Vehicle Pack Thread: What else do I need?

[Guyon]

People usually like these sorts of threads. So anyway...

I moved some gear and packs around. The Maxpedition Baby Condor (shown below) has had gun stuff stored in it for a long time, but I decided to press it into use as my truck pack.
The idea is, as usual, that I'll have some grab-and-go gear if the need to leave the vehicle should arise. Impromptu hikes, a vehicle malfunction, whatever...

This isn't a bug-out bag in the sense of everything I'd need to live for 6 weeks out of house.
In addition, this isn't a vehicle emergency bag. My truck tool box has plenty of tools as well as emergency gear.
This pack is for me leaving the vehicle on foot. It could be a rural scenario, or it could be an urban one.

Here's the stuff I stuck in there so far. What else do I need?

• For food prep, I have a canteen stove and canteen, with two heat sources, Esbit tabs and a Trangia with extra fuel in a bottle.
• Cutting tools include a BK-2 and a small Leatherman mini. Also in the sheath tin is an ESEE arrowhead (spear).
• As far as fire prep, I have some PCJB's (in sheath kit), a mini Bic, a Swedish fire steel, and a pack of storm proof matches (in tube).
• For light, I have a Surefire 6P with a long burning Malkoff drop-in, as well as a couple of mini lights (Photon II and a County Comm version).
• I have a basic first-aid kit. There's water in the canteen.
• There's also about 75' of paracord.
• Directional aids include a large lensatic compass and a button compass in the sheath kit.
• There are two emergency whistles, a big ACR flattie and a small one integrated into the Swedish fire steel. (ACR is a LOT louder.)
• For coverage, I have an emergency poncho and a space blanket.
• Finally, there's a small set of Steiner binocs that I use for all sorts of things (sporting events, birding, scouting hunting spots, etc.)

Some things I see off the bat...

• Wood cutting is tough with just a BK-2. In the truck tool box, I do have a hatchet that can be dumped into the pack if needed. Other option is a folding saw that stays in the pack.
• Some foodstuffs would probably be a good idea. Maybe a couple of packs of Ramen at the least. And some instant coffee and cocoa mix.
• Though I can boil, I have nothing else for filtering or treating water. I'm probably going to get a one of the Aquamira Frontier Pros and put in there. Maybe some water tabs too.
• I've got the cheap emergency poncho, but I'm of half a mind to put a rain jacket permanently in the pack in a stuff sack. I might also grab a pack cover if I can find one on the cheap.

Other thoughts... spare socks? A little cash? Duct tape? A Barrett .50? What else you got?
Note that this gear isn't all my top-of-the-line or most expensive stuff. No titanium cookpots, $100+ knives, etc. The most expensive things are the Steiner binocs, the Surefire flashlight, and the BK-2.
Since it's going to live in my truck, I also have to think that it might be stolen out of my truck. So I want gear that works and that I can count on, but not the most expensive of everything I own.
All the items shown above are replaceable (for some things, I already have duplicates) without taking too big of a hit to the wallet.


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[Guyon]

Spare batteries. There are no spare batteries for the lights.

 

[Guyon]

I knew typing this all out would help me spot things. There's no signal mirror either. One of those little ones would be just fine.

I carried this pack just the other day.
I took my children to the lake just to mess around, and while the only thing I needed from the pack was the flashlight, I was sure glad we had it on the long, dark walk back to the truck.
I'm just going to keep talking to myself as I think of things. Y'all carry on as usual.

 

[Myker]

Emergency Heat Sheet Bivy, packs up smaller then my fist. Don't forget about some TP they sell in little travel packs and some ass gaskets also sold in travel packs. I have a spare set of socks in a plastic shopping baggie, had to change soggy socks and store wet ons, worked great till i got home. I picked up a Travelers Stow Away jacket in leave it in the bag, nice little pillow and wind breaker. Some Natures Valley Granola bars store great, and a couple of 5 hour energy drinks as well. Don't forget the anti poo poo meeds and some Motrin. Im sure ill think of more, this is the foremost thought i have daily.

 

[Guyon]

Those are all great comments. I do have a stay-in-the-truck hat for whatever might arise.
I'm going to have to show my ignorance here and ask you to define ass gasket. I know I do so at my own peril.

 

[Moosez45]

Those are all great comments. I do have a stay-in-the-truck hat for whatever might arise.
I'm going to have to show my ignorance here and ask you to define ass gasket. I know I do so at my own peril.

Yeah.

You pretty much got it down, there Biscuit. Other than food, which has been mentioned and batteries. I got nothing to add. Maybe some water treatment, Aquamira A/B solution works, or Derek's bleach in an eyedropper maybe.

That's a pretty clean loadout. Covers all your bases.

What I'm wrestling with is building the family's setup. Time for the girls to pack their own stuff, or do I carry it?

Moose

 

[FAL'ER]

As far as light goes, Headlamps are hard to beat. I like the petzel Tac tikka. I just like being hands free. They do take up more space though.

 

[tradewater]

Looks like you've got it pretty covered Biscuit. A couple sticks of dynamite is about all I'd add to it.

 

[FAL'ER]

Looks like you've got it pretty covered Biscuit. A couple sticks of dynamite is about all I'd add to it.

And a supressed Ruger MK3.

 

[tradewater]

And a supressed Ruger MK3.

I'm bettin' he's got one too.

 

[Flexxx]

FOOD?

dehydrated food lasts along time bro....something simple

 

[Guyon]

Headlamp is a good thought. I used to keep one in the other bag before I switched.

I'm bettin' he's got one too.

Well, it's a Mark II, and I really shouldn't show the homemade suppressor.

Seriously, a .22 crossed my mind. But I just don't want to take the risk of it being stolen out of the truck.

trade, where do you order your dynamite online? To avoid deal spotting, just shoot me a PM.

 

[NixKustoms]

What about one of those emergency bivy bags, or a space blanket type thing? One of those and maybe some hygiene stuff??

 

[clich]

hypothetically, where does one find a canteen stove? seen them online, but how do ya know if it fits with the cup and canteen i have?

 

[Myker]

Ass gasket, those paper toilet seat covers, ass gasket??!!??

 

[Idaho Guy]

Ass gasket, those paper toilet seat covers, ass gasket??!!??

Only crazy men and fools go off into the unknown without ass gaskets.....wait what?

 

[jcwagers]

I'd say if you're gonna add a headlamp, maybe try to use an old one that you have or buy one of the cheaper Energizer ones. I think they do a pretty good job and if somebody steals it, you haven't lost the $40-60 that
you might have spent on a Petzl. I'd prefer the Petzl but considering the cost, I think an Energizer one would work fine for $10-15. I know you have a poncho and a space blanket but would there be any way that you might could fit a wool blanket and/or a small tarp in there? I don't know how full the loadout is on your bag so I'm not sure if there would be room or if you would be interested in adding such things. I think one of the 70% wool blankets would be nice if you got caught on a cool night and a cheap tarp or even something as simple as a drop cloth could make a reasonable shelter and let you save your poncho.

J.c.

 

[Noddy]

Coffee. Definitely coffee. Proper coffee, not that instant stuff. And a bottle of rum. I take it you don't smoke.

The only things I'd add are a 10x loupe and a pair of sliver gripper tweezers - makes getting splinters out a painless treat

Have you got scissors or nailclippers? A ripped nail can be a right hindrance

Mosquito juice? One of those AfterBite pens? Vaseline?

 

[FAL'ER]

I have one of those enegizer headlamps, 2 Tac Tikka plus's, 1 Tac Tikka and now a Fenix. The energizer light certainly has it's place, though it doesn't get used much. What i don't like is having to scroll through all the settings to turn it off. I like the the ones you can just hit the button and kill the light. Also the flip up and down red lens is handy for not killing your night vision, which the energizer dosen't have. Hands free is the way to roll in an emergency.

 

[Guyon]

hypothetically, where does one find a canteen stove? seen them online, but how do ya know if it fits with the cup and canteen i have?

Army/Navy stores. eBay. Be sure you get a bonified U.S. military version.
I got one of the "made in China" versions and had to return it. It did not properly fit the bottom of my canteen cup.
Also, there's the typical type (shown above) as well as a USMC version with a solid bottom made mainly for gel fuel or Esbit tabs.
I have both. Maybe I can get some pictures of them.

Edit: I bought a bunch of Princeton Tech Auroras on clearance one time. I'll dig one of them out for the pack.