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toolboxes in basement storage

I wanted to carry a toolbox with 3 drawers, it is heavy and I don't want it shifting and causing damage.  Any tips?  Also what tools are manitory to carry??  Thanks.

Rob
U320 2002
Rob
2002 U320 36'

Re: toolboxes in basement stprage

Reply #1 –
Although our units are very different in age, I think the concept is the same. I have a Craftsman 5 drawer tool box that I keep in the main bay on the drivers side. Its facing out so IF a drawer wanted to open it would only be against the bay door. I have had no issues at all with this. As it turns out, setting sideways is the best for what we carry and store so it works out great. As for what to carry.....there is a post from some time back that was about 3 pages of what the guys carry. I took from that what was major important, what I already had doubles of and what I felt I really needed from what was left and have a nice little traveling tool package.

Hope that helps a bit
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #2 –
Quote from: itsrobg –
I wanted to carry a toolbox with 3 drawers, it is heavy and I don't want it shifting and causing damage.  Any tips? 
Get some 1 by 2 wood strips and make a frame to go around the heavy box and screw it into the floor. It won't going anyplace. 8)
Quote
Also what tools are manitory to carry??  Thanks.
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The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #3 –
If you have a "emergency road service" like Coach Net, there are no mandatory tools.  I let Coach Net carry the stuff I need to change a tire.  I don't do that kind of stuff now that I am retired!!!  I do carry a small tool box of assorted misc tools along with a nice ratchet/socket set from Craftsman.  Once when I was towed in my old sob coach, the wrecker operator had to borrow a couple wrenches from me to remove the driveshaft.  I just happened to have the right wrench, which he said he never bothered to carry cause it was a oddball that he never needed :-[.  Luckly, I had that oddball in my toolbox :)), but only because I already had it when I put the box together. 

I am planning on adding a new tool box with some other tools I want.  One in particular is the Wera Bit Ratchet BitCheck from http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00981388000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16. 
Looks to be really a valuable tool for around a motorhome in my opinion!

1994 U225
build #4514

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #4 –
Quote from: PatC –
If you have a "emergency road service" like Coach Net, there are no mandatory tools.  I let Coach Net carry the stuff I need to change a tire.  I don't do that kind of stuff now that I am retired!!!  I do carry a small tool box of assorted misc tools along with a nice ratchet/socket set from Craftsman.  Once when I was towed in my old sob coach, the wrecker operator had to borrow a couple wrenches from me to remove the driveshaft.  I just happened to have the right wrench, which he said he never bothered to carry cause it was a oddball that he never needed :-[.  Luckly, I had that oddball in my toolbox :)), but only because I already had it when I put the box together. 

I am planning on adding a new tool box with some other tools I want.  One in particular is the Wera Bit Ratchet BitCheck from http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00981388000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16. 
Looks to be really a valuable tool for around a motorhome in my opinion!



I carry the sockets to remove the wheel and a breaker bar too. Why is simple, coach net can not service you everywhere. You get a flat in a national park they sold the service rights to a company and the high school guy with his tool box they hired did not have one big enough to take them off. I had to talk to the park superintendent to get permission fir outside road service to come in.  We would have to wait a few days though so I suggested to him that the park service works on heavy equipment and should have them and could we borrow it. The short answer was yes but it took eight hours to get.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #5 –
Morning John, I certainly can see your point very clearly, one of the reasons I purchased the Power Tank 15lb model from Mike McFall.  If I am parked anywhere and can not get service, I feel I should be able to blow it up, assuming it was a slow leak.  If it were a big leak as in a blow out, you will not be surprised in the morning.
I think the power tank could be used many times to get you out of where ever.
You see, I am trying to justify the PowerTank :) :)
Anyway, it sounds good to me.
If I started carrying all the tools I could need, I could not pull the trailer carrying them.
 :))

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #6 –
I agree about all the tools I did use inboard air to get to the service center.  It was there that the comedy of errors started. Changing a tire is not hard and only requires the right tools that are minor.  If I have them then the guy at the park service can use his air and impact to take it off. Road service is not the issue. Inside the park is, so I carry that. I am going to get a power tank too. Used one to air up the jeep tires and loved it. 

Oh and carry a multimeter too. Amazing what they can help you with.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #7 –
Rather than a power tank, I carry a small 110VAC compressor. It has served well. It's larger than the power tank, but small enough to pack in the basement of the coach, and tote with one hand.

The temperature here at home dropped below 40F last night for the first time in a while. It was time to adjust tire pressure in several vehicles because of ambient temperature changes. I used the small compressor to air up six tires on the coach, four on the Toyota, two on the Mercedes, and four on the Suburban. I added about 4 psi to my "cold pressure target" on the coach. We plan to head north for holidays with the kids. Ambient temperatures temperatures in Missouri and Montana will definitely be about 40F lower than in southeast Texas.

Today I plan to head to a parts store to get parts to construct a hose adapter with two male fittings so that the small compressor can charge the pressure system on the coach through the service port. It might be handy for bringing up the pressure without running the engine in order to checks for leaks, adjust regulators, or other such tasks.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #8 –
J.D.,

That is an excellent idea.  I do have a concern however.  Wouldn't doing that introduce moisture in the system?  I live in Houston and even though I have put extended piping and a coalescing filter on my Ingersoll Rand 5HP compressor I still get moisture out of it.  I would think that in dry areas it would not be something you would need to worry about but in high humidity areas like the Gulf coast I would want to find someway to remove the moisture. 

All,

Are my fears about introducing moisture into the coach air system needless?
John Cooper
'91 GV 36'
Oshkosh chassis
Cat 3208T 300HP

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #9 –
John,

Your concern about introducing moisture into the system is valid. I built the "double male" adapter today with three pieces from Lowe's. It was about $5 and took about five minutes to build. The small 110V air compressor did charge the air system on the coach, although it was a bit of a struggle for the little compressor. In the quiet while the compressor was off, I exercised the cover to the step well and could hear air escaping when I retracted the step. The leak stopped if I helped the cover to the home position. Since I don't have my safety jacks yet, I would not crawl under the coach to check the problem.

When I finished my brief experiment, I removed the air hose at the adapter on the "coach" end. I was surprised at the amount moisture that escaped as the hose blew down the pressure. It indicated that introducing moisture into the system is indeed a concern. One should NOT regularly air up the brake system with a compressor that does not include an effective dryer.

We escaped from Houston about five years ago. We currently reside near Bellville, TX, where the air is a bit dryer than in Houston. Moisture accumulation as a result of compressing air is still an issue even here where all is currently dusty because a the dry weather.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #10 –
Quote from: John Cooper –
J.D.,

That is an excellent idea.  I do have a concern however.  Wouldn't doing that introduce moisture in the system?  I live in Houston and even though I have put extended piping and a coalescing filter on my Ingersoll Rand 5HP compressor I still get moisture out of it.  I would think that in dry areas it would not be something you would need to worry about but in high humidity areas like the Gulf coast I would want to find someway to remove the moisture. 

All,

Are my fears about introducing moisture into the coach air system needless? 

I can understand the problem of getting moisture in the compressed air brake system....specially in winter....but are there compressed air uses, (tires, suspension/leveling, and etc.) that are not so critical if moisture gets in the compressed air system that will benefit if we carry a small air compressor?

If so, what maximum air pressure do you suggest?

Thank you.
Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: toolboxes in basement storage

Reply #11 –
Quote
I can understand the problem of getting moisture in the compressed air brake system....specially in winter....but are there compressed air uses, (tires, suspension/leveling, and etc.) that are not so critical if moisture gets in the compressed air system that will benefit if we carry a small air compressor?

Morris,
 
The short answer is NO.
 
Water of any kind = corrosion which = seized up & rusted parts.  Also a another possibility is frozen/inoperable parts in winter months.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH