Posted: 12/16/2008 1:03:30 PM EDT
|
Ok so I have a 2wd reg cab s10. (I know, not a very good BOV) I drive 20 miles one way to work, down so pretty bad roads this time of year. What should I put in the truck for supplies incase of a breakdown, wreck etc.. I dont have much room so only the neccasary stuff can go. Here is what I have right now.
Backpack with, xtra gloves, hat, firesticks(can be used as a road flare), firestarter,knife Coveralls Jumper cables Small blanket What else?? Im looking into getting a toolbox for the bed(getting a different truck is in the plans just not right now) |
|
I'm guessing you've already got some tube sand in the back. Remember that in a pinch you can drag one of those out, cut it open, and spread it out for some traction. Old roof shingles are also good for that.
I'd toss in a little first aid kit. Also maybe a film canister full of dryer lint and vasoline, in the slim chance that you're stuck for the night without dry tinder. |
|
A 3x4 piece of jute backed carpet helps get traction when stuck in snow ;) First aid kit should be almost top of list. I keep a "survival in a bottle" kit from LL Bean in my car. It's a water bottle with a small assortment of bandages, a survival blanket, poncho, waterproof matches, compass, emergency whistle, pocket knife, carabiner...in a small little package.
Keep a small tool kit for your vehicle (meaning tools specific to your vehicle included) Water. You can't live without it. Just make sure you leave room for the water to expand if it freezes. Otherwise it looks like you're on the right track |
| Studded snows make the difference. Forget chains, they're too much trouble. My old S-10 went through as much snow as you could expect a 2WD to get through with studded snows. It helps to, to throw a couple bags of sand in the bed or if its open bed fill it with snow. |
| I don't know what you do for a living, so depending on if you work indoors wearing street clothes then you'll probably want boots and warm socks along with a good winter coat. Get some of those disposable hand and foot warmers. I always carry a tool box with me, also. I haven't always had the most dependable vehicles. You might think about some of the basic spare parts like belts, anti-freeze, extra quart of oil. I know this sounds like a lot and you don't have much space, but depending on how you pack it such as a BOB and the space behind the seat, you will find that you can make it fit. Some of these things that I and others have mentioned may not seem "necessary", but when you're stuck on the side of the road, everything you have becomes that much more important. |
|
BOOTS, GLOVES, HAT, WOOL BLANKET, shovel, tire chains, dozen or so granola bars, liter or 2 of water, full magazine or speadloader for every weapon you own, couple boxes EACH of 308, 223, buckshot, .45, individually wrapped in saran wrap with dessicant, and then packaged in ziplock bags.
always keep one of your spare big bore handguns, either 45 auto or 44 mag, depending on local indigenous predator population. And of course a handy inexpensive carbine, such as .30-30 lever action either winchester or marlin, for 200 bucks either one will make a fine truck gun. A riot gun is pretty handy to have around also, just in case your handgun choice is one of the 9mm or smaller bore peashooters, just in case you need to drop a pissed off bear or mountain lion on short notice. If you have a 45 or 44, than you can probably do with out the 12 gauge. |
|
For 10 years I drove a 2WD F150, manual, and it was crap in the winter. I'd put 6 or 7 large tubes of sand (what are they, 30lbs a piece?) in the long bed and then fill it with snow, and then it was a little better. Ford's limited slip differential drove me crazy. One wheel spins, the other sits stupid dead. Without the added weight, and sometimes even then, I'd get stuck in my apartment's parking lot because of a very small incline. Big ol' pickup stuck and tiny cars driving by with no problem. Tires were Duelers.
It was bad on icy roads because of that differential. It'd almost want to drive sideways, one rear wheel trying to run ahead of the other. I finally sold my beloved Harley, traded in the Ford, and bought myself a decent 4x4 Chevy with a locking rear differential. I love it. I don't even have weight in the back and it pulls like a train. It's got the stock Wranglers on it. Not snow tires by any interpretation. Drives fine. This is my second winter with it. Put a shovel in the back. You never know when you'll need it. And keep a cell phone charged. Tow trucks are easier to reach that way. GL |
|
I have a full size Chevrolet K2500HD 4X4 with a Leer Canopy. Since I have the canopy on the truck, it makes it easier to keep year round gear in the back of the truck. I always have the following:
1. Tool kit with enough basic hand tools to change tires, change fan belt, pry fenders away from tires, and emergency repairs. 2. Hi-quality hydraulic bottle jack, don't rely on the cheesy little jack that the OEM puts in your truck. Carry a good piece of 2X10 to put underneath your jack in case of soft terrain. 3. Shovel, axe, hi-lift jack, tow strap and chains, and come-along (soon to be replaced with a winch hopefully). 4. Spare parts including serpentine belt, wiper blades, assorted bulbs, enough oil to change the oil, and a spare air filter in a sealed plastic bag. 5. First aid kit including 4 space blankets (one for each member of the family), fire starting liquid and enough kindling to get me by. 6. Spare tire. Don't laugh, I have came across many people stranded out in the sticks with a flat tire and no spare. If I am going in a really remote area I carry two spares. 7. 12 volt air compressor 8. At least 4 extra magazines for whatever handgun I am carrying at the time, and one box of ammunition for the Marlin 30-30 behind the back seat of the truck. 9. I carry an extra heavy coat behind the back seat year round, and sometimes a change of clothing. You never know when you are going to get really muddy or wet and dry clothes are great at those times. 10. Enough firearms cleaning hardware to clean a wet rifle or handgun. I also carry targets, sand bags for target rests, and ear muffs and shooting glasses for the whole crew. 
I'm sure I have probably overlooked some items, but you get the idea. Most of these items will never be used, but I feel good knowing that they are available if needed. I keep the majority of my gear in large plastic totes with lids that snap positively in place and they stay relatively clean and dry. |
|
Couple things I didn't see mentioned.
Hershey bars= they keep forever and give you a quick boost of energy (and granloa bars, as mentioned earlier) Ramen noodles A tin/metal cup to melt ice/snow for water (if in cold climates) A thick candle- used for heat and to melt snow/ice for drinking water/cooking ramen noodles All these (and more) can be put into a tin coffee can (there's your can for water/cooking!) And take up little space. Every spring I pull the cans out and store them in the garage. Thats the kids favorite part, as I pull the candybars out and put in fresh ones in the fall 
|
|
Quoted:
Couple things I didn't see mentioned. Hershey bars= they keep forever and give you a quick boost of energy (and granloa bars, as mentioned earlier) Ramen noodles A tin/metal cup to melt ice/snow for water (if in cold climates) A thick candle- used for heat and to melt snow/ice for drinking water/cooking ramen noodles All these (and more) can be put into a tin coffee can (there's your can for water/cooking!) And take up little space. Every spring I pull the cans out and store them in the garage. Thats the kids favorite part, as I pull the candybars out and put in fresh ones in the fall Good ideas HillBillE. I think I'll add your suggestions to my kit.
|