10 Caravan Tool Kit Essentials To Include

Even if you prefer to stick to the tarmac rather than negotiate corrugated roads or off-road tracks, having a basic caravan tool kit can make a big difference to your touring experience. Undertaking a 'quick fix' when required can save a lot of hassle and wasted time and ensure a stress-free journey. Here are ten caravan tool kit essentials we recommend, plus a few other assorted items worth considering.

1. Spanners

Regarding caravan tool kit essentials, many of us already have a set of spanners in our tool kit, but do they fit the size of the nuts and bolts on your vehicle and caravan? A decent set of metric spanners is all you need. Alternatively, buy an adjustable spanner — one that can do a variety of jobs. A set of ratchet spanners will also offer better grip and leverage so you can turn nuts and bolts more efficiently, even in cramped areas.

2. Socket wrench set

A good-quality socket wrench set will last a lifetime. Like your spanners, your sockets must suit your vehicle and caravan so they're not wasting space in your caravan tool kit. It's also handy to have extension bits, a crank handle, and extended sockets to access longer bolts. Store them all in one caravan tool kit container to make them easier to find.

3. Cordless drill & drill bit set

A cordless drill is a must-have power tool in your RV tool kit (so pack plenty of batteries). A drill can be handy for drilling holes, tightening screws and bolts, and winding your stabiliser legs up and down. Ensure drill bits are suitable for both wood and metal. And make sure your batteries are always charged and ready to go, whether it's when you're on a powered site or with an inverter while travelling.

4. Tyre repair kit

Another essential item in your RV tool kit is a tyre repair kit. The further you venture off the blacktop (the bitumen for the newbies), the higher the chance you'll puncture a tyre. A repair kit is cheap insurance, although sometimes you can plug a hole without removing the wheel. Regardless, a tyre lever, air compressor, tyre pressure gauge, a wheel brace suitable for the wheel nuts of the towing vehicle, and one or more spare wheels to suit your vehicle or caravan are recommended.

5. Lubricants

Wheel-bearing grease, WD-40, and silicon spray are all vital products that you can use on caravan and tow vehicles. High-Temperature Bearing Grease (HTB) is used to repack your wheel bearings. WD-40 can stop a squeaky door or cupboard, remove water from electrics, help loosen rusty bolts, and even stop your mirror from fogging up in your ensuite. Silicon spray has no greasy residue, so it is ideal for lubricating hinges and locks or loosening up folding tables and chairs — places where you don't want to 'wear' the product afterwards!

6. Multi-grips/shifter

Multi-grips can clamp your fuel or brake line in an emergency in a caravan, campervan, or motorhome tool kit. Those with adjustable 'jaws' are also ideal for holding a step, tow ball, or suspension bolt. Shifters come in handy if you need to hold a nut while you tighten a bolt or don't have a nut or bolt that fits your spanners or sockets.

7. Tape

Another one of the more basic tools for caravanning, gaffer, electrical, and plumbers' tape, is super-useful and takes up minimal room in your tool kit. Gaffer tape is excellent for quick repair jobs or rips or tears, and electrical tape will protect soldered cables and neaten up any cabling work. Insulation tape is ideal for stopping leaky water connections, particularly at caravan parks.

8. Electrical tester

Power systems in caravans have become very advanced. Many contemporary systems are sophisticated enough to self-diagnose if there's a fault. However, some still require old-fashioned testing via a digital multimeter. This can help you reset the caravan plugs and battery connection pins and confirm that the alternator is reasonably charging the Anderson plug.

9. Cable ties

Cable ties are the heroes of a camping and caravan tool kit. They are simple yet mighty, and they can be used to tie a camping pass to an awning, tidy up cabling, secure roof rack items, or even hold broken mud flaps, loose cables, and safety chains together in an emergency. Buy the largest you can and some smaller ones. You can then daisy-chain the larger ones together to secure bulky items and use the smaller ones for smaller maintenance jobs.

10. First aid kit

It would be one of the first things travellers would not have to be reminded of packing. However, that's often not the case. A quality kit will include high-quality first aid items to treat injuries and other useful safety items. We recommend the St John Ambulance Australia Caravan & Camping First Aid Kit, which comes with a bonus poncho, whistle/compass, and glow stick (you're welcome, kids)!  

Other items to consider adding to your caravan tool kit if you've got enough storage space include: 

• Assorted files 
• Scissors 
• Hacksaw and spare blades
• Jumper leads
• Crowbar
• Electrical wire and wire can you bend by hand
• Crimpers and wire cutters/strippers
• Allen/hex key set
• Fuses
• A wire brush 
• A tape measure
• A spirit level
• A soldering iron 
• Matches and firelighters
• Superglue
• Stabilising blocks for when the ground is soft or uneven 
• Medium and large standard and channel locks
• A hand-held light or headlamp with spare batteries
• A hammer, rubber mallet, and sturdy claw hammer
• A rivet gun and mixed rivets
• Spare nuts, bolts, and screws of various sizes and lengths 
• Hand cleaner
• Rubber gloves and a sturdy pair of work gloves
• Breakdown warning triangles and Hi-Vis vests 
• On-board Diagnostics (OBD) scanner (diagnoses your vehicle's vital systems, including warning lights, ABS, airbags, etc.