Winter auto bag

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fishbulb

Joined
Sep 18, 2001
Messages
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I have decided to put together a bag of stuff that might be useful if I ever have car trouble during the winter and have to spend a bit of time waiting for assistance, possibly several days if there is some sort of blizzard. The climate is typical northern US near the Great Lakes. Here is what I have together so far.

Blankets
Spare warm clothes
Gloves and hats
Snow boots
3D Maglite
Leatherman Wave
7" blade mini-machete
Bic lighters and matches, tinder and 1 firelog
Large can of WD-40, for deicing locks and starting fires
Food, mostly spam and raisins
Various automotive tools

I have been considering adding a camp stove, but I'm not sure how useful it would be, as I couldn't use it inside the vehicle and most likely won't be doing any cooking.

Is there anything else that I should add or any other information that I should be aware of?
 
You have made some good choices. I might also suggest a couple of mylar space blankets (in addition to the blankets you mention) as they can be used for insulation inside your clothing, or inside another blanket for extra warmth. Pieces of them can be used as improvised sun glasses to ward off snow glare (snow blindness) or used to signal rescuers. A magnesium firestarter is also a cheap backup for your other fire starting material along with several cotton balls (genuine cotton) soaked in vaseline. These can be stored in a film cannister.

I also noted that you didn't provide for drinking water or a container in which to melt snow for drinking water. I use an old cook pot from a cheap mess kit (a few bucks at Wal-Mart) along with my Sierra Cup. This pot also contains several pieces of cinnamon hard candy along with several tea bags. No sense in drinking bland hot water when you can have cinnamon tea! ;) A few bullion cubes could provide you with some soup as well.

I have also included a small hotel type bar of soap for washing prior to and after eating or handling food. No sense in surviving a lost in the snowdrift scenario only to die of salmonella or some other disease.

Good luck.
 
7" machete?!? Get a small axe ore a larger machete. One more thing to get is a shovel it is a good idea to have one in the car at all times.:)
 
Yeah, 7" machete. More of a big knife perhaps. Regardless, I don't really like axes, and have used this thing for everything from brush cutting to chopping down small trees. For utility/emergency purposes I would prefer it to just about anything out there. You know, whatever works for you and all that.

Now that you mention it, I don't have a tow chain, definately something I will pick up soon. The shovel is another good idea. Are there any sort of signaling products that work especially well in snowy terrain? I was thinking that a few bottles of food coloring would be good for marking the snow and attracting attention.
 
The above are all excellent suggestions. Instead of a chain, consider a big nylon braided tow rope. It takes the shock when you're pulling someone out (or being pulled out). A lot easier to handle than chain, too. Insulatd coveralls are a wise idea. A few cans of Sterno or equivalent and a coffee can with holes punched around the bottom rim make an efficient stove. I always carry a sturdy folding army shovel (mine is British with a pick and shovel blade). These are much sturdier than the cheapo Taiwanese stuff. A cell phone (fully charged) is also good to have. Wire cutters or bolt cutters are also good to have when you get the winch cable wound around the front drive shaft of the 4 x 4, and you have to dig a hole in the snow so you can get underneath and untangle it, as the oil from the ruptured oil seal pours down your arm... but that's another story.
 
Tow rope, shovel, cat litter (for traction), jumper cables.

--Ben(and if you are driving a Porsche put 40lbs of lead in the trunk in the front)
 
Second the tow rope. The nylon ones are less likely to pull important parts off your car. Jumper cables may be useful.

A sturdy shovel is critical. Additionally, include some tube sand (70# bags of sand - for traction (weight), and useful for traction (sand) if you open them). Tire chains (learn to put them on before you need them).

Water, put a couple gallons in the trunk before a trip. Spare belts, hoses for the engine, antifreeze, enough tools and parts to make critical repairs.

Cell phones are apparently a good idea.

I spent this weekend driving my daughter all over Western Colorado - we got lucky with the weather. I carried pretty much everything y'all have suggested, and was glad I did, though I didn't need any of it.

Another thing I might add is a pair of inexpensive snowshoes. In mountain climates the sun can be intense: include some inexpensive sunglasses.

Finally, don't keep your travel plans a secret: tell whomever departure time, ETA, and route.

db
 
All the equipment is nice and will help you survive .....for a while. The MOST
important point noted so far is ....."Dont keep your travel plans a secret"

When I travel or my sons visit we always call and layout the trip ,times and the ETA
going .....both....ways. The importance of a someone knowing where ,how and when
you travel can't be stressed strongly enough. And STAY on the route laid out.

My sons always call when they arrive home so that I know all went well. If they
don't in a reasonable period of time I'm on the phone to the police and then will
re-trace the route they drove. That "anchor" at home knowing where you are supposed
to be can save your life.
 
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