In the video below, our favorite RV gearhead, Joshua from RV Gear & Far, introduces us to some terrific Harbor Freight RV gear. Harbor Freight has been around for 47 years (WOW), but it does have a reputation as a bargain brand that delivers bargain-level merchandise. However, Joshua says that Harbor Freight has really been upping their game and a lot of the tools you can get there at a discount rate now compete with the quality of the major brands. The seven items on his Harbor Freight RV gear list make that cut, delivering both low price and high quality. Watch the video or continue reading below.
#1 Nitrile coated gloves: Joshua says these are durable, long-lasting, come in two sizes, can be used for all kinds of tasks around the RV, and come three pairs to a pack for just $6! [We see them online at 3 pairs for $4.]
#2 Folding 4-way lug wrench: The 4 different sockets give you lots of options, and know that often the lug nuts on your trailer will be different than those on your tow vehicle. This tool also folds away small and tucks into almost anywhere.
#3 Solid rubber wheel chocks: Unlike those lightweight plastic yellow chocks, these are heavy enough to stay put, even in heavy winds.
#4 Zip ties: You never know when you are going to need these, but you are always glad you have them on hand.
#5 Ratcheting cargo bar: These are awesome for securing things in the back of a pickup truck, or the back of an SUV. Joshua says he has even seen truck campers use these for additional support on their slide out beds.
#6 Socket adapters: Joshua says these are super handy and something you will use more often than you think.
#7 Breaker bar, torque wrench, and extensions: The torque wrench will help you make sure all your lug nuts are properly tightened, the breaker bar will help you remove them, and the extensions make sure you can get the job done in any circumstances.
Have you found other things at Harbor Freight that are great values for RVers? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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##RVDT2387
A lot of their stuff is good, but I would never by the electric or power tools.
I bought a few electric power tools, I’ve worked them hard enough to smoke them and yet they continue to work. Cheap enough to throw away. Haven’t thrown anything away yet, particularly a 3/8 plugin drill for $9.98.
I agree with you Thomas, as a contractor I’ve been using their “cheap” power tools for years as well as all the big name brands. The quality has just gotten so good now. In addition I dread going to HD and L but going to HF is like a kid in a candy store, so much useful stuff!!!
I used to think like robert below thinks. I would buy what I called “one-time-use” tools to be tossed out when I was done. But, in the last couple of years, HF has really upped their game. I have a Bauer 20v cordless drill that is every bit as good and reliable as my Dewalt stuff (so far). I now will purchase their higher end power tools. I even bought their 3500 watt quiet generator – and I love it. I now head to HF before I go to Home Depot for some tools.
Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 Northern Tool and Tractor Supply are both far more convenient for us than Harbor Freight, so we never go to it. I’ll comparison shop Northern Tool and Harbor Freight going forward, given this article and Tommy’s comments. 🙂 Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
Great tips on addition to the gear. I already have the 7 items. However I’m really interested in the carrying tool he used to remove the hitch. Is that Harbor freight too?
Hi, Doug. Here’s a post we did on the HitchGrip a few years ago, and here’s a link to it on Amazon. I don’t see it listed on Harbor Freight’s website. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I have one of those hitch carrying tools. It’s a LIFESAVER! When we had to upgrade to a 2½” hitch, the new hitch was almost impossible for this old guy to pick up. It still is, but easier with the handle. I hope by now you have yours and are enjoying the ease of use.
I agree with the above list.
I have almost everything listed and all have worked well.
I would like to add one more item that has become invaluable to me and that is the Haul Master 18″ working platform step stool.
Well built and collapsible.
Almost 7,000, 5 star reviews.
I love HF. I’ve bought sockets, wire cutters, strippers, connectors, fuses, and more. They’ve also had camp chairs for sale for many years that are basic and functional. I have three in the rv now that are nice and light and easy to store. I’ll admit though that we got their Pittsburg brand pole saw a few years ago that stopped working after a short time.
I have a number of tiny HF LED flashlights in each car, the RV, and at home. I have also been buying (or getting free) their plastic 5×7′ plastic tarps for years. So useful for everything that needs a waterproof cover. For dumping the black and gray tanks and filling the diesel tank (diesel nozzles are always dirty), I keep a box of HF’s vinyl (not latex) disposable gloves in the driver’s door pocket of the RV. The adapters for using my drill with 1/4″ and 3/8″ sockets, extensions for my ratchet wrench, and “disposable” multimeters all came from HF. I even have one of their nearly square, 100w portable solar panels that I use when the RV is parked in shade or during AZ winter dry camping.
have several generators, pair of inverter 2000 s, a 3500 inverter and a 9500 inverter that just keep running and running. Maintenance is the key
Their wireless trailer lights are great! No more skinny wires from RV to towd.
I realize this article is about Harbor Freight but as a word to the wise, think twice before buying from Northern Tool. I purchased a Honda water pump to aerate my lake and the pump housing burst which is made by Honda Thailand. Northern Tool will do nothing to help me get parts. It’s a shame to spend several hundred dollars just to receive the snub of indifference from Northern Tool. So whomever you buy from, be sure they offer parts assistance AFTER the sale.