10 RV tools you need to carry

It doesn’t matter how handy you are, there are some things you should carry in your RV tool kit...

Vinyl tape

I carry a large roll of vinyl tape with me at all times, in my case in the colour of my caravan, although the silver ‘Race Tape’ as it’s often called, may be even stickier.

Get the widest you can, as it can do everything, like holding a door shut when the latch is broken, substituting for a window, holding broken cupboard hinges in place, etc. And you can get rid of the sticky glue residue afterwards with Orange Oil and it leaves no trace.

Multi-grips

Whether it’s a tow ball, a step or a suspension bolt, a good pair of multi-grips with an adjustable ‘jaw’ will be your best friend until you find a better-euipped helper.

Torch

I always carry a head torch, as you never know what you might have to look at – or for – in a dark place, or at night.

However, make sure you don’t let the batteries corrode and carry a spare pack of the right size batteries, just in case.

Cable ties

I carry a packet of different-sized cable ties with me all the time. They’re cheap at your local hardware or auto accessory place and are invaluable when you need to hold things in place, be they things on a roof rack or broken mud flaps, safety chains, loose cables, etc.

I always carry a packet of the largest I can buy, as well as some smaller ones, as you can daisy-chain the larger ones together to secure quite large and bulks items on you’re A-frame or tow car’s roof rack, if need be.

Hammer

You never know when you might have to give something that’s bent a helping hand.

Matches/fire lighters

If you ever want to start a campfire, you’ll be really annoyed if the wood is damp and you didn’t bring them.

RP7/WD40/Silicone Spray

I always carry a spray can of one of the above to ease sticky nuts and bolts and provide some protection from salt water.

RP7 and WD40 are competing brands of spray lubricating fluid that you can squirt into tight places, such as bolt threats, while the silicone spray, which doesn’t leave a greasy residue, is perfect for loosening up folding metal chairs and tables and lubricating locks and hinges – places where you don’t want to ‘wear’ the solution afterwards!

Hand-cleaner

Comes in a small tube, but quickly makes you civilised after a dirty roadside repair.

Supaglue

Comes in packets of three to five, really light and cheap and really handy at times.

Wire

Stick a roll in your took box, just in case. Choose something you can bend by hand, as you can always make it stronger by using multiple strands.

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