Winter Car Kit, for when you are stuck somewhere for a while.

[bacon#1]

All good suggestions but don't forget. Just to pass the time.

 

[philo]

All good suggestions but don't forget. Just to pass the time.

yes, antifreeze is always important.

also don't forget the tire chains. They kept me from spending the night in my car a couple of times.

Floor mats can also be repurposed as traction devices in a pinch.

 

[igotdiesel2]

I would add a strobe light for the top of your vehicle. In case you are off the road a ways someone will see the strobe through the weather from the road and know someone is there. They can be had for cheap and plug into the acc plug. -Jason

I always carry a tow strap, jumper cables and a jump pack behind the seat of my truck. I have helped plenty of people out of ditches. I also put a rubbermaid container with my bibs, army jacket, winter boots with extra socks in the truck in the winter. It sits in the middle of the back seat with plenty of room for the kiddies to sit on each side. My travels don't take me to dark corners of countryside to often, so I don't pack stuff to stay with my truck. I will go for help if need be.

 

[KittySlayer]

And cardboard is damn slippery with snow. Cardboard makes an INCREDIBLE impromptu sled. Not sure how cardboard=traction in this kit. Is there another use for it? (to kneel on, etc)

Car mats work as an alternative to cardboard.

Dont overlook checking the air pressure in your spare tire.

 

[tc556guy]

I'd add more MREs; not like they'll go bad in the winter and you'll be stuck a while in a bad storm
More chem lights
I'd add more clothing like long underwear.
Road flares.
Kitty litter, pea gravel or some form of traction-adding material. I used to carry a bucket of ash from the local coal plant. Mixed with salt it worked great
A headlamp with extra batteries to light up what you're working on while keeping hands free.
Extra boots
hand and feet warmers.
Extra blankets...real blankets, not an emergency blanket
Consider a sleeping bag.
An empty gas can to go for fuel when you run your tank dry after running your car for heat.
Hopefully you keep a full emergency med kit and car tool kit, to include emergency triangles...

 

[warthog]

Good stuff. Thanks for the ideas and I will post again once it is all set up and done. Thanks a lot

 

[warthog]

I think I have this one done. Thank you for the suggestions.
I will post a picture when itis all assembled, I am sure you can't wait.

I think this one will be the best kit I have carried around with me for the winter yet.
Let's all hope and pray none of us get stuck for any length of time but if it happens, be prepared.

 

[dprimm]

What are the "survival" candles? We keep tea candles in our cars. I've used them in small tents and found the tent incredibly warm (pup tent).

Matches. Waterproofed.

 

[Bill B]

Tylenol
toilet paper

 

[printcraft]

subscribe..... but I don't like it.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Don't forget the duct tape!

 

[warthog]

Don't forget the duct tape!

That is always in the car, winter, spring,summer andfall. hard not to have around it is so useful.

 

[Zoub]

People. Pack people. They can dig and push.

Where I live, if you get stuck, it could automatically mean an overnight stay if you get stuck at the wrong time. Local towing guys will plow their way to you if necessary but it helps that they know you. If you are out here and stuck first question is why? So don't go after dark where you don't know. Towing insurance I think is an extra dollar per month?

Good map so you can tell people where you are, assuming you have cell coverage.

Two tow straps are #1 on board. Most people don't have one. Here they do, but you may need two if you are stuck far enough off the road.

Healthy or not, you never get stuck when rested and have energy to burn. Light weight shovel that's not overly large, like a break down snow rescue shovel. Black Diamond Deploy is a good one. When its -35 out, shovels get heavy fast. Too big also equals too much snow per scoop at odd angles.

Skills and knowledge trump gear. Example, trim a cheap space blanket to fit Windows and tape up. Reflects heat back into vehicle, reduces heat loss through glass.

Proper clothing in a duffel. If you get out to dig, you will end up wet.

 

[ghuns]

Other than Zoub, where the hell do you people live?

I spent my whole life in da great white nort, primetime lake effect country, living on a road prone to epic snow drifts, and have yet to have a winter joy ride turn into a survival situation.

Boots, parka, bibs, and a shovel, is all I add in the winter months. The tow strap and jumper cables never leave.

 

[KittySlayer]

People. Pack people. They can dig and push.

And if you run out of MRE's just crack open your Donner Party cookbook.

 

[tc556guy]

Other than Zoub, where the hell do you people live?

I spent my whole life in da great white nort, primetime lake effect country, living on a road prone to epic snow drifts, and have yet to have a winter joy ride turn into a survival situation.

Boots, parka, bibs, and a shovel, is all I add in the winter months. The tow strap and jumper cables never leave.

Just because it's never happened doesn't mean that it can't happen to you

 

[ghuns]

Just because it's never happened doesn't mean that it can't happen to you

True. But I'll keep livin dangerously.

 

[eldirector]

Different people, different kits.

My wife has a "stay put, I'll come get you" kit.

Mine is more "Dang. I may be here for a while." coupled with a bunch of "Stay put, I'm on my way."

 

[Blackhawk2001]

Other than Zoub, where the hell do you people live?

I spent my whole life in da great white nort, primetime lake effect country, living on a road prone to epic snow drifts, and have yet to have a winter joy ride turn into a survival situation.

Boots, parka, bibs, and a shovel, is all I add in the winter months. The tow strap and jumper cables never leave.

Never been stuck on a freeway for 9 hours because of a 50-car pileup two miles ahead of you? Lucky guy . . .

 

[Blackhawk2001]

Along with tea bags, I keep a jar of bullion cubes in my emergency stash. And for the guy upthread who asked: "emergency candles" come in all sizes but generally will burn for 12 hours or more. That's a bit longer than your average tea candle will burn.

Keep in mind that any battery-powered lights are less efficient and less long-lived in cold weather and plan accordingly.