Small survival kit for my truck

Pete1977

Pete1977

Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
3,378
I'm planning a road trip next week and have been putting together a small survival kit to keep in my truck.

So far I have:

Sleeping bag
Several fathoms of commercial fishing grade three strand rope in 3/8 and I think 1/2 inch diameter, nylon/polypropylene mix
Blue handled stainless, 1/2 serrated Frosts Mora fixed blade
Gerber Gator combo hatchet and fixed blade knife
50 feet of 5/32 inch (No.5) orange paracord
Smiths 2 step knife sharpener with carbide and ceramic elements. (the yellow one)
Compass
Victorinox Recruit
Leatherman (the old style)
Mini Mag-lite
Bic lighter
Machete

I normally carry on my person a swiss army knife (Alox Cadet), Buck 110, Schrade 96OT, Atlantic Salt PE, 230-800kg stainless carabiner on my keys, cel phone, lighter, wallet, ID, etc.

I'll also have in my car a Garmin GPS, Richie compass, another mini mag-lite, and a timex expedition watch, warm clothes, etc.

Am I missing anything? Any and all input is greatly appreciated. I plan to keep the survival kit in a waterproof seabag in the bed of my truck (I have a locking bed cap.)

Thanks,
Pete
 
Something to eat or drink, tinder for a fire, rain gear/poncho/tarp, leather gloves, extra batteries?
 
I am planning on an altoids tin of vaseline soaked cotton balls for tinder (unless there is a better option- I'm trained at survival at sea, but have never done any serious outdoor land camping) and bringing spare AA batteries, plus, if my girlfriend remembers, her mother got me a LED flashlight that operates by a hand crank as backup. I am a commercial fisherman by trade and so I have Grundens rain gear, insulated rubber boots, insulated polyvinyl gloves, wool and fleece hats, and extra winter clothing (a lot) in the bed of the truck. I am of the school of thought to protect your head, core, and feet from the elements and keep them warm and dry. I have a case of bottled water in the truck at all times anyhow. What kind of canned food should I look into. I am unemployed and am trying to keep expenses down, and am using things that I have around and don't use otherwise for this kit.

The truck is an '04 Dakota and in excellent condition, new tires, spare tire, and jack. I have a ratchet set in one of the locking tool compartments. Should I pick up a spare oil filter, spare quarts of oil, a jerry can in case I need to hoof it for fuel (I doubt I will, as I am religious about keeping the truck fueled on long trips) etc? I have a ton of room in the bed and the cap locks.

I read somewhere about using wood shavings in the cups of an egg carton and filling the cups with melted wax to use as tinder. I might take my brother's full sized mag lite as well. I am fastidious about keeping track of the weather, and we'll be taking a coastal route (MA to NC Outer Banks), so I'm thinking about taking a mini transistor NOAA weather radio (AAA battery operated).

ETA: I considered getting a large tarp, but if it came to hunkering down for the night, there is plenty of room in the bed of the truck for two people. I might throw the poncho/tarp in anyhow, and a heavy wool blanket I think is lying around here somewhere. This is an exersize in resourcefulness and frugality, rather than a best tools money can buy venture. I've been planning on putting a kit like this together for a while, but live and travel in mainly urban areas, so have not had the need so far to do so.

thanks,

Pete
 
Maps, maps, and maps. A gps is only as good as the batteries.

Also a second on food and water. If it's for your truck, you have the room. Also a small trioxane stove and fuel or something like that so you don't have to mess with starting a fire.

One thing to do is to imagine various scenarios. Are you likely to need to stay with your truck or to leave it. That will greatly effect your choices.

Charles
 
Shovel. Hi-Lift jack. Tow straps. Big 5 gallon water container. One of those fire logs too, screw the tinder you got a truck. Bring some white gas too.
 
I built a first aid-kit that stays in my vehicle in a waterproof container. Don't forget to include a couple of ace bandages, and an ice pack. Kit doesn't have to be that big, but it beats electrical tape and toilet paper.....
 
thanks for the replies guys-

I have maps of the entire east coast and the gulf coast of florida, as well as AAA tripmaps.
I have a shovel as well. and well broken in shoes.

I'm compiling a first aid kit for the truck as well, I'm using a spare one we had for the boat.

Ilbruche- I'm trying to compile this kit with what I already have or can scrounge up locally. What is white gas? I don't want to carry anything explosive or highly flammable. How about a fire log? expensive or exotic? or easy to come by?

thanks again,
pete
 
Where do you live? Where are you going? And what kind of driving do you do? Recommendations for rural Montana vs dowtown Atlanta will be different.
 
Pete1977 said:
Ilbruche- I'm trying to compile this kit with what I already have or can scrounge up locally. What is white gas? I don't want to carry anything explosive or highly flammable. How about a fire log? expensive or exotic? or easy to come by?

thanks again,
pete
Click to expand...

White gas is Coleman fuel. If you don't want flammable you don't want white gas.

The fire logs are sold at most grocery stores. They are the kind for your fireplace. You just set fire to the bag it comes in. I packed one to the top of Weaver Needle in Arizona before. Not much good wood so you have to bring your own. We are on top of the shadow you see in the picture. :eek:

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a metal pot to boil water and/or melt snow - it's good to carry water but it's also good to be able to make more

also some way to purify water like a filter or chemical treatment

maybe some candles to warm the cab

duct tape is always handy stuff to have around

and definitely include that radio

and that tarp - maybe you have to leave the truck and hike somewhere, you'll need shelter to do it
 
I carry stuff based on where I'm going somewhat but this time of year cold / hypothermia is a big concern if you get stranded. One of those fat candles that is just trimmed enough to fit in a small coffee can is always in the kit somewhere. It lights easy, will burn for hours, gives off light and heat.

Most have mentioned things I I would have as well. One thing to think about is how remote, and how long you'd think you could be stranded worse case. With that in mind I usually have my box loaded with stuff that would be more of an impromptu camping kit that survival. If your at your vehicle then you should be quite comfy even if things aren't going as planned.
Your considerations should be the same as hiking though.
Shelter - In place? Possibly, but I've slept in the bed of a truck and it was colder than I expected. A sleeping pad, bag, wool blanket, wool socks, and a tarp would be in there for me. Even a small tent doesn't take up that much space. In summer I keep a hammock in the box.
Food/Water - I would bring a 5gl container, and filter. Metal cup or mess kit & canteen . Dried food, protein bars, dried fruit, jerky. I get large bags then vacuum seal into portions.
Fire / heat source - This can be one of the most taken for granted points IMHO. The candle is easy, a weatherproof lighter and your good right? I like to have a hatchet, folding saw, fatwood, and a small can of lighter fluid.

If you can boil water and eat a hot meal before you lay up you'll rest better. The fire can warm you and seems to help people keep a strong mental attitude when stranded. Staying hydrated may require heat if it's freezing out. Make sure to drain your filter before storing it.
Someone above mentioned a shovel, tow strap, snow chains, and I'll add a high lift jack with some means of attaching the tow strap for a make-do winch. A lot depends on where your at.
 
Hi Pete1977,

Does your emergency gear include a reflective safety vest? It is a good thing to have, to help you be seen in the dark if you have a breakdown on the side of the road, or if you have gone off road even.
 
I always have a pack of flares, 4 or 5 military surplus type. Multi-use things, they can start a wet wood fire and are, obviously, great for signalling. I can find 'em at a local surplus store for maybe $10 for the group. That's all I can really think of as it sounds like you have a great kit put together. Have fun!!
 
Geez...it's a drive on the highway not a trek across the rockies! I figure he'll take I95??

How about a credit card, a cell phone, a handgun (if you break down at night), some extra clothes if you have to wait in the truck if you break down, and one of those big giant foam thumbs for hitch hiking if the truck breaks down.
 
Most likely I will take I-95 until Delaware, when I will get on 13 and down the Delmarva peninsula, make a pit stop in Chincoteague, and continue on down the coast to the Outer Banks. Weather permitting of course. Force of habit causes me to monitor weather conditions religiously. I have driven the east coast from Boston to Florida more times than I can count, and depending on the route, there are some desolate areas. I am a firm believer in being prepared for any eventuality. The James Kim story of last year comes to mind.

thanks for all the input so far, folks. It has proven very useful.

pete
 
2 qt. cooking pot. And borrow any old white gas stove you can find, for hot coffee and soup. In cold weather, you need hot drinks and sometimes hot food. Play with the stove at home, in order to get the hang of it, before you hit the road.

Put some piece of foam down in the back of your truck. You'll sleep better with some kind of soft, warm mattress under you.
 
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