my car for sale, and I unpacked my toolkit for my current car. I always put together a toolkit of only the needed tools for the vehicle so it's light and compact. Probably comes from years of doing it for my motorcycles.

I tried searching and don't see any answers like I have for other vehicles (one post for the hybrid but no relevant answers in it). Anyone have a list of the must have emergency maintenance tools for your truck? Which specific sockets are needed/shallow vs deep well, etc?

My EB is coming in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks!

As long as the equiptment is there to change a tire, not many other things you can do on the road except call for a tow truck. Hybrid owners have bought small jump boxes in case there trucks died somewhere. The cell phone is still the best "must have" when traveling.

 

[trumpet77]

as noted above:
--cell phone
--credit card
--peanut butter and jelly sandwich

 

[SimplyCosmic]

Hybrid owners have bought small jump boxes in case there trucks died somewhere.

For those looking, check out the Weego Model 44s. Well-reviewed, very small, yet powerful, and currently on sale during the Black Friday weekend.

 

[Hoagus]

Well, if you want the minimum, I’d go with a flathead screwdriver

 

[Montana]

Can't say I've ever asked what the minimum should be lol.

It's more like "how much space do I have and what can I fill it with".

 

[bgn]

I keep a 0-degree down bag under the rear seat so I can wait for the tow truck if something grenades itself.

More seriously, I'm on gravel roads a lot where the tow trucks won't want to get me and more than anything, my tire plug kit and air compressor have been most useful.

Keep a few sockets, gloves, flashlight, battery jump pack...the basics.

 

[limitedreality]

I usually keep:
- Relevant Socket Sizes
- Socket Wrench
- 6" Adjustable Wrench
- Pocket Knife
- Small Flash Light
- Spare Fuses
- Jumper Cables
- Tire Plug Kit

Seems like our truck also uses some torx sizes?

 

[Lane]

Very important:

• If you have aftermarket wheels and had to use non-stock lugnuts, have the right sized socket for them and a breaker bar as well. And, keep a set of 5 stock lugnuts in the vehicle and the factory lug wrench in case you have to mount the spare.

Other smart things:

• Insurance company's instructions/ph# for their towing & roadside assistance which is often covered by the policy
• Compact 12v air compressor, easily fits in the glove box or center console. It's amazing how small and cheap these are (<$15) and they work well. I have a jump box with one built in but don't want to dedicate the space to carry the thing with me all the time.

The things I've kept in a vehicle and used more than once:

• Mechanics gloves, or disposables.
• Old hand towel (under seat, works great for spills, rain/snow in cab, defogging inside of windows in a hurry, etc)
• USB chargeable flashlight. Bonus points if you can keep it plugged in somewhere in the vehicle to maintain its charge.
• And if you live in an area where it gets cold, winter gloves and a hat.

 

[Decayed]

Can't say I've ever asked what the minimum should be lol.

It's more like "how much space do I have and what can I fill it with".

Truth.

I made a kit that will handle pretty much all the roadside-fixable problems I've had over the years, fits in a 30 cal ammo can which are pretty small.

Wide jaw adjustable wrench
Locking and needle-nose pliers that have a wire cutter built in
Phillips and flat screwdrivers
allen key set
Hacksaw blade with compact handle
fixed blade knife and utility knife with replaceable razor type blade
Leatherman style multitool with pliers
Head lamp and magnetic light with spare batteries
work gloves and disposable poncho
road flares and disposable lighter
electrical tape
Tire plug kit

All that's in the can, I also have jumper cables, a jump starter battery and a 12v tire inflator along with a roll of duct tape. Oh and a couple of spare fuses in the glove box.

Been stuck on unlit roads at night in the cold and rain too many times to be without the lights, gloves and poncho. Also nothing says "danger" to oncoming traffic better than a burning road flare.

That said, your best tool in an emergency is a cell phone and a AAA membership.

 

[Timothyd]

Today I was cleaning out my car for sale, and I unpacked my toolkit for my current car. I always put together a toolkit of only the needed tools for the vehicle so it's light and compact. Probably comes from years of doing it for my motorcycles.

I tried searching and don't see any answers like I have for other vehicles (one post for the hybrid but no relevant answers in it). Anyone have a list of the must have emergency maintenance tools for your truck? Which specific sockets are needed/shallow vs deep well, etc?

My EB is coming in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks!

Vice gripes,
cable ties,
metric set (adjustable wrench),
duct tape,
screwdrivers,
flashlight,
channel locks,
Water

My sister once lost her brakes due to a hole in a line. I fixed it with duct tape and some hose clamps I happened to have. Got her home and then to a shop the next day. Downside is now she thinks duct tape can fix everything.

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