So what is the best (most ingenious) way to store these tools? And where??
80 series tool kit
- Thread starter Bigsky80
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Laughing at these 100# tool kits! No wonder people whine about their 80 not having any power! They carry around so much extra, unnecessary weight. I've wheeled for 30+ years, I carry minimal tools, and I survive with no problem. Has anyone heard of the word "improvise" or "adapt"? If your into wheeling it helps to know how.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
I do long distance camping trips every other year. 5-6k miles over as much dirt as I can manage. Bringing a good amount of spares and comprehensive set of tools is critical to piece of mind when it's just my son and I. Improvising during summer months is far more dangerous then just using the right tool.
All other excursions tend to be with either a small group or medium sized group. My kit has generally been to help out someone else. And like others here, have had camping trips cut short because someone's repair or rescue took 12 hrs or longer. In every event I was glad I had my gear.
The one time I didn't have my truck with me in Funnel Lake meant that an entire day, of a two day trip, was spent trying to "improvise" and it sucked. Two people in our group got to enjoy the weekend and relax with the rest of us struggled to get the truck road worthy. Much less trail worthy. Luckily for us we were only about an hour up the trail from Bishop.
All other excursions tend to be with either a small group or medium sized group. My kit has generally been to help out someone else. And like others here, have had camping trips cut short because someone's repair or rescue took 12 hrs or longer. In every event I was glad I had my gear.
The one time I didn't have my truck with me in Funnel Lake meant that an entire day, of a two day trip, was spent trying to "improvise" and it sucked. Two people in our group got to enjoy the weekend and relax with the rest of us struggled to get the truck road worthy. Much less trail worthy. Luckily for us we were only about an hour up the trail from Bishop.
I totally agree if your wheeling solo, but in a group..... No way. Maybe it's knowledge, maybe it's luck, and probably my time is coming! But I just don't see the need, and I've wheeled on just about every Continent. There is always a way to get a rig off the trail and back to where it can be repaired. Heck, all the fuel money people would save from not hauling around all that extra weight would pay for a chase truck to come to them! Lol. Always laugh when guys replace their winch cable with synthetic, then keep the old cable in their rig as a backup! Lol. Did they save weight? Nope.... Only added!
With your kids on board, I would carry anything I had to in order to keep them safe! Happy wheeling!
- Thread starter
- #45
Not very ingenious, but I put my tools in a cheap plastic tool box. For organization I use tool rolls.rblain82 said:
Improvising is great but you still need some tools. We've had a guy bust a brake line (modded Ford Explorer with 6" lift that wasn't tested), Nissan Exterra (busted tie rod, luckily he brought a spare knowing it was a weak point), and a 40 Series (busted u-joint screwing around on a steep rock slope), amongst other things. At the end of the day everyone got out, but the time spent getting things sorted out and repaired is unbelievable. To each his own based on their experience and comfort level.
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I gave up on carrying tools... I would need to have my entire shops worth to be comfortable. The one tool I carry now, (other than the obvious like chains, straps, jack, lug wrench,and comealongs) Is a cell phone. If I break something on the trail, I evaluate the situation, make a list of what I'll need to fix it, and call for a ride.
ETA: It sucks when ya gotta walk to get cell signal, but 9 times outta 10, even if I was carrying an emergency set of tools, I'd still need something I dont have.
ETA: It sucks when ya gotta walk to get cell signal, but 9 times outta 10, even if I was carrying an emergency set of tools, I'd still need something I dont have.
Cargo staying in place is a big safety concern of mine. The wire cage was custom built to contain what is pictured. I have 2 SawZall boxs stacked (1 is 100% tools and the 2nd is 25% tools and 75% repair parts) to the left is brake fluid, grease, and dirty spare parts bagged next to the all important BFH. Other stuff pictured in the cage is ratchet straps, rags cleaner, starting fluid, extractor, and first aid in the blue box. All stuff I never want to need or use. I do enjoy the piece of mind it gives me.
That is the kind of thing I'd expect to hear from a Junior Enlisted Warrior or a butter bar. The more salty one becomes, the more one learns that minimalism/ improvise adapt and overcome doesn't always get you out of a sticky situation, especially when you don't have enough to improvise with and when you're miles and miles away from cell service or phones you can't call for your buddies to bring tools. Ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain no longer apply when you're mobil, so I carry what is needed for everything short of irreparable damage. I'm the one everyone asks to go wheeling with because they know they don't need a bunch of recovery gear and tools because I got it covered. I have had to do some repairs to my rig and others on the trail that wouldn't have been possible had we not had the collective tools of myself and another rig.
ppc
M Go Blue
MacGyver never needed tools 
If your the one that everyone wants to wheel with..... Then go! I'm never in need of company, we have plenty. And maybe, the saltier one gets, the smarter one gets! When I was a puppy I carried everything but the kitchen sink.... Sort of like you......When people call you a "tool" it's not because of what your carrying!
- Thread starter
- #53
Wow, definitely some strong opinions about this. I carry the tools I have for 2 reasons. First in the winter I travel to some relatively remote locations without the luxury of cell service. An irreparable brake could be fatal depending on the weather and while I keep my vehicle in good repair "s*** does Happen". Second, I like having the tools I need in the vehicle. Even at home it is very nice to simply open the hatch and get to work.
Cheers,
Scot
Cheers,
Scot
At home I just go to my Snap On roll away....
You have a lot to learn about growing up devil pup. For instance, your ego impresses nobody but those as childish as you. I would go wheeling if anyone else was available, I only ever carried what was essential when I was in, thus the ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain statement. I carry what I do out of experience, always have. That's where the saltier one gets the more one learns...which implies that one is more intelligent from having learned. But keep throwing out ego and insult without validation of the original point of Improvise and Adapt doesn't always work without the means to make it.
I do commend you for the Snap On roll away, they're great.
I recently bought a lot of 25 pelican 1600 cases (without foam) on craigslist.. I've sold most but kept out about 8 of the best ones and I plan on making them my main containment systems for all my gear.
Some barrack boxes for sale locally. May just bid on them as there is no min bid. This thread also reminds me of the German couple who toured the world in their G Wagon. IIRC, he cared around 700 lbs of spares with him at all times, and did preventative maintenance claiming his G Wagon never once broke down.
I've heard (not practiced very well mind you given the aforementioned rolling toolbox) that if one carries tools, those tools are what most, if not all, maintenance on the rig should be performed with. That way you only carry what you need. I've tried to duplicate most of these tools in my carry roll/tool bag and haven't needed any of them except a 7/16" wrench to move a roof mount tie down once. But, its the same reason I carry my phone and State Farm insurance. My favorite game is "What If" but I can easily get carried away. Having done some walking and hood sitting in the past when I have broken down (Chevy Blazer), I really only wish to have a programmed SPOT or a Satellite Phone most of the time as no amount of tools would've fixed my situations. 1) Broke a c-clip, lost the axle. 2) Sunk the truck to the frame in the river bottom (shovel did help but took a while then there was more quicksand type stuff ahead, managed to get 3 trucks stuck trying to extract me).
Bludozer
SILVER Star
My tools suck, I don't do 100% of the work on my truck so it has always been tough for me to justify upgrading but enough is enough.
Say you were getting back to the basics and wanted to invest in quality stuff...what would be your choices assuming you wanted to get mostly everything into 1-2 tool rolls? I'm not interested in the debate of minimalism vs. maximalism about how many tools to carry, I don't plan to tow a whole tool cart behind me. Would love to hear some opinions.
Say you were getting back to the basics and wanted to invest in quality stuff...what would be your choices assuming you wanted to get mostly everything into 1-2 tool rolls? I'm not interested in the debate of minimalism vs. maximalism about how many tools to carry, I don't plan to tow a whole tool cart behind me. Would love to hear some opinions.
