11 Practical Road Trip Gadgets You Can Buy At Harbor Freight

Hitting the road with friends or family allows for a great new layer of personal development. These trips often elevate relationships to new heights, and whether you're traveling in a small car or a large RV, the basic contours of the experience remain the same. It's also possible and often highly rewarding to go on a solo road trip in an exciting car.

In support of any road trip plan short or long, you'll need to establish a packing list. There's always the potential to stop for essentials along the way, but some gear should be added to your list, and subsequently the trunk of the car, before you hit the road. This includes a range of gadgets and tools that will help you quickly handle any potential setbacks you might experience while away. From managing a flat tire to illuminating a camping area during a nighttime setup (a constraint the 3-3-3 rule for road tripping seeks to minimize) or supporting outdoor conversation in the evening, these tools and gizmos from Harbor Freight can make a notable impact in the enjoyment and flexible problem solving capabilities you experience while away from home. All of them have been rated highly by owners, and each one serves in an important role in a mobile toolkit, and specifically one designed to handle the rigors of road tripping.

The Badland 3 Ton Off-Road Jack is a natural addition to a road tripping toolkit because it's small enough to realistically fit in the trunk of your car while still providing enough lifting power to support on-the-go tire changes and other repair needs. The jack features a rapid pump technology that allows it lift vehicles quickly, ranging up to a maximum lift height of just over 29 inches. The tool features a wraparound steel skid plate that helps provide stability on difficult terrain, including soft surfaces like sand or gravel.

The jack is listed for $380 and offers a rough-and-ready lifting function that's perfect for mobile repair tasks that may arise during lengthy driving sessions. The last thing any road tripper wants to deal with is the simplified scissor jack that comes as a standard component in the emergency spare tire kit beneath the trunk. This tool is usually a little difficult to operate and it can feel unstable at the best of times while swapping tires or handling other repairs. Badland's off-road model provides a solid upgrade here that's easy to pack for a long trip.

The Icon ¼-Inch Drive 52-Piece Compact Socket and Bit Set is an updated version of a tool set that was once the center of a meme. This model is listed for $80 and it ships in a durable and compact storage case. The set includes a wide range of sockets and driving bits, and it includes both a ratchet head and nut driving handle that operates essentially like a multibit screwdriver.

The set is a great option for handling a wide variety of small to medium sized repair and part replacement needs. These may arise under the hood as you drive, but the toolkit can be equally valuable in support of routine RV repairs in the living space or to fix or secure components in a hotel room or campsite. Repair needs can come at you fast and without warning while you're away from your primary set of gear. This kit features a wealth of options to handle any kind of small scale repair you might be facing while out on the road.

Diagnosing and resolving vehicle issues quickly is critically important when you are hundreds of miles away from home. It's incredibly stressful to deal with even minor issues when you're traveling with a car packed full of things and people. This easily becomes nerve racking if the issue is something in the electronics or goes beyond a basic part exchange that you can do quickly on the side of the road or at a gas station (like a light bulb swap or spare tire installation).

You won't always be able to efficiently tackle faults in the car without professional help, but knowing exactly what you're up against is a fantastic starting point and all it takes is a tool like the Maddox MR5 1.8-Inch OBD2 Code Reader. This gadget is available for $40 at Harbor Freight and is a compact model that connects to vehicle's scanner port and integrates with the RepairSolutions2 app to deliver comprehensive diagnostic information, clear trouble codes, and perform tests on the battery and other systems. Having one available will also protect you against overzealous mechanics looking to scam you. This is an easy piece of gear to toss into the glove compartment of your car, allowing you to always have a code reader on hand to identify pain points right when they present themselves. Virtually every consumer automobile made from 1996 up to the present is compatible with the tool, giving you plenty of versatility in its use, regardless of the kind of car you drive.

The Braun 1,250 Lumen LED Rechargeable Battery Bank Work Light is a simple and intuitive dual-purpose support tool. It offers a no nonsense work light that allows you to illuminate a jobsite or outdoor campground area in both high and low lighting modes. It operates with a super bright white LED bulb alongside a kickstand base that makes it easy to position the lighting tool for hands-free operation. It provides up to 5.5 hours of runtime and the LED source remains cooler than traditional halogen bulbs for better longevity.

This is an in-store only product, and listed at a clearance price of $20. This is a favorable cost for a work light, but the tool adds in power bank functionality, as well. The battery bank offers a 4,400 mAh capacity alongside a 2 amp USB port to support phone and other charging requirements that you and your travel companions might encounter. The light requires 3 hours of charging time to return to its full capacity, making it a small tool that's easy carry in the glove compartment, under a seat, or elsewhere in the vehicle while also providing plenty of function with a fast recharge time.

The Cen-Tech 6/12V Circuit Tester is small, simple tool. Yet, it serves a key diagnostic function for tackling all manner of electrical repair needs. The tool can sit easily in a mobile collection that remains in your car thanks to its diminutive size. This gives it the ability to easily come along for the journey on a road trip in support of repair needs that may arise in the vehicle's electrical systems.

The tool can check viability of any fuse in either 6V or 12V ratings. It utilizes a 5-foot lead wire and a needle point probe that lights up an indicator in the handle if the circuit can carry an electrical current in its existing state. It features a heavy duty impact rated handle that offers solid durability. Moreover, the tester unit is listed for $3 at Harbor Freight (down from $5 until 10/8), making it even more cost effective than its usual, favorable price tag.

Icon is a flagship brand within the Harbor Freight ecosystem, and its equipment is frequently rated highly by buyers. There's a lot to like about the Icon lineup, including a lifetime warranty on its hand tools. The Icon 3/8-Inch Drive Professional Stubby Low-Profile Ratchet is among those pieces of equipment covered by that warranty policy, and it's list at a clearance price of $19, making it solidly affordable as well as providing a durable and protected user experience. The tool's short ratchet arm allows better access to tight spaces. It's also an ideal option for those who may want to bring a ratchet handle along for a journey but won't have enough space for a larger tool in their backpack or tool bag.

The tool's 90-tooth gear-to-gear mechanism offers a high quality movement with a 4-degree arc swing that's capable of handling small clearance areas. The low profile head also affords it greater access while the ergonomic and classic grip design offers plenty of visual and functional value. The tool is just over 5 inches in length and offers a high polish finish on the chrome vanadium steel body to hit all the right notes a buyer will be looking for in a quality hand tool.

The Predator 100 Watt Super Lightweight Foldable Solar Panel is a valuable addition for road trippers who will plan to stop at RV parks, campsites, or other outdoor settings (listed at $150). When you make a pit stop, you'll need to set up a few key support systems to make your stay more comfortable. One of these often includes mobile power to recharge phones, support key equipment for work on the go, and manage other electrified requirements that may include things like cooking and mosquito repellent systems.

This unit is rated for 100 Watts and features an easy set up to connect to power stations. This allows it to provide seamless solar charging for your equipment if you plan on staying in one place for a while. The foldable panel weighs 10.75 pounds, offering an easy frame to carry along for the ride and to reposition during the day to match the Sun's movement. It's also rated for an IP65 protection threshold, making it ideal for use in all sorts of weather conditions. 

The solar panel offers an integrated storage pouch to help keep cables and other support gear organized as well as two mounting spikes to hold the unit firmly in the ground during bouts of wind and the like. A Predator 350 power station fully recharges in 3 hours and a Predator 600 model in just one more, offering quality charging speeds to keep your key electronics going longer. 

It's always a good idea to have a battery backup source available when traveling. This is true for your phones and other devices with a power bank, and it's perhaps even more pressing when considering the car that is supporting your journey. The Viking 1,000 Peak Amp Multifunction Jump Starter offers more than enough peak power to handle 2.4L V6 engines and even 1.6L diesel engine starting requirements. The tool has been tested at a level that supports up to 35 jump starts per charge, meaning a fully charged tool can easily support emergency restart needs while on the road without worrying about performance issues or augmentation needs to support its internal power. The tool is listed for $100, and it also serves in two other backup roles when the requirement arises, making it a versatile support option to toss into your trunk.

In addition to its primary role as an emergency jump start tool, the unit also features a 150 PSI air compressor that can get your tires back up to scratch if they've lost air or you intentionally let out some of the pressure to support driving on altered roadway conditions. Having this tool in your back pocket allows you to confidently change tire pressures to support driving needs without worrying about how you'll restore the proper level later on to maintain safe driving when conditions change again. The tool also includes a power bank that can support 12V tools and accessories, making this a thoroughly multifaceted support option.

A bike pump isn't always going to be required on a road trip, but having one with you provides plenty of coverage to handle impromptu soccer or volleyball games, blow up air mattresses, and of course keep bike tires at their correct pressure level in support of leisurely riding. The High Flow Hand Air Pump is available at Harbor Freight for $17, with a comparable alternative noted as a Husky model priced at $30.

The tool comes with a quick lock valve adapter and four nozzles to support a range of inflation requirements. It also utilizes a two-way pump action to support a high volume of air flow in both movement directions for fast inflation and less wasted effort. It offers a 120 PSI maximum pressure with a built-in adapter storage function and a foot plate to make pumping a little easier. It's lightweight and compact, making it easy to throw in your trunk to carry along as you traverse the landscape away from home.

Keeping a drill available allows you to make emergency repairs with ease. A lightweight and small bodied drill is a great addition to your existing car toolkit, and the Hercules 12V 3/8-Inch Compact Drill/Driver can pull double duty, serving in this role and coming along for the ride when you drive a little further in support of a vacation getaway. This is a bare tool, so you'll need to invest in a 12V Hercules battery if you don't already have power for the system. However, it's listed for just $50, making it an incredibly inexpensive option to support drilling and driving needs.

The compact model is 35% smaller than the standard 20V Hercules alternative and weighs just 2 pounds. This tool also features a two-speed gearbox that offers up to 400 and 1500 RPM peaks, respectively. There are 19 clutch settings included, found in the typical location on a collar behind the chuck, and the tool offers a variable speed trigger for maximum control. It produces 312 in-lbs. of maximum torque, perfect for light duty jobs around a campsite, Airbnb property, or under the hood when something goes wrong on the road.

Naturally, anytime you spend an elongated stretch in the car you'll often need to throw in some enhanced cleaning tactics to keep the space comfortable and free of clutter. Even if you try to avoid it, road trips often induce riders to eat in the car, and this can add crumbs and other messes into the picture that require a more pressing solution than just waiting to deal with it until the next pick stop. The Bauer 20V Hand Vacuum with Floor and Crevice Tools is a solid option to handle routine cleaning tasks in the car. It's a small hand vacuum that comes with floor and crevice tools to quickly pick up crumbs and other debris that may be floating around near riders' feet or would otherwise get smashed down into the seams between seats and doors.

The tool is listed for $40 as a bare tool, and it delivers a 44 CFM air flow rating. It offers an extended nozzle that allows you to utilize it like a regular standup vacuum. This can be valuable in the workshop or around the house, but in its collapsed format this is an ideal option to throw into the car to bring along in support of cleaning tasks that keep your road trip vehicle in great order, allowing the group to remain focused on the great memories being made instead of the messes that can often accompany them.

All of these tools and products are useful additions that can help support a long RV or car journey. Each one offers a valuable option to help manage repairs and other needs while on the road, or support activities and entertainment while in your destination. All of them have been rated by at least 100 buyers with a 4.3 average rating or higher.