Your new Airstream comes with a variety of equipment and tools that are essential to ensuring your trip goes off without a hitch. But what happens when you take a long road trip and something goes wrong?
The best solution for avoiding mishaps is to regulalry perform preventative maintenance. But even in the best conditions and with everything buttoned up, emergencies both big and small can set you back. Here are a few of the items we suggest every Airstream has packed to ensure regular preventative maintenance is easy and to help in the case of a roadside emergency.
A Torque Wrench
One of the most important tools in your Airstream maintenance arsenal, a torque wrench is essential for ensuring your wheels are road ready. You can use a traditional ½” Torque Wrench Set. Before each trip and any time a wheel is replaced, be sure to tighten the wheel nuts, following a "star" pattern back and forth across the wheel. If the wheel was replaced, check the torque every 10, 25, and 50 miles. Aluminum Wheels should be torqued to 110 ft. lbs and steel wheels should be torqued to 100 ft. lbs.
For more information about torquing your Airstream's lug nuts, read more in this Airstream Support article.
A Roadside Emergency Kit
With any vehicle, it’s important to have a few essentials in case of roadside breakdown. Airstream’s Roadside Emergency Car Kit is the perfect tool, and includes:
- 1 Triangular-Shaped Tote with Reflective Tape that Doubles as a Roadside Hazard Sign
- 1 Set of Jumper Cables
- 1 15-Gauge Copper with Laminated Instructions Tag Affixed to the Cables
- 1 Heavy-Duty Plastic Ice Scraper
- 1 Tire-Pressure Gauge
- 1 9-Piece Ratchet Set with Rigid Hand Driver
- 1 Pair of Standard Slip-Joint Pliers
- 1 Flathead Screwdriver
- 1 Phillips Screwdriver
- 1 Roll of Red Electrical Tape
- 1 Pair of White Work Gloves, Woven Heavy-Duty Cotton Blend
- 1 Blade-Style Automotive Fuse
- 1 2 Blade-Style Automotive Fuse
- 1 Blade-Style Automotive Fuse
- 3 Insulated Ring Terminals
- 3 Insulated Spade Terminals
An Aircompressor & Jump Starter
We bundled these two tools together on the list because we recommend the iOnBoost™ V8 Air Lithium Ion Air Compressor/Jump Starter by Wagan. This slim and compact tool offers a rechargeable LiPo battery-powered jump starter, air compressor, flashlight, and USB power supply.
A Multi-Tool
Whether you need to cut, open, fix or install, the Airstream Multi-plier tool is versatile and easy to use. It includes spring-loaded pliers with a handle grip, a knife, a saw, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, a wire cutter, a bottle opener and an LED flashlight.
A Powerful Flashlight
A good flashlight, like this Vintage Flashlight or Brite-Nite™ Wayfinder LED Light will make your job a lot easier when trying to see in those tight, hard to reach places, or when you have to work in the dark.
Need something else?
Unless you are in a very remote location, a hardware or general store is likely not too far away to acquire a specific tool or part. If you will be without cell service, it’s always a good idea to make note of those places, and save directions in case you need to make a quick trip.