There’s a scene in the sitcom “Home Improvement” where Tim Allen’s character tells wife Jill, “You know why I like tools? Because they fix things. You tear down a motor, see the problem, it’s right there – boom; it’s fixed.” Hey, DIYers, workshop fixer-uppers and RV and tent campers, you nodding in agreement? Projects, renovations and “honey dos” pop up. Things – slides, awnings and other devices – break. The campsite could use a little boost in livability, whether speeding up raising and lowering scissor jacks or putting in or out the awning, or adding some stereo sound, extra light or a fan to cool the still air.
With battery-powered and cordless tools and accessories, you can make short work – or lasting improvements – to your RV, travel trailer, tent, or wherever you call home.
Among the camping crowd, life can be equal parts projects, fixes and tweaks. But what tools should be kept handy to ensure you’re ready to tackle (almost) anything? RoadtripMojo blogged about the hand tools and stuff to keep on hand for small projects or campsites set up in the park or music festival venue.
Power It Up
What about powering it up? Power tools make short work of laborious tasks. The scissor jacks, a leaf-strewn campsite, handling a few projects, power tools are a powerful accessory – especially when you don’t have to break out or untangle some extension cord.
So, what battery powered, cordless tools and accessories would you stash in storage? Break the list down by category. Here’s three specific groups: campsite creature comforts, site upkeep, and RV maintenance.
Accessories that fall under “campsite creature comforts” include things like space or outdoor lights, Bluetooth speakers, fans and maybe a bucket top misting fan. For site upkeep and maintenance, blowers can help clean leaves, small twigs and branches and sand from the site, and fallen leaves and the like from the slideout. A drill/driver or impact driver does double duty lowering and raising the stabilizer scissor jacks, and removing a flat or blow out (an inflater can inflate or top off tires, or fill a raft or that inflatable hot tub). If you’re staying put for a while, a solar panel or array can be helpful as well.
There’s a constant need for constant power, whether tenters, vanlifers or RVers, especially those set up off the grid. If you’re not a specialty contractor bringing your Milwaukee or Rigid gear along for the ride, what’s an outdoor enthusiast to buy or bring?
Consider Your Needs
“If you’re looking to buy battery powered camping gear, consider your other needs,” says Elise Driscoll, with Ryobi consumer power tools and outdoor products (#ryobitoolsusa / @ryobitoolsusa). “Are you a hobbyist crafter or a DIYer? Is cleaning your therapy? Look for a brand that has the tools that fit all your needs on that one platform.”
The brand and its 225 products lean heavily toward lifestyle enthusiasts looking for simplicity, functionality and a relatively unburdening experience. The company’s ONE+ system offers 18 volt and 40 volt platforms, 150-watt and 300-watt inverters. The line hasn’t changed its battery platform since 1996.
If your battery dies short of its expected life, if you registered it, some brands are guaranteed for life.
Cordless doesn’t mean noisy, and campers don’t want some noisy jobsite behemoth, like a construction blower. Many brands have battery-powered blowers. Ryobi Whisper series – at 59db, the industry’s quietest and most powerful – capable of blowing away sand, leaves or even a light sheet of snow, even “fanning” the coals or logs in a stubborn fire.
What if you want some sound? On the other end of the spectrum are Bluetooth speakers. The Ryobi 18V ONE+ Bluetooth speakers offer “Smart Amplifier Technology,” dual 3-inch speakers that provide crisp, clear sound at a volume certain to annoy certain campers (maybe not at a music fest, where other campers are likely to have their own tunes going). With 125-foot Bluetooth range and 10 hours of runtime off the 4.0Ah battery and 2.1 Amp USB charging port, it’s a small, compact, substantial player the size of a lunchbox.
Power Tools Campers Want
A recent Facebook post explored what tools people want for their camping. It’s clear Facebook campers love their battery-powered tools. Chad uses a ½-inch impact driver for lug nuts and a Sawzall for tree limbs (beware taking down limbs; some parks prohibit trimming trees). He also has a battery-powered fan for when boondocking.
Klaus carries his cordless Sawzall around the woods when dispersed to cut up dried up deadfall for firewood.
Dave uses an impact driver with socket set for changing tires; a leaf blower to blow off slides and outdoor mats before traveling, and an inflator/deflator for tires and inflatable.
Doug shared how another camping couple chucked when they saw him using a leaf blower on his site pad – then spent 20 minutes sweeping their own. “Yeah, people laugh until they see the hidden genius, Dave replied.
Most of all, campers tend to mix and match. John Schnurr brings his Milwaukee M18 line drill for the scissor jacks, flashlight, Hackzall and a Ryobi inflator with an M18 adapter for tires. “I bring along my tool bag on all my trips,” he says, “just in case I need something.”
Thomas is a service technician who uses Ryobi cordless tools. The 18V ONE+ series lets him mix and match batteries and chargers. Like John, he’s also a practical guy. “The tools work very well,” he says, “but sometimes in close areas, you just can’t beat the good ole hand tools of yesterday.”