Essential Tools Every Truck Driver Needs
We’re assuming you’re a trucker and have a toolbox that contains the basics like screwdrivers, wrenches, socket sets, or vice grips. If you didn’t, you need to find a Home Depot quickly because you’re putting yourself and others in danger every time you drive. Professional truck drivers pride themselves on being prepared, which means adding go-to items to solve unexpected issues on the road.
Trucker Tool Kit Checklist
1. Duct Tape
Duct tape is perhaps the most universally used non-tool tool. It has strength and flexibility, and it sticks to just about anything. You can use duct tape to seal pipes or leaks, cover holes, tie together loose items, twist it into rope, or about a million other things.
2. Zip Ties
A close second to duct tape for universal use is zip ties. Zip ties add the ability to increase tension to bundle things together like wires or groups of similar items. Zip ties have added the benefit of color coding for simple organization and quick reference patterns. Plus, zip ties come in a variety of sizes for customizing the job.
3. Bungee Cords
A rope is so 1985. We’ve moved on to bungee cords as a way to secure cargo and other essential parts on our trucks. Metal hooks and stretchable material covered in latex make bungee cords the ideal go-to item in a trucker’s toolbox. You’d be surprised at what we’ve seen bungee cords can do. Of course, we recommend only using them safely and without putting others in harm’s way.
4. Tire Pressure Gauge
Properly inflated tires are paramount to safe truck driving. Professional truckers monitor tire pressure constantly – and not just at unscheduled truck stops. A quality tire gauge is a vital part of knowing your rig is safe.
5. Tire Tread Gauge
After purchasing a quality tire pressure gauge, it’s time to get a quality tire tread gauge. Proper tire tread is another critical component to driving safely. As much as you monitor tire pressure, it would be best to keep track of tire tread depth.
6. Electrical Tape
Today’s trucks have miles of wires. Although you shouldn’t have to be an electrician or start messing with too many of the electrical components, you should have some quality electrical tape around just in case. Electrical tape stretches and conforms to cables and wiring, providing adequate insulation until a pro can take a look.
7. WD-40
Good old WD-40! The magical spray does about a million things. Besides lubricating and loosening, WD-40 works in other unique ways. Did you know you can use it to keep snow from sticking to your windshield, get bugs off your windshield, degrease your hands, or waterproof your boots?
8. Hammer
Sometimes you just must hit what you are working on hard enough for it to work right. Although we don’t recommend that approach very often, having a quality hammer can do the trick until reaching the shop. A hammer also gives you solid leverage for loosening, bending, and adjusting truck parts when needed.
9. Flash Light
Murphy’s Law says if it’s going to happen, it will happen at the wrong time. The wrong time for truckers is almost always at night. And as if dealing with truck issues wasn’t hard enough during the day, dealing with them at night – well, can be a nightmare. Get yourself a quality flashlight to identify an issue and illuminate the area well enough to quickly and safely fix the problem.
10. Rags
Sometimes paper towels will do the trick. Most of the time, truckers need something with a little more strength to do the job. Quality rags are underrated on the road. Professional grade rags clean up solvents, chemicals, oil, and dirt better than paper towels or other things lying around the cab like paper bags or plastic wrappers.
There you have it, the 10 Essential Tools Every Trucker Needs in their Tool Kit. Do you have a favorite go-to item in your toolbox? Leave a comment and share.
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