My winter survival trunk tub

upnorth

upnorth

Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
7,038
I have had this tub in the car trunk for the last few weeks. I also have spruce branches for stove fuel, a one burner propane stove (slightly dangerous, only works to a certain temp and you need incoming oxygen). A shovel, a wool army blanket (in garbage bag), and the wardens one piece snow suit (in garbage bag). Oh ya, another camping blanket in the back seat. I have a Mora, lighters, and additional flammable materials in the glove box. The car is tuned and I have dedicated snow tires on it. I feel reasonably well covered. It has gotten to -40 something C lately, which is more like January weather around here, the extreme cold is a bit early this year. If you have any tips or additions to the kit, please tell me. Thanks.


 
An easy way to test if your gear is up to spec is to spend a night i your car in your driveway.

There are several categories of gear to have i a car

Stuff to keep the car running
Stuff to keep you warm
First aid
Food and water
Stuff to signal for help

Do you have a spare tire and the gear to change it? (Ever had to change a tire in -30c with no gloves... OUCH)
Booster cables?
Did you make it a routine to always have over a half tank of gas?
Did you check you are using winter grade fuel?

Sleeping bag rated for as cold as it gets where you are + equally beefy sleeping pad
Clothing for as cold as it gets where you are. Parka + balaclava +hat + gloves + wool mittens + overmittens + wool socks +thermal underwear (light + heavy so i can dress for the conditions) + insulated pants + boots.

Firstaid kit that suits your skill level
Water in freeze proof containers and a way to melt it when you need it
Freeze proof food

High visibility vests
Warning triangles
Signal flares

Chap stick
Toilet paper
Fully charged cell phone
Cell phone charger
Membership in an automobile association that gives roadside assistance
Somebody who knows which route you will be taking and knows to send help if needed.
 
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Snatch strap. The guy who stops and offers to pull you out of the ditch may not have one. Tire pump that runs off the cigarette lighter. Large coffee can with lid holds TP and baby wipes for sanitary purposes. And you can use the can if you don't want to crap outside. Be sure the jack that comes with your vehicle will lift it high enough to change a tire. I learned that the hard way with my 2011 Nissan Xterra.
 
Along with what else has been said I would switch the butane lighters for a zippo or matches. I find the butane lighters don't work too well in the cold, especially if they are freezing in the trunk.
Have you used those jumper cables? I carry mine always and they are usually used to give someone a boost who has little cables that are pretty much useless.
But you are way more prepared than I am on the road. An easily accessible first aid kit would be helpful too.
Oh ya, do you have a shovel? And a bag of sand/kitty litter to use for traction if you get stuck? I like to bring a lot of candles, but don't have a stove... make sure it wont use up to much oxygen to the point where the windows have to be wide open. I also have a bivey bag and a few of those emergency blankets. Don't forget a cell phone and charger.
Don't know what kind of vehicle you have or if you're handy but a tool box is always handy, again usually used to help others but handy none the less.
Get a quality tow strap and learn how to use it by yourself if you have to ie: flip flop winch.
This may not be an issue for you but I always bring a map. I went one time to a fishing spot someone told me about the night before and I got my wife and I stuck in the middle of nowhere and then a little lost for a bit. Nothing too dramatic, we got out and I found the fishing spot but she was a little ticked...and I wasted most of the day...drilled the holes with a couple hours of sunlight left. But a little wake up call how easily you can get stranded around here. Would have been a LONG time before someone found us.
Save travels this winter!
 
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sideways said:
An easy way to test if your gear is up to spec is to spend a night i your car in your driveway.

There are several categories of gear to have i a car

Stuff to keep the car running-YES
Stuff to keep you warm-YES
First aid-YES, but needs work
Food and water-YES
Stuff to signal for help-YES

Do you have a spare tire and the gear to change it? (Ever had to change a tire in -30c with no gloves... OUCH)-YES, and metal feels like fire when handled

Booster cables?-YES

Did you make it a routine to always have over a half tank of gas? YES, actually that is a habit of mine.

Did you check you are using winter grade fuel? No, I run regular but put gas line anti-freeze in during severely cold weather, I carry extra in the trunk.

Sleeping bag rated for as cold as it gets where you are + equally beefy sleeping pad-NO, but I have equivalents.

Clothing for as cold as it gets where you are. Parka + balaclava +hat + gloves + wool mittens + overmittens + wool socks +thermal underwear (light + heavy so i can dress for the conditions) + insulated pants + boots. YES, on all of that.

Firstaid kit that suits your skill level-YES, I have one of those basic orange zip bags and recent First Aid\CPR Training.

Water in freeze proof containers and a way to melt it when you need it-No to first, yes to second.

Freeze proof food-YES, dried fruit, dried soup noodles, sardines.

High visibility vests-YES, one, may also be pinned to outside of car in a whiteout condition at side of road.

Warning triangles -NO, see above.

Signal flares-NO, just a few packs of snap glow sticks.

Chap stick-NO

Toilet paper-YES

Fully charged cell phone-YES

Cell phone charger-YES, plugged into lighter receptacle

Membership in an automobile association that gives roadside assistance-NO, I have always performed my own vehicle maintenance etc.

Somebody who knows which route you will be taking and knows to send help if needed.-YES, if going for a long trip visit, otherwise no.
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*I had to add this or post was considered too short.*
 
Coyote3855 said:
Snatch strap. The guy who stops and offers to pull you out of the ditch may not have one. Tire pump that runs off the cigarette lighter. Large coffee can with lid holds TP and baby wipes for sanitary purposes. And you can use the can if you don't want to crap outside. Be sure the jack that comes with your vehicle will lift it high enough to change a tire. I learned that the hard way with my 2011 Nissan Xterra.
Click to expand...

Strap is a good call. I have that style tire compressor but I will rely on trunk spare, it has been checked. We usually have wipes in car. Jack situation is ok.
 
Sullie said:
Along with what else has been said I would switch the butane lighters for a zippo or matches. I find the butane lighters don't work too well in the cold, especially if they are freezing in the trunk.
Have you used those jumper cables? I carry mine always and they are usually used to give someone a boost who has little cables that are pretty much useless.
But you are way more prepared than I am on the road. An easily accessible first aid kit would be helpful too.
Oh ya, do you have a shovel? And a bag of sand/kitty litter to use for traction if you get stuck? I like to bring a lot of candles, but don't have a stove... make sure it wont use up to much oxygen to the point where the windows have to be wide open. I also have a bivey bag and a few of those emergency blankets. Don't forget a cell phone and charger.
Don't know what kind of vehicle you have or if you're handy but a tool box is always handy, again usually used to help others but handy none the less.
Get a quality tow strap and learn how to use it by yourself if you have to ie: flip flop winch.
This may not be an issue for you but I always bring a map. I went one time to a fishing spot someone told me about the night before and I got my wife and I stuck in the middle of nowhere and then a little lost for a bit. Nothing too dramatic, we got out and I found the fishing spot but she was a little ticked...and I wasted most of the day...drilled the holes with a couple hours of sunlight left. But a little wake up call how easily you can get stranded around here. Would have been a LONG time before someone found us.
Save travels this winter!
Click to expand...

I refuse to go up a dicey road, not worth getting stuck. And packing some good old wooden matches with the Butane lighters is a good call. Maybe toss in a couple of my sandwich bags with P.J. cotton balls\shaved fatwood. I'm in Saskatchewan bud, we both know what it's like in the winter when that sun goes down. :eek: :D
 
Ya I think I push it a bit too much some times...well back in the day anyway! Always pushing it for that next big fish or buck that's just over yonder...
Ya Canadian winters can get a little brisk after dark!
Where abouts are ya in Sask? I have done some camping and fishing in there...pretty much top to bottom.
 
upnorth said:
*I had to add this or post was considered too short.*
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have it pretty much covered. Good man!

Those warning triangles are good because you can set one up a couple hundred meters behind your vehicle to give other cars a heads up when you are stopped at the side of the road.

I guess a bow saw/ chain saw could be handy if you need to get fallen trees out of the way.

Signal flares serve double duty as fire starters.
 
Sullie said:
Ya I think I push it a bit too much some times...well back in the day anyway! Always pushing it for that next big fish or buck that's just over yonder...
Ya Canadian winters can get a little brisk after dark!
Where abouts are ya in Sask? I have done some camping and fishing in there...pretty much top to bottom.
Click to expand...

Down by Regina. I lived for a while by Lake Athabasca and did the lakers etc. there. Unbelievable fishing. Popped grouse and Ptarmigan. Then live in Prince Albert and that was on the edge of the Boreal and I did lakes up there mainly for pike. Now I'm south and we did perch last winter. Not much ambition for them through the hard water this time though, and I got a nice ice tent last winter. Ice fishing hits me every 2-3 years. I used to just slay whitefish in Lake Diefenbaker ! Dandy eating also fresh from the water with a beer batter coating, deep fried. Ya baby !
 
I may have exaggerated when I said from top to bottom...! Never been past Mirond Lake, or Pelican area in Saskatchewan. Never had much more luck than pike and walleye in Sask...only seen vieos of the rainbows caught in Diefenbaker...if that's what you call them!
I will be going ice fishing in duck mountain area this winter...a little less then half way for you and I. Let me know if the mood for some ice fishing strikes ya. We can fish some monster Brookies and decent lakers or rainbows...but not like Diefenbaker monsters...ha ha. I will mostly be going for brookies this winter, caught a few 20 plus inchers over the past two years. Just don't tell all your friends...
 
But seriously, let me know if you wanna go ice fishing and are up for the drive. It will be to Blue lakes...I think about 5 hours for you? Same as me
 
Invite may sound kinda weird...but all fisherfolk are good folk in my books. Ha. I have taken many a people fising...usually wealthy americans in Ontario but times are tough....guess even a rough rider fan will due...
 
Thanks bud, but I didn't get a license this year. And I'm penny pinching a bit now as I plan on doing a year through Mc Master online. B.T.W. I'm originally from Oshawa Ont., just a long time ago.
:D
Funny how people see things through different lenses. The native Guide that took me out for lakers at Lake Athabasca, as a freeby, guided folk from the USA also. He was an old guy and did it all his life. The U.S. folk would take pictures of a few trophy lakers and release them. Then the old native guide and his family netted them, which often ended up as dog food. He preferred to smoke whitefish. Crazy world huh ?
 
Ya guess its just old news to him...but still makes me cringe. Same reason I don't tell lots of people abut some of my spots because the locals will be there with nets in no time. I'm all about conservation, I love eating fish but practice selective harvesting.
Let me know if you change your mind, I'm itching to start the hard water season. Just finished finals-haven't been able to get out yet. Fishing and getting out are my rewards for school-I save up for it and it keeps me sane...going back to school seemed like a better idea a couple years ago! I procrastinated this year and missed out on hunting-still choked about it. Last year I missed out on some fishing trips because I just got too busy. I told my wife I vow to never be too busy for hunting or fishing again! She understands, I need to get out to feel completely relaxed...ha so in other words...congrats on school but make time for what you love!
 
I'd add a small flashlight loaded with either CR123s or Energizer lithium AA primaries. I didn't see it mentioned, but I also have one of those reflective vests that you use on construction sites, they take up no space/weight but can save your ass if you have to change a tire or other roadside repair on a narrow shoulder.
 
Ever consider the possibility of the tub itself cracking in freezing temperatures? I've had that happen. Happens less frequently when the tub is made out of more flexible/rubbery plastic.
 
Sufler said:
Ever consider the possibility of the tub itself cracking in freezing temperatures? I've had that happen. Happens less frequently when the tub is made out of more flexible/rubbery plastic.
Click to expand...

The tub made it through last winter, and as long as the junk is in da trunk all should be well. :D Thanks all for the input.
 
Grew up in Saskatchewan and my grandpa's farm is in Lake Lenore(north east of Humbolt)

We always had a full stocked trunk as dad and I would go on trapline sometimes 3 to 4 hrs from home. Spent 2 nights (separately) in snowcaves we dug, once due to mechanical and other time were stuck. The old man would have loved this site, he was a throwback to serious old school outdoorsmen......taught me plenty.

A pot with dry soup packages with some extra minute rice/egg noodles is worth taking, along with an old thermos. You'll find yourself using it often once you get in the habit. Nice for impromptu walks.....voluntary or otherwise.
 
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