Roadside Emergency Kit?

[hcpookie]

Does anyone stock their vehicle with items? I always have, and was quite pleased to see the Nissan Xterra we used to own came with a factory kit. Not much there, really, just the basics, but still nice to have anyway.

What do you folks carry along? I usually try to carry these items:

- flares
- jumper cables
- LED flashlight
- "basic" first aid kit
- fire extinguisher
- tow strap
- gloves

What else?

I've thought about finding out if the AAA or other places has a pre-paid coupon for towing, so the wife won't get stranded if I'm out of town. Any other bright ideas?

[sjohnson]

With great plains blizzards one of our biggest hazards, and with the possibility that I could become stranded far from a town and (in a white-out) find it impossible to safely reach someone's home, my car kit includes, in addition to what you listed:

High-energy foods (candy bars, peanut butter, etc)
votive candles - provides heat and light, I buy the long-lasting kind
self-strike matches
blankets (regular and "space" blankets)
some fluids, but snow can provide a lot and packaged fluids freeze, anyway.
sealable baggies (for bodily function waste)
toilet paper
Several cans to heat water, scoop snow, etc.
Shovel
Tire chains
starting fluid
older but good cold-weather gear (gloves, scarfs, hats, etc)
30 foot snatch rope (big thing, made for pulling cars out of a ditch, it "springs" after tightening and "snatches" the pulled vehicle loose. Hooks on both ends).

[moleman]

A tire plug kit and a compact compressor. Why change a tire when its -20 when you can put a plug in and air up the tire. A screw driver and a set of pliers/vise grips. If you run out of gas a lot put one or two bottles of heat in the trunk to help you limp to the station.

[Winn R]

Jerry -- I've added one of the portable battery starters to the truck gear box. It also has a compressor built in.

[Braddog]

Duct tape can come in handy. It could also be used to quieten passengers that are getting on your nerves! I was going to say a booster pack, but Winn R beat me to it.

[XSapper]

Jumpmaster, 12v air compressor, coveralls, shopcloths

[TheCol.U.S.M.C.]

I added a Polish P64 and 100rnds too mine and a box of power bars I eat one every morning on the way to work the box gets half empty i buy a new box I'm in AZ so a Gal of H2O is a must

[Toten Kopf]

Heck, I just carry an "emergency" vehicle on top of my Durango. If things get bad, I just hit the button and explosive bolts shear and the vehicle (which is loaded with a complete Cabela's store) flys off and is ready to provide what ever I need.

Only problem is rotating the supply stock and making sure that I have gas for the gas powered drink mixer!!!

Who says you can't live the life in extreme conditions...WaHooooooo!

[pirate56]

a six pack of fix a flat!!

[hcpookie]

lol @ TK - almost spit my drink out everywhere! Yeah I don't think "zombie kit" is something I am going to worry about.

The goal of my kit is to help out myself or the Mrs. from basic scenarios. I'm getting another one of those $30 first aid kits from the drug store and stocking it up with some more items like allergy medicine, etc. just to be safe.

One thing about having a Jeep is that it isn't out of place to have some 5-gallon jerry cans strapped to the back. I am looking at some cargo attachments for the bumper that will let me carry an extra 10 gallons with me, however I doubt I'll actually use that, unless times get tighter.

Pirate I think those big tires we got for the new Jeep would take a 6 pack just to air up!