5 Cheap Tools Every Truck Driver Should Carry (+ Use!)

5 Cheap Tools Every Truck Driver Should Carry (+ Use)! In this video, Dave names 5 common everyday tools, that every professional truck driver should own, carry + use, when on the road!
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[@SmartTrucking]

Hey Driver. Thanks for stopping by to watch today's video. What is the #1 tool of choice of yours that you would NEVER leave home without? Love to hear your thoughts.

[@d.schmidt16]

I would add 1) a quality small flashlight. It's valuable for, e.g. reading things in the dark, or finding that leak before starting the graveyard shift because Murphy put the utility/street light on the other side of the engine bay. 2) a quality multi tool that you can put in its pouch on your belt-pliers, screwdriver, blade, etc. Not a magical tool, but very convenient and invaluable when no other tools are available. 3) a pen and pocket paper pad-taking quick notes, numbers, etc. Phones and other devices are nice, but. . . . are electronic and batteries, screens, and internet connections do fail, or erase stuff.

[@HaulingDonkey]

Here in the US, the ONLY two ways permitted to check tire pressure is: 1) a tire pressure gauge, or 2) a two pound hammer. If you are using anything else, DOT can ask to see what you are using and write you a ticket if it is not one of those two tools. I would strongly recommend a head-mounted flashlight, so you can see what you are working on without having to hold a flashlight (great for chaining up in the dark).

[@kcgibbs]

Mallets are also good for releasing frozen brakes. And thumping intruders in the cab.

[@ktanner11]

If you live in the states forget thumping them. Give them rapid onset lead poisoning works a lot better 1911 always faster than 911

[@poireauer6517]

😅😅👍👍

[@RhBKeith]

I’d add a putty knife. Good for scraping crap off the fifth wheel, dirt, ice or rust off etc. Super handy.

[@GoldPicard]

A simple propane torch for those of you who visit the cold often is such a life saver(frozen parts&valves). That with a mallet is what I had to do about a year ago to get the pins to move on my air ride reefer trailer.

[@59Love1]

Also I would like to add its useful to have shovel and bag of salt in winter when you're stuck in the rest area or at delivery location I've helped out dozen of driver's over the years who were in trouble

[@terry_willis]

Zip ties are a great suggestion, but I would recommend longer ones, maybe 1 to 1-1/2 feet long. You can always snip off the excess.

[@ToxicTrucker]

Love your channel, Dave. Many drivers won't get paid for fixing small issues in the equipment, & they won't ever see that money doesn't in tools, but if they're paid by mileage or loads delivered, these inexpensive tools & the 5 minute repairs will definitely pay for themselves many times over throughout the course of a career. Excellent tips, Dave. Thanks for sharing the knowledge you gained over a decades long trip.

[@jedimaster122]

Also keep a couple of cans of PB Blaster it works a lot better than WD-40 and it'll help with any thing that needs lubrication. I've used it to help free up my fifth wheel and for sliding my tandems

[@lmao7183]

PB Blaster (or WD-40) is great for tandems that are sticky due to gunk build up.

[@ktanner11]

Vice grips lol, greatest invention ever when you blow a brake can

[@lewthrasher5865]

I always had my small tool box. Don't forget to have wire stripper and crimper. I even had some coated wire to fix broken light.

[@SchusterCo]

Fantastic tips! Crazy how less than $50 can really set you up for success on the road.

[@armandomendoza3167]

A good razor blade knife helps when you have air fittings. To repair some damaged air lines. 3 Magnetic rechargeable work lights help in very dark areas where there is no light and trying to back in a trailer. Put 2 magnetic lights on the trailer bumper. And 1 light on the driver side of the trailer on a wall or frame. A good bolt cutter for some of those special trailer seals. A good battery operated angle grinder. For when some scammer gives you a boot and wants to charge thousands of dollars to have it removed.

[@davidshiderly4611]

I'm not a flatbed driver but I always have a handful of bungee straps or a couple small ratchet straps handy

[@patrickdrier4707]

Handheld propane torch can come handy as well, also need to have both black electrical tape and duct tape available

[@johncunningham4820]

100% agreement . I would add , A Crimping Tool , assorted Crimps , Wire Roll and Electrical Tape to that list , speaking personally .

[@Bendigo1]

Good choices for a top 5 list. But honestly it is just not quite enough. The I would add a couple SOLID screw drivers maybe even a screwdriver kit, mainly because there are a lot of screws that you may need to get to but those multi driver kits just cant get to. And a good flat head screw driver is a great pry tool for a lot of things. A good medium curve claw hammer is a great thing to have becaue you can use it for so many things and a mallet while also a must just can not do what a claw hammer can do. A good set of regular pliers and wire cutters is also a must. And I think you missed the most useful tool of all, some good tape, both duct tape and electrical tape.

[@TheKindredTrucker]

Always a wealth of great pointers, Dave!! Saving this one to make sure I grab a couple of items on this list that I don't have. Also funny that I am seeing this just moments after a mechanic handed me the rest of a packet of zip ties he'd opened to complete some work on my company trailer (this was wiring I would NEVER attempt to mess with, even if it was my own trailer tbh😅) ... thanks again!!😁

[@PlacidBogle]

Keep some hand sanitizer readily available in the harsh cold and snow. If your pads and shoes freeze up. The alcohol in it will break the cold and ice to free them up. Used that trick not too long ago. And currently have windshield wiper zip tied to a wiper arm because the plastic lock broke.

[@lonnielynn9566]

The vice grips are great if you can't get your lever for your tandems to stay out on an older trailer

[@nunyadontyaknow]

Vise Grips are the best thing since sliced bread for a trucker! Good video. 👍👍 🇨🇦

[@ALNunnery]

Drivewyze is Totally Awesome

[@sstocker31]

Typical Canadian there Dave....making a vid in a snowstorm :)

[@Bendigo1]

That is not a snowstorm, it is just a dusting....

[@BottleJackBuddy]

Thank you for the vid.

[@bradley353]

Great! Thanks again Sir Value your experience and knowledge, awesome advice

[@zjtr10]

Thanks for sharing your hard earned knowledge.

[@christielawrence4640]

Thank you, again, Sir!!

[@whitetiger8652]

Always great advice.

[@mkollander99]

Great suggestion for all drivers thank you I have told many drivers minimum tools for year's.

[@t.n.patronis4098]

Great list, thanks!

[@joerangel611]

Dave Good afternoon. Great video. It is amazing. My expierence lead me exactly in the same goal. You did it again Thank You

[@garyrichmond7857]

To Smart trucking and one more thing it's not a tool but brass fitting for your airlines a handful of them in case you break off airline and then you will be able to fix it and get back on the road and road service

[@papasmurf1904]

Very good advice!!! 👍😃

[@JohnNorris411]

Fold down trench shovel, Binoculars, Bailing wire, circuit tester, RainX, Spare electrical wire, Claw hammer to thump tires and check slack adjusters....

[@RajinderSIngh-eo9sj]

The most effective tools all time king your Brian

[@chasestewart8619]

Gentle persuasion.. ha ! 🤣

[@yalerich7417]

Tool # 6, a case of Tylenol!

[@gsd4me00]

Yep, there's many a thing that would benefit with a little tap from a mallet. ;-)

[@igfltrucker813]

I would add 4 2×4's for fire wood to grill while your waiting on the shipper to unload you. They smoked your day might as well smoke meat

[@johnbush2811]

Tarp straps are also an essential item. 21” 31” & 41” straps and a 2” ratchet strap can get you rolling again.

[@SoCal780]

Duct Tape!! Everyone knows that ANYTHING can be fixed with Duct Tape! 🤣🤣 For you Volvo drivers, I would highly recommend a star key driver with multiple heads. So many bolts in a Volvo require this tool. A Phillips will NOT cut it. One thing I would also highly recommend is a tube of Amazing Goop silicone adhesive. It’s flexible and VERY strong. Both of the plastic hinges on my lower windows were repaired using that over TEN YEARS AGO and they are STILL good as new. I just added a new tube today to my arsenal because I ran out. Love that stuff! But yes, Dave, you are absolutely right about the 5 tools you recommended, they are all ABSOLUTELY essential. 👍

[@aviatortrucker6285]

Don’t forget some of the most important things like duct, tape, electrical, tape, Flex Seal to stop those pesky leaks and condoms. You never know when you’re out in the middle of nowhere it might need it.

[@ILHillbilly67]

Needle nose pliers and a pack of fuses for your truck. You don’t want to know how many times I’ve blown out a plug that had water in it and the pigtail and had to replace a fuse because the water popped it.

[@markiefufu]

The vice grips are also handy if you have a lift support strut that doesn't hold. You can clamp down on the strut once open to keep the hatch up.

[@terryanderson4366]

My favorite is a lazor thermometer. Checks wheel bearing, tire etc to see issues are present before failures and road side break downs. About $20 Harbor Freight.

[@kodyadams5561]

ADD A DEWALT OR LEATHERMAN MULTI TOOL AS WELL AS A ENERGIZER LED FLASHLIGHT WITH ENERGIZER LITHIUM BATTERIES. TIRE PRESSURE GUAGE AND TIRE DEPTH GUAGE AS WELL. MOST STATES AND PROVINCES TIRES ARE ILLEGAL AT 4/32 OF AN INCH OR LESS. SOME STATES HAVE ENORMOUS FINES FOR RUNNING LOW TREAD TIRES $ 1,000-1,500 . TORQUE WRENCH AS WELL .

[@hvyhaultruckingwithshuee]

Dave you forget that new drivers coming in dont know how to use these tools let alone the gear shift

[@W96NZ]

(Push to connect air fittings) Hey drivers I carry a variety pack of push to connect air fittings. Had a 3/8 line split on my lowboy this weekend and lucky for me I used a push to connect fitting.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Adjustable wrench=Swedish nut lathe.

[@francomtz7115]

Add duct& electrical tape to the list. Love your channel..

[@Greenbearls]

I run containers. I can tell you that mini sledge and vise grips will slide any set of chassis tandems.

[@michaelchason7863]

String of some type for air line under trailer til you get a new spring that holds it up

[@Slip-Art_S14]

Using a rubber mallet on an Wabash dry van trailer especially when weather is dry/hot and it needs little convincing on locking mechanism to close completely, goes long way..haha🔥👍

[@Retired88M]

Stop at a Lowe’s or Home Depot and get a set of both open and box end metric snd standard hand wrenches from 3/4 inch down as NS that should cover just about every usual size snd on trucks nowadays. Especially 1/2 in. 9/16 in. and 7/16 in. and their metric sibling s being the most used along with what Dave said

[@garrycress3482]

The mallet, or "BFH" as I call it works well when your trailer brakes are froze up

[@michaelchason7863]

Adjustable, I have to snug a battery terminal often for APU to start

[@Truckerdaddy]

We use to keep socket sets, screwdrivers, zip ties, fuses, bulbs, tape, wrenches, a couple hammers, and one guy even kept an air ratchet on his truck.

[@MrSip4life]

A good ratchet and socket set with extensions will be needed.

[@mikelevesque]

I would add a multi-tool knife to the list. I use mine every day.

[@carlosaguirre1313]

My Friend Thanks for sharing BEST REGARDS 9 January 2022

[@Chau_trucking]

Yes sir

[@truckerjay8568]

I was in Portland and my trailer brakes were frozen luckily there was a truck stop across the street I bought a hammer to free them up.

[@ZachDawe414]

I ones used a zip tie to pinch off a air break line for a lift axle that was up. I was able to get back with out losing a lot of air

[@sstevocamaro]

I keep all those PLUS channel lock pliers and a pry bar

[@leechambers3392]

A roll of duct tape.

[@brandonpryormusic]

Vice grips where a must have for the stubborn tandem release levers that wouldn’t stay pulled out. I doubt there are many of those on the road anymore.

[@xgb6000]

Cheap drill set wont hurt to have either

[@WagnerAndSons]

Can’t change headlights anymore on the new cascadias. It’s all one unit and have to take it into the shop as a company driver.

[@roba2403]

I need good vice grips. I also carry a portable heat gun to get those hazmat stickers off on cold cloudy days

[@samuelphillian1286]

I used to have tools but the freightliner dealership in macon ga stole them when my truck was in the shop

[@thomascrowley9403]

I'll add a pin puller and a 3 ft section of round bar in case you have to pound in one of those pins that are located right over the tire, when moving tandems.

[@seanoleary1979]

Dude... get out of the snow! I'm cold just looking at ya!

[@WARD5KUSTOMZ]

Tape measure, and a good sharp knife should be included too

[@jarrodwemhoff7270]

Electrical pliers and butt connectors

[@lewthrasher5865]

Best to get 2

[@ryanmall]

I carry a 600 ft lb torque wrench with me after I had a tire shop not pork my lug nuts and about destroyed my rims

[@dustinadkins6994]

You can buy these tools at most swap meets or flea markets for just a couple bucks.

[@Shawn-hs8qk]

Any opinion on Truck Driving Institute? Thanks

[@jackmercer3621]

35 years of driving rigs and the best use for the hammer is to get dispatches attention. Explain what you need to them when they come to.

[@XLoad3d]

HOSE CLAMPS! for a $1 or so you can save yourself a lot of headache if you have a coolant clamp break or go missing from a hose popping off.

[@notanotherusername]

I need vice grips

[@c.thompson9771]

Zzipties restock (note to self.. ) add HD needlenose pliers, visegrip types exist, and a hands~Free HeadLamp, pricesless, get its batteries for peace of mind, don't lose them 😁 Edit: I have a hard rubber mallet, so I can bash on stuff anonymously 😆

[@catfishmike4599]

You must have been in my truck

[@daveshangar6820]

I can fix anything with Duct tape!! LOL

[@haviland586]

Sharp pocket knife

[@SailorsGrave73]

Roll of duct tape too

[@dwjunior]

👏👏👏👏👏🤠😎👍

[@skipdegraff6547]

Never forget to carry Vienna sausages in the can. If you're in laredo on 35 and northbound driver is a jackass pop the top and throw the juice and sausages into his tandems. The drug dog at the boarder check will indicate on him and you'll have a great rest of your day laughing.

[@donmccord]

The problem is most drivers these days don’t know a mallet from a screwdriver let alone what they’re used for and all you guys don’t drop that mallet on your flip flop it’s gonna hurt 😂

[@kylepopell3585]

And Duck or electrical tape

[@HMMELD]

Hammer, bungie cord, a variety of flashlights, duct tape, rope, small step ladder and of course a cool tit - or tool kit, if you prefer.

[@dirtydozenist]

Or

[@ronnader2458]

You forgot duck tapes

[@lmao7183]

Can vouch for the zip ties being useful. Especially if you are having a issue with your tandem pins not coming out. Here's an example of what I'm taking about below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYjTi5yCZ7yIe6c You can use a zip tie to hold up the airbag rod so your tandems can pop out if you don't have the correct nut and bot to fix the issue on the spot. Also a tandem stopper is very useful device when it comes to saving time when you are sliding your tandems. I use the Magnastop myself. It can be found on Amazon but also at the Iowa 80 truck stop if you ever happen to stop there on your journeys.