Tools Needed?
Topic 26598 | Page 1
Jim, after almost seven years out here, I can tell you what I've used the most.
Hammer
Flash light
Wire cutters/strippers
Electrical connectors
It's not going to be common for you to turn any wrenches on your truck. You'll have scheduled maintenance visits at your terminal where the mechanics will make sure everything is up to speed. The most common things I end up doing myself are replacing lights and/or mudflaps on trailers. Other than that I've had very little need for tools.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Jim, after almost seven years out here, I can tell you what I've used the most.
Hammer
Flash light
Wire cutters/strippers
Electrical connectors
It's not going to be common for you to turn any wrenches on your truck. You'll have scheduled maintenance visits at your terminal where the mechanics will make sure everything is up to speed. The most common things I end up doing myself are replacing lights and/or mudflaps on trailers. Other than that I've had very little need for tools.
I have wire cutters, channel locks, and vice grips on my list. Also electrical and duct tape, bungees and zip ties. Do you use a carpenters hammer or one of those mechanical hammer around two pounds? Maybe a rubber mallet when a hammer is too much? Maybe I will get combo wrench set if it goes on sale.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I use a small 2 pound sledge hammer.
3 pound hammer. No carpenter hammer, but a pry bar that can pull nails from the trailer floor. 2 pair of Visegrips. These should open wide enough for the trailer tandem pins. Bolt cutters with at least a 24" handle. A push broom. There's a thread on here somewhere that has a very comprehensive list.
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Guys, I am upgrading in a few days and am wondering which tools I should have on my truck. I am thinking a socket wrench and combination wrench set, both metric and American. A hammer, a pry bar, and flashlight. And of course, extra fuses and light bulbs. Anything else I should have?
Tread depth gauge and an air pressure gauge a good one if you don't have them already.
How big is the truck you're upgrading to?
Should I give him my list?
I had brough a whole tool bag. I had all kinds of stuff. Then I traded down to a small bag with some screwdrivers and adjustable wrenches. CFI supplied us with a crow bar to pull nails, I added to that my 3lb hammer and framing hammer. I used a 16oz hammer for my tire thumper. Of course you don't need anything but a flashlight, your company will have anything fixed. However, the more you can do the faster you can roll. Your company should provide you with extra fuses. Trailer lights just pop out and in. Good luck.
Ok so I’m the rookie. What the heck are y’all pulling nails out off? With reefer I keep a little tiny screwdriver to pop air seals in with.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Ok so I’m the rookie. What the heck are y’all pulling nails out off? With reefer I keep a little tiny screwdriver to pop air seals in with.
I think the floor of the trailer.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
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Guys, I am upgrading in a few days and am wondering which tools I should have on my truck. I am thinking a socket wrench and combination wrench set, both metric and American. A hammer, a pry bar, and flashlight. And of course, extra fuses and light bulbs. Anything else I should have?