I'm certainly no expert, but I have travelled thousands of miles both on and off road exploring the Mojave over the past 40 years. I've been stuck a few times both on the road and off (Even with 4WD). I once had to walk many miles on a cold night to get help. You never know when you might have to take a detour onto an unknown dirt road. Best to be prepared for it even if your trip is planned only for the highway. A few days ago it was 26 degrees with snow flurries near Palmdale, CA.
My essential winter desert stuff (Even for a day trip if going off - highway at all) includes:
1st aid kit.
Phone and charger.
Backpack.
Binocular.
Knives.
Tow strap.
Rope/cord.
Tarp.
Blanket.
Jumper cables.
Road flares.
Duct tape.
Small shovel.
Hachet.
Lighters/matches/triox bars.
Cash (Very helpful if you need help from less-than-charitable help).
AAA card.
Warm waterproof jackets, hats, gloves, extra socks and sturdy shoes (For everyone, ESPECIALLY the kids).
Food and several water bottles (I like to at least carry a few MRE's unless we have other food). Water bottles can be carried with you if you have to walk.
Toilet paper, paper towels, baby (Or similar) wipes.
No less than 1/2 a tank of gas at any given time if possible (I once ran out of gas by blabbing with a buddy about world affairs on the way to Vegas and not paying attention to the gauge. Somehow world affairs didn't seem nearly so important after that).
A tool bag with everything I can think of that could be helpful for auto repair, etc.
Extra fan belt. (Do yourself a favor and carry one. I can't stress this one enough. Cheap insurance against a BIG potential headache).
Fix a Flat x2 and a tire plug kit. The tire plug kit is essential IMO. Not only can it save you from having to change a tire, it will seal a puncture where Fix a Flat alone will not. I HIGHLY recommend carrying one. Make sure it's not too old. They can dry out and not work well. Sometimes I go totally nuts and bring a small compressor too.
Lights - I carry modern ones (LED and incandescent) that run on lithium batts. A small plug-in spotlight is most helpful at times, as is some kind of a headlamp. A low-level LED light that runs for 20+ hours is more important than a flamethrower light. Good lights are a great comfort if nothing else.
Some might think that some of the above are "excessive" in some way. If you ever have to use one or more of them to get you out of a jam like I have, you'll change your mind. Most of the items I mentioned can easily fit into a couple of large duffle bags.
One other other thing that I'm surprised nobody has mentioned here - Believe me, if anything is more comforting than a warm coat on a cold desert road, it's a handgun in the pocket. On the occasions someone has stopped to help me on the highway, I've been very greatful. However, I've never really known right away if those headlights pulling up behind me were actually going to be helpfull or not. Fortunatly for me and my family, they always have been...
My essential winter desert stuff (Even for a day trip if going off - highway at all) includes:
1st aid kit.
Phone and charger.
Backpack.
Binocular.
Knives.
Tow strap.
Rope/cord.
Tarp.
Blanket.
Jumper cables.
Road flares.
Duct tape.
Small shovel.
Hachet.
Lighters/matches/triox bars.
Cash (Very helpful if you need help from less-than-charitable help).
AAA card.
Warm waterproof jackets, hats, gloves, extra socks and sturdy shoes (For everyone, ESPECIALLY the kids).
Food and several water bottles (I like to at least carry a few MRE's unless we have other food). Water bottles can be carried with you if you have to walk.
Toilet paper, paper towels, baby (Or similar) wipes.
No less than 1/2 a tank of gas at any given time if possible (I once ran out of gas by blabbing with a buddy about world affairs on the way to Vegas and not paying attention to the gauge. Somehow world affairs didn't seem nearly so important after that).
A tool bag with everything I can think of that could be helpful for auto repair, etc.
Extra fan belt. (Do yourself a favor and carry one. I can't stress this one enough. Cheap insurance against a BIG potential headache).
Fix a Flat x2 and a tire plug kit. The tire plug kit is essential IMO. Not only can it save you from having to change a tire, it will seal a puncture where Fix a Flat alone will not. I HIGHLY recommend carrying one. Make sure it's not too old. They can dry out and not work well. Sometimes I go totally nuts and bring a small compressor too.
Lights - I carry modern ones (LED and incandescent) that run on lithium batts. A small plug-in spotlight is most helpful at times, as is some kind of a headlamp. A low-level LED light that runs for 20+ hours is more important than a flamethrower light. Good lights are a great comfort if nothing else.
Some might think that some of the above are "excessive" in some way. If you ever have to use one or more of them to get you out of a jam like I have, you'll change your mind. Most of the items I mentioned can easily fit into a couple of large duffle bags.
One other other thing that I'm surprised nobody has mentioned here - Believe me, if anything is more comforting than a warm coat on a cold desert road, it's a handgun in the pocket. On the occasions someone has stopped to help me on the highway, I've been very greatful. However, I've never really known right away if those headlights pulling up behind me were actually going to be helpfull or not. Fortunatly for me and my family, they always have been...
These guys spend their lives living on the road and look to each other for help. Of course there might be a perv or two in the mix. I also would not put a lot of faith in restaurant parking lots. They will close early and leave you stranded in the dark. Maybe an all-night 7-11, but think about it. Get to a motel, early.
