MY TOOL BOX weighs about 30 pounds. I know I’ll never need to use some of my tools, and it would be nice to lighten my load a little. The trouble is, I’m not certain which tools are unnecessary. But I’ve realized there’s a way I can get a hint.
Half in the bag
Ever since I hit the road I’ve kept my metric and SAE wrenches in separate freezer bags inside a zippered nylon bag inside the tool box. But just because I could get organized in the past, that doesn’t mean I stay organized. After finishing a project, eager to move on to something else, I usually just toss the wrenches I used in the box. Or maybe, if I’m less lazy, I’ll slip them into the nylon bag. I almost never put them back in the freezer bags. So, after a while, it becomes apparent which wrenches don’t get used (at least since the last time I went on an organizing binge). They’re the ones still in the freezer bags. Yes, just because I haven’t used them yet it doesn’t mean I never will, but it does give me some decision-making data. Hmmmm, that 11/16 and the 4MM can probably go to new homes.
Half out of the bag
This could work for other items in my rig. For example, I could put my clothing in, say, trash bags before storing them in their bins and cabinets. Then, after doing laundry, I could store them outside the trash bags, because they’ve been used. If there were any clothes still in trash bags by the end of the year, then I would know which clothes I actually wear. I could do the same with dishes, cookware and utensils.
Since the freezer bags my wrenches are in have seen much better days (after all, they were designed to hold food, not metal objects) I splurged on some new bags. Ooooo, brand new heavy-duty, 2-gallon, double-zip bags! Since I needed only two of them for the wrenches, what could I do with the rest? I feel another organizing binge coming on.
While our rig is about as large as one can get (GD 399TH fifth wheel), and we have a lot of inside storage and cabinets, we have only a SINGLE outside storage bay, and it’s not even a passthrough at that. That outside bay is 99% tools and electronics. (Note: we are fulltime, no home.)
Each year in the winter, we visit my brother-in-law for a couple months on the Florida panhandle. (Serious moochdocking!) During that time, and as we approach, I declare to the wife that it’s “go through all the things” time. During the year, we gather and acquire things. But, let’s say I’m installing a new USB plug inside the rig. Maybe two. I generally double the order on stuff like that. So, because I modified and installed them correctly, I now how TWO left over. That’s just one thing. But it’s an example of the annual purging that must occur.
I’m a bit of a pack rat when it comes to the tech and electronics. Do I really still need a bundle of test wires/clips? Probably not. If I need them in the future, I can always grab some at Harbor Freight. Having (or not having) them isn’t likely to make the difference between being stuck on the side of the road or getting to the campground. Yet, there they are. “They don’t weigh anything, and don’t take up space!” I tell myself. But that’s just one of, likely, 100 things just like that.
It was hard enough to downsize all the things three years ago to get into the rig. But the annual cleanout must occur! Those wires are far cheaper replace than the diesel cost to haul them!
I feel your pain!
If I used a tool on trailer repairs it became part of the trailer tool collection. Same goes for anything else in the trailer…cooking, clothes, etc. I am in the process of purging what was stored in my shed for a future tiny home which isn’t going to happen. The most recent item to go was a red rolling tool is with all the tools that went unused over the past four years. The buyer was elated! You really can live with so much less.
My turn now. 5 1/2 years on the road it’s time to take lessons from others and get rid of the unused.
Thank you folks.
Al, LOL are U also planning to get rid of the SUPER MULTI use & extra light Ziplock bags ? U’r kidding aren’t U ??? ? Tell us it’s a joke…
I’ll store them in the other bags.
I’m purging too. I actually walked around this apartment with pen and paper making lists of what to sell, what to give away or donate and what to keep. I’m surprised and a bit happy that the list of what to keep keeps getting smaller. I’m getting closer and closer to hitting the road. I’m so looking forward to it.
Glenna, good for you, it is not easy for some of us to depart from our ‘ piles of belongings ‘.??