Especially since your car is filled with comic books, ropes, duct tape and condoms...
Posted on 08/09/2017 4:42:52 PM PDT by vannrox
Add a solid tow rope in case you need pulling out of snow, mud or a ditch. I’d also say a small collection of bungees to strap down larger items or to keep the trunk lid closed when carrying a larger item.
Cigars, a punch or cutter, and a lighter.
Some black plastic garbage bags. Rain coat and wind breaker in an emergency. Will help keep the heat in and doesn’t take up much space.
I carry most of the items except the winter things. I live in Florida. Also have two cans of tire inflator plus plugs. Also a 9mm Helwan, (a perfectly good effective gun but would not kill me if it were stolen).
I had not thought of the food items but probably not that useful here. Also keep a small tool box with basic wrenches, 3/8 socket set, Leatherman and Swill Army knife.
I have an army surplus shovel, a really good one too. I might stick it in the trunk now that I think about it. It is folded and in it’s own carrier.
Also a couple of empty water bottles. Could carry gas in them if I had to. Also about half a jug of coolant. Two flashlights both LED.
Surprisingly, all of this does not take up much space.
I can’t wear flip-flops. I
‘d replace the fishing pole with a net.
The bottle opener should be on the list along with
matches
charcoal
sunglasses
small ice chest
If you have a big vehicle then add a 10x12 easy-up canopy
I’ve always kept most of those items in my truck...used to tell friends I could ride out a nuclear attack in my truck!
Tools. Lots of them - metric or SAE depending on what you’re driving. Jacks, a come-along, tow straps. Hand warmers. Tarp. Flash lights - more the merrier. Volt meter and some wire and lots of electrical tape. Jumper cables. Starting fluid. Water. Oil. P/S fluid. Knife. Pistol. And at least a pint in case you’re going to be on the side of the road for awhile. I drive old stuff so being on the side of the road is a regular occurrence for me. :)
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Actually, we have all that stuff and more in our Expedition, and most of it in the other cars too.
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I forgot to mention that I have a cheap tracfone which I just keep for emergencies. Also a couple pair of vice grips in the tool box.
In addition to the other wrenches, a couple of adjustable wrenches. Also a large box of matches.
Duct tape... good for patching a worn hose or silencing a backseat driver.
Yes. Beach or park chairs, towels, sunscreen, Kleenex, wipes, changes of clothes for everyone, cases of water bottles, puke cups/ bags (very important if you have kids who sometimes puke in cars). Triple A card.
Extra Depends
When I was in college, I used to keep several rolls of athletic tape in the car. I always said it was the most useful stuff on earth.
I now carry duck tape. Even better.
Its snows here all year long. Ours come in on boats and planes.
Especially since your car is filled with comic books, ropes, duct tape and condoms...
What’s a mountain? Florida is so flat I can stand up and see Georgia
>>Portable air compressor . . . Bonus use: no more paying 75 cents to fill up your tires at stingy gas stations.
A manly man has compressed air in his garage, feeding a self-retracting hose reel. Compressor buried in basement so the noise isn’t in the garage where you’re working.
And a Koozie.
Agree on the duct tape. Not a fan of it for “permanent” repairs, but it can be a great temporary fix to get you to a better place.
Also big fan of tire plug kits and a portable compressor. I went through a spell where I picked up nails regularly. I assume someone hauling construction scrap was using the same route to work as me. Anyhow, it got to the point that I could plug a tire and reinflate it faster than I could have hauled out the jack and spare and changed it. Keep a garbage bag or some cardboard so you can lay on the ground if you’re in nice clothes or it’s raining.
It’s also wise to be familiar with your vehicle. Plenty of message boards out there that are car-specific. Find out what is a common problem and either fix it before it breaks or have the means to fix it on the go.
I’ve learned to hate in-tank fuel pumps. They generally go without warning, and then you’re stranded. Worse, you can’t fix them without dropping the tank. On every pickup I own, I cut a hole in the bed and put in a marine hatch right above the fuel tank access. Then, with a spare fuel pump, I at least have a chance to get myself back on the road if/when it dies, and I can change them out regularly with some ease. Not always practical to do in cars unfortunately as the tank is generally under the back seat.
Hmm...well, OK, then, I guess my advice to carry snowshoes all year is right out...
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