Winter desert driving trip

bulgron

bulgron

Joined
May 19, 2005
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In a couple of weeks I will be loading my family up in the SUV and driving from San Jose to Tucson, Arizona. On the way there, we'll be taking highway 8 from San Diego to Tucson. On the way back we'll be taking highway 10.

The trip north and south between San Jose and Los Angeles will, of course, be on highway 5.

This isn't a camping trip. We'll be staying in hotels when we stop for the night, so I won't be taking my full wilderness kit. Plus, the wife will be filling up the SUV with all the Christmas debris, so space will be somewhat limited.

Two adults, two young children, on interstates crossing the desert. The question I have for you is, what gear should I carry?

I've spent a lot of time motorcycling through that corner of the country. I know the weather can get wild in a hurry. On the other hand, I've never been through there in the winter time.

We'll naturally have water and food in the car. If nothing else, the kids like their snacks. I'm thinking about putting together a small bag with some dehydrated soups, and also a small backpacking stove, just in case.

I'm also thinking that we should have winter-weight warm clothes for everyone. I know that the southern desert isn't as cold as, say, the Sierra, but even so it can get quite cold at night. If we have a car break down or, worse, if bad weather strands us somewhere (I'm thinking dust storms or thule fog) we might have to hang out in the car for a few hours or even overnight.

I can't decide if there's even a remote chance that I'll need them, but I'm planning on bringing all my camping knives along. That is, a leatherman wave, a small Sebenza folder, a Becker Necker, and a Chris Reeves Moutaineer II (5.5" blade). I don't own anything bigger than that, nor can I imagine needing anything bigger on this trip. Thoughts?

I'm thinking about picking up a folding camp shovel at the local army surplus store, just in case.

I'll have a small toolbox with various wrenches, screw drivers, duct tape, etc.

I'll also have my normal around-town gear; this includes gaffer's tape, flashlights (we have another one in the car, and my wife carrys one in her purse as well), a single space blanket, a small first-aid kit, cell phone, etc.

The SUV has everything we need to change a tire. There's a road flare in there too. I guess I should pick up a couple more.

I don't think I need anything for shelter. The car will be it if we get stuck.

If it was you, what else would you carry? Suggestions welcomed.
 
Last time I crossed the high desert I took the kitchen sink.
Literally, we had our 22 foot travel trailer.

Only some thoughts, (as it sounds like you have thought about it).

-Can of Fix-a-flat
-Signalling/distress The flares would probably be plenty enough.
-You can't have too many knives, I think you need another .
-First aid kit?
 
Hi there Bulgron to be realistic you got everything you realy need. I would add a machete in the desert you need to stay away from thorns. I find that a machete is perfect for it. As for me im going camping to Anza at the end of this month. You would be surprised at how cold a desert can get at night. I go camping in the desert every year about this time. I talked to a ranger once. He was telling me how they found a father and son dead about half a mile from the road did died from lack of water. The funny thing is they had an RV full of water and water bottles. They got stuck and dicided to walk out to the road. It did happen in the summer time. They never made it out alive. desert is harsh. I love the desert.

Sasha
 
I-5 and the 10 are both heavily traveled and have good cell coverage. Water, food and warm clothing are prudent. You already have flares, which is good. Make sure your spare is good, and throw some jumper cables in too. Make sure the vehicle is in good repair and that the tires have sufficien tread and are properly inflated. (Its amazing how many "survival" situations arise because simple things like these were overlooked.)

Toss in a tarp. If you have to unload the SUV to get to the spare, you'll have something to pile your stuff on. It might also come in handy to lay on if you need to get under the SUV for any reason.

-- FLIX
 
Bulgron, I don't know those roads your driving, in terms of isolation or remoteness. In February 2005, I did a solo cross country from New York to Tucson, but I stayed on the Interstates because I was trying to make time. I wasn't worried about getting stranded. My biggest worry was staying out of the way of truckers.

I think you have all bases covered, plus what others have suggested.

Of course you will have a cell phone, yes? In your hotel/motel, follow the cable weather forecasts. Leave a trip plan with friends.

I found the weather and temperatures during winter to be extremely pleasant for that part of the country, compared to northern New York.

Have a great journey! ;)
 
I wouldn't worry about more than one knife. Just a decent folder will do the trick and not arouse law enforcement if it is seen. I would add, space permitting, a full size shovel and a tow strap. You need to be able to attach the strap to either end of the car so you will have to work that out before you leave. Blankets and pilllows, a game and a couple of books, energy snacks... heck you know all that. Good maps and a phone charger for the car and off you go. Bon voyage!
 
Hey Coldwood, you forgot to tell him about the Nekkid Barbie hood-ornament with the red LED's in the eye sockets.

When you signal a turn it looks like she's winkin atcha!! ;)
 
LED flashlights are my latest passion. Never leave home without one. ;) Animated robotic Barbies are not for family trips. And Skunk I never said my Barbie was nekkid. Maybe we should take this to the Gadgets & Gear page? :D
 
Jumper cables, if you don't already have a set in your car

Extra gas can just in case

Candles will help keep the interior of your car warm

You may not need shelter but be sure you've got proper clothes and footwear to hike a distance in any weather in case you get stuck and have to hoof it for help

A radio and batteries so you have a backup for your car's radio
 
Fix a Flat, H20, Good Camp Knife, Flares, Shovel, Duck Tape, Tow Strap, Matches and a couple blankets.

-Be on the lookout for Rattlesnakes where ever you are and finally stay away from nuke test sites :)
 
Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. There's some useful information here.

Flix, the tarp idea is outstanding. I hadn't considered that. But, yes, I do have to empty the back of the SUV in order to change a flat. It also made me think of taking the wife and kids out of the car while fixing a flat. Maybe some kind of rain shelter (a tarp) isn't such a bad idea after all? I mean, when it rains in LA, it rains buckets, yeah? (Of course, in general if we have a flat and it's raining and we're anywhere near town, well, that's what AAA is for....)

Sasha, thanks for mentioning a machete. I don't own one, but I've been thinking about getting something along those lines for a while. I'll see what the local surplus store carrys.

Fix-a-flat and more flares. Roger that.

Again, thanks everyone for the replies.
 
Being in the north country(MN) and planning to go ice fishing ASAP, I have no idea what you are talking about. :D
 
Bulgron--

Having had a need to use "Fix-a-Flat" just yesterday after running over some metal shard that profoundly flattened the right front tire on my Jeep, take note.

I have P235/R-15 ATs, nothing especially huge for an SUV, but somewhat larger than stock. It took four complete cans of Fix-a-Flat to make the tire look acceptable to drive it to the tire shop three miles away.

I am glad I had remembered my old Navy axiom--Two is one and one is none. I had thought I could deal with two middle of nowhere flats with four cans, and wound up being able to deal with only one. Perhaps I should get a Prius.:D

Get at least four cans of the stuff. You are only out about $20.00.
 
mewolf1 said:
Being in the north country(MN) and planning to go ice fishing ASAP, I have no idea what you are talking about. :D
Click to expand...

Having lived the first 28 years of my life in MN, I know exactly what you're going to do while ice fishing, and it has only vaguely something to do with fishing.

What's your poison? JD? Jim Beam? Plain old beer? :D

Well, I suppose it isn't like that for ALL ice fishermen. I remember a trip I took up north of Duluth once in February. The lake was frozen as far out as the eye could see, and there were some pretty good ice damns pushing up on the shore. As I was driving along, I saw a small black shape waaay out on the ice. Couldn't figure out what it was, so I walked out past the ice damns and put my binoculars on it.

It was some dude (I assume it was a dude) laying on the ice in a mummy sleeping bag. He was completely covered, except for the fishing pole sticking out of the top of the bag.

They make 'em tougher in Meeenisoootah. Yah, fer sure, yew betcha!
 
Boats said:
Bulgron--

Having had a need to use "Fix-a-Flat" just yesterday after running over some metal shard that profoundly flattened the right front tire on my Jeep, take note.

I have P235/R-15 ATs, nothing especially huge for an SUV, but somewhat larger than stock. It took four complete cans of Fix-a-Flat to make the tire look acceptable to drive it to the tire shop three miles away.

I am glad I had remembered my old Navy axiom--Two is one and one is none. I had thought I could deal with two middle of nowhere flats with four cans, and wound up being able to deal with only one. Perhaps I should get a Prius.:D

Get at least four cans of the stuff. You are only out about $20.00.
Click to expand...

Four cans of fix-a-flat, plus my AAA card. Got it. Thanks, Boats.

As for the Prius, I think you should go for it. Of course, if you get a Prius you have to move to San Francisco and swear to never travel a dirt road ever again. And you have to get rid of all your knives. And guns. And your girlfriend/wife in favor of a boyfriend....

On second thought, keep the jeep.
 
bulgron said:
Having lived the first 28 years of my life in MN, I know exactly what you're going to do while ice fishing, and it has only vaguely something to do with fishing.

What's your poison? JD? Jim Beam? Plain old beer? :D
Click to expand...
Gave up on poison 25 years ago.:D






They make 'em tougher in Meeenisoootah. Yah, fer sure, yew betcha!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Or dumber:D :thumbup:
 
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