10 essential toolbox tools for truck drivers

10 ESSENTIAL TOOLBOX TOOLS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS

nationalheavyhaulage.com.au

Because you can be sure whatever goes wrong will happen at night. Some drivers suggest perpetual shake flashlights or flashlights that run off the battery. If you have a regular battery powered flashlight, make sure you have some spare batteries for it too.

1. A GOOD FLASHLIGHT


A pocket knife, Leatherman or utility knife can be a very handy piece of kit if you’re truck driver. If nothing else, it’s handy to open tins, measure your tread depth and have a truck driver’s manicure.

2. UTILITY KNIFE


Every truck driver should have an adjustable spanner, but if you’re a long-haul driver, you might you need a full US and metric spanner set. A socket spanner and socket set is also a good thing to have on board. And an oil filter spanner is also not a bad idea.

3. SPANNERS


You need something in your toolbox that will loosen up the toughest nuts or give you some leverage in a difficult job. A breaker bar will give you more torque than a socket spanner. A cheater bar improvised out of pipe will give you even more (but you might need some mates to apply some pressure) and in other cases, a wheel brace might be all you need.

4. BREAKER BAR, CHEATER BAR OR WHEEL BRACE


A pair of vice grip locking pliers are about the handiest tool in the kit. If you left without another thing, make sure the vice grips are on board.

5. VICE-GRIP PLIERS


Make sure you have a set of Philips head and flat head screwdrivers or a ratchet screwdriver with a selection of heads.

6. SCREWDRIVERS


As well as your vice grips, keep a few other types of pliers in your tool box including extra-long, needle-nose pliers.

7. GOOD PLIERS


At a bare minimum, you’ll want a pressure gauge with you but if you’re going to be a fair way from civilisation and roadside assistance, a tyre pump with a pressure gauge and light is better. Some drivers also suggest a tyre iron, tyre thumper and a tread depth gauge.

8. TYRE PUMP


Depending on what need to whack, a mallet or a hammer is handy to loosen up something tough or use in conjunction with another tool like a wheel brace when you have a tough job.

9. MALLET / HAMMER


Running repairs and maintenance usually also requires a bit of a spare parts shop on board. Truck drivers often also carry these essentials: WD-40 / Liquid Wrench; Brake fluid; Water; Antifreeze; Spare hose & hose clamps; Fuel line in the appropriate size(s) for your truck; Spare fuses & bulbs; Extra set of air lines; Electrical wire, splicing plugs.

10. SPARE PARTS


One of the most important jobs of a logistics or heavy transport truck driver is to know your truck and how to take care of it. With the right bits and pieces with you and a bit of nouse, there isn’t too much a truck driver can’t sort out.

National Heavy Haulage is a specialist heavy transport service. Our experienced truck drivers and modern fleet of prime movers are equipped for all kinds of situations and challenges and because we specialise in moving heavy and oversize loads like earthmoving and mining equipment, our truck drivers and trailermen carry an impressive set of tools on board.


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10 essential toolbox tools for truck drivers

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