Is your tool bag due for a spring cleaning?

With the official arrival of spring this weekend, warm weather is not far behind for most of the U.S. In the Southwest, 80-degree days began a week ago, and today we started getting organized for the trip we have planned to Cottonwood, Arizona next week.

Right away, Tothie noticed the busted handle on my tool bag (visible in the above photo). That made me realize it was time for some "spring cleaning" of that 20-year-old bag, to identify what needs tossing, replacing (including the tool bag), or updating.

Further, March is a good time of year to confirm that the things you think are in the tool bag are actually in the tool bag. And, in the case of perishable supplies like thread locker and sealant, making sure they haven't gone bad. It's never fun to head out on your first trip only to find you're missing that thing you need, to fix the thing that broke. 

Most of what I carry in my tool bag are durable tools that last for years. I don't keep many consumables in there – those are kept in a few parts boxes in the Airstream's exterior compartments. Silicone spray, white lithium grease (for the powered Zip-Dee awning arm), spare water filters, hitch grease, things like that.

So, here's what I found during today's "spring cleaning:"

• I'm almost out of Boeshield and need to replace it. (We include a travel-sized bottle in our Maintenance Essentials Kit.)
• Zip tie quantities are sufficient. I use them only occasionally but when I do they are very handy.
• The vinyl gloves for dirty jobs are toast. Throw out and grab a few new pairs.
• Sharpie has dried out. Needs replacing as I use it frequently.
• There's plenty of blue thread locker.

• The non-contact voltage tester needs new batteries.
• Ditto for the voltmeter.

• All the most-used tools are accounted for: rivet tool, pliers, screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, etc. (For more on these, keep reading.)
  
• My "bits and bobs" case of little things has enough of each item.
• There are sufficient amounts of my most used tapes (Teflon and electrical).

All in all, not bad. 

Except for the tool bag handle, nothing major was broken or missing. Mostly, I need to replenish a few things before we get on the road next week. 

A tool bag spring cleaning checklist

Now it's your turn.

The list below includes the most-used tools we travel with, along with some thoughts about what to look for as you excavate yours for the season. Except for the cordless drill, all of this fits in the 16x9x10 tool bag shown at the top of this page.

1. Cordless drill and drill bits

Many Airstreamers would never leave the driveway without a cordless drill, since it's useful for so many tasks. If your has been in your tool bag for a few years, it might be time to replace the rechargeable battery.

Don't forget to open the drill bit case to make sure the bits are all in there before you hit the road.

2. Screwdrivers

Screws loosen over time and during towing. While it's fine to carry a basic set, the only screwdrivers most Airstreamers will ever use are a flat head and a #2 Philips. 

3. Allen wrenches

Again, it's fine to throw a whole set into your bag, but the primary sizes you'll actually use are the 2 mm and 2.5 mm – which fit the bathroom door handle and towel bars.

We include both in our Maintenance Essentials Kit.

4. Utility shears

So many uses for these, up to and including snipping wires if you don't travel with a wire snipper. 

5. Small pliers and wrenches

Below are my most-used. From left to right: adjustable wrench, needle nosed pliers, and pliers. I also carry a few sizes of open-end wrenches in case I need to replace a propane hose.

6. Extra screws and blue thread locker

Screws occasionally work their way out after hundreds of miles. Make sure you've got a few #8 screws (long and short) along to replace them. And when the screw is stripped, use thread locker to make sure they stay put. We include all of these items in our Maintenance Essentials Kit.

7. Tapes

These can be an Airstreamer's best friend, and we've used various tapes to fix everything from an under-floor plumbing leak, to a stone guard nut that flew off while we were towing.

I always have Teflon, electrical, butyl, and three other types of tape in my tool bag. Check out this popular blog I wrote for the list of all six tapes, as well as how to use them in the Airstream. You'll need the Teflon tape to fix small plumbing leaks, more than any other.

8. Sealants

The edges of roof penetrations such as the plumbing and ceiling vents, TV antenna, skylights, solar panel mounts, etc., are the usual spots that need re-sealing. If you have an Airstream (purchased within the last few years), it's unlikely you'll need to worry about sealants this season, but after you've traveled for a while, it's not a bad idea to throw a polyurethane sealant and a plastic scraper in your tool bag.

And if your tube is a few years old, take a look to be sure it's not gunked up, solid, or otherwise in need of replacement.

9. Products and tools for cleaning electrical connections

The best way to avoid melted power plugs, braking problems, and connectivity issues between the tow vehicle and trailer is to keep your electrical connections clean. That means cleaning and protecting the male and female ends of the 7-way plug, power cord, and extension cords. This maintenance task is especially important during hot and humid summer months when you are running the air conditioning for long periods.

We include a brass brush, burnishing file, and other products necessary for performing this important maintenance task in the Maintenance Essentials Kit–and we travel with all of them. 

10. A good quality torque wrench

You need one be sure your aluminum trailer tires are tightened to 110 foot pounds after a tire has been removed for any reason (flat, new tire, brake inspection, etc).

If you don't have a good torque wrench, we include one in our Tire Changing Kit–along with all the other tools and instructions for changing an Airstream trailer tire.

11. Rivets and a rivet tool

Occasionally, you may notice holes inside the interior of your Airstream, where a pop rivet has fallen out. It's not a big deal to replace a rivet, if you have the right rivets and a good quality tool.

12. Zip ties

Someone should write a blog on 100 uses for zip ties. You just never know when they will be helpful to secure cords, provide a temporary fix to something that's loose, or in our case most recently: secure a shoe organizer to the bottom of the entry door. 

13. Flashlight and headlamp

We travel with both. A headlamp is really helpful when you've got to stick your head under the trailer or into a dark spot, but still want to be hands free. Invest in a good one–the cheap ones fail quickly.

A sealant scraper, headlamp, and zip ties are always in my tool bag

14. Multimeter

This device allows you to check voltage and electrical continuity (to make sure your electrical outlets and appliances are connected). It's invaluable when you are trying to troubleshoot an electrical issue on the road.

15. An organizer filled with little "bits and bobs"

Here's one side of the two-sized organizer I use. It includes useful things like Wago connectors, spare fuses and fuse puller, screws, rivets and more. Your organizer might include specialty fuses and lightbulbs for appliances, a spare water hose washer and the like. 

Whether you use an organizer like the one below, or the kit bag that comes with our Maintenance Essentials Kit, having these "little things" on hand when you travel will save you time trying to find a hardware store and interrupting your trip.

A plastic organizer like this one is my go-to for small items.

16. Extra batteries

We travel with an extra 9-volt batteries for the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a few 2032 coin batteries for our TPMS sensors. 

17. Lubricants

Sticky windows, vents, locks, and latches aren't necessarily trip-killers, but they can be quite annoying. Your awning, entry steps, and hitch need lube too. I wrote a blog about all the places your Airstream needs lubricant. Check your bag to make sure you've got what you need. 

18. Small plastic spray bottle

Last but not least is as simple diagnostic tool that every one can use: a little spray bottle. Fill the bottle with water and a few drops of dish soap for the season, and keep it in your tool bag.

Any time you smell gas, and each time you replace the propane "pigtail" hoses that connect to the propane tanks, spray a bit of soapy water on the connections. If you see actively forming and bursting bubbles, you've got a propane leak to address. We include this tool in our Maintenance Essentials Kit.