The RV Tool Kit Every RVer Needs

The RV Tool Kit Every RVer Needs

We see a lot of articles about what an RV tool kit should contain, and they always seem to include a whole lot of tools and other items that most folks will rarely (if ever) use.

As every RVer knows, space and weight are always considerations when we’re driving a little house on wheels, and carrying more heavy tools that you’ll actually use doesn’t make sense for many RVers.

As most of our readers are well aware, we’re big DIYers and we love to do our own maintenance. We also live in our RV full time, and we’ve done so for very nearly 20 years now. So, sure – we carry a fairly substantial array of tools and supplies, some we brought with us when we first set out on the road, and others we’ve accumulated during projects and maintenance along the way.

our RV tool kit takes up a lot of basement storage space

We’ve accumulated a lot of tools and supplies that we carry in our basement, but it’s important to remember that we’re full-timers, big DIYers, AND we’ve been living in our motorhome for nearly two decades. Not everyone needs – or will use – everything we carry.

But let’s face it – not every RVer needs a basement full of tools and supplies. Not every RVer is a full-timer, and not every RVer spends the majority of their time boondocking in areas far off the grid (and far from stores).

Many RVers pull into a campground, hook up, and enjoy their camping experience for a weekend, or they hit the road for a week or two, and then they go home. If there’s an odd tool they happen to need on their trip, they can ask around the campground to borrow such a tool or, if absolutely necessary, they can run to a local hardware shop to grab the tool they need. Or, depending on the project/repair, they might just be able to wait until they get home to a garage full of additional tools.

Our point is that there’s just no need to spend hundreds of dollars creating an RV tool kit full of items you’re unlikely to use. So in this post, we’ll reveal the contents of a simple, basic RV tool kit with items most RVers will actually use.

Table of Contents hide
  1. 1) What Tools Do I Need to Carry in My RV?
  2. 2) The 6 Most Important Tools for Your RV Tool Kit
    1. 2.1) 1. Assorted screwdrivers – both flat blade & Phillips
    2. 2.2) 2. A set of open-end wrenches and a crescent wrench
    3. 2.3) 3. Assorted pliers
    4. 2.4) 4. Socket set (both metric & standard/SAE sizes)
    5. 2.5) 5. Cordless drill with drill bits and assorted drivers
    6. 2.6) 6. A hammer… or two!

    What Tools Do I Need to Carry in My RV?

    For the most part, a basic RV tool kit is what every RVer needs. And when we say “basic”, we really do mean BASIC – the parts and tools you’ll most likely actually USE at some point. Again, since full-timers carry everything they own with them, they tend to be more limited by space and weight. And part-timers can keep additional tools for more extensive projects at their sticks & bricks house.

    When you find yourself looking at one of our DIY videos, you’ll see we often include a list of tools needed. If you need a particular tool you don’t already own, you can either borrow it or simply add it to your arsenal at that time, space permitting. No need to carry 50 pounds of tools and supplies on every road trip, camping trip, or adventure.

    Too many tools are heavy and unnecessary. A basic RV tool kit is all you need.

    It’s great to have lots of tools on hand for projects, but tools are heavy and can take up a lot of space. There’s no need to carry more tools than you’re likely to use on your RV.

    You also need to consider what type of work you’ll actually do on your RV. For example, we saw one list that included a gigantic, heavy wrench (and we mean GIGANTIC and HEAVY), “in case you need to work on your leaf springs.” Leaf springs?? Really? Is that what you intend to do on your next camping trip? Probably not.

    So let’s get to the basics – the stuff you’ll carry and use, that can be packed into a small soft-sided tool bag and tossed into the basement of your rig. You’ll notice that only some of these items are actually tools. The other items are things we think you’ll appreciate having in your RV tool kit.

    The 6 Most Important Tools for Your RV Tool Kit

    If you want to be the least bit handy for some DIY projects and to avoid unnecessary service appointments, here are five tools we feel are necessary for your RV tool kit:

    1. Assorted screwdrivers – both flat blade & Phillips

    Many people have an assortment of screwdrivers at home which they can transfer to the RV as we did. Others may prefer a highly compact version of a multi-screwdriver set like this one which has thousands of excellent reviews on Amazon:

    Wera KK25 Replacement Type Dirver Bit Set

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 22:59.

    2. A set of open-end wrenches and a crescent wrench

    The same goes for a set of open-end wrenches. If you don’t have a set to toss into the RV when you travel, a nice little combination set (both standard and metric) like this one won’t break the bank and is compact and light, as it rolls into a small pouch, easily tossed into your tool bag. Amazon has a 9-piece and a 24-piece set like this one:

    Amazon Basics Combination Wrench Set - SAE, 9-Piece

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 22:59.

    A good quality crescent wrench or two (we have both large and small ones) is also important to carry in your RV tool kit.

    3. Assorted pliers

    Any good set of pliers will do, but you’ll definitely need them in your RV tool kit. This set from Amazon is inexpensive but will give you seven different types of pliers, including needle nose, diagonal cutters, and channel locks.

    7-piece Workpro Pliers Set with Groove Joint, Long Nose, Slip Joint, Linesman, and Diagonal Pliers for DIY & Home Use

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 22:59.

    4. Socket set (both metric & standard/SAE sizes)

    A socket set is another necessary piece of your RV tool kit. You’ll want a selection of both metric and standard sizes such as those found in a kit like this one:

    WORKPRO 39-Piece Drive Socket Set 1/4

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 22:59.

    Another note about sockets – you may eventually find yourself needing an unusual socket size. You’ll either need a deep socket for something, or you’ll need a specific size for a specific job. A good example of this is when you’ll use a ratchet and a 1 1/16-inch socket for the anode rod of your Suburban water heater.

    For those odd sizes that are both rarely needed, and aren’t included in the average socket set, you can pick up individual sockets in most auto parts, hardware, or big box stores. Keep in mind that a large socket size, like the 1 1/16, might be a 1/2″ drive rather than the smaller/more common 3/8″ drive. If your socket set doesn’t include a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter, you’ll need of those as well, which avoids the need for a 1/2″ drive socket wrench.

    5. Cordless drill with drill bits and assorted drivers

    This one is a bit more expensive, but we guarantee you’ll love owning it and find it to be an excellent investment. You never know where on your RV you’ll need to use a cordless drill, but you’re pretty well assured of needing one with some regularity.

    Remember – we’re driving the house over hill and dale and bumps and potholes. In addition to repairs and DIY projects, you’ll need to tend to things that loosen up. This is one of the most important tools you’ll carry in your RV tool kit. This is the one we have, and it’s one of our most-used and most-loved pieces of equipment on our rig:

    DEWALT 20V Max Cordless Drill/Driver Kit, Includes 2 Batteries and Charger (DCD771C2)

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-03 at 18:15.

    Once you have a cordless drill, you’ll want the following assorted drill bits and drivers to use with it:

    DEWALT Screwdriver Bit Set with Tough Case, 45-Piece (DW2166), Grey/Silver Screwdriving Set with Tough Case

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 22:59.

    DEWALT Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set, Pilot Point, 21-Piece (DW1361)

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 19:50.

    6. A hammer… or two!

    You know that old saying… “if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail?!” Well, if that’s ALL you have, that’s true. But since this is #6 in our list of must-haves… well, just use it for the nails! Because with all that shaking, rattling, and rolling down the road… a couple are gonna pop out here and there!

    IRWIN Hammer, Fiberglass, General Purpose, Claw, 16 oz. (1954889)

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 22:59.

    The 10 Most Important Random Items for Your RV Tool Kit

    In addition to the top five tools noted above, your RV tool kit should also contain a host of other items that are sure to be helpful to you on the road or during a repair or DIY project.

    Here is our list of the 10 most important items to toss into your RV tool kit:

    We keep a good assortment of odds, ends, and miscellaneous parts on board so that when things need fixing out in the wild, we seldom have to worry that there’s no hardware store around.

    Zip ties are among the best things ever invented for various repairs and upgrades. We keep a large supply of various sizes on board. They’ve come in handy far more times than we could ever count!

    Strong Velcro is another indispensable item with multiple uses. Great for holding things in place and for many minor upgrade projects.

    Seals just about anything and won’t come off… EVER!

    Every RV roof should be inspected at least a couple of times a year to ensure that any minor cracks in the sealant are touched up. We’ve never had a roof leak because we’re diligent about checking and maintaining the sealant.

    Check out our video on the subject, and be sure to have a tube of Dicor handy at all times. We’ll stick a putty knife in here too, for scraping off old Dicor. You might like having this 1.5” size and this 4” size on hand. They’re about a dollar each, and plastic, to avoid damaging rubber roofs.

    You’ll need a caulk gun to apply the self-leveling lap sealant on the roof. You’ll need one for other projects as well, like re-caulking the shower every few years, for example.

    Silicone spray stops squeaks but doesn’t attract dirt. This is a very handy item for RVers who are handy with a DIY or maintenance project.

    Get the good stuff – self-fusing Rescue Tape. When you need it, you’ll really want it to work! And – trust us – you’ll need a roll of high-quality plumbing tape.

    They come in handy, especially when you’re camping out in the boonies. Many people like LED headlamps or magnetic LED lights to keep their hands free to work.

    Self-explanatory! We use ours endlessly.

    2 Bonus Items for your RV Tool Kit

    A couple of other items you might like to have onboard your RV are a digital multimeter and a wire stripper.

    If you’re troubleshooting an electrical issue or even just need to check your battery health, a digital multimeter is both necessary and inexpensive.

    AstroAI Multimeter Tester 2000 Counts Digital Multimeter with DC AC Voltmeter and Ohm Volt Amp Meter ; Measures Voltage, Current, Resistance; Tests Live Wire, Continuity

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-02 at 03:53.

    You may be surprised at the amount of electrical work you can do on your own on your RV. Whether you need to install a new propane detector or a more complex project, a wire stripper is a handy item to have in your RV tool kit. This is the one we use, and love:

    IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper, 2 inch Jaw, Cuts 10-24 AWG, ProTouch Grip for Maximum Comfort (2078300)

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 06:45.

    Conclusion

    Whether you’re a weekend RVer or a full-timer, carrying an RV tool kit is important. But we maintain that you don’t need to break the bank for the basics. Many of the tools and items noted in this article may be things you have on hand at home. If you keep them together in a versatile tool bag, you can just toss them in the RV whenever you travel. Or better yet – simply reach for your RV tool kit when you need to do a project at home!

    DEWALT 16

    Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2024-09-01 at 22:59.

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