Essential tools in your truck

Firearm
Flashlight
Tool kit
Water bottle
Knife/multitool
Jumper cables
Tire inflator
Bible
Towel
Flashlight
Bandana
Baseball cap

 

Bungee cords
Ratchet straps

 

Sleeping bag

 

I carry:
- fully loaded kit
- get come back that includes all the essentials if I need to get back home if the route is blocked (food, shelter, protection)
- large zip ties in case I run into any of those stupid climate protesters blocking the road so I can not only remove them from the road, but also keep them from re-entering and continuing to block
- portable solar for charging electronics
- 2.5 gal of extra gas
- rope
- ear and eye pro (you never know)

 

Haynes Repair Manual

Gen 1 https://a.co/d/frx7Shh

Gen 2

$38 Toyota Tacoma (05-18) Haynes Repair Manual

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620923378

If you are the kind of person who posts on a Tacoma forum, even once, you should have the Haynes Manual in your truck. If it's not in your truck, you won't have it when it counts.

 

i dunno... i used to insist on getting them for every vehicle i owned.

but after the last 2 vehicles, getting them and never even removing them from the plastic wrap, i gave up. forums and youtube are a little easier to come across the immediate info needed most times for me.

 

I have found that the large illustrations are really useful. Having exploded views of parts and suggestions for the order of operations to remove and replace is good. The book is much easier to read than text on my phone, doesn't require power or a data connection, and I can open to the page I need faster than I can search through forum posts.

YMMV but I think there's still value there for people.

 

Some of these tools are split between my go-bag (which I keep mostly in the trunk) and a plastic bin in my 4Runner. I've got flashlights, knives, battery jump starter, air compressor, tire plug kit, tire sidewall patch kit, multi-tool, usb cables galore, work gloves, oil, Windex and interior cleaner. If I'm going on a trip, I'll throw in a socket set, screwdrivers, pliers, radiator fluid, brake fluid etc etc etc.

 

I’ve got a 2016 Tacoma daily driver. It has 100k+ miles on it. So I am thinking I need to up my game on carrying tools and gear.

The storage area behind my rear seats is full of all of a lot of the gear listed in this thread.

My truck bed has a hard folding tundra cover and most of the time I remember to lock my tailgate.

At work I park in a secure/locked parking garage. At home, my carport is well lighted with cameras, etc. so I’m not too worried about someone stealing what is in the bed - even if it is unlocked.

I’ve put together a very nice bug out backpack with supplies that I could probably hike to the next highway exit or spend the night in my truck if necessary.

I am looking for a specific recommendation for a container (ideally waterproof) that would live in the back of my truck and hold my backpack and my tools, straps, jumper cables, etc.

It would have to fit under the folding hard cover.

I’d like something stronger than a Rubbermaid. I Would like the top to latch strongly.

I’d also like something that I could pick up when it was full. (<50 lbs).

Thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Check out these Plano storage bins. I've used a lot of these in the 4Runner and in the house for different purposes. It's what I use to store all of my tools etc I referenced in my post above yours in the back of the 4Runner. They come in different sizes and although the inexpensive ones don't have a waterproof seal, they can be made to seal very easily with some rubber weatherstripping on Amazon.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-Sp...een-17-Gallon-Lockable-Storage-Box/5296781700

$8 Frost King EPDM Rubber Self-Stick Weatherseal Tape, D-Section, 5/16" W, 1/4" T, 17 ft L, Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ5A5RM?th=1


I've used these bins for camping and work great! They do have tie down points and a spot to put a lock in if you wanted. They are TONS better than the HDX brand or other flimsy storage boxes at HD etc. Plus, they go on sale from time to time.

 

Been carrying $60 lithium charger from Costco 5+ years has flashlight n port for phone charger. Holds charge for at least 1-2 yrs. Typical truck battery for us last maybe 2-3 years new type when cell dies battery is done. Got it originally for my 97 4 runner back dome light hatch switch use to get stuck on..really handy.
If u got a leatherman type tool suggest invest in first aid kit too dang knife is sharp.

 

The only tools I carry is an Sig P250 and ratchet straps for the dirtbike. That’s the beauty of driving a Tacoma. My 2014 F150 was full of tools despite being dealer maintained and having 137k miles it was as reliable as a Jamaican wristwatch.

 

If that Sig was a P320, those ratchet straps could double as a tourniquet. JK.

 

Heads up: For anyone needing storage in their vehicles for their tools (or anything else for that matter), Harbor Freight is having a pretty smokin' deal on their Apache line of cases. I like the rifle case ($99 down from $149) and the 4800 X-Large case starting next friday.

 

In addition to carrying the normal tools, I also carry short lengths of treated lumber for blocking or stabilizing a floor jack on uneven ground.

 

I like this. Are you talking about a length of roughly 1-2 feet?

 

Nice. I've been considering a better solution than my old Rubbermaid Action Packers, which have shown their limitations over the years.

Haven't seen fuse kit and tester mentioned. You need a lot of different style fuses for these trucks.

NOCO so much better than jumper cables.

 

I carry a couple short 2x6s and sometimes 3/4 plywood squares. Which reminds me I still need to do my Land Cruiser jack mod.

 

I’ve got a couple of 2x4’s and 2x8’s around 12 inches, and a 6x6 that’s about 16 inches. I also have a couple 2x4’s that are around 4.

 

What ever is in the black bag that came with the truck. 160K hasn't let me down yet.