Tools

Tools

The tools that earn their place in the house, the truck and the trailer, the ones that don’t, and the weather tools that are actually worth checking.

At a glance: buy fewer, better tools, keep them where you’ll actually need them, and make sure the batteries are charged before you need them.

The basic kit that earns its place

  • Good flashlight or headlamp, plus spare batteries. A headlamp keeps both hands free.
  • Multi-bit screwdriver, adjustable wrench and pliers. These solve most small problems.
  • Cordless drill/driver with a basic bit set. It’s also the fastest way to run RV stabilizer jacks.
  • Tape measure, utility knife, duct tape and zip ties.
  • Digital multimeter. Cheap ones are fine for checking batteries, outlets and fuses.

For the truck and trailer

  • Tire pressure gauge and a small 12 V compressor. Check tires cold, before you drive.
  • Torque wrench for wheel nuts. Re-check after the first 100 km on new or re-mounted wheels.
  • Lithium jump starter. Small, holds a charge for months, and saves waiting for a boost.
  • Shovel, traction aids and a tow strap from October to April.
  • Wheel chocks and levelling blocks for the trailer.

What doesn’t earn its place

  • Giant all-in-one kits full of sizes you’ll never use.
  • Tools stored where you aren’t. A great tool set in the garage doesn’t help on the highway.
  • Anything battery powered that’s never charged. Put charging on a schedule.

Weather tools worth checking

  • Environment Canada and the WeatherCAN app for official forecasts and alerts.
  • Alberta Emergency Alert for wildfires, tornadoes and other emergencies near you.
  • 511 Alberta for road conditions and highway cameras before a trip.
  • West Lethbridge Weather for live local conditions measured right here in town.
  • A home weather station or barometer. A falling barometer often warns you before the forecast catches up.

What’s in Gary’s kit

  • A good knife, kept sharp. Gary has carried a Buck knife since the 1970s. A sharp knife is a safer knife, because it does the work without slipping.
  • Multi-tools. A Leatherman, a Swiss Army knife and a Gerber each earn their place in the truck, the trailer and the junk drawer.
  • Sharpening. Guided systems (KME, Wicked Edge, Edge Pro Apex, Lansky), ceramic Crock Sticks, a Work Sharp Ken Onion belt sharpener, bench stones and a leather strop. In a pinch, the rough unglazed ring on the bottom of a coffee mug, or a smooth flat rock, will put an edge back on a knife.
  • Pocket weather meters. Two Kestrel meters, a 5500 and a 3000, give wind, temperature and humidity right where you’re standing, which can be very different from the forecast for the airport.
  • Light and power. Rechargeable USB lanterns and a couple of large power banks beat a drawer full of dead batteries.

Go deeper

Keep reading

Last updated October 2026.

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