Extra tools/parts for the wheel house?

[waligators]

What extras for tools/spare parts do you wheel house owners keep in the shack? I had a cable snap last night when I was raising my house. Luckily the house was only about 3" of the ice when it broke so it didn't come crashing down too hard! The house is only 3 years old but man, that cable was rusty! Went and bought stainless steel cable right away this morning and it was a 10 minute fix on the ice with the help of my dad. Going to swap out the other side tomorrow with the stainless cable also. Also, the cable that was on there was only 3/16" in diameter, so I just upgraded to 1/4" inch.

Other then a extra cable in my house now, I also keep a small tool box with wrenches, hammer, 2x4 pieces, lighters, and a chisel.

[vman11]

This is a valuable topic. It only takes you one time to get snake bitten to be super prepared.

This is what my toolbox consisted of:

• crescent wrench
• hammer
• channel lock pliers
• needle nose pliers
• hatchet
• small torch
• extra propane fittings
• pipe tape
• electrical tape
• utility knife
• wire stripper

I usually throw a handyman jack in the back of the truck, along with a tire iron and chisel, just in case something catastrophic. I also usually carry a tool bag along with me whenever I travel, and it doesn't take much to throw a 18v drill or impact in there as well.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

[cam7069]

Watch that stainless cable it is not as strong as galvanized!

[harvey lee]

I also cary a extra gas regulator just incase of a freeze up. If you have one along, nothing will happen but if one does not have a spare, well, it will get cold.

I also keep a few screwdrivers along and 10ft of extra gas line just incase.

Also have some spare bulbs for the 12v lighting.

I carry everything you mentioned vman except for the handyman, I do not own one.

Do you put any grease on your winch cables to help stop the rust? It will help alot.

[waligators]

Watch that stainless cable it is not as strong as galvanized!

You had me worried for a bit, but did a little research and I should be good to go. My winches had 3/16" galvanized cable, I switched to 1/4" stainless

Galvanized 3/16" has a minimum break strength of 4,200 pounds

Stainless Steel 1/4" has a minimum break strength of 6,400 pounds

My house is 6'6"x17' and weighs about 2,200 pounds. Only time will tell how well the stainless cables holds up with road salts and chemicals

[bboltjes]

+1 to everything above. We also carry a extra spring after breaking one coming off URL

[fsnrod]

I always carry a small floor jack. I have used it a few times for broken cables you only have to chip a hole about 5" deep to get it under the frame.

[BLACKJACK]

Do you put any grease on your winch cables to help stop the rust? It will help alot.

Thats what I've done, couple times a year I take a glove and coat it with a tube of grease.

That said, I have been thinking about replacing the cables with stainless cables, the current cables are attached using 'cable clamps', not the kind with bolts, looks like they've been squeezed on, how do you get them off??

[Eric Wettschreck]

You'll have to cut the cable.

[larryz]

After losing a wheel on my fishhouse, I now carry a breaker bar and 13/16" deep well socket. Those fancy aluminum wheels tend to come loose if you don't snug them up now and then. And I could not get a t-handle on the lug nut.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Here is a summary:

-Cheap 200+ piece socket/wrench/tool kit from Menards

-Hair dryer always kept in the truck for when my lock freezes. I used to keep a torch until it wouldn't light when it was -20.

-Hatchet

-Duct tape, electrical tape, electrical connectors, a few misc bolts and screws.

-Metal shovel

-Tow strap

-Several wood blocks

-A ratchet and socket dedicated to my wheels.

A jack isn't a bad idea for a single axle house. With tandems I can stick a couple wood blocks under the other wheel and I'll be good to go.

A spare regulator is something I'll be throwing in next year.

[BLACKJACK]

You'll have to cut the cable.

What would work best? A hacksaw?? Or a bolt cutter?? I don't have a torch....

[Hawg]

A grinder with a cutting wheel is best, bolt cutters are miserable on stranded cable. Any angle grinder will eat it in a heartbeat. Hacksaw works to but a grinder is easiest.

[waligators]

Blackjack, my house originally had those squeeze on ferrule cable clamps. I replaced them with the standard cable clamps with the u bolt and saddle. The only way to get the ferrule clamps off is to cut the cable and start over. An advantage of having standard clamps over the ferrule clamps is if you have a cable break all a guy needs to do is loosen two nuts rather then cutting the cable.

[Hawg]

Remember though, you have to keep the ends fairly intact to get them to work in the U-bolts. Use electrical tape and tightly wrap the cable for a few inches and then cut in the middle of the tape. This is after you cut the ferrule off and are ready to replace/fix the ends.

[BLACKJACK]

Blackjack, my house originally had those squeeze on ferrule cable clamps. I replaced them with the standard cable clamps with the u bolt and saddle. The only way to get the ferrule clamps off is to cut the cable and start over. An advantage of having standard clamps over the ferrule clamps is if you have a cable break all a guy needs to do is loosen two nuts rather then cutting the cable.

Thats exacly what I'm talking about, it has the squeeze on ferrule clamps. I've kept the cables well greased but who knows whats under the grease?? Been thinking that I should carry a spare cable but how to get the clamps off, especially on the road??

Think I'll be making it a project to replace those clamps this summer so I can do some on the road repairs if necessary. And since I don't have a grinder it looks like a hacksaw will have to do But I know its a @#$%$# cutting cable with a hacksaw....

[fsnrod]

Take a hammer pound on the cable on a square metal edge three four whacks and its cut I've used the corner of a receiver hitch works good.

[BLACKJACK]

Take a hammer pound on the cable on a square metal edge three four whacks and its cut I've used the corner of a receiver hitch works good.

Thanks fsnrod!!!!