winter gear for your vehicle

[grnamin]

Winter is fast approaching. People in some areas have already been hit by snow. On the drive home yesterday, it rained and snowed. I realized I should start carrying winter gear in my vehicle again. Here's what I've learned:

1) A coal shovel is a sturdier alternative to those flimsy plastic snow shovels.
2) A vinyl siding brush will last a whole lot longer than the snow brush you find in supermarkets and auto supply stores. They're narrower than a push broom and, thereby, take up less space. Attach a push broom handle to the vinyl siding brush head for better reach, especially if you have an SUV or a truck.
3) Two words: jumper cables
4) Salt
5) Tow strap-->even if you're not equipped to tow another vehicle, you may need someone else to tow you out who is equipped to do so.
6) I haven't tried this yet, but I think a plastic ice scraper bolted or clamped to the other end of that vinyl siding/snow brush handle would work really well.

What's in your vehicle this winter?

P.S. I didn't add things like a flashlight and pocket knife because I carry those on my person.

 

[Mongo]

I also carry a spare hat and gloves, rope, a Cold Steel special forces shovel, a HI khukri, a mini first-aid kit, jumper cables, flashlight, and a tarp. Things I should add: blanket or two, some rations, tow strap, some kind of visiblility device (reflectors, flares etc.)

 

[Temper]

I also carry a spare hat and gloves, rope, a Cold Steel special forces shovel, a HI khukri, a mini first-aid kit, jumper cables, flashlight, and a tarp. Things I should add: blanket or two, some rations, tow strap, some kind of visiblility device (reflectors, flares etc.)

Little gas camping stove with bottled water, noodles or soup and coffee If you are going to beak down, you may as well be comfortable.

A couple of 4x2's for traction cut into 18" lengths.

 

[gallowglass]

In addition to the good ideas listed above, I keep four old floormats from other cars in each vehicle, rolled up tight.

They are easier to use than sand if you need traction to get out of someplace slippery and don't have/can't use chains, just unroll and slide them under the tires. Not perfect in heavy snow, but pretty good on ice.

I've also used them as a knee protector when changing someone else's tire in the snow or slush.

An extra bottle of windshield washer fluid and a set of inexpensive insulated work gloves can also come in real handy.

Take Care,
Jeff

 

[bladefixation2]

Dried food, water, stove, snow shovel, jump leads, sleeping bag and down jacket, back pack and winter boots and change of trousers (I travel a lot for work but have to wear a suit) extra screen wash and some old cloth rags

 

[Geraldo]

Sunscreen. Although the sun doesn't shine as long every day during the south Florida winters, one still has to be careful.

 

[Shann]

old folding army shovel, BOB with fire starting basics and a couple of knives and space blanket. Extra hat, gloves and warm boots, since I never wear boots to work.

Need cables, tow strap, some kitty litter, etc. for traction.

 

[agent jim]

leftover pieces of pergo from a floor project in a pattern I didn't end up using. Installer gave them to me free so no loss. Makes a great traction device when the wheels are spinnig. Long enough to easily shove under the stuck tires and flexible enough that is jsut doesn't break or smash.

 

[ErikD]

Geez, if I carried all that stuff in my car I don't think there would be any room left for passangers, not that I frequently carry anyone anyway. Besides that I live in NYC, if anything happened and the car was stuck it would be easier to just walk, hop on a bus, or subway and get home that way.

I do carry year round:

basic tool kit
jumper cables
MagLight under my seat
BK&T Combat Utility

Also of course whatever folder I happen to have on me, and usually a Surefire E2e.