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  • #1

    Tools

    We have been discussing this idea for a little while but it was brought up by Scott'n'Wendy in the "Feedback from Members" thread.

    What we are looking for is to make a list of tools that you have found that work well , easy to use , and worth the money paid. There are plenty of us that have bought a tool thinking it will do the job only to be disappointed. When the tool is accepted we will make a sticky and list the tools and there usage. We will use this thread for discussion on the tools.
    Please do not list a tool that you have not tried or heard that somebody else likes the tool so you bought one.

    Thank you all in advance.

    Brian
    Brian & Michelle
    2018 Reflection 29RS
    2022 Chevy 3500HD
    Tags: None
    • Likes 1
  • #2
    Here is a pex tool kit that I bought early on and just recently started to use it. It is well built and the small tubing cutter fits nicely in the hand. The crimper/cutter is a little bulky to use and it requires 2 hands but does a nice job of cutting the old pex ring as well as installing a new one , this is a nice small kit that comes with 1/2" and 3/4" rings.

    iCrimp Ratchet PEX Cinch Tool with Removing function for 3/8 to 1-inch Stainless Steel Clamps with 20PCS 1/2-inch and 10PCS 3/4-inch PEX Clamps and Pex Pipe Cutter- All in One - - Amazon.com

    Brian
    Brian & Michelle
    2018 Reflection 29RS
    2022 Chevy 3500HD
    • Likes 2

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    • #3
      I’d say a multimeter is a critical tool, and it doesn’t really matter which one. Nice to have longer leads with alligator clips, but any meter is better than none.

      It is useful for the camper 12V electrical system, truck 12V system, the 120VAC system. Brakes, converter, batteries, inside lights, towing lights, testing fuses, troubleshooting appliances and countless other uses. I can’t imagine not having one with me.
      John & Kathy
      2014 Reflection 303RLS
      2014 F250 SC SB 6.2
      • Likes 4

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      • #4
        Definitely second the multimeter. I carry a Fluke, but only because its what I use for work. A clamp on DC ammeter can be handy to troubleshoot as well.

        I got this set to carry in the rig, none of them are particularly great quality, but work good enough and its compact. The drawers pull out so if I need something its easy to grab the drawer and take it to what I am working on.

        https://www.menards.com/main/tools/h...8154971&ipos=6

        Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.​

        Neil Citro
        2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
        2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
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        • #5
          People will call me crazy - my wife did - but one of my favorite purchases is this uber-expensive Fluke clamp meter:

          Moderator note: here's a link to Amazon's (US) 381 Fluke: https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-381-Rem...8070992&sr=8-3

          It measures current and voltage in both DC and AC circuits (many clamp meters won't do DC) as well as continuity and resistance. Being able to clamp somewhere (often near the battery source) and take the display to another part of the trailer to turn on loads to test circuits is nice. The tool also comes with a flexible hoop for measuring current in places where it's hard to fit a big stiff clamp (such as around the breaker/fuse panel) but unfortunately that only works on AC circuits.

          I recently bought this flashlight on the recommendation of someone in another forum, really like it. Super bright long-reaching focused beam:

          https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-...dDbGljaz10cnVl

          This device is great for live-testing 12V circuits and the components they power:

          https://www.amazon.com/Power-Probe-C...7981607&sr=8-6
          Last edited by boyscout; 12-15-2020, 08:27 PM.
          Mark - 2018 Solitude 310GK - Ford F-350 SRW diesel short box - Pullrite Superglide hitch
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          • #6
            boyscout

            Mark your fist link is to the flashlight in the second link and not the "uber expensive meter".

            Brian
            Brian & Michelle
            2018 Reflection 29RS
            2022 Chevy 3500HD
            • Likes 1

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            • #7
              For crimping electrical crimp connections https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
              2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.
              • Likes 3

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              • #8
                Yoda,
                That crimping tool is very cool!
                But it's a matter of "needs & wants"?
                I only need the crimping tools I already own but I want this one!
                Oh, and I need my wife to not strangle me for buying another tool because it's a nicer, better, shinier model....
                Chris
                Chris
                2019 Solitude 3740BH
                2019 Chevy 3500HD Duramax SRW
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                • #9
                  I used this when I was a electrician, way over kill for a rv owner but I still have it so I carry it. Megohm feature is great when trouble shooting any AC or DC circuit. U can find that bad wire, ballast or device in minutes Great tool


                  FLUKE-1587/I400 FC 2-in-1 Insulation Multimeter W/Clamp: Amazon.com: Home Improvement
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                  • #10
                    I want a fancy multi-meter, I am just to cheap to spend that kind of money. So tools that work; #2 Roberston bit screw driver. I keep one in a drawer inside and one in my main tool kit and bit's for my drill.

                    Water pump (adjustable) pliers. One in the tool kit, one in the water connection box.

                    400 lumen head lamp, hands free illumination. Also good for caving. I have several scattered around.

                    2x reading glasses, darn it, I have several scattered around.

                    500lb test para-cord. I buy a 1000 foot spool, lasts about 2 years.



                    2017 Momentum 376, 2019 Ford F450
                    2022 Triumph Scrambler Motorcycle
                    E-bikes, Hobi Pedal Kayaks
                    Kota the dog and KC the Kitty Cat

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Electrical: I carry a DC Clamp capable multimeter. Similar to the Fluke discussed but from Blue Seas and much cheaper, but gets the job done. The crimping tool discussed earlier is well worth the money. I carry a "generous" assortment of crimp connectors.

                      Suspension: Left over bolts from suspension upgrades plus spare new bushings and crunch nuts travel with me. Also, a spare spring (as mentioned elsewhere). Tools include the big sockets, breaker bar and torque wrench. One jack to lift an axle end and one jack to lift the frame.

                      Plumbing: An assortment of necessary tools and parts actually take up very little space. See attached.

                      Where do I carry all this?: As posted elsewhere, the front compartment of our 5th wheel is my "workshop". The opening "wings" contain all the small parts. Big tools are under the workbench surface. Small tools are in tip-out bins across the back wall. Everything is much more accessible than buried in a tool bag. See attached.

                      Rob
                      Attached Files
                      Cate & Rob
                      (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                      2015 Reflection 303RLS
                      2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                      Bayham, Ontario, Canada
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                      • #12
                        Rob, shame on you. You had the chance and blew it. May I be the one to suggest the all important Robertson screwdriver? A Robertson, also known as a square or Scrulox screw drive is specified as ANSI Type III Square Center and has a square-shaped socket in the screw head and a square protrusion on the tool. Both the tool and the socket have a slight taper.

                        • Likes 1

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by TNFSolitude View Post
                          Rob, shame on you. You had the chance and blew it. May I be the one to suggest the all important Robertson screwdriver? A Robertson, also known as a square or Scrulox screw drive is specified as ANSI Type III Square Center and has a square-shaped socket in the screw head and a square protrusion on the tool. Both the tool and the socket have a slight taper.
                          Well, as the first Canadian in this thread it is *I* who should be ashamed that I didn't mention the Robertson.

                          Yes, the Robertson square bit, a Canadian invention that has taken about a hundred years to be appreciated in the U.S., fits a great many of the screws on Grand Design trailers. It still doesn't appear in some screwdriver sets or bit sets sold in the U.S.

                          The No. 2 Robertson screwdriver/bit not only fits a whole bunch of trailer screws with obvious matching square sockets/holes in their heads, but I learned the hard way that it also fits a weird 8-pointed (star-like) screw that I had never seen before I found some of them holding our TV onto its elevator mount. I bought a set of Torx bits that didn't fit before someone told me that the Robertson No. 2 (owned in quantity by any red-blooded Canadian) would do the job. Its corners fit into four of the eight points on that strange screw.

                          Mark - 2018 Solitude 310GK - Ford F-350 SRW diesel short box - Pullrite Superglide hitch
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                          • #14
                            TNFSolitude boyscout
                            Tom & Mark . . . you obviously did not complete your homework assignments . . .
                            See page 4 of the Plumbing Tools & Parts attachment to post #11 .

                            ​​​​​​​Rob
                            Cate & Rob
                            (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                            2015 Reflection 303RLS
                            2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                            Bayham, Ontario, Canada
                            • Likes 2

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                            • #15
                              Ok, I've been admonished.
                              • Likes 1

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