Winter Road Trip Survival Kit ??

Normark

Normark

Joined
Nov 7, 1999
Messages
6,651
Hey Guys..

Good friend and virtual Sister of mine TKC ( Formally known as The Knife Collector) may be in need of some road trip survival kit advise...

There are several things she is going to need to make a safe road trip for her and her K9..

I'll start with a few things,, and you guys can add as yoiu see fit, and see where this leads...

Several of the items will be no brainers, and alot will be a Must Have

Tent/Sleeping gear
Communications : Cell phone/ CB radio
GPS compass
Cooking Gear lightweight stove/pots,pans ect
Simple easy to prepare foods
water
Fire kit
BOB survival kit
FAK (First aid Kit)
Medications

Please add to the list...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
i would love to try and help out....:D i'll take a look and see what i have...

where is she heading to....
 
I would add a folding saw and a SAK, their pretty cheap and could be very helpful. Plus you can pick them up at Walmart fairly easily.
 
I carry a 12' x 12' blue tarp. These are available in various sizes and thicknesses from Wal-Mart or many Targets, and any home improvement store. Mine is the next-to-thickest available (about as thick as the Cordura of a good knife sheath); I bought it at Wal-Mart for less than $20.

It can be used to make, or reinforce, a tent or other shelter, and here in Colorado, if I were trapped in 'white out' conditions, I could drape it over my vehicle to attract attention from rescuers.
 
I'd include a space blanket and a small tarp. Pink surveyors tape (ribbon) might come in handy if she got in trouble to mark things or signal that she is in trouble. Two colors work well (lime green or yellow and pink) as it gets your attention a bit quicker. Cat litter works okay as an abrasive if you get stuck. I usually carry kiddie sand bags (both weight and use) as I'm in a pickup or suv most of the time. Shovel; one that you can use vs a toy. I'd choose a short handled flat shovel. Back up battery cell phone charger if you are on foot.
 
Jumper cables, tow rope, tire chains, sturdy folding shovel, flares, flat of water bottles, matches, gloves, socket set and breaker bar to dislodge those stubborn wheel nuts, 2-ton hydraulic jack, and a couple of Moras, just because...:D
 
Fix-a-Flat stuff in a can and small compressor that plugs into cigarette lighter.
 
Extra fuel if it can be carried safely, kitty litter for traction, de-icer spray, tire chain repair kit with extra tighteners, LED headlamp, a paperback book (for down time), dog food, leash, sunglasses, stocking cap, water proof work gloves, cell phone charger, several wool blankets, extra serpentine belt, and everything everyone else listed.
 
fix a flat as mentioned is real handy....some road flares are always usefull for signaling and for firestarting, a tarp...some paracord....duct tape....a really good flashlight....a can of capsicum pepperspray...a few mre's....a working jack (been foiled by that a few times my self) some snowshoes...or my personal favorite mode of alternative transportation...the jetpack.
 
Lots of good ideas here so far. Can we have a little more info on the region(s) or states/provinces she will be traveling through? One could experience desert heat and winter-like chill in one (several) states.

Thinking about the season we're entering into, I suggest shade. I recommend the materials and knowledge to rig up some simple shade, be it with a tarp that has been mentioned, a poncho, or what have you. And one should be able to do this even if there are no trees, bushes, etc. around to aid in rigging. A tent is a good shelter, but if one is in a hot climate with no protection from the sun, tents can become heat sinks, especially if there isn't any air moving around.

And yes, as mentioned by others, maps, amybe supplemented by a GPS. But if one studies his/her route ahead of time, and formulates a pre-plan as to main route, alternate routes, how long/how far to travel per day, and where to stop, the GPS isn't really necessary. But, the GPS (depending on model) can certainly help. Several weeks after purchasing a GPS, it helped me find an ATM in a little burg off the Interstate on a trip from WI to FL. Handy tool!
 
Yes, depends on regions but let's assume winter in N.America.

In Scandinavia we have a ferocious winter too, but that doesn't stop us or machines:D If you have extra cash you could spend it on the car (and I'd recommend a Japanese 4x4 over anything else but..),and have Webasto engine heater fitted. this not only heats the engine and cooling system but heats the inside of the car safely and efficiently without having the engine running.Essential if stuck in a snowdrift. Winter tyres, either studded or all year round friction tyres beat messing about with snow-chains. I'd take some distress flares for total emergency, whistles,and fluorescent vests for nightime wheel changing or being safely visible outside the car(one for the dog too!)chocolate is always useful. Powerful torches(flashlights) are a must and some kind of vehicle spot-light you can direct the beam with. Knife choice: SAK, Bark River Highland,Woodland or Nebula, plus a lockback.Tea-bags for a warming brew and a bottle of spirits of choice.:thumbup:
 
Make plans, give those plans to someone with a date to search for you if you don't return.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Jumper cables, tow rope, tire chains, sturdy folding shovel, flares, flat of water bottles, matches, gloves, socket set and breaker bar to dislodge those stubborn wheel nuts, 2-ton hydraulic jack, and a couple of Moras, just because...:D
Click to expand...


Been there huh Ed? Me too.:D Ice fishing has taught me to bring at a minimum, a shovel and tow rope. Heavy duty flares are a priority also considering that you usually go off the road from lack of visibility due to blowing snow at night. Ah hell, all the lists are good. I just find that 7 out of 10 pick ups that go by will try to pull you out, but only about half of them carry a tow rope. Strangers have helped me out in remote locations several times.:thumbup: Of course, a single female stranded poses its own particular set of potential problems. I would never let a female that I cared about travel without a cell phone, and the R.C.M.P. drive those big 4WD trucks for a reason out here. But ya, priorties are staying warm, some food and water, communication, tools to get yourself pulled out of the ditch, flares for night visibility (particularly in a white out).
 
Remember that all of this will help, but the most important thing for winter road trip is driving skills. If T.K.C. isn't used to driving on ice and snow, PRACTICE! And make sure she knows how to use the equiptment, i.e. tire chains, changing a tire, etc. These are skills better learned at home than on the side of a highway, in the snow, at night.
 
Oh man... I just logged back into the forum here, and realized that Normark did specify WINTER road trip survival kit in the thread title. Sorry to waste everyone's time. I've been having a few off-kilter weeks lately. My brain is a lot more scrambled than it usually is. :(
 
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