Car kit for multi purposes question...

[tique]

I was wondering what the minimum one would need in a car kit for unplanned day hikes and roadside emergencies. I ask because I occasionally end up on an unplanned trip when I travel, and don't have all my gear with me. It would also double as a minimal hurricane evac kit since that is a real possibility down here. I always have two good folders, a leatherman supertool, and a couple LED's on me.

I'm looking to make a car kit that is reasonable... Don't want to spend a shitload of cash and would like it to be small and light enough to be portable on a spontanious dayhike...

My main problem is how much of a knife is needed? I usually(99% of the time) carry a Benchmade 730 of one model or another, but I think it's stupid to head into the woods without a fixed blade. But how much fixed blade is too much to invest into a kit of this type? I guess this would probably need to be a stainless blade since it's rather humid down here, and if it's in a car it won't be taken good care of. I considered some of the CRK one piece knives, but dislike the round handles and A2 isn't the best at resisting rust when I ignore it down here. I'm not worried about price, but being a production knife would be good since they are readily available and it's already hurricane season.

The rest of the kit will probably consist of a minimal first aid kit, some firestarting gear of some sort in a waterproof container, and some form of water/water procurement. I'd love to be able to fit this all into a decent sized Camelback rig for convienience if I need it for hiking since I want it to pull double duty. I'll probably toss in an Inova 24/7 for signaling as well.

 

[Tightwad]

In most cases the Red Cross recommended car kit
will do. Add a 12-16 in. machete and you should be
set with the stuff you already carry.

Remember........
The brand name of the equipment means nothing if
it's not useful to ALL members in the car. So teach
every menber of your family how to use this simple
but effective set up and you can ride easy

A boat load of cash on equipment will make YOU feel
better but will NOT buy any more saftey.

 

[storyville]

I go on a day hike, alone or with friends, nearly every week of the year -- usually 2-4 hours, but occasionally longer, and usually here in Orange County or the surrounding areas: coastal hills and beaches, Cleveland Nat'l Forest, beautiful local canyons. Everything I need, plus some, fits into a Deuter cycling backpack (Camelback style), with a nifty air-venting space between my back and the pack: water pouch, windbreaker, thermal undershirt, ferro rod +tinder, space blanket, 50' paracord roll, basic first aid. I still have room for a siltarp and a few other things, as necessary. Around my neck, I usually have a pair of good binocs, which I can also secure to the outside of the pack.

I usually carry a 4" fixed and a Leatherman Wave and enjoy having them, but honestly I rarely use them. Like most of the other stuff, they are really more for "emergency" than routine use. For overnight or longer outings, of course, they become more useful. But for day hikes I usually stay on or close to established trails.

I keep lots of stuff in two other packs in my car, useful for hiking and emergencies. Extra clothing and an old pair of hiking boots (w/wool socks and liners stuffed in them) are always nice to have in the trunk, for spontaneous outings or emergencies. I can elaborate more on these kits, if you're interested. (The only fixed in my car is a Frosts Mora clipper, btw. Been meaning to "upgrade" but is all I really need in a knife.)

Can't help much for hurricane prep! But I imagine, as with all emergencies, one should keep enough shelter, signaling, clean water, and first aid supplies to keep oneself safe, alert, and comfortable for 3-4 days. Tailor accordingly for your environment.

Now, off to BBQ. Happy Independence Day, all!

Glen

 

[Hotrod]

For the road side emergency... what kind of car? Metric or standard

You'll want:

A 3/8ths ratchet set metric/standard
Box wrenches
Lug wrench
1/4 drive ratchet set
Duct tape
Bailing wire
Adjustable wrench
Side cutters
Needle nose pliers
Vise grips
Jumper cables
Voltmeter
Spare fuses
Speaker wire (quick rewirings)
Electrical tape
Some plastic tape for radiator hoses (only sticks to its self, lasts longer then duct tape)
Can of fix a flat
Tire plugger
small cig outlet powered air compressor!

Extra's
Sheet metal screws
Small hack saw
Multitool
Files (one chain saw style, one medium sized metal/wood)
Aluminum foil
Latex gloves or mechanix (made out of nomex, fire proof... ya cant touch a hot exhaust manifold an not get burned)

That'll get most everything back together if its fixable without new parts!

Depending on how far out in the woods your going... ya might want an extra few gallongs of gas, and a cell phone (and a AAA card)

The only big things you have to worry about are:
Radiator cracking

Radiator hose blowing and losing all fluid (you can use plain old water to refil if its not in teh winter time... just get a 50/50 mix back in before winter! We dont like cracked blocks)

Most cars can still go with out powersteering

Brakes can be a problem... if ya blow a line, remember the vise grips? nows a good time to use them, clamp the line right at the break and dont push the pedal to hard)

Motors cant run without oil, a piece of sheet metal over the oil filter with a hose clamp to keep it on may save your tail.

You might want to valve any oil coolers, tranny coilers etc so if ya knock it out you dont have to big a problem and "might" be able to limp it home.

If the car is fairly new... and you fry a computer, your stuck...

Pickup a chiltons/haynes manual on your car/truck at the auto parts store and keep it in the vehicle after you read through it... start doing oil changes/brake jobs yourself, get to know the car. Might just save your butt some time down the road.

Whew! Road side assistance lol!

Hopefully I didnt miss anything, around town you may not need ALL of that, but long distance middle of no where driving, may come in handy!

Good luck with the rest of your kit, I dont feel qualified to help with the rest

 

[mithril]

it has an article on page 34 that deals with a very similar topic. Entitled: "Cook Pot Survival Kit" by Bradley Shane; the author uses an MSR Stowaway pot as the basis for survival kits he has in every family members' car. If you haven't seen one of those pots yet, it is stainless and the pot handle folds over the top to lock the lid in place, and(in his kits) sealing all supplies inside. It's a nifty little idea and fairly well thought out.

Mith.