What's new
Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Anyone care to chime in on what’s in your travel tool kit?

Rbb469

Rbb469

Well Known Member
Patron
I had one for my -7 but let it go when I sold it. Looking to build another for my -4. I’ve got the basics like screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches, Allen wrenches, tire gauge, pliers, spare spark plug, safety wire, spare inner tube, zip ties, 1 qt of oil. Anything else I’m missing? Thanks! Ricky
 
Rbb469 said:
I had one for my -7 but let it go when I sold it. Looking to build another for my -4. I’ve got the basics like screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches, Allen wrenches, tire gauge, pliers, spare spark plug, safety wire, spare inner tube, zip ties, 1 qt of oil. Anything else I’m missing? Thanks! Ricky
Click to expand...
Do you have a way to jack the plane to remove a tire for repair? I’m still working on a solution for that potential.
 
MED said:
Do you have a way to jack the plane to remove a tire for repair? I’m still working on a solution for that potential.
Click to expand...
Great idea. I do not. I need to fabricate one that clamps on the main gear leg to give a bottle jack a solid lifting point.
 
At 1:19:07 on my YouTube video, I lay out all the things I have in my traveling tool kit. I fly a Sonex with a VW engine, but the basic tools are probably good for most aircraft.
 
Rbb469 said:
I had one for my -7 but let it go when I sold it. Looking to build another for my -4. I’ve got the basics like screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches, Allen wrenches, tire gauge, pliers, spare spark plug, safety wire, spare inner tube, zip ties, 1 qt of oil. Anything else I’m missing? Thanks! Ricky
Click to expand...
You pretty much got it
 
Surprisingly few tools are needed to do most things on an RV. I have two small harbor freight tool bags and I use them when doing any maintenance like an oil change or condition inspection. Anything missing that I have to get out of the big tool box, I add it to the bags. If I have a flat, it will probably be pretty ugly, since the wing jack is a bit too big to carry. They provide helpful ballast in the rear, instead of the dead weight of a lead-acid battery.
 
Flyboys has a slick jacking setup. Hopefully back in stock soon.

Roll of bills is a good idea. Maybe hide a hunsky somewhere.
Buy 1/4" sockets and wrenches from pawn shops. Just sizes to match fasteners. I often get really good quality tools for nothing. Last ones were free. Husky and Craftsman. No reason to carry tools that don't fit anything.
Extensions
Stubby 1/4" wratchet
Combo Screwdriver. Mine has all the necessary hex bit sizes in the handle.
A hex wratchet tool is handy if there are a lot of hex screws.
Partial rolls of gorilla and electrical tape.
Plier
Crimper

Probably more stuff.
 
wirejock said:
Flyboys has a slick jacking setup. Hopefully back in stock soon.
Click to expand...
Indeed they do - I have one but have not yet installed it. That would allow you to jack up the RV and change the tire with a normal car jack. Perhaps during the next CI.
 
rv8ch said:
Indeed they do - I have one but have not yet installed it. That would allow you to jack up the RV and change the tire with a normal car jack. Perhaps during the next CI.
Click to expand...
They are adding a threaded lift to the kit. No car jack. It fits the same jack points but it has a long bolt with a pad. All that's required is a wench and wrench to turn it. That's the part I'm waiting for.
 
I have the Jack point kit from Sky Designs installed. It works on an 8, 12, and 14A. I carry the bolt that is inserted for a jack point. Maybe they will designed a similar one for other models.
 
I carry probably too heavy a tool bag (I'll inventory it and report back later). However, my tire kit includes a Card Machine Works' E-Lift as a jacking solution:
https://elift.cardmachineworks.com/

I also have two lengths of 2x4 to stack under this jack screw. Don't forget a ratcheting end wrench to turn the jack screw.

I also have the Van's tool axle wrench: https://store.vansaircraft.com/vans-axle-wrench-kit-for-1-1-2-aluminum-nuts-tool-axle-wrench.html

My tire kit has a tubeless tire repair kit (nose tire) and spare tubes (mains), a CO2 bike tire inflation kit with several CO2 cartridges, and a bottle of baby powder.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1175.jpg
    IMG_1175.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 97
  • FullSizeRender.jpg
    FullSizeRender.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 98
No-$h1t cross-country kit (no aerobatics):
Jacket-gloves-hat-phone-wallet, and: Reversible ratchet wrenches, assorted screw drivers, 1/4 drive socket set, a bit set with a bit driver, SAE Allen wrench set, spark plug wrench, what ever size wrench for that oil filter (7/8ths?), extra quart of oil, small Dikes for electrical, cheap multimeter, medium dikes for safety wire,.032 safety wire. a spare spark plug, a spare inner tube and an inner tube patch kit, extra cotter pins for axles, a USB rechargeable inflater/power bank, an LED strip head lamp and a very bright portable LED work light that folds up into compact rectangle about the side of your two hands held together a roll of costco shop towels and a clean microfiber cloth. Tools go in a rollup bag. Everything else goes in a small canvas bag. total weight is around 10lbs.

No so much cross country kit (aerobatics may be encountered): Jacket, gloves, hat, phone, power-bank, credit card with a high limit and a low balance.
 
MED said:
Do you have a way to jack the plane to remove a tire for repair? I’m still working on a solution for that potential.
Click to expand...
I found this jack below and it is built well and functions perfectly. I also installed the RV jack points on the inside of each wheel so all it takes is to remove the wheel pants, put the adapter arm on and jack up the plane. The jack has a very small profile and takes a lot less room in the tool bag than a traditional scissors jack.


flyboyaccessories.com

RV Jack Points (Round Gear Models)

Add a convenient and simple way to jack up your landing gear for conditional inspections or tire and brake maintenance.Please note: This model fits only the round gear Van's RVs (RV-3, RV-4, RV-6, RV-6A, RV-7, RV-7A, RV-8A, RV-9, RV-9A). Installation is simple. A small and light base plate...
flyboyaccessories.com flyboyaccessories.com
 
Other special items I carry are:
2 spare fuel drains
The large and small o-rings and extra steel pins for the fuel caps. Also Dupont Krytox Grease for these o-rings.
Spare pin and spring for locking tail wheel.
Extra headset batteries.
Spare Sky Tec starter solenoid.
The usual small tools, but this one is GOLD! A Harbor Freight ratcheting right angle multi-bit screw driver set($3.29). Very small and light and perfect for screws. especially in the cowl air intake holes.
 
stubby philips screwdriver to get those couple wheel fairing screws you can't get a full length screw driver onto
 
-Jack
-Fuel drains
-O-rings
-Steel pins for the fuel caps
-Dupont Krytox Grease for the o-rings
-Pin and spring for locking tail wheel
-Headset batteries.
-Starter solenoid.
-Harbor Freight ratcheting right angle multi-bit screw driver set
-Reversible ratchet wrenches
-Screw driver(s)
-1/4 drive socket set
-Bit set with a bit driver
-Allen wrench set
-Knipex plier
-Spark plug wrench or socket
-Oil filter wrench (7/8ths?)
Quart of oil
-Electrical crimper plier
-Multimeter
-Safety wire plier
-.032 safety wire
-Spark plug
-Shraeder valve tool
-Inner tube
-Patch kit
-Cotter pins
-USB rechargeable inflater/power bank
-NOCO Boost pack
-LED strip head lamp
-LED work light
-Shop towels
-Microfiber cloth
-Axle wrench
-Toilet Paper
-Cash
-Credit
 
For the -12…

Knipex plier wrench — I would rather not have to carry both SAE and Metric tools.
Liter of the special XPS oil — AeroShell Sport is on its way out
Flash drive with USB-A on one end and USB-C on the other — EFIS database updates via your phone/tablet, and dumping logs to diagnose issues
USB-C PD Trigger Board — use a power bank as a ground power unit
USB Computer Fan — when parking for a fuel/food stop, shove it in the cowling hatch to exhaust hot air and avoid vapor lock on ULS engines.
Checkbook — never worry about when a credit card reader can't phone home.
 
I carry one of these, plus a few extras - specific sockets not in the kit, safety wire pliers, spare oil with disposable funnel, extra fuel cap (adjusted and lubed ready to go), extra fuel tank quick drain, small battery powered screw driver.

www.aircraftspruce.com

Pilots Tool Kit | Aircraft Spruce

Pilots Tool Kit The fleet of general aviation aircraft is aging. Mandated mainenance promotes reliability, but experienced pilots know mechanical issues can still arise, sometimes far from an open FBO.
www.aircraftspruce.com www.aircraftspruce.com

I also have another “kit” that contains some tie down stuff - control locks, small chocks, tie down rings, rope for FBO tie downs to reach my stubby wings. This is a small zippered bag (2.4 lbs) hidden behind my left seatback. My tie down kit for OSH, SNF, etc is heavier and not always with me unless I’m going somewhere. Most of this stuff fits in my Bison bag which nests nicely behind my right seatback. Spare headset, canopy cover, handheld radio (COM2), is in there too. It weighs 17.7 lbs.
 
Rbb469 said:
I had one for my -7 but let it go when I sold it. Looking to build another for my -4. I’ve got the basics like screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches, Allen wrenches, tire gauge, pliers, spare spark plug, safety wire, spare inner tube, zip ties, 1 qt of oil. Anything else I’m missing? Thanks! Ricky
Click to expand...
Gas cap.
I Carry a gas cap. Spare tube. Sockets1/4” drive , enough to split wheel. Tape, safety wire. Screw driver with several bits. Open end / ratcheting wrenches. Assorted screws
 
Something that often gets overlooked is an innertube valve stem extension to get to the valve stem without having to remove the wheel pant. Goes through that little hole you have for that access. A small length of rubber hose that fits over the valve stem cover to remove it. A small bag of various screws, nuts.

My quart of oil is strapped onto the forward port side of the baggage compartment held in place with a web strap so as to be secured back there but not taking up room in my tool bag.

I also have two small emergency flares, a little bigger than a large Sharpie marker that shoot a red flare into the air. I have two smoke canisters about the size of a film can (for those who remember those!) that belts out orange smoke. Not sure if either of those are available anymore.
 
scrollF4 said:
I carry probably too heavy a tool bag (I'll inventory it and report back later). However, my tire kit includes a Card Machine Works' E-Lift as a jacking solution:
https://elift.cardmachineworks.com/

I also have two lengths of 2x4 to stack under this jack screw. Don't forget a ratcheting end wrench to turn the jack screw.

I also have the Van's tool axle wrench: https://store.vansaircraft.com/vans-axle-wrench-kit-for-1-1-2-aluminum-nuts-tool-axle-wrench.html

My tire kit has a tubeless tire repair kit (nose tire) and spare tubes (mains), a CO2 bike tire inflation kit with several CO2 cartridges, and a bottle of baby powder.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Great info/kit.
 
Good lists so far. I won't replicate it with mine, other than to add:
A couple of each size washer and nut
Spare fuses
Spare electrical connectors (Fast-ons, ring terminals) in each size
Bicycle pump (lord knows if this will work or be a waste of time if I needed it :) )

For the jack, on longer trips I take a Miata scissors jack...very lightweight...and the steel rod that is part of the Avery Tools bottle jack setup, that slides into the axle, and can lift it with the scissors jack.

12-00634.jpg
 
Here's my flyaway tools. Van's toolbox that gets piano hinged to the floor of the aft baggage compartment in my RV8 C-FGWW. Weighs ~11lbs




IMG_2696.jpegIMG_2695.jpegIMG_2694.jpeg
 
I have most of the bits and pieces that have been mentioned here plus something that I haven't seen mentioned yet which is a small file and some emery paper, coarse and fine. Used for blending out nicks in the prop. Interestingly, in 6 years of flying my Cherokee around the country these are the only things I've actually had to use!
 
RV7A Flyer said:
Good lists so far. I won't replicate it with mine, other than to add:
A couple of each size washer and nut
Spare fuses
Spare electrical connectors (Fast-ons, ring terminals) in each size
Bicycle pump (lord knows if this will work or be a waste of time if I needed it :) )

For the jack, on longer trips I take a Miata scissors jack...very lightweight...and the steel rod that is part of the Avery Tools bottle jack setup, that slides into the axle, and can lift it with the scissors jack.

12-00634.jpg
Click to expand...
thanks for your input. Good ideas. I haven’t seen than jack plate. I’ll have to look that up. I just spent $245 for the flyboys kit. Pricey but worth every penny when you’re on the road with a flat.
 
Rbb469 said:
thanks for your input. Good ideas. I haven’t seen than jack plate. I’ll have to look that up. I just spent $245 for the flyboys kit. Pricey but worth every penny when you’re on the road with a flat.
Click to expand...
Not so much a jack plate...the steel rod goes into the round axle (you need to replace the axle nuts with modified ones with a hole in the top), and then use a bottle jack to lift the thing. MUCH less scary than wing jacks, if you ask me, and as noted, I can just remove and take the steel rod and a lightweight scissors jack with me on travel.
1741206869212.jpeg
1741207067333.jpeg
 
If you carry an extra tire tube it should be partially inflated. If it’s folded over time it will create weak spots on the creases in the fold and bring talcum powder. The powder is not for after you shower on overnight stays 🤣
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top