Truck Cab Bodywork and Trailer Repair
Made Easy: Essential Tools, Tips, & Tricks
If you own a truck or trailer, performing regular maintenance and repairs is par for the course. While some jobs require the expertise of a professional mechanic, many minor dents, dings, and adjustments can be handled yourself with the right tools like a lock bolt tool kit and know-how. In this multi-part series, we'll explore tips, tricks, and essential tools to make truck cab bodywork and trailer repair an easy DIY task.
To start, let's look at some of the must-have tools for any truck or trailer repair job. Having a well-stocked toolbox can help you save time, money and get back on the road quickly when issues arise. Some of the essential tools include:
Lockbolt
Tool Kit
For repairing or removing lockbolts, rivets, and other fasteners on truck cabs and trailers, a high-quality lockbolt tool set is key. The Reliable Air Tool RAT3213 Cab/Trailer Kit is an excellent all-in-one option with 13 lockbolt tools to remove and install fasteners from 3/8" to 1-3/8" in diameter. It includes everything from lockbolt removers and lockbolt punches to header punches and a durable canvas carrying case.
Body Patch Panels
For rust holes or dents in cab corners, wheel wells, rocker panels, or other areas, patch panels provide an easy solution. Patch panels from Reliable Air & Tools like the RAT3213 Cab/Trailer Kit contain pre-shaped patches made of heavy-gauge steel to match your specific truck make and model. The patches have an adhesive backing, so once you've cut out the damaged area, just peel and stick to make a secure repair. These panels provide structural reinforcement and a surface ready for priming and painting.
Rivet Nut Guns Tool Kit
Rivet nuts or blind nuts are threaded nuts that are installed from one side of a surface, providing a threaded hole where there is no backside access. Rivet nut tools like the RAT1100 Cab/Trailer Kit allow you to quickly install rivet nuts for attaching items like ladder racks, tool boxes, and other equipment to your truck bed or trailer. The tool kit contains common rivet nut sizes along with a pneumatic rivet nut gun to make installation easy. This popular kit includes a pneumatic rivet nut gun along with 100 each of the 3 most common rivet nut sizes (3/16", 1/4", and 5/16"). Rivet nuts can be used anywhere extra strength is needed, like truck beds, tool boxes, running boards, and more.
Best Huck gun for Peterbilt
If you own a Peterbilt truck, you know the importance of a reliable huck gun to fasten critical components securely. The best huck gun for Peterbilt lineup has some of the best options at Reliable Air Tools. For most medium-duty fastening on a Peterbilt, the Huck 225/245 Rivet Nut Tool packs serious power in a compact size for rivets of different sizes in diameter. Other than the Huck gun, the RATTPM12 Rivet Nut Tool is a bestseller and ideal for installations and repairs requiring 1⁄2” rivets. If you need to lock in larger 3⁄4” rivets on a Peterbilt differential or transmission, the heavy-hitting RAT1606 Rivet Nut Tool gets the job done. And for cordless convenience, the 20V MAX battery-powered RAT6000C Rivet Nut Tool delivers the freedom to work anywhere on your Peterbilt without a power cord.
Body Hammers and Dollies
For minor dents and dings in truck cabs and trailers, a set of body hammers and dollies allows you to hammer the metal back into shape from behind. The Reliable Air Tool RAT640 Standard Truck Cab Kit includes a 14-piece set with multiple hammers and dollies to repair dents across broad, curved,
and sharp-edged surfaces. With some patience, dents, and dings can often be worked out and smoothed to like-new condition.
Essential Consumables
In addition to tools, there are several consumable supplies that are useful to have on hand for truck and trailer repair jobs. Things like:
Lockbolts
If any lockbolts require replacement during a repair, having spare lockbolts of various sizes in your lock bolt tool kit is important. Lockbolts provide a strong, permanent fastening method for truck cabs, beds, and trailers. Popular sizes include 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8" diameter.
Rivets
Like lockbolts, rivets are used to join sheets of metal securely. Carry a range of rivet sizes and head styles (like flat head and countersunk) for any rivet replacement needs. Rivets are commonly used on trailers, tool boxes, and running boards with the help of rivet nut guns tool.
Sealants
Once repairs are made, sealants help seal up any holes or seams and prevent rust and water damage. High-quality polyurethane or silicone sealant can seal and protect. For larger gaps, a caulk backer rope may be required.
Touch-Up Paint
For scratches, paint damage, or newly exposed metal from repairs, touchup paint helps bring your truck or trailer back to a like-new appearance. Carry the exact color code and finish of your vehicle to seamlessly blend in any imperfections.
Abrasives
Various grits of sandpaper, sanding sponges, and scuff pads are useful for roughing up surfaces, smoothing out body filler, and rust repair. Both dry and wet/dry types are good to have for different needs.
Body Filler
For dents too large to work out with hammers and dollies alone, body filler offers an easy solution. Apply in layers, then sand to the contour of the surface. Fiberglass-reinforced body filler works well for truck and trailer repair.
With the right essential tools and supplies in your DIY toolbox for truck cab bodywork and trailer repair, you'll be ready to handle all types of small dents, dings, rust spots, and other minor surface imperfections yourself. Be sure also to have safety gear like work gloves, eye protection, and dust masks.
Useful techniques and tips for dent removal and rust repair on trucks and trailers
Now that you have the necessary tools and supplies let's look at some of the key techniques and tips for repairing dents, dings, and rust on truck cabs and trailers:
Start from behind the dent whenever possible. Use hammers and dollies to work the dent out from the backside slowly. Take your time and make multiple lights passes. This will avoid further paint damage and prevent the sheet metal from becoming too thin.
For larger dents, you may need to drill small holes to access them or weld a slide hammer to help pull them out. Make holes in inconspicuous areas and seal completely when done.
If the paint is cracked or chipped, use touch-up paint to prevent the exposed metal underneath from rusting. Clean, rough up, and apply 2-3 coats waiting 5-10 minutes between applications.
For rust holes or through-holes, weld 2" square metal plates over the holes, then grind smooth. Use a pick to scrape away any loose rust before plating. Apply sealant around all edges of the plate to prevent future water intrusion.
Remove trim pieces, running boards, and any other components that may be in the way of the repair area. Reinstall all pieces when the job is complete.
For large or severely rusted areas, replacement sheet metal panels may be required. Measure carefully and cut away only what is necessary before welding in new metal. Hammer edges over for maximum strength.
Use 80-120 grit sandpaper to rough up an area before applying body filler. Wipe away dust with lacquer thinner, then apply 2-3 thin coats of filler, waiting for it to dry in between. Sand and shape filler to contour, then prime and paint.
Feather the edges of any repair area before priming and painting to blend in with surrounding surfaces. Multiple thin coats of paint will
provide the best results. Clear coat at least 2-3 times to seal the surface.
Test all repairs to ensure the area is sealed and secure before driving the vehicle. Recheck the seal around any holes, seams, or trim pieces. Touch-up paint may require a week before washing and waxing. With patience and practice, you'll be tackling minor dents, dings, rust spots, and more on your own truck or trailer in no time. Be sure also to inspect other areas to spot any potential issues early. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Let us know if you have any other questions, and don’t forget to check and share our products with others. Don’t forget; Reliable Air Tools is your own one-stop shop for all your lock bolt tool kits, the best Huck gun for Peterbilt, and rivet nut guns tool kits.