Whether it’s a loose screw on your sunglasses or car problems while traveling or camping in the great outdoors, nothing kills the vibe faster than being unprepared. You don’t need a bulky toolbox to save the day—you just need the right portable travel toolkit.
I’m always out and about off-roading, camping, traveling to remote locations, not to mention the go-to person for helping friends and family. As a result, I decided to build the ultimate travel toolkit of sorts (at least for me) that’s always ready to throw in the back of my truck. Naturally, the tools you choose will depend on your wants, needs, preferences, and skill level, but here are some of the many that made it into my kit.
Start with a good carry case
A durable storage solution is more important than you think
I have an impact-resistant and lockable carry case from Harbor Freight, and that’s where everything starts. Sure, I could have an actual portable toolbox or bag, but this thing was $20 on sale, and it’s highly durable and waterproof. I take some rough roads, so I want everything contained.
As you can see above, most of these are actual hand tools, like a good multi-tool or wrenches, but I’ve also outfitted my collection with a spare phone charger and cable, a small screwdriver set, a soft shackle for towing stuck vehicles, and similar items. It’s a little bit of everything, for just about any situation.
Keep in mind that this toolbox is separate from a few other essentials that should be in every vehicle, such as a tire pressure gauge and jumper cables. Either way, start with a good storage device, then fill it up.
From an impact wrench to screwdrivers and Duct tape
You can fix almost anything with some Duct tape and zip ties. Right? Right!
At this point, I’ve slowly added all sorts of odds and ends to this toolbox. At the end of the day, though, it’s a solid little collection that I always have ready. Here’s some, but not all, of the items hiding inside.
- Ryobi 18V Impact Wrench and impact socket set
- An assortment of ratchets, wrenches, and various other sockets (don’t forget an extra 10mm)
- Hex, Torx, and Allen bits
- Various screwdrivers
- A soft shackle and a heavy-duty D-ring shackle
- Multi-function utility knife and prybar
- Gerber 15-in-1 multi-tool
- Measuring tape, thread locker, and superglue
- Duct tape and heavy-duty zip ties
- Regular, locking, and cutting pliers
- A rugged and cheap Husky flashlight
- Random nuts, bolts, and washers
Everyone should own a good impact wrench, so I got a decent model from Ryobi, and it’s always ready in case I need to take lug nuts off my wheel or do some heavy wrenching. Naturally, that also means you’ll want some impact-rated sockets.
From there, I threw in all your usual pliers, screwdrivers, compact screwdrivers, electrical tape, a multi-tool, and things of that nature.
I’m surely missing a few things from my on-the-go toolkit that others have, but that’s the beauty in it. Make it whatever you need, however you see fit. Whenever I need something, it ends up getting added to the box. As a result, it’s quite the mess. That said, I’ve almost always had what I need, or at least something that’ll get the job done until I can do it right.
And yes, I leave this Apache box in my pickup truck 24/7, so it’s always ready to go when I need it most. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled it open for a screwdriver or wrench, zip ties, or to get the phone charger or spare USB cable out for someone in need—myself included.
Don’t forget other gear like battery packs
Stuff you don’t want to leave in your vehicle
As I said above, the Apache box full of tools goes everywhere with me, with one condition. I don’t store my Ryobi 18V lithium-ion in the vehicle, for obvious reasons. Battery packs can catch on fire, and if I actually need it after months of sitting, the battery will likely be dead.
Instead, I have a second storage bag that’s usually full of a few essential items I might need. Those include a 2Ah and 6Ah Ryobi 18V ONE+ battery for the aforementioned tool, a HULKMAN portable car jump starter and LED light, spare portable power banks, not to mention additional USB-C (and Lightning) cables, a small rechargeable flashlight, and more.
This tech is just as important, but it’s not something I’d want to store in a hot vehicle, and it would make my original on-the-go toolbox bigger, which currently fits in the passenger underseat storage. Instead, I’ll reach for it when I’m going camping, heading outdoors, or helping a friend or neighbor.
Make your own kit, and be ready for anything
Get a few essential hand or power tools, accessories, wrenches, and all the odds and ends, and you’ll be set. Pack smart, stay prepared, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have what you need, right when you need it. Now, you’re ready to tackle whatever life throws your way.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
