More Tool Talk
As a relatively new RV traveler and FMCA member, I found the “RV Tool Kits‚ article (June 2024) to be very informative. I had most of the tools mentioned in the article, but I have added a few key tools I hadn’t included. I also have what I think is another important tool for RV owners to have on board.
Traveling from Connecticut during the year, we found that depending on where we were going, the air pressure in our tires varied. Having a portable air compressor has helped a lot and saved travel time. There have been a few times it came in handy for airing up our tires. Leaving in the fall or returning to Connecticut in the early spring, we found our tire pressure varied in different climates. In cooler temps, when tire pressure decreased, it was very convenient to air up on the road with an air compressor compatible with our tire pressure requirements.
We enjoy the articles and travel tips in Family RVing magazine.
Roger Drain, F546609
Middlebury, Connecticut
My compliments to Mark Quasius on his “RV Tool Kits‚ article in the June 2024 issue. His advice is a good starting point for everyone trying to decide what tools to keep in the RV. By saying it is “a good starting point, I am not at all disparaging his advice but instead am reinforcing his bottom line that each person has to decide what tools match his or her ability and desire to do maintenance and make repairs. I can add my personal experience, which might help others.
When we bought our current motorhome, our fifth and biggest at 25 feet, I thought I needed to take more tools since I had more room. “Room‚ is relative; our previous motorhomes were even smaller. The first trip, I took too many tools. Realizing that, I removed many of the tools. Of course, on the next trip, I needed some tools I had removed. In the few dozen trips since then, I have tried to fine-tune the tools I need. If I live long enough, I might eventually figure out the perfect tool kit for me.
Don’t despair if you don’t get it right the first half dozen times you try to put together a tool kit. I do have a few specifics to add to the basic tool selection and some additional advice about the tools.
I have a small handsaw and an ax in our RV, mostly for firewood, but I have used the saw to make some repairs to a drawer slide mount on an overloaded drawer. I also have a small electric air pump for low tires. I’ve used that a couple times to get me to a tire repair location, or to adjust tire air pressure during routine maintenance checks. I keep a selection of bungee cords, which I’ve had to use a few times. I also have a small hacksaw and a metal file. In a couple repairs, I’ve had to cut off a bolt and file it to remove burrs. I also recommend a cheap tarp to lie on. From my experience, repairs that involve getting under the RV usually happen when the ground is muddy and either really cold or really hot. The tarp can help with the mud. I have also found that having a few wire coat hangers on hand is a good idea. A wire coat hanger is sort of like a universal repair part. I’ve had to temporarily rig a mount for a running board, an exhaust pipe, and a mud flap in our travels.
In the spare parts department, which might be another article in the series, I have a selection of fuses and lightbulbs, zip ties in a couple sizes, some electrical contact cleaner and grease, a roll of electrical tape, a roll of Teflon tape for plumbing connections, and a selection of screws and nuts and bolts. I have containers of miscellaneous screws and nuts and bolts to choose from, but if you are buying some, I recommend stainless steel. Anything you need to screw or bolt back on your RV will benefit from being fastened with stainless-steel fasteners.
Another aspect of the RV tool kit is how you manage it. I keep most of my tools in a single location available through outside storage. I try to be very careful to keep them together and in the same place. From my experience, when you need the tools, it’s usually dark, raining, and either really hot or really cold. Not a time to be digging through boxes and storage bins for specific tools.
I also keep a stubby screwdriver with multiple tips, a multitool that includes pliers, and a small multimeter in a drawer inside the RV. Quite a few simple repairs can be done with these tools, and I don’t have to leave the RV to retrieve them from outside storage.
One other point is that you may want to take a few more tools than you feel comfortable using. I’ve called on other RVers in campgrounds for advice related to specific issues. It could be good to have tools available if you call on a neighbor to help with a repair.
Dennis Jauch, F497765
Tampa, Florida
Fine People At Freightliner
Back in May, my coach broke down as we were leaving Apopka, Florida, and I took it to Orlando Freightliner. What a great bunch of pros they have. My wife is handicapped, and they made sure we had electricity and water. Sarah, one of the service techs, went out of her way to make sure my wife was comfortable. The entire staff went out of their way to make sure things went okay. I would highly recommend Orlando Freightliner (orlandofreightliner.com) if you are in the area and need work.
Leon & Judy McKenna, F184788
Pensacola, Florida
Repair Help In The Bluegrass State
While we were vacationing in Kentucky, the charging line to our towed car went down. I called a mobile RV tech, who looked at the problem and determined that the cord to the car was bad. I bought a new plug at Youngblood’s RV & Outdoor in Mayfield, Kentucky, but it didn’t solve the problem, because the plug on the camper wasn’t wired correctly and shorted out. I thought this had been fixed before we left home.
I went back to Youngblood’s, and Trevor Youngblood, the owner’s son, called the manufacturer to find out where the fuse box was in our 2018 Renegade Verona motorhome. “Under the driver’s seat‚ was what he was told. He looked and felt around, but there was nothing under the seat. He finally realized that “under the seat‚ meant in the cab frame under the seat, and he had to take off a body panel to get to it. Success!
The body fuse was replaced, the rear plug problem was solved, and we were on our way. Many thanks to Trevor Youngblood of Youngblood’s RV & Outdoor (youngbloodrv.com) for his determination and tenacity. He was the best!
Howell Blatt, F45536
Richboro, Pennsylvania
We want to hear from you! Family RVing welcomes comments about articles published in the magazine or topics of interest to RV owners. Email readerswrite@fmca.com; mail to Readers Write, FMCA, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244. Please include your name, city, and state/province. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.