Oh this should be a fun one :-D
Basically what do you carry for emergency gear, what do you think would be good to carry for emergency gear, etc.
I'll kick things off with a starter list.
A spare tire, preferably full sized
A Lug Wrench
A Car jack
1ft square of OSB or Plywood (to support jack in soft ground)
3-4 1 Foot sections of 2x4 (for chocking wheels)
Tire Inflator
Jumper Cables
Spare fuses and fuse puller
Portable jump starter
Multimeter
Wrenches
Leatherman style multitool
Sand
Recovery straps
Hand winch
Traction aids
Tire Chains
Duct tape
Packing tape
Drop cloth
Garbage bags
Rope
Steel Utility Wire
Zip Ties
Strike anywhere matches
Pilar Candles
Fat Soup Can
Glow Sticks
Handwarmers
Road Flares
Road hazard light
Flashlights (with Lithium Batteries)
Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats
Adhesive Bandages, Wound Dressing, and Elastic Bandage
Medications (Asprin, Immodium)
Tweezers
I have two emergency kits for my car. I've never had to use them and I hope I never have to.
Duplicate, maybe? Can't tell. https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=16599
^^^
We've done this a couple times over the years.
Two spare tires, one full size and one donut.
Quote from: 1 on March 07, 2022, 09:20:06 PM
Duplicate, maybe? Can't tell. https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=16599
.
I would say similar, but not really identical in purpose. I'm interested in creating a comprehensive list of emergency gear, but that list is equally reflective of things you bring on a trip that have no emergency function.
For example, I bring my Camera on every road trip, but its not emergency gear.
I did search for emergency kits before posting this, saw a few other threads, but they were not really what I was shooting for here.
Quote from: 1 on March 07, 2022, 09:20:06 PM
Duplicate, maybe? Can't tell. https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=16599
I posted in that earlier thread, and won't repeat myself here.
I don't go on trips with an emergency function.
Quote from: oscar on March 07, 2022, 09:59:53 PM
Quote from: 1 on March 07, 2022, 09:20:06 PM
Duplicate, maybe? Can't tell. https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=16599
I posted in that earlier thread, and won't repeat myself here.
Same here, except that the one change to my prior post is that I eventually got a car charger for my mobile phone (but only because a prior employer was giving away car chargers, so of course I took one).
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 07, 2022, 10:04:39 PM
Same here, except that the one change to my prior post is that I eventually got a car charger for my mobile phone (but only because a prior employer was giving away car chargers, so of course I took one).
I have a cellphone charger for each of my cars, which stay there full-time plugged into an auxiliary power outlet. But more often as not I'll use them during local travel, if my phone happens to run low on juice close to home, so I don't consider them "emergency gear".
Also a portable air compressor for each car. My larger car inherited the truck-size compressor scavenged from the pickup truck it replaced, before I consigned that truck to the junk heap.
Quote from: oscar on March 08, 2022, 01:09:55 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 07, 2022, 10:04:39 PM
Same here, except that the one change to my prior post is that I eventually got a car charger for my mobile phone (but only because a prior employer was giving away car chargers, so of course I took one).
I have a cellphone charger for each of my cars, which stay there full-time plugged into an auxiliary power outlet. But more often as not I'll use them during local travel, if my phone happens to run low on juice close to home, so I don't consider them "emergency gear".
Also a portable air compressor for each car. My larger car inherited the truck-size compressor scavenged from the pickup truck it replaced, before I consigned that truck to the junk heap.
The cell chargers are so common these days I don't think most of us think of them as emergency gear, but on the other hand, unlike a Camera, they are an important piece of equipment, so worth including on the list more as a reminder that everyone should have one.
One word of caution however, is that some vehicles have outlets that are always hot. This can be an advantage in some circumstances, but can also drain batteries with devices left plugged in. (I am going to do a power draw assessment on some of this stuff at some point)
Yeah, my 2020 Nissan Rogue's outlet is like that. Have to remember to unplug the charger.
Quote from: oscar on March 08, 2022, 01:09:55 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 07, 2022, 10:04:39 PM
Same here, except that the one change to my prior post is that I eventually got a car charger for my mobile phone (but only because a prior employer was giving away car chargers, so of course I took one).
I have a cellphone charger for each of my cars, which stay there full-time plugged into an auxiliary power outlet. But more often as not I'll use them during local travel, if my phone happens to run low on juice close to home, so I don't consider them "emergency gear".
Also a portable air compressor for each car. My larger car inherited the truck-size compressor scavenged from the pickup truck it replaced, before I consigned that truck to the junk heap.
I don't really consider the charger "emergency gear" per se, but the absence of one was mentioned in my comment in the prior thread, so that's why I mentioned it here. The prior thread wasn't limited to "emergency gear," to be sure.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 07, 2022, 09:11:56 PM
Oh this should be a fun one :-D
Basically what do you carry for emergency gear, what do you think would be good to carry for emergency gear, etc.
I'll kick things off with a starter list.
A spare tire, preferably full sized
A Lug Wrench
A Car jack
1ft square of OSB or Plywood (to support jack in soft ground)
3-4 1 Foot sections of 2x4 (for chocking wheels)
Tire Inflator
Jumper Cables
Spare fuses and fuse puller
Portable jump starter
Multimeter
Wrenches
Leatherman style multitool
Sand
Recovery straps
Hand winch
Traction aids
Tire Chains
Duct tape
Packing tape
Drop cloth
Garbage bags
Rope
Steel Utility Wire
Zip Ties
Strike anywhere matches
Pilar Candles
Fat Soup Can
Glow Sticks
Handwarmers
Road Flares
Road hazard light
Flashlights (with Lithium Batteries)
Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats
Adhesive Bandages, Wound Dressing, and Elastic Bandage
Medications (Asprin, Immodium)
Tweezers
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
And are there that many weather related emergencies in Philly? I could see that stuff if you lived in Alaska...
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
And if your car is that unreliable, maybe take the thousands of dollars spent on a massive emergency kit and just put it towards a new car.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 08, 2022, 10:09:31 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
And if your car is that unreliable, maybe take the thousands of dollars spent on a massive emergency kit and just put it towards a new car.
I didn't even carry spare fuses when I was into OHV trails in the desert states. There has to be some sort of story to this fuse thing.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:11:57 AM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 08, 2022, 10:09:31 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
And if your car is that unreliable, maybe take the thousands of dollars spent on a massive emergency kit and just put it towards a new car.
I didn't even carry spare fuses when I was into OHV trails in the desert states. There has to be some sort of story to this fuse thing.
If I go on a 4WD road out here in the mountains, I just make sure I have warm clothes, water, snacks, and my Ryobi air compressor. Granted, I'm not taking trails with no one else around, otherwise I'd install a winch and have full recovery gear.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
I can count the number of fuses I've had to replace in my lifetime on one hand.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 10:34:26 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
I can count the number of fuses I've had to replace in my lifetime on one hand.
I can count them on a snail's hand.
What drivability-critical things might be fixed by replacing a fuse? I've only dealt with fuses related to climate control, radio, etc.
I suppose various parts of the ignition system?
Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 10:47:01 AM
What drivability-critical things might be fixed by replacing a fuse? I've only dealt with fuses related to climate control, radio, etc.
I suppose various parts of the ignition system?
One repair a lot via the fuse box was in my 2010 Camaro was the spark retarding when lower than 91 octane gas was detected. Basically the 5 fuse and 10 fuse (I think, it's been years) had to be pulled to reset the spark for 91 octane since the ECU wouldn't do it automatically.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 07, 2022, 09:23:21 PM
^^^
We've done this a couple times over the years.
Two spare tires, one full size and one donut.
How about no spare tires and a bag of donuts? LOL!
When I was dealing used cars, we had a 4WD pickup with canopy. It was filled up with gear to make sure after buying rigs at dealer-only auctions, that we could make sure to get them home. Distance to Eugene: about 110 miles. Distance to Salem: about 160 miles. Distance to PDX: About 220 miles. All the stuff we had in the pickup was sure handy to have when bringing vehicles of unknown quality back home.
Rick
The only times I've ever messed with fuses are (a) when we were tailgating and I wanted to keep the trunk lid open all day but I didn't want the trunk light staying on as a drain on the battery so I pulled the appropriate fuse and (b) two or three times when my Acura TL experienced a software bug related to the Bluetooth system not shutting off properly and the solution I found online involved pulling a particular fuse in order to avoid a dead battery.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
I do not drive exclusively in the east, I sometimes drive in very desolate parts of the west that lack cell phone service.
I think I have replaced all of one fuse, but considering they take up almost no room, weigh virtually nothing, and don't expire its not a bad thing to have.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 08, 2022, 10:09:31 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road. That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.
And if your car is that unreliable, maybe take the thousands of dollars spent on a massive emergency kit and just put it towards a new car.
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership. And I have only ever replaced 1 fuse that I can remember.
However, the reliability of your car is not a reason to skip the fuses, since electrical faults do occur, sometimes for transient operating conditions that would affect any vehicle.
Also no new car on the market is going to be more reliable than mine electrically speaking, just in terms of the number of components and the complexity of the system you are looking at a higher component fail rate.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
I'd rather be able to fit my groceries in the trunk than have a bunch of random crap that I might have a 0.001% chance of ever using.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.
Quote from: US 89 on March 08, 2022, 11:24:30 AM
I'd rather be able to fit my groceries in the trunk than have a bunch of random crap that I might have a 0.001% chance of ever using.
The list of what I keep in the car isn't necessarily the same for a road trip as for a trip to the grocery store.
Quote from: US 89 on March 08, 2022, 11:24:30 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
I'd rather be able to fit my groceries in the trunk than have a bunch of random crap that I might have a 0.001% chance of ever using.
False dichotomy fallacy, there is no reason they need be mutually exclusive. Most of my gear goes in the spare tire well, which is space you would never be putting your groceries anyway. A small box of other items in the trunk and a handful stashed in the glove box and that is it. I can still put $400 worth of groceries in the trunk with ease. And that is in the small car.
Nor is that stuff "random" it is chosen to fulfill particular purposes.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.
Read the above. I have carried this gear in the car while also carrying 4 other people and a trunk full of groceries or other cargo. Its just in how its packed.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:29:45 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.
Read the above. I have carried this gear in the car while also carrying 4 other people and a trunk full of groceries or other cargo. Its just in how its packed.
Yeah, well, I've carried that gear and 4 other people and groceries or other cargo inside of me. If it's on the Internet, it must be true.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.
Most of what he listed doesn't really take up all that much space and/or are fairly easy to pack efficiently. The bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries). I'm guessing his kit probably only takes up about twice as much space as mine.
The issue I see, however, is that his kit doesn't include any engine fluids.
Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AMThe bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).
And the following:
Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats
Although all of that can be stored in those vacuum-sealed bags, which would help.
Still seems like a lot - our Tucson came with a first aid kit, and we own jumper cables, but I've used those to jump-start someone else's car far more than I've used them to jump-start my own car. I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself. But I've also never taken a roadtrip that wasn't mainly on Interstates or any other road where it's likely there will be cell service, and I know how to put up my hood to signal to the highway patrol that I'm in need of help.
Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.
Most of what he listed doesn't really take up all that much space and/or are fairly easy to pack efficiently. The bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries). I'm guessing his kit probably only takes up about twice as much space as mine.
The issue I see, however, is that his kit doesn't include any engine fluids.
I will say that on some longer trips I have carried oil and distilled water (the latter being dual purpose) when I was in more desolate parts of the country.
I don't carry the brake fluid, steering fluid, etc. because generally if either has leaked enough to need refilling it will be a requirement to fix the leak which although it can sometimes be done roadside is more than I might be able to do without more tools.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AMThe bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).
And the following:
Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats
Although all of that can be stored in those vacuum-sealed bags, which would help.
Still seems like a lot - our Tucson came with a first aid kit, and we own jumper cables, but I've used those to jump-start someone else's car far more than I've used them to jump-start my own car. I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself. But I've also never taken a roadtrip that wasn't mainly on Interstates or any other road where it's likely there will be cell service, and I know how to put up my hood to signal to the highway patrol that I'm in need of help.
Although it is possible to wait for or call for help, it is in many cases much faster to fix it yourself. I can jump my own car or change a tire faster than AAA can get to me, even in town.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:42:40 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AMThe bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).
And the following:
Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats
Although all of that can be stored in those vacuum-sealed bags, which would help.
Still seems like a lot - our Tucson came with a first aid kit, and we own jumper cables, but I've used those to jump-start someone else's car far more than I've used them to jump-start my own car. I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself. But I've also never taken a roadtrip that wasn't mainly on Interstates or any other road where it's likely there will be cell service, and I know how to put up my hood to signal to the highway patrol that I'm in need of help.
Although it is possible to wait for or call for help, it is in many cases much faster to fix it yourself. I can jump my own car or change a tire faster than AAA can get to me, even in town.
Re jumping your own car, yes, that's why I said I carry jumper cables.
Re changing a tire, most of the time, yes, but there have been a few times where I couldn't do it myself, and that happens so infrequently, my AAA membership will do.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
And the following:
Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats
Hopefully, if the weather is cold enough to require those, then you're already packing them anyway. And I keep a blanket in my car at all times anyway; it keeps my other emergency kit items covered up.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself.
If my car is losing fluids due to a leak, then I probably can't fix it myself either. But fixing the leak isn't the point of carrying fluids. The point is to keep the reservoir full until you're done with your trip–at which point you can take it to a mechanic. I've done plenty of road trips with vehicles that slowly leaked oil and/or coolant before, and those extra bottles sure have come in handy on occasion. Before my last vehicle threw a rod last year, our family took a trip to Galveston Island; once along the way in each direction, and once while we were there, I topped off the motor oil. Heck, I now carry five gallons of water on every road trip we take because we were once stranded in far western Colorado in 100°F heat, a radiator run dry, and no cell reception; the only reason we were able to drive to Grand Junction is that we were able to put three gallons of water in the radiator.
I have had to replace two or three car fuses over 30 years of driving. Last time was a few years ago for a 2016 Nissan Versa.
That said, I don't keep spares in the car. As someone else said, I haven't had one go out that was driving critical. I just go to a parts store and pick one up when needed...which obviously hasn't been that often.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.
Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 08, 2022, 05:37:22 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.
Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.
I am really starting to feel some projection here, like perhaps you do drive a school bus but want to make everyone think I do?
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 05:43:05 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 08, 2022, 05:37:22 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.
Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.
I am really starting to feel some projection here, like perhaps you do drive a school bus but want to make everyone think I do?
Nah, I drive a 2009 Pontiac G6, as I've said multiple times on this forum. I just don't get all pretentious and call my car the Ultimate Roadtrip Car and act like it's God's gift to the Eisenhower Interstate System.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 05:43:05 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 08, 2022, 05:37:22 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.
Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.
Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.
I am really starting to feel some projection here, like perhaps you do drive a school bus but want to make everyone think I do?
Mouthing off to an admin may not end the way you want it to.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 06:37:07 PM
Mouthing off to an admin may not end the way you want it to.
Admins are regular users here. I got into a debate with Scott5114 about probability a few months ago, and there was nothing even resembling a warning.
In general, my policy is if I'm involved in a heated discussion with someone else and they do something I feel like is sanctionable, I'll just message the other mods what I saw and one of them can act if they feel it's appropriate. I don't like giving the appearance of a conflict of interest.
In general, we tend to try to avoid warning anyone unless we can point to something on the list of rules that's been violated. Merely disagreeing with me is not on that list (and there are some people on here I disagree with all the time, but I still enjoy their presence on the forum).