Trucker Tool Kit For On The Road Repairs

[@Brett235]

Great video! Thanks for informing drivers of what could help them. Unfortunately I know drivers that go to the dealer for a headlight or clearance light. I carry an alternator, hoses, belts,clamps, all of my filters, a gallon of diesel, zip ties, a whole array of tools, an electric 3/4 inch impact with sockets, a 5 ton Jack and come along, and bunch of other stuff I can't recall...lol better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[@SmartTrucking]

That's right!!! Dave

[@MartyChristianSoldier]

Air hose and tire plugs, will save you a lot of time and money.

[@Sir_knight_trooper]

A toolbox sounds epic especially with the drawers and all!

[@klhlynn]

Always carry a couple bungee cords too don't take up much space

[@kenn.301]

A spare serpentine belt and a 1/2" drive breaker bar with sockets can help in a pinch too.

[@coffeecoffee8]

Duct tape, pliers or multi tool, knife, broom. shovel and a bag of salt for winter also comes in handy

[@bluedevil0072]

As for the basic tool kit, I also had spare Brass fittings and Light Bulbs. I also had Regular and Needle Nose Pliers.

[@cassiuspuckett8789]

Nice recommendations!!!! All that stuff is like your American express card, "never leave home without it!!!"

[@SmartTrucking]

10-4!!! Dave

[@rickperkins7929]

Great advise. I always carried a tool kit with me and it saved me a ton of head aches over the years. You'd be surprised at the number of new drivers that don't carry tools today. Their logic is, it ain't my truck so I ain't going to fix it. I spent 20 years trucking for only one reason, to make a living. If I was broken down on the side of the road because I needed a wrench or screwdriver, I wasn't making money. I fixed a bunch of stuff in my career on trucks that I didn't own so I could put food on the table for my family. It also lets the company know that you're the guy they can depend on, which means, better loads. Things to think about.

[@SmartTrucking]

Gotta agree! I hated sitting on the side of the road, may as well do something useful with your time and learn how to fix the thing. Dave

[@vicpetrishak1077]

Nylon ties , 1” ratchet strap , small propane torch , 4 caging bolts , 3/8” air line with field repair kit , air line tubing and fittings , hammer , coiled air line , tarp to lay on , and 12 gauge electrical wire and electrical wire nuts .

[@SoapinTrucker]

A good claw hammer for pulling nails out of trailer floor! Blast, not wd-40! Lineman pliers, wire cutters, and fast crimp electrical connectors! A spare pigtail light cord! Blocks of 4x4 wood, many uses!!!! Bandaids and Neosporin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@StayingBack71]

Good video, I'd like to add.......I Carry an extra alternator and starter,Those go bad at the wrong times......Spare Tire mounted on rim- 1/2 inch impact 50' HOSE 12 ton bottle jack- I will Never call out for a flat.... I also carry extra fan belts- 2 extra 30/30 halves with diaphrams- extra quick connect air line fittings- Steer and trailer axle seals- 1/2 drill- Nuts,bolts, washers from 1/4 up to 5/8 ......And much more- Yes its a lot and adds weight- But Im never giving my hard earned money to those half hearted roadside mechanics...

[@ashqelon7267]

Absolutely needs a few tools, it's Your rearend on the line in the middle of nowhere. Some thin nitrile work gloves from Autozone, a 6 pak of them , and small tube of hand cleaner. Perhaps work overalls suit or at least a work jacket. One last tool is a cigarette lighter light, perhaps Magnetic type mount, & 12 foot long cord. Better then a flashlight generaly, oh, get at least dozen 6 or 9 inch long Zip ties too!!! Definitely those. And some Clean rags..... And a 6X6 tarp from home depot, if on ground underside, work is needed.

[@rodneystewart8958]

A shovel heavy chain tool kit some mud flaps and power impacts along with what you said

[@donschaefer9442]

Hi Dave. Thanks for the video. I am new to the drivers seat. But not new to the industry. I picked up a reefer this week and it was loaded and extremely low on fuel. It shut off before I got the fuel islands. Spent about 20 minutes priming and cranking but it fired up and I delivered it. Not bad for a new guy

[@jamesbradley6854]

Even as company guy, I carry a tool box. I've put on several mud flaps and such to save time and get moving quicker. If I can do it and roll, the better off I am.

[@kellypenrod8863]

Hi Dave, ya did good on the video, BUT, you forgot one of THE most important things to have, DUCT TAPE!!! and a small coffee can of assorted nuts, bolts and washers is also a big help keep up the good info. and stay safe out there😎

[@SmartTrucking]

Good catch,Kelly! Drive safe! Dave

[@leebmc91]

Carry a collapsible shovel. Could save you a $500 tow.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup! Excellent advice! dave

[@rafaelalvarez4846]

Good video. Tomorrow I'm hitting the road tomorrow for my first time. Thanks

[@iamrichrocker]

recommend the head mounted flashlight..and extra set of batteries...but great video..good ideas..thx for taking the time and thought to post..

[@gregfishback]

Best informative trucking information on the web. I started trucking after my boys went off to college. I appreciate your crusty veteran advice

[@gmjunky87]

As a company driver who would slip seat I would carry, reg and needle nose pliers, wire cutters, screw drivers, torx bits (freightliner), fuses, zip ties, duct tape, electrical tape, utility knife, claw hammer, cargo strap, tube of grease, tire gauge, rubber and leather gloves, glad hand seals, bungee chords, brake cage bolts, adjustable wrench, vise grips, flashlights, phone charger, candle, lighter, dryer lint, tail light lens tape. Guys were always bugging me to borrow my tools and stuff.

[@gmjunky87]

If I knew I was gonna be in a truck for awhile I'd put more stuff in it!

[@DIYSEMI]

Fuses, butt connectors, multi meter, antifreeze, a chain,, bungee cord, rescue tape, air fittings, cage bolt, ...ill do a video on some extra things I carry.. a winter kit is a whole nother kit

[@whatheworld]

Looked like MgGyver here. Nice clip. You are about ready for anything and everything !!

[@SmartTrucking]

Always hated being stranded. In days gone by you could fix almost anything on the side of the road with the right tools and a little ingenuity. Dave

[@steveelmes8568]

A couple extra caging bolts are good to have. When you have to cage a brake pot the caging bolt on it can be seized on or missing. If you have a caging bolt and 3/4 wrench in your hand when you slide under the truck or trailer it will only take a few minutes to cage it. If you are relying on the bolt on the side of the brake pot it could take you a while just to get it off so you can use it.

[@bdmenne]

How many caging bolt pots are on a semi-tractor-trailer? If one goes, do they all go and need to be unlocked? Thanks

[@steveelmes8568]

Brake pots can be service brakes only and can't be caged like on the steer axle , others have a service and parking brake and can be caged. Each pot with both is supposed to have a caging bolt on the side of the pot but are usually corroded and useless which is why it's a god idea to have a couple in your tool box. Usually but not always all the drive axles and trailer axles have pots that can be caged. If a brake pot goes bad it doesn't affect the others unless it's leaking air badly and the compressor can't keep up. Locking hose pinching pliers or vise grips can pinch the air line to the leaking pot .

[@jsnow181]

I've taken the air line loose on them and put a dime in it and tightened it back up on the dime to stop an air leak when the pancake went bad.

[@kevinapierce]

The cage bolts are supposed to be on the pots

[@DJPereira2012]

I have several things on my truck. Has helped me out many times.

[@SL-ix4yk]

I also have these cool little rubber air line quick fix, mechanic showed me, they're DOT approved, saved my butt a few times

[@TheTruelakersfan]

I learned my lesson with first time being stranded lol. Never again... I have used all those tools you have there, so no it’s not excessive at all. I recommend also an air chuck and 50 foot air hose this has saved me many times when in the middle of nowhere and picking up a trailer with low tire pressure or if your own trailer had a nail in it losing pressure you can fill it up till you get to a shop.

[@DirtyDeerock]

Zip Ties, Duct Tape, Locking Pliers, adjustable wrench, spare lights, hammer and WD40...bare essentials

[@TheTruelakersfan]

You don’t need expensive stuff it’s only to get you out of a jam. I got all tools from harbor freight impact wrench ,sockets ,standard and metric and those tools you have for Around $250

[@richlymann6451]

Well said ,excellent video my tool box is not pro organized but I got what you’re showing and some, if you don’t have it when you go down it’s tough..Add air governor too....thanks for the vid

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@Jamesreynolds662]

Duct tape!

[@johnsantorawluszki715]

I'm limited to duct tape zip ties hammer vise grips 6 in one screw driver knife. WD-40 buss fuses flashlights can of raid for when the bugs are active. 😎😁 Thats about it for me.

[@ellery771]

Learned the hardway.

[@bluedevil0072]

Oh ya and spare Tail Lights for my Trailer

[@HMMELD]

It's not just the cost of a service call, Dave, but there are times when you can't wait. I've been broken down in the middle of a road before blocking both lanes on a 2-lane road. No way could I just sit there waiting. Or in a dock - or a distribution center - where others are waiting on you.

[@mikelandreth8773]

While working for Schneider for 16 years I would carry a tube of caulking and a gun ,and some rubbery hole patching tape which proper name escapes me sorry and A step ladder . When picking up an empty and I found it had a leak I could plug the hole and PU the load. Before the ladder I could balance the tape on my broom end and take care of the hole. When you've been to 2 -3 places trying to find and MT and finally find one , the last thing you want is a hole in the roof you can fix if you just had the stuff......

[@SmartTrucking]

No kidding! Doesn't say alot good about Schneider. Dave

[@mikelandreth8773]

My comment had nothing to do with SNI. They were just who I drove for. By taking care of the problem myself. I was able to service the customer and get going. The patch was safe and leak free. How the mostly very small holes got there I have no idea . Possibly tree limbs. Sometimes fork damage from a forklift....

[@georgewishon8936]

Great video tools can really get you out of a bind especially if you are out of cell service

[@xozeluiz6301]

Military duck tape in case you bust a fuel line or oil hydraulic line, A Pipe wrench , rear spare stop lamps & self plug tire patches with ether to repair flats

[@yosefd6174]

I use old black 35mm film can or empty medicine bottle for spare fuses or little stuff..used to carry extra wiperblades too..am company driver..few years ago broke down..plastic hose cracked from aircompressor in february winter 5 below..service call..last year broke down...2019 frtliner, aircompressor hose fitting vibrated lose..not on engine anymore..behind fuel tank under cab, could not reach with regular wenches..service call..

[@allanmccullough8550]

Tire pressure gauge is not an emergency item but I bet most of the nimrods out there today don't have one, and probably wouldn't use it if they did. How bout the air hose and jumper cables and maybe some -20fF washer fluid.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, you're right, I should have mentioned those. Dave

[@ashqelon7267]

Allan McCullough , Absolutely yes, I would carry that too.

[@michaelmattingly9159]

Great tips! Your videos are always very helpful.

[@pcer9973]

JUMPER CABLES LONG ONES NO JOKE PEOPLE....

[@SmartTrucking]

Absolutely! Dave

[@christopherlee3163]

@Smart trucking I am a company driver. I always kept a small compact vacuum cleaner in a box on the floor in front of my passenger side front seat. Truck was in the shop for almost a whole week. Came back to the truck vacuum cleaner magically disappeared and everyone is acting dumb like they don't know how it came up missing. What dash cams would you recommend to monitor the inside of the truck even while the truck is not running?

[@panchomacho1905]

What about a few quick connectors for the air hoses and a few feet of hose, can save you a ton of money

[@jordan2735]

My company will reimburse me for any tools I need. I took full advantage of that.

[@fullsendautomotive8915]

Tim Heidecker Snap on everything

[@SmartTrucking]

Good company! Dave

[@ghulamakbari1793]

Thanks so much Chief

[@justinmitchell1326]

You can buy the cubby buddy made for truck side boxes

[@SunnyIlha]

Great tutorial! Thanks, chief!

[@arvadawelder]

I drive local intermodal. I put it all in a bucket.

[@SmarchitectMann]

You never know how important a hammer is until your tandems won't slide the bar. A screwdriver, a wrench. Even a good knife for those seals that don't want to break off your door.

[@Shelbyproductions]

I blew it turbo hose clamp 3 weeks ago 2 hr wait on 115

[@SmartTrucking]

Did it once myself and that's when I started carrying a spare! Dave

[@tonyliuzzo2303]

U cannot carry enough stuff I always have a snowmobile outfit for winter breakdowns

[@jagsfanrick]

Coolant and oil

[@christians.8354]

Thank you sir love all your videos.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@rogermadrange1724]

Jumper cables!

[@richlymann6451]

Don’t forget the spare tire on trailer rack and bobtail

[@markarmstrong3394]

Smart trucking you forgot 2 very important items. To screwdriver to pull dash out when a bulb goes out on dash gauges. 2. Light tester so when tail lights don't work or wires get cut. Me I carried enough tools to dang near overhaul it lol. Thank you for the great video

[@madbear3512]

Every trucker or Norman driver should have all that anyway

[@trucker1864]

That was the first 2 things he said

[@moniqueaftertrucking]

Appreciate the video new to trucking

[@madbear3512]

Nice informal video as always. You should have a tool set anyway As every day driver for any ride

[@johnm6642]

It's a good list Dave couple things I hadn't thought of thanks some things I always carry with me I carry spare electrical line spare glad hands Spirit Airlines man one of those goes I want to be able to fix it and go

[@josemartinez-sb9nk]

Great info

[@DavidsonMott]

Impact wrench for sure. One powerful enough to bust the lug nuts loose on a semi. May never know.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup! Good call!

[@mattberg916]

Brake chamber cage bolts. Don't take for granted that they always on the side of the can, even if they are the ones you keep with your tools are clean and dry and not corroded or unusable from being under the truck for 250000 miles

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup!

[@RaoulThomas007]

Rookie Question: Should your sockets and wrenches be SAE, Metric or both - for a KW or Pete? What size range for the sockets and wrenches?

[@xc8487]

Spotted the Chrome Shop Mafia sticker on the window

[@SmartTrucking]

Where I do as much of my shopping as possible. Good guys! Dave

[@diamonddog257]

Kid : .... add 'head' light [for you] , wood matches are useful , ether, can of tire inflator goop , duct tape... even a little shovel..... a real electronics repair kit ...... tire plugs.... snack bar.... instant coffee powder [wakes you up]...

[@butteredtank9471]

My dad carries a whole garage with him on his truck I’d say it’s a little excessive but he can fix most minor problems by himself with no help

[@keithbender5759]

Glad hand seals cheap don’t take up any space keep the with the fuses

[@corey8704]

No gladhand seals, air governor, or tail lights?

[@SmartTrucking]

Did carry a few spare bulbs, good glad hand seals last a few years, seldom need replacing, and give you lots of visual warning when they do and never had to replace an air governor on the road. Dave

[@thomasborst6832]

Hey Dave, I remember talking to you before, but I ended up getting my class 1, do you know of any companies in Alberta that hire new drivers? Looking to get experience. I'm turning 21 this month.

[@SmartTrucking]

I don't really know anyone out there anymore. I hear good things about Kelsey Trail but I think they're in Sask. Don't know if Bruce Hannah Trucking is still around out there. They were just north of Calgary. Westcan out there is good, I hear. Dave

[@michaely6106]

Oilfield.

[@gkozak430]

Thomas Bors Kijiji or any other job posting site...

[@UndefinedBailiwick]

What if you work local or regional and get paid hourly? I'm thinking I'll bring a Leatherman and flashlight with me. Not sure what else would be useful.

[@mileswingard143]

would that turbo hose work as maybe a very short radiator hose on a caterpillar

[@allanmccullough8550]

No.

[@SmartTrucking]

Probably a bit too big, but maybe! Dave

[@jmodz7392]

Hey guys what’s the perfect tool box set ?

[@kdogcurry]

Some electrical wire is good too. Sometimes a light will go out on the trailer because of a fried wire. Mostly when someone put a screw in a wire. I once had a guy come out to fix a light. He took 6 HOURS! I could have done it in 1. These guy will milk the clock knowing the company will pay for it.

[@aodhankarlsson2018]

Replacement airlines and electrical cable!

[@seantoner8331]

what about jump leads?

[@CR4ZYxRY4N]

Lol hauling a spare truck around if it was that easy lol awesome video thanks I’m thinking of getting my own truck again I miss being my own boss but our current president doesn’t like small business owners the taxes alone are stupid

[@joshuasiau9461]

What is an ECM?

[@meagain448]

Damn why did the KZbin ad on this video have to be for diapers?! Lol

[@Kittycat_58]

Baling wire duck tape and rubber snubbers,broke a throttle spring on a cummins 400 big cam in 1976 rubber snubber from my tire chains got me home till I could get a new spring I miss the compression releases incase your battery got low

[@SmartTrucking]

Good idea with the rubber snubber. I got mine home once with a string up through the floor to do the same thing! Dave

[@randycharrua630]

The part need a extra persuasion 👍😂

[@Asomesauc]

Maybe it's a Canadian thing

[@canabox7112]

Duct tape and tie wire

[@jaykoehn4106]

I carry an air bomb and a 20 ton jack and a set of valve stems need to put a tire back on after it’s broke the beed? No problem..

[@crapschamp9986]

Just rember to not put trans oil in the engine it will blow it no dought .trucks run at higher temp than cars so the coolant need room to expand don't over fill them just above the cold add line is ok when motor is cold not running for a few hours as the engine is running the level will rise as the the temp gets hot the will rise in hot weather city stop and go driving 220 or higher not good pull or and let cool down give turbo time to cool down then shut motor of don't open radator cap over flow bottle on trucks as the radator have no caps some have steel over flow bottles with sight glasses they always work to see the level sometimes you have to look and see some have plastic bottles sometimes there clear plastic you can see the level without opening the overflow bottle don't get a face full of hot ant freeze rubber Glover's thick and a rag helps don't get burnt and take a shower in hot antfreeze .check gauges most trucks have them trans to I use to check 196 school busses every day I did my best to keep the kids safe . it's nice to have 196 people trust you so they can do their job to keep them safe.200 a week to low pay but I did a elexent job.they hired four people to replace me son of Joseph .

[@rollthedice54]

What no sweat pants and flip n flops?

[@alexzakhartsov6969]

WD 40 is not a lubricant

[@jsj297]

No duct tape? :)

[@SmartTrucking]

What would Red Green say? Dave

[@stevebaker8966]

Main too is cell phone so someone can come and fix it

[@trucker1864]

To me it was normal till I heard spare ecm I went holy crap

[@deathproof8732]

Too bad companies don't pay drivers what they would pay a mechanic to fix their truck.

[@martycech5844]

And… 4ft crow bar. 1-2lb hammer.

[@nstl440]

Wd40 is no lubricant...

[@mannydavidcastillo1109]

Yeap mechanics have not mercy.. so might as well just b prepared.. shit I even have my own 1' impact gun to change tires and take my on flats... I ain't waiting 2 hours for a roads service...!

[@christiane.g.4142]

Got a,ll that and more

[@Asomesauc]

Can't respect a man it doesn't carry duct tape

[@SmartTrucking]

Didn't I say duct tape? Better watch that one again! Dave

[@melv432100]

Mike, If you slip seat you can't carry that much more shit, Flash light adjustable screw driver but that's it, man.

[@snake_ize136]

👍🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@P9Stick66]

Rubbing Alcohol