Comments on: Emergency Car Travel Kits: What gear to Take with you on the Road

By: Billy

Billy — Tue, 24 May 2022 15:00:26 +0000

Good list and comments. I’m a traveling sales man on the road quite a bit, so thinking practically on a day to day basis, I have the following adds/ideas:
– paper towels
– roll of toilet paper
– Contact case/solution/extra contacts since I have bad eyes
– 1 pair of socks (walking in the rain to a gas station)
– extra underwear (been stuck overnight before)
The TP for both emergencies on the side of the road, or when the hotel has particularly bad paper themselves. Love the shower curtain as a drop cloth to check under the car. Planning on getting a silicon funnel that collapses flat to replace the standard one in my car to save space.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:28:08 +0000

I like the food idea. But what I do is throw a box of granola bars from costco (96 pieces). Its not that big and it will last you forever and it wont spoil for a while.

I also bring 600′ of pink streamer (basically pink 1″ rope) which is great for identifying your location and using as rope. Can be bought at Home Depot.

Extra hose clamps
Fishing wire
Emergency Strobe light (can be seen much further than other lights)
Multi-tool with auto-glass breaker/seatbelt (keep it next to the driver)

By: Iliya Peyson

Iliya Peyson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:49:33 +0000

Lots of good ideas here. Some stuff I missed in my own car kit.

Siphon pump with hose might be a good idea.

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:58:27 +0000

I wonder about the water. Among other things. I live in an area that gets below freezing for months out of the year. What do you do about extreme cold temperatures, and how do you protect your gear?
I do most of the work on my own vehicles, so I carry an insane amount of tools with me. I’m constantly in my car, so I carry a ton of my emergency supplies there. That way, if I’m home, or at work, I’m covered.

One thing I’ve seen, in living in upstate NY for 33 years, is people forget some basic car care skills or tips, and no one thinks of them until SHTF.

1. Don’t put things like a fire extinguisher in the trunk. You need to get at it ASAP. Bolt it under the driver seat if possible.
2. Spray all your locks and hinges with graphite. Keeps moisture out, and keeps locks from sticking in cold weather.
3. Spray all rubber seals, as well as tires (to prevent dry rot) with a silicone based spray (Black Magic Tire Wet). This keeps moisture from sticking your doors shut. (Don’t forget the trunk seals as well!)
4. If you have a car with a trunk, and a back seat that does not fold down, keep important items inside the car when possible. If you crash, get stuck, or whatever, and you need to get to those items, a trunk that is stuck shut will be your biggest obstacle. Keeping the seals clean, all the drains and hinges clean will reduce the chance your trunk gets stuck shut. I can’t count how many times I’ve had to help pry open someone’s trunk that was frozen shut to get a spare tire, or jack out.
5. Snatch strap. Not a traditional tow rope, but a flexible strap. The bungee like effect will help small cars pull out ones much heavier than a usual tow rope. I’ve pulled out 18 wheelers with my old car using this. Even if you don’t need it, someone else you come across might!

By: Robert Harmony

Robert Harmony — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:58:14 +0000

a siphon hose is good; an extra few gallons of gasoline or diesel fuel (small amounts of diesel are good for liquid fuel candles); a tire plugging kit for quick-fixing a tubeless tire ($5 or less at any auto parts store); water purification tablets and/or chlorox; large garbage sacks (not for refuse, but for raincoats, tarps and draped over a large hole in the ground to recover distilled water for drinking); a very good quality shovel to dig this hole, as well as to bury human waste and valuables–including canned food (you can bet that the chances of burglary/robbery are going to be dramatically increased); several hundred feet of light cordage (1/8 in diameter/plastic coated because it ties easily and securely)*; an full sized axe**; a couple of good chef knives; a whetstone; a CB radio; an am radio with several changes of AA batteries; a number of cigarette lighters/candles; the SAS survival handbook–because you don’t practice this every day. Consider the value of a bicycle! * ** essential for building a shelter to provide shade in hot environments as well as a haven in cold ones–to break up dried wood for fires (green wood WON’T burn!); a simple leaf rake has great value for collecting tinder–BUT THINK OF YOUR WATER SUPPLY FIRST***–saving a few dozen milk jugs full or even bringing along a pitcher pump might be useful ***you can go without food for days

By: Incindio

Incindio — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:47:24 +0000

I would also include some JB Weld, I have used that to repair a damaged radiator before. Maybe some silicone gasket maker and a siphon pump.

By: Zeroth McDowell

Zeroth McDowell — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:23:41 +0000

And don’t forget the extra ammunition and mags.

By: church

church — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:19:54 +0000

good list … got it covered all but the gas can I’ve spilled to to many gals. of fuel trying to carry extra… you need to add a axe or saw to your list cutting chunks of wood to place in the ruts is a main stay for redneck car removal

By: Doods

Doods — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:06:59 +0000

I would add an emergency windshield (clear plastic material sold in car shops), an extra fuel cap, and radiator cap. Yes those tire plug kit with some rubber plug and glue works in tandem with the mini compressor. An extended light that can be attached to the batteries or the cig lighter can help one work around the vehicle better. I also carry a cig lighter plugged hand held search light. Dont forget the EWD, any kind. MFCW. thanks.

By: Shadwolf

Shadwolf — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:46:08 +0000

this is a great idea, i’ve never thought of a car travel kit, the only thing i can think of right now to add is extra light bulbs for the car incase a bulb goes u dont want to have a crash because u cant see anything