Ben’s Road-Ready Tool Kit | What I Actually Use as a Full-Time RVer

When we had a farm... I had any tool you could imagine. But... when you live full-time on the road, you can’t bring the whole garage, but you can bring the tools that actually make a difference. These are the ones I reach for when a wire comes loose, a panel needs cutting, or a random campsite project turns into a full afternoon.

Some are overkill for everyday travel, but I’ve helped friends with solar and electrical installs across the country, so these came along for the ride instead of going into storage. I'll also update this as I go through my tools, but these are the ones folks have asked me about recently... so I wanted to share!

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⚡ Electrical Tools

The stuff that got our solar install done—and continues to earn its keep every time I troubleshoot wiring or add a new component.

• Klein Tools 34056 Ferrule Crimping Tool – gives a clean, professional finish on stranded wire connections.

• Wirefy Crimping Tool for Heat Shrink Connectors – perfect for waterproof, vibration-proof terminations on 12-volt lines.

• TEMCo Lug Crimper Tool – heavy-duty beast for 2/0 and 4/0 battery cables; it’s what I used for our solar wiring.

• ECO-WORTHY Solar Crimper Tool Kit – handy kit that covers MC4 connectors, terminals, and wire prep.

• Klein Tools J63225N Cable Cutter – makes clean cuts on thick battery cable without crushing the strands.

• iFixit Mako Driver Kit – 64 Precision Bit Set – small but mighty for electronics and delicate components (like fixing camera gear or sensors).

Other things I’ve mentioned before: Victron SmartShunt, wire label maker, and those reusable silicone zip ties that keep cables from becoming chaos.

🔩 Mechanical Tools

This is the “get-me-out-of-a-jam” lineup. From tightening suspension bolts to swapping a trailer tire, these are the mechanical workhorses I rely on.

• LEXIVON Torque Wrench 1/2-Inch Drive – essential for accurate lug nut torque on the rig and truck wheels.

• LEXIVON Inch-Pound Torque Wrench 1/4-Inch Drive – for lighter precision work, like mounting brackets or adjusting clamps.

• BOEN Pro 20-Piece 1/2" Drive Deep Impact SAE Socket Set – deep sockets, heavy impact-rated, and built for the big stuff.

• DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Impact Wrench – makes tire changes and stubborn bolts way less painful.

• DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Driver – my everyday go-to for screws, bolts, and quick jobs.

• DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX Oscillating Tool – surprisingly versatile—cuts, sands, grinds, and saves the day more than you’d expect.

Also worth packing: a cordless tire inflator (I use the DEWALT 20V model from our upgrades video) and a good headlamp for late-night fixes.

🧽 Cleaning Tools

Road life means dust, bugs, dog hair, and mystery grime, so these earn their keep every week.

• Analan Mini Pet Hair Remover for Car Detailing – this thing is magical. Pulls hair off truck seats, dog beds, and carpet like nothing else I’ve tried.

• Dyson V10 Pet

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Other favorites: extendable RV wash brush, microfiber drying towels, and a spray bottle of waterless wash for travel-day cleanups.

🧰 Final Thoughts

You don’t need a full tool chest to live on the road, but having the right tools turns “uh-oh” moments into quick wins. These are the ones that have proven themselves in campgrounds, desert boondocks, and parking lots from Arizona to Alberta.

If you saw something in one of our videos that’s not listed here, drop a comment, we’ll add it (with a link) so others can find it too.

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