Ready to tackle those road-trip oops moments? A fully stocked tool bag in your travel trailer is your best friend when things need a quick fix. From tightening loose screws to handling tiny repairs, having the right tools on hand means you're always prepared. Here's the ultimate list of must-haves for your travel trailer tool kit, so you can keep rolling smoothly!
1. Basic Hand Tools:
Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flathead): Both small and large sizes for adjusting or tightening screws in various parts of your trailer. Consider getting an all-in-1 multi-bit screwdriver.
Wrenches (Adjustable and Set): An adjustable wrench and a set of open-end or combination wrenches (metric and standard) for loosening or tightening bolts and nuts.
Pliers (Needle Nose and Regular): Useful for gripping, bending, or cutting wire, pulling nails, or holding parts in place.
Socket Set: A small socket set with a ratchet handle to help with bolts and fasteners in tight spaces.
Hammer/Mallet: A hammer for general tasks like driving nails or fixing components, and a rubber mallet for delicate tasks (e.g., adjusting slides or leveling jacks).
Vise Grips: A versatile, adjustable locking plier that can grip, clamp, and hold things firmly in place
Universal Tool/Scraper: A multi-purpose tool that can tackle a variety of tasks, from scraping off stubborn debris, cleaning up messes, to even helping with minor repairs.
Combination Wrenches: A two-in-one tool, with a ratchet on one end and a traditional open-end wrench on the other. This combo gives you flexibility when tightening or loosening nuts and bolts of different sizes
Utility Knife/Box Cutter: For cutting ropes, tape, or other materials and making quick repairs. Don't forget to add extra blades.
Cordless Drill: Drill holes, drive screws, and perform other tasks with ease and efficiency
Drill and Drive Bit set: Provides a variety of drill bits for drilling different-sized holes and a range of driver bits for tightening or loosening screws.
2. Electrical Tools:
Multimeter: For diagnosing electrical issues, checking voltage, and ensuring all systems are working properly.
Wire Cutters/Strippers: Essential for any electrical repairs or modifications.
Electrical Tape: Useful for insulating and securing electrical connections or making temporary fixes.
Crimping Tool: To secure connectors to wires or cables, especially useful for trailer lighting and other electrical systems.
Spare Fuses: A variety of spare fuses (including automotive-style fuses) for replacing blown fuses in your trailer’s electrical system.
3. Plumbing Tools:
PEX Repair Kit: For dealing with plumbing issues like tightening or loosening connections and fittings and fixing leaks.
Plumber’s Tape (Teflon Tape): For sealing pipe threads and preventing leaks, especially in water supply lines or the water heater.
Drain Cleaning Brush: For cleaning out RV sinks, showers, or holding tank valves.
4. Exterior Repair Supplies:
Roof Sealant (Caulk or Dicor): Essential for sealing any leaks or cracks in the roof, vents, or windows of the trailer. Don't forget the caulk gun.
RV Repair Tape: A versatile, strong adhesive tape for patching small holes or cracks in the roof or siding.
RV Underbelly Tape: Waterproof flex belly tape with permanent sealing adhesive
RV-Specific Lubricant: Grease or spray lubricant to maintain moving parts, such as door hinges, slide-outs, and awning mechanisms.
5. Safety and Emergency Equipment:
Flashlight, Work Light & Headlamp: To help you see in low-light conditions or during night-time repairs.
Extra Batteries: A lifesaver for keeping essential devices powered up
Fire Extinguisher: Always have a fire extinguisher within reach, especially near your kitchen area and electrical system. Consider an extra one in your tow vehicle.
Fire Extinguishing Aerosol: Discharges 4x longer than a fire extinguisher and is easy to use.
Fire Blanket: Extinguish small fires quickly and easily with no mess and is reusable.
First Aid Kit: For treating small injuries while on the road.
Gloves: Work gloves for protecting your hands while handling tools or working on your trailer.
Emergency Roadside Kit: Includes items like jumper cables, reflective warning triangles, road flares, and a tire repair kit for any roadside emergencies.
Spare Gas Can: A must have if you have a generator but even better if you are in a remote area with limited access to gas stations.
Roadside Assistance: Make sure that any service you get covers travel trailers.
6. Miscellaneous Essentials:
Rope/Paracord/Ratcheting Tie Downs: For securing items on your roof rack, tying down awnings, or general use in emergencies.
Bungee Cords: Handy for quickly securing items outside the trailer or during transit.
WD-40 or Lubricant Spray (Lithium): For freeing stuck or rusty parts, hinges, locks, and other moving components.
Rags: A handy tool for tackling messes, spills, and general maintenance tasks.
Zip Ties: For quickly securing wires, cables, or hoses in place during emergency repairs.
Duct Tape: A classic, multipurpose repair tool that can temporarily fix leaks, broken parts, or even hold things in place until a more permanent fix is possible.
Superglue: A versatile and instant bonding adhesive is a must-have for emergency repairs or fixing anything that needs a quick and sturdy hold.
Alien Tape: A double-sided adhesive tape that claims to have “out-of-this-world” sticking power with nano-grip technology.
Velcro: A versatile fastener for quick fixes, securing loose items or even organizing cables.
Spare Key for Trailer Lock: If you have a lock on your trailer hitch or compartment, make sure to keep an extra key in your tool bag.
Spare Hitch Pins: Having spares is a smart move in case one gets lost, damaged, stolen, or fails
Measuring Tape: Handy to have on hand for checking dimensions for setting up camp, measuring storage or even quick repairs.
Torch Lighter: Great to have if the stove igniter stops working
Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife: For all-around convenience during quick fixes and adjustments.
7. Tire Maintenance & Leveling Tools:
Spare Tire: Many trailers come with a spare tire, but you should always have one on hand, especially if you’re traveling in remote areas.
Tire Changing Equipment: A bottle jack and/or jack stands, with the correct weight rating, to help you change the tire in case of a flat, along with a lug wrench to remove the wheel bolts.
Tire Pressure Gauge: To check the air pressure in your trailer’s tires for safety and proper inflation.
Air Compressor: To ensures you're always prepared for unexpected situations, like flat tires or low air pressure.
Trailer Hitch Lock: To secure the trailer to your tow vehicle or prevent theft when your trailer is parked.
8. Leveling Tools:
Leveling Blocks: These are essential for stabilizing your trailer when you park on uneven surfaces. They help you get your trailer level and make it easier to use appliances like the fridge. (I now have 3 sets because I learned the hard way that sites can be very unlevel.)
Leveling System (If needed): If you prefer a more advanced system, leveling jacks or electronic leveling kits are a good option to ensure your trailer is stable. Or consider levels mounted to your trailer for a budget friendly option.
Small Level: A torpedo level helps easily check if the trailer is level with setting up.
3/4" Socket with Adaptor: Attach to a power drill to raise and lower scissor jacks to speed up the process, rather than manually cranking them.
9. Documentation:
Trailer Manuals: Keep the travel trailer owner’s manual, appliance manuals, and any other relevant documentation with you to make troubleshooting easier. Keeping a file folder with labeled categories is a simple way to keep everything together.
Registration and Insurance Documents: Have copies of your trailer’s registration and insurance in case you need them during travel or for emergency purposes.
Pet Records: Have copies of your pet’s vaccination records (making sure they are up to date, especially rabies) and travel tags on your pet’s collar with your contact information
10. Tool Bag: Invest in a sturdy tool bag or toolbox to organize everything neatly. You can also use smaller pouches inside the bag to keep smaller items, like fuses, electrical connectors, and screws, easily accessible.
Final Tips:
Inventory Check: Periodically check your tool bag to make sure you have everything in working order and that items haven’t been used up (e.g., tape, fuses, etc.).
Weight Consideration: Keep in mind that your tool bag should be manageable in weight and size. Consider your trailer’s weight capacity and distribute heavy items thoughtfully.
Keep your travel trailer tool bag packed with the essentials, and you'll be ready to tackle any surprise repairs or tweaks that pop up on the road. With the right tools at your fingertips, you can cruise along stress-free and focus on the fun—because who needs a breakdown when you’re headed for adventure?