Topic: Winter preps for your car

[Jeff]

It's forecasted that this winter will be courtesy of La Nina.  It may very well be colder and more snowy than normal.  So, lets generate a list of this to always have in your car.  Especially if you travel outside the city.

I carry a big winter kit in my truck.  In it are:

* Snow shoes
* Propane/butane stove
* Propane heater
* Candle Lantern (these kick ass)
* Lighter
* A weeks worth of food.  Used to be canned but will be Wise Foods freeze dried.  I've had my cans freeze and don't like it.
* Water.  I don't care if it freezes since I have a stove I can use to thaw it if necessary.
* Extra clothes including gloves, hat, jacket, long underwear.
* Boots.
* Blanket

Always in the truck:

* AC/DC inverter
* Esbit type stove w/ pellets
* Gloves
* Hat
* Fire starting gear
* Survival Bivvy
* Knives
* Tow strap
* Tools
* Folding military type trench shovel

I'm sure there is more but that's just what I could remember.  I'll add to this as I check things and make sure it's all good.

I know I should have a snow shovel.

[WTF]

2 way radio, or CB, so you can call for HELP! if cell phone don't work.
Flashlight,
Snowmobile.

[Jeff]

I forgot my HAM rig and multiple flashlights. 

[Nomad]

 Snow chains and binders.
 Com-a-long
 Shackles to tie to tree or another vehicle. To pull with.
 Cat litter or floor dry to put on icy spots for traction....
 Handyman jack is always nice, with some planks to put under the tires or jack....
 Hatchet or axe.....
 Couple of axle shafts and sledge hammer to drive into the ground to pull from
and the handyman to pull them out after you use them....
 Rain gear is nice as well...
 Slip forms that they use on pallets to stack stuff good to lay on in snow or mud....
 Sand in old inter tubs for weight and traction works in icy areas as well
 Jumper cables......
 Extra set of keys just in case you loose yours skiing or what ever..
 Graphite your locks and spray with silicone on the rubbers around your door to keep
from freezing to the metal jams when wet....
 If stuck or lost stay with your vehicle......Good shelter ....
 Candles work to heat up your car or pickup as well.....   

[WTF]

Trailer to carry all the above items and then some... 

[Nomad]

 Less the come-along and axle shafts the rest is behind the seat of my standard cab
Toyota P/U...... Just an idea....

[codethree]

I assume that extra cash and guns where not mentioned because you all carry it on your person.

It's always good to have maps, a compass, and maybe a GPS. For winter, a lot of good things listed already, but wool socks would also be nice. Maybe a blanket or sleeping bag.

[Shortmag]

wow this could be a long list... my truck is like a mobile survival rig.

always in the truck:
flashlight(s)
couple jugs of water
couple jugs of anti-freeze
oil, brake fluid, WD-40, Duct tape, spare hoses, clamps, fittings, fuses, nuts, bolts, screws,etc
rope, tie-downs, bungees, and chain for securing loads
couple tarps
ball and shank for the tow package
tools - able to cover most roadside repairs. even have an OBDII code reader.
floor jack and lug wrenches - also have the stock jack and lug wrench
blankets and a sleeping bag (got it free from Marlboro a while back.)
hatchet, Machete, and small saw
heavy duty jumper cables
FAK and survival kit with things like fire, emergency blankets, knife (mora), TP, candles etc.
change of clothes, hat, beanies (watchcaps), gloves, hand warmers etc
water bottle(s)
road flares
binoculars
ASP
GPS
cell phone charger
DC to AC converter
camera and spare batteries - helps with accidents and such.
hand sanitizer, hard candies and some bug spray
and a Res-Q-me type tool hanging from the rear view mirror
also have a backpack to put some supplies in in case i need to bug out from the truck.

will/want to add for winter months:
long underwear and wool socks
jacket
cat litter
spare boots
shovel
tow strap

this also doesn't cover the urban survival kit/backpack that i carry with me everyday. but that's for another thread...

SM

[TylerC]

I'll throw in chains, a small shovel, extra tow strap, extra blankets/sleeping bag, kitty litter, and extra flares on top of whats normally in the trunk for winter. I usually throw a couple extra instant hot packs into my jump kit just in case I find someone who's been exposed to the cold for an extended period of time to get help their body temperature back up.

[GrayWolf]

Are you guys storing all this stuff in, and driving, a Winnebago?  

[TylerC]

Are you guys storing alll this stuff, and driving, a Winnebago?  

you can fit most of this stuff behind the bench seat of a pickup. What are you driving? a Smart Car?

[Shortmag]

Are you guys storing alll this stuff, and driving, a Winnebago?  

most of my stuff is in the tool box in my truck bed.  the rest is stored inside the (single) cab of my truck.

SM

[GrayWolf]

you can fit most of this stuff behind the bench seat of a pickup. What are you driving? a Smart Car?

No, I'm driving the same old piece of crap Dodge Stratus.  It does have some room for winter preps stuff, but not very much.   

[Orbital-Burn]

nothing starts a fire easier in the snow easier than road flares!