Inexpensive tool sets for roadside use

I have a two hour commute, and the value of having cheap tools in my daily driver car has proved to be invaluable. Given the lack of storage space in my (new to me) 24 SR5 means that I need a more condensed tool set than the SAE/Metric tool set I keep in my car.

I expect more out of tools that I use regularly than tools I may only put to use once a year, so I don't see the value in buying name brand tools, but I've been surprised that there are so few "cheap" socket and wrench sets in metric only out there. I can add screwdriver and other sets to round out things, but the sockets and wrench sets limited to metric are elusive.

Any recommendations?

 

Well, what are you planning to do with them, besides changing a flat tire? Not a lot you can do with you truck on the road.

 

Harbor freight is perfect for things like this

 

Second harbor freight. That's what I have in the trunks of my cars and under the back seat of my Tundra.

 

Not for flat tires. There's already tools for that (except for the universal lug wrench I haven't added yet.) I've had minor breakdowns on every car I've ever owned. Keeping my vehicles on the road for 250K+ miles makes that inevitable. More often, though, I wind up assisting other drivers and the occasional call from friends and family members that need something minor. I just never know, and a general purpose tool set takes care of most things.

 

Harbor Freight is on my fall back list if I have to put it together small sets at a time.

 

Yup, same here. Good enough junk to get you through. Throw aways, but they work just fine.

 

I’m going on 10 years with my Harbor freight socket set. It’s always in the bed of my tuck. I even use the chrome sockets on my 1/2” impact (gasp) working on my father-in-laws farm equipment and they’re still tight.

 

A few years ago, I got a Husky 94-piece "mechanic" tool set (sockets, screwdrivers, allen wrenches) from Home Depot. It was on sale for Christmas and only set me back $50.

 

I thinkni got the bigger set from home depot for around 100 bucks years back. Totally worth it.

 

You have a turd gen, tools are useless when you need a whole new shortblock. Buy a AAA towing plan.

 

Seriously OP, I also keep vehicles for decades, hence the 2021. However, the days of packing around a handful of tools and swapping a water pump in a parking lot in about an hour are mostly over. Modern autos have many plastic molded parts that require proper torque, they have many hoses, clips, harnesses, etc. Many require a specialized fuel pump ring tool, special hose clamp pliers, and much more. Not to mention the boat load of diagnostic equipment to be certain before you begin. Basically one pretty much needs a giant box truck or shop on wheels to properly fix a car that is in need of a serious repair. Plus that, highway speeds have increased significantly and many drivers are either on their phone, impaired, plain dumb, etc., not a good time to be on the shoulder for 5 hrs swapping an alternator. Just keep some cash tucked away in a few different places, carry a phone, do your maintenance properly, watch for drips in parking spots, check your fluids when you fuel, maintain proper tire pressure, etc. If all goes bad, bust out the phone and tow it in. Probably will only happen a few times throughout your life. Most cars and parts have just improved with better manufacturing processes nowadays. Hope your turd gen is included! Good luck!

 

This. The last time I used my tools was a few months ago with some kids in their rice racer (remember those?) in the parking lot at work. I felt sad seeing these kids modify their vehicles and not know what they were doing. It's pretty rare I need to help myself out of a jam, since I don't hop up my vehicles and don't drive like an idiot. The days of when I had a '79 Z28 with a motor I built that would eat transmissions are long past. I miss those days sometimes. Unless I'm an hour or more into my commute, that is.

 

Another vote here for Hobo Fright Tools. I bought a general, all purpose tool kit for each of my vehicles. It comes with Allen wrenches, a hammer, screw drivers, vice grips etc. It's pulled my ass out of a fire more than once.

 

I had to splice a radiator hose once. A small tear developed close enough to the end that I was able to cut off the torn section and reconnect it. It was an eye opener as far as what seemingly useless tools can get you through.. in my case, a sturdy handled razor blade and a nut driver, two things that never really crossed my mind to have on-hand. The more the better unless the kit weighs 100lbs and takes up half the cab or bed space.

 

Well yes, but besides the tools, you still need some sort of parts bag on you. If you have the tools, but nothing to hold the splice together, you're still out of luck. That was my main point.

If you plan to drive around with a set of tools, might as well put together "truck parts first aid kit" with some handy parts, and that's kinda like opening a can of worms. You might 'need' a lot of simple little things to get basic repair done.

#1,800.

 

More important than tools is things that will keep you or others alive until help arrives or you get to help. Flares, triangles or flashing discs, water, space blankets, candles, hand warmers, aspirin, fire extinguisher, quick clot and first aid kit, paper maps, fire starters, etc. All that and more stay in my truck. Tools too, but mostly to work on things like a grill at camp or a trailer wheel bearing and such.

 

Good topic. I have been rocking HF tools in the camper for a while but I don't like living out of a tool bag and having to hear it clanking around when I have it in the truck. so I have HF Bauer battery tools (impact gun and drill) and then I just picked up the Craftsman Versastack sets as the portable tool box. Just be patient and buy when they are nearly 50% off (seems to be a regular occurrence these days). the Bauer bag has the dedicated impact sockets needed for lug nuts, which I purchased at HF as well.

$249 Craftsman 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set with 3-Drawer VERSASTACK Tool Box, SAE and Metric Socket Set with Combination Wrenches and Spark Plug Sockets (CMMT45309)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNKXHGZT?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk&th=1

 

The thoughts above and beyond the basic tool set is very valid, and why the box in the back of my daily driver is really heavy. I work 40 miles from home, across a large city. Earthquakes and other disasters are always a possibility, so I also have a get home backpack; I figure I'll need up to three days of hiking through all sorts of urban terrain to get home. On top of the usual flares, first aid/trauma kit, fire extinguisher, and so on and so forth. That I'm also working on; it's the tools that were tough to sort out this time (I already had a cheap tool set and more room in the daily driver.) This truck isn't a daily driver (yet) so the needs and expectations are a significantly different.

 

I've carried tools for decades. I don't care what anyone says, they are useful, even if nothing more than peace of mind since most realistic road side repairs don't require a lot anyway.

Here recently I started towing our RV far too light with the on-board tools and have been discovering the joys of RV ownership. The most recent being, two trips ago one awning arm collapsed under a popup heavy rain while I was setting up... So, I did what any sane DIYer would do, and went nuclear on a pretty thorough M12 Packout during one of HD's many "sales." $1K later and I am now equipped.

In addition, yes, have proper first-aid, tire plug kit, charged flashlight, battery jump pack with USB support, etc.

 

Some alumaseal fof a radiator leak and a valve stem kit are light, small, and inexpensive handy items.

 

The full gamut of EDC (Every Day Carry) may be a great thread all its own!

 

Also for those into roadside repair, keep a bright and reflective saftey vest with your stuff. I keep a bright reflective rainsuit too. Also try to place your gear so you access it from passenger side if at all possible. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure folks.

 

Got this exact one a few years ago. I added a couple extensions and socket adapters and its perfect.

 

I keep one of those Kobalt tool cubes in a "weather-proof" box, along with a 20v Porter-Cable impact and H-F impacts in a tool bag. Was a need witth my 07 F150, now a just in case, but I have used the impact twice on other people's cars.

 

Everyone should!

 

In case anyone is interested. On clearance at Home Depot....