Essential tools in your truck

22lr at the very least

 

Off road; I bring just about every tool I have! Plus extra fluids, fuel, etc...

On highway/roads/developed areas, I trim it down to pretty much just a triple a card.
I always have the spare, tools to mount it, a portable compressor and a few random things; multi-tool, battery charge packs, oil and water.
But when I drive my truck, it's a Tacoma, which is very reliable, and I paid a premium for that feature when I purchased it.
It is built to handle tough rocky trails- there is no good reason it should fail while just driving around.
And honestly, if there were a major breakdown, I really don't want to do that kind of repair work on the side of the road anyway, so I'll get a "free" tow and fix it properly, off the street.

 

The best Glocks ever made:

Somebody made fun of me for having this in my vehicle until they needed to use it.

$49 Entrenching Tool w/Pouch

https://www.amazon.com/Glock-Entrenching-Tool-Saw-Pouch/dp/B000KOOUOS

The companion tool:

$33 Glock KB17281 81 Field Knife

https://www.amazon.com/Glock-KB17281-81-Field-Knife/dp/B000W32PIK

You never know when you'll need either but they are both small enough to make them necessities.

 

Love this cheap little aluminum avalanche shovel emergency snow or snow fort making both.
It's sturdy enough to get through a plowed in parking spot and small enough to fit behind the back seats.

Lifeline 4017 Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel, 3 Piece Collapsible Design, Perfect Snow Shovel for Car, Camping and Other Outdoor Activities, Orange

https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Utility-Collapsible-Perfect-Activities/dp/B07H25P4YR/

 

If we compile and make a list up to now, how will it fit in any size bed?

 

I try and keep a small box of electrical supplies with me in case a connection goes bad or I blow a fuse, etc

 

Socket set, Milwaukee 1/2 18v and 3/8 12v impacts, impact sockets, screw drivers, electrical stuff, dremel, Milwaukee hackzall, axe, detailing sprays, microfiber towels, etc etc…

 

ordered myself one!

 

Cool setup!

 

For when the bubble guts strike and you're a long way from a restroom.

 

Anyone say duct tape?

 

Boxo 66-piece UTV Tool Roll... life-saver.

 

Beat me to it. Adding: "Assorted Sizes".

 

A good, powerful headlamp. 400 lumens is about right. (minimum) Leatherman multi-tool. I have the original Wave. One of the most-used features on it is the scissors. It doesn't/can't do everything, but it can do enough.

I have a minimalist set of tools, but the Leatherman gets more use.

 

I made up one like this years ago for a Scout Troop 7-day white water canoe trip in Eastern Maine. Metal gasketed case about the size of a 15" laptop. I have carried it since everywhere in every vehicle I have owned. They gave me the nickname: "Dr. McCoy" on that trip because that case was tied/clipped with a biner on the carrying thwart the entire trip.
(...or more probably because I was old(er) like the Doc) lol

 

10Cs of Survivability are hard to beat:

Combustion Device: Bic lighter, Ferro Rod, etc. (2 is 1; 1 is none....have multiples in various locations)
Container: Stainless Steel Water Bottle (32 oz unlined for being able to boil water)
Cover: Additional layer of clothes or shade for a microclimate (old coat, gloves, fleece blanket stored in back seat compartment)
Cutting Tool: Fixed blade knife, Multi-Tool, Small axe, compact saw
Cordage: Rope, straps, bungees, carabiners, etc.
Cotton Bandana: water filtering, first aid, fire material, emergency toilet paper, hygiene, etc)
Compass: navigation outstide of vehicle
Candlelight: (not actual candles) Flashlight, headlamp, etc.
Cable: Jumper Cables, extra fuses
Cargo Tape: Repairs, fire starter, etc. (wrap a couple turns around each Bic lighter and you always have some handy)

Also:
6 in 1 Screwdriver w/10 and 12mm sockets
Handgun w/ spare mags
Nitril Gloves
Spare batteries (headlamp, flashlight, headlamp)
Battery pack/phone cable
a few 3x5 note cards and carpenters pencil (never runs out of ink or dries up)

 

With the topper I placed a dock box inside the shell, in it:
Antifreeze, motor oil and general lubricating spray.
2 Wheel Chocks
Bottle Jack
Soft surface base for the bottle jack
Bow saw
12' chain with hooks at the end
Hitch mounted recovery point
2 knotted coupling loops
Medium sized hatchet
Small air Compressor
Tow strap
50' of rope
extra tie downs
3 cell LED flashlight
LED Headlight
Tire plug kit.
Spare serpentine belt

I have a 3' shovel and 2 traction boards mounted to the bed rails inside the topper.

Of course a tool bag;
3/8 metric socket set, 3/8" torx and 3/8" allen sockets/extensions/socket adapters
some specific 1/2" sockets with a 1/2" breaker bar.
Large and small crescent wrenches.
Metric wrench set
Appropriate wire strippers, needle nose and pliers.
Silicone tape, duct and electrical tape
Some Nuts n bolts, hose clamps, safety wire, crimps and some electrical wire, fuses, JB weld, silicone sealant.

Inside the truck;
First aid kit
space blanket
window breaker tool
Non lithium jump starter
Another flashlight

I like to go to go to remote places in NM, AZ and Utah which is why this list is extensive. Learned a long time ago when riding motorcycles out in BFE, doing the proper maintenance and being prepared is a great way to ensure you likely won't need any of it (your buddy probably will). It's come in handy when I've assisted random people out in the middle of nowhere.

 

Wheel chocks is a good one to add.

Thinking about adding a window breaker too.

a friend recently totaled his car avoiding an overturned vehicle, and that story has me looking at high vis vest, flares, and signal triangle for road hazards or collision aftermath.

 

That might work for now but I was reading something recently about newer vehicles using laminated glass for all windows.
Partially because the current rise in theft.

It was mentioned your best option in a submersion is get the windows down and get out.
Your car will float and power windows will continue to work for about......
30 sec.

It always looks handy when you watch a video of a guy getting submerged and he breaks the window with that tool already in his hand.
The reality is most people would panic (probaby even me) and waste that 30 sec. looking for that tool. (or their phone )

 

I keep a window breaker/seat belt cutter in my truck; it is right in the lower pocket of my drivers side door.
I used to live in FL where such things are completely necessary - too often a car goes into a canal and the driver is trapped.
Can't rely on your power windows to work in that situation.