Time was when “tools” for a vehicle meant jumper cables and maybe a lug wrench tucked beneath the spare tire’s cover in the trunk. Yet, when deciding to put together a tool box for a pickup truck and camper, what additional tools are must-have necessities? On first blush, there’s the cables and lug wrench, and besides zip ties, duct tape, a couple different screwdrivers, a pair of channel locks, an adjustable wrench, and some wire cutters. But what else should be included?
When the question was floated in a Facebook group, a host of answers were offered. Some suggested a hammer and rubber mallet, spare fuses, duct tape, Vicegrips, and WD40 (because, well, you know), ratchet straps, and a plastic jug of bungee cords.
My own kit is spread across two tool bags. One is for “connectors,” like rope, those zip ties and ratchet straps, and other fasteners. I also keep on board an assortment of wood and metal screws, and nuts, bolts, and washers, which came in handy when the fender on the trailer bend and needed to set it back in place.
Both tool bags sit neatly in a Rubbermaid tub that’s become a permanent accessory in the bed of my F150 tow vehicle. When roadtripping, the 12.5-foot WolfWise collapsible ladder is tucked away as well for camper or campsite work.
Also tucked in the tub: white lithium lubricating spray for the hitch, and when towing, a power driver / drill for the scissor jack stabilizers. See that orange pouch? That’s a collection of sockets and wrenches. I also have one of those cool Multi-Tool 3-in-1 cutters, a Stanley FatMax saw, and an assortment of gloves for heavy lifting, or just keeping grease off the hands when working with hitch or tires.
Buried deep is a small air compressor and extension cord for the lighter for filling low tires. My daughter bought me a tire plugging kit. Not a fan as a permanent fix, but if punctured remote along the open road, better plugged than stranded. With safety being key, another person suggested flares and reflective triangles.
I have a Harbor Freight magnetic LED spotlight to hang from beneath my tonneau cover (there’s another flashlight in the truck cab and several in the camper). There’s also a role of shop towels because, you know, camping and trailering can get kinda messy.
I wasn’t alone in keeping a fairly robust toolkit in the truck bed. Said one guy, “I keep a complete tool set in my truck, since the trailer is never anywhere the truck isn’t, I am all set.” Makes sense.
Other guy keeps a bottle jack in the truck. Now you’re talking. Oh, wait, a bottle jack, not a “bottle of Jack.” Oh well, we all define “necessities” in our own way.