Simple Things
I was waved over by a lady en route to my house, she was unable to start her car after having been at a local coffee shop. The problem turned out to be simple, a loose battery terminal. Yet she had no tools in her car to rectify the matter.
Fortunately, I had a small kit and was available to help. I had stopped travelling with a large kit. it was irritating and noisy as well as being risky in the open back of a double cab bakkie. So I created two unique kits that I could keep in the car under the driver’s seat, one was custom made and the other homemade. I think the homemade one is unique, I used some oil skin cloth and created a tool roll,
The tools are not unique but serve a purpose. I have adapted them over time. The shifting spanner was replaced by a “vice grip” which I find far more useful.
The kits are small but pack a punch and have helped many people. Being small and compact was my original intention. My large toolbox is comprehensive but is only used on long trips.
In the homemade roll I have the following;
- My vice grip- is a great tool.
- An Opinel knife has proven to be useful around the braai for cutting meat and salad ingredients.
- A small interchangeable screwdriver.
- A 500 Lumen Torch ( rechargeable and environmentally friendly ).
- Knife and Fork set.
- Okapi knife ( more of a spare ).
- A pair of pliers ( I suppose this is sentimental as it is over 100 years old and belonged to my Grandfather, he was a train driver who ferried the ministers between Pretoria and Cape Town in the 1940s.
The little custom kit comes in a leather case, other than the pliers the contents have all been modified for quality purposes.
This little kit has worked hard over the years and comprises;
- Spanners.
- Screwdrivers.
- Pliers which I keep as it has a side cutter.
Add to this the following;
- Self-annealing tape – useful in any emergency even to replace plaster for a cut finger.
- Duct tape – uses are endless.
- Cable ties ( reusable).
As I mentioned this kit is extremely small and could fit in one’s glove box (depending on the size of the owners manual )
Less is more yet you can add to it, I also carry some electrical tape and a multi-tool.
This little kit has performed numerous repairs in the past and will no doubt continue to do so.
It is important that you understand the basics;
- Your battery ( keep jumper cables)
- Tyres ( keep a pressure gauge as many service stations do not calibrate their air pumps)
- Never forget your first aid kit and fire extinguisher.
Use available space for packing and ensure that important things are close at hand.
Travel safely and enjoy the trip.