Emergency repair kits

[Island Claire]

I am looking to put together a bin of supplies, to keep in the trailer, for use on the road. I am wonder what people put in the kit besides electrical tape, duct tape and a screwdriver?

[honda03842]

We're on the road almost 8 months a year, very often we are far from any kind of service. Therefore our needs may be greater.

We carry a bottle jack, a 12 volt air compressor, a breaker bar for stubborn lug nuts, a set of short and long sockets, a drill, assorted screws and bolts, a hacksaw, hammer, assorted screw drivers, assorted tywraps, lockjaw pliers, a large wrench for the ball's nut. We carry an air pressure gauge, a plug kit for tires (the most common tire failure is a nail or screw). We also carry pipe tape (blue) for water and gas (yellow) connections.

On the electrical side we do carry assorted connectors, some wire, a small meter, wire strippers and crimpers.

I know it sounds like a lot but it doesn't take up much space. The biggest things, compressor, jack, breaker bar, tire repair, gauge,a small set of tools, battery jump start ride in the tow vehicle so we always have them with us.

The one not mentioned is my Leatherman, I've had the same one for 14 years and use it every day for something.

I'm sure I forgot something but others will chime in....I also carry duct tape, painters tape and vhb tape.

[Darwin Maring]

Honda has the right kit.
Also, You can purchase very cheep tools at K and Wal mart or Harbor Freight to solve some problems.

[mary and bob]

Various size bungees can be useful

[padlin00]

Norm and Ginny's list is good, I also carry some mechanics wire, Robertson (square) screw drivers, small Hex and Torx wrench sets. I carry a long torque wrench with the sockets that fit the TV and trailer lug nuts, works well as a breaker bar too.

Need to pick up the tire plugs and a compressor. Haven't thought about the jump starter before, maybe.

Also carry a warning triangle and a few flares.

Like Norm and his Leatherman, my Swiss Army Tinker goes everywhere I go.

[Glenn Baglo]

Instructions that came with my new Craftsman torque wrench say NOT to use it as a breaker bar. I have an old broken torque wrench that I carry for that purpose.

[Pineapple Man]

Also getting our kit together, we added spare fuses.

Don't have the farm any more, but still have my Leatherman !

[padlin00]

Not much that can break on a 1/2" beam style. If I snap the rod it's time to call AAA, or an ambulance.

[Steve Outlaw]

An 18" breaker bar is less than $10.00 at your local Harbor Freight, never use your torque wrench to loosen nuts.

[honda03842]

Forgot, we also carry a tire torque wrench. We had a lug nut loosen on the Trans-Labrador Highway and now check lug nuts regularly.

[Dan Meyer]

Don't forget the tool of last resort: a credit card.

--Dan Meyer

[Dudley]

the only addition would be a set of pre greased bearings and one or 2 spare lug nuts. I also carry a Mora knife (cheap but sharp).

[rgrugg]

If you already have duct tape, the only other thing you'll need is WD-40.

[Spanke]

Maybe a bottle of Maker's Mark....Just sayin'

Spanke

[Paul O.]

The tire repair kits come with a little tube of rubber cement that rapidly dries up after the first use.

I'll be heading to the hardware store to get one or two of those little tubes today - slowly getting ready for the next trip.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by Paul O.

The tire repair kits come with a little tube of rubber cement that rapidly dries up after the first use.

I'll be heading to the hardware store to get one or two of those little tubes today - slowly getting ready for the next trip.

Paul,

The tire repair kit we have used for 14 years does not have separate cement. The cords used to fill the hole are coated with a tar like substance that does not seem to dry out.

The kit came with a round file like device to expand the hole a little and a tool to force the cord into the tire. It was only last year that we bought more of the cords. We purchased it at Walmarts.

[Timber Wolf]

All that sounds good but I am not sure I understand the whole torque wrench thing. I have never used one, and have never had a wheel related issue one would have solved. Of course, I have probably over-tightened lug nuts all these years too.

[honda03842]

If you have your tires tightened at a dealership they often tighten them so tight that an aging human can't remove them without an assist. I use a torque wrench to set them at a reasonable level and check them every now and then.

Once you have one loosen you become more careful.

[OneOleMan]

Originally Posted by Pineapple Man

Also getting our kit together, we added spare fuses. !

Excellent point, there are some fuses you can't pick up at the local hardware/auto supply store. Don't ask how I know.

[Paul O.]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Paul,

The tire repair kit we have used for 14 years does not have separate cement. The cords used to fill the hole are coated with a tar like substance that does not seem to dry out.

The kit came with a round file like device to expand the hole a little and a tool to force the cord into the tire. It was only last year that we bought more of the cords. We purchased it at Walmarts.

Hi Norm,

All patching kits that I have seen have the impregnated cords, but some add this tube of rubber cement. I think they came from our local True Value. I had to fix my flat in NL last fall without the cement and it held perfectly for three months, then developed a minute leak after we had some serious cold and the rubber got hard*. Using that cement could be considered redundant, but the plugs go in easier and maybe it does result in a better fix. The replacement tube I just got at True Value came as part of the cheapest flat patch kit, about $1. No sweat.

Paul

*) That set of original tires lasted two years and 42000 miles and were replaced just in time for all that snow and ice. Today it popped up to 40F for about three hours! Only the second time since New Year, if I remember correctly.