Our Tools

When we created Our EKKO Organization post, we left out the details of all the tools we travel with. There are so many of them, that we felt they needed a separate post. This is that post. Hopefully the list of what we carry with us will help you come up with your own list or give you ideas on what you may want to add for your travels.

Keep in mind that you probably don’t need all the tools that we carry with us. In fact, we didn’t start with all of these tools and have added some while we’ve been on the road. Some of our added tools were for unexpected projects, like installing a DC to DC charger ourselves because our alternator was under a safety recall. Even if you are not the handiest person, having tools with you may allow someone else to help you, such as a friendly fellow camper at the campground, or a concerned person stopping when they see you stranded on the road.

We keep most of our tools in the exterior compartment where the generator was intended to go. We opted not to have a generator, so this compartment is a great place for our tools. However, we do keep a small bag of tools inside our rig, in one of the center cubbies above the cab along with another small plastic container that we keep in one of the soft boxes between our beds. These are handy when you need something quick or don’t want to go outside in the middle of the night or in bad weather.

In the small bag, we keep a screw driver with an assortment of interchangeable bits, a short, stubby screwdriver that takes the same bits, and a pair of needle nose pliers with a wire cutter.

In the small plastic container, we have an assortment of screws, washers, bolts, nuts, fuses, electrical shrink connectors, and wire nuts.

In the generator compartment, we have some items loose on the right side. On the left side, we have a stack of three containers in the back (two Milwaukee boxes and a smaller plastic container). In front of that stack on the the left, is a small open rectangular box, a small open square box, and the rubber seal conditioner in between. We originally stored the rubber seal conditioner in the bathroom next to the toilet, but it got a little crowded in there, especially when we bought a larger container of toilet chemicals, so we moved it.

On the right side of the generator compartment is mostly what we need for hooking up to shore power. There is our 30A electrical cord, a Hughes Watchdog Surge Protector, and two dogbones (a 20A to 30A and a 50A to 30A). In addition, there is a 25 foot standard extension cord, work gloves, a hatchet, a compact hand wood saw, and a Bosch drill.

In the front open boxes are items we like to keep handier than the items stored away in the large, closed containers stacked in the back. The open rectangular box contains safety glasses, a rag, box cutters, an assortment of screw drivers, a razor blade scraper with extra blades, an assortment of pliers, needle nose pliers, vice grips, wire cutters, adjustable wrench, a blade sharpener (for pocket knives and the hatchet), a pencil, and a sharpie.

In the open square box is a set of metric allen wrenches, a set of English allen wrenches, a plastic scraper, a metal scraper, a large adjustable wrench, a small pry bar, a small glue brush, and spare chain.

The top clear plastic container contains mostly tapes, lubricants, and glues. There is sand paper, Gorilla tape, Gaffer tape, super glue, silicone sealant, WD-40, Gorilla glue, T-9 lubricant, dielectric grease, thread locker, Gorilla two-sided tape, velcro, a rag, 3M cord keeper buttons, and a windshield repair kit.

The top Milwaukee box contains mostly electrical supplies. There are shrink connectors, wire lugs, a multimeter, hole grommets, plastic tubing, zip ties, two wire strippers (different sizes), cable cutters, a piece of angle iron, electrical clamps, shrink wraps, outlet tester, thread seal tape, hinges, copper wire, electrical wire, bulk head connectors, and baling wire.

In the bottom Milwaukee box are mostly mechanical tools. These are drill bits, hammer, socket set, angled ratchet wrenches, metal saw and spare blade, glue brush, round file, flat files, metal strapping, popsicle sticks, spare box cutter blades, and a toothbrush (not for brushing teeth).

Yes, it seems like we are prepared for just about anything, but somehow we always seem to be missing something every time we start a project or try to fix something on the road. There is a trade off and a balance. You want enough tools so that you are not stranded on the side of the road. But you can’t take your whole workshop with you, because there is not enough space and it adds too much weight. You’ll have to decide for yourself what the right balance is for you. Remember, there are usually stores where you travel so you can buy what you need as you need it. But that’s not very helpful if something needs to be fixed before you can drive your rig to the store.

Hopefully our list of tools has helped you think about what you might want to take with you. Safe travels!

Check out our related video: Our Tools

(Ann)