Unique item

[desert_sailing]

As I work on finishing and outfitting the rig, I am curious to know what item do you carry that you feel is unique or uncommon and how does it assist you on the road.

I have a feeling most folks carry a very similar set of supplies.

I have nothing as of yet that is outside the very basic. I would like to know of the items that I may be overlooking.

Whether it is mechanical or emotional. Is there an item that when you encounter someone without it you are grateful you have one.



Deep socket set. Seems like a very important thing. Not sure how common they are.. I think probably few folks have.

 

[B and C]

I carry a long 1/2 inch breaker bar and a six point socket that fits my lug nuts. I see people struggling with a 4 way and wonder why they are carrying the other sizes they don't need in a form factor that doesn't stow well.

 

[Qxxx]

An air compressor that's powerful enough to quickly blow up a light truck tire to 80 PSI. Not a little dinky-doo thing (which I already had, so put it in the van. Wrong).

 

[Truman]

My oreck air purifier. Keeps the place dust free.
My dewalt 20v wet/dry vac

 

[WanderingRose]

I carry what I call a Home book.

A 7”x9” or so zippered organizer, within which are handwritten address and phone numbers, Vin #’s for my rig, a list of last routine maintenance dates which I update regularly, a copy of the dog’s shots, stamps, post it notes, writing paper, a few blank notecards, envelopes, a copy of my husbands death certificate, a list of user names and passwords, etc.

A tiny office on the go, things I need regularly, traveling or at home.

When I am home, this item sits on the ledge by my phone.

 

[Malamute]

Basic mechanical tools, spare fuses that actually fit your vehicle, I was still carrying around the ones from my older Suburban, only to find they werent the size my 4runner uses. A basic electrical tester, it can not only tell if you have power somewhere, but test fuses and bulbs etc. Baling twine. Comes in handy quite often. People with horses usually have piles of it around.

I keep a separate gun cleaning kit in the truck in case I forget to grab stuff from home. Ive got guns functional with the oil off a dipstick, but having actual correct supplies is best. Spare ammo and magazine(s) if required. Spare dog leash. I use ropes with snaps. One by each door so whatever door I may have to get the dog out of in an emergency Ill have one at hand. Small dog bowl and water bottles fit in the rear door pocket/holders, with more bottles in the other door.

Socks. Gloves. I try to keep old knee pads in the jack compartment so Ill have them handy in case I need to change a tire.

 

[desert_sailing]

Thanks for sharing. I will definitely be adding more items to carry. Hopefully I wont need any of these but I will be so thankful you enlightened me if that day comes.

 

[Malamute]

Thinking about it a bit more, I also keep a tow strap, small folding quality military shovel, and basic sleep/camp stuff. The dog bed is partly spare square sleeping bag, if I end up needing it she can make do with the comforter alone .She also gets daily use of the spare pillows unless I need them. I can deal with the dog hair if I end up having to sleep in the truck. The cargo box has a couple-3 ratchet straps, couple 1 gal gas cans for the gen or whatever, I leave them in the box even when the gen isnt aboard in the cooler months.

I keep the dog training collar in the glove box in case we go somewhere that instant response is highly important, like porcupine, moose or bear country, (though I usually only use the beeper to call her back in close instead of shouting or whistling) along with a charge cord for the phone. I need to get a spare micro sd card for the dash cam.

I use a Streamlight micro stream 1 cell AAA light daily, i try to keep 15 or 20 spare batteries on board, mostly in 5 or 6 to a small ziplock bag in the console and day packs. I dont use the Surefire light as much but keep it, and one set for a weapon light in the truck with a couple boxes of CR123 batteries for it along with a spare lamp or two.

I keep a bottle of real maple syrup in the passenger side door pocket. One of my favorite breakfast restaurants has excellent food but pathetic syrup. They laugh at me when I bring it in but dont seem to care, and keep it for me if I forget it.

Spare sunglasses in the upper console spot for them. I change from blue to red as the mood strikes. I almost forgot, I keep a pair of yellow shooting glasses for driving in foggy and rainy conditions. About 5 or 6 bucks at walmart I think. Dad used to use yellow shooting glasses when shooting trap and skeet way back, it does in fact help sharpen up contrasts in poor light conditions.

I need to improve my first aid gear. i just have the common kit from walmart, but need quick clot, and good tourniquets. I was surprised at how many people carry tourniquets. Several LE guys that carried them said they ended up using them on people involved in wrecks when they were off duty or not otherwise involved, just happened to see it happen or came upon it quickly and it made a difference.

Always keep a sharp blade handy to cut jammed seat belts. A framing hammer can break windows also. And dont forget your fire extinguisher(s).

 

[rokguy]

Apart from the important safety stuff you should always keep, basic spare parts, shop tools. I carry my hand tools which I use for work. fortunately I have no need for expensive, cumbersome power tools for the job so all my tools fit neatly away in their own backpack compartment.
The other necessary is my bicycle I always carry. there are times when a non fixable break down will happen miles away from a town with no phone service.

 

[desert_sailing]

basic spare parts

I have no idea what that means?..
Like an alternator,?.. starter?.. fan belt?

I am neither a carpenter nor a mechanic so I have no idea what would count as a basic spare part.... :s

 

[B and C]

I am neither a carpenter nor a mechanic so I have no idea what would count as a basic spare part.... :s

Spare parts would do you no good then as you couldn't replace them.  You would have to figure out what was wrong first.  You will want to be sure to stay in cell coverage.

Hopefully you carry a spare tire and know how to change it.

 

[rokguy]

As I work on finishing and outfitting the rig, I am curious to know what item do you carry that you feel is unique or uncommon and how does it assist you on the road.

I have a feeling most folks carry a very similar set of supplies.

I have nothing as of yet that is outside the very basic. I would like to know of the items that I may be overlooking.

Whether it is mechanical or emotional. Is there an item that when you encounter someone without it you are grateful you have one.



Deep socket set. Seems like a very important thing. Not sure how common they are.. I think probably few folks have.

I was simply replying to your original post of what I carry. I didn't imply you should carry these things. I note you carry a deep socket set. Not much point carrying stuff you don't know how to use. Like B and C wrote carry a good cellphone (and carrier) otherwise.

Late edit..... in fact you should carry basic spare parts for your vehicle, fuses, fan belts, radiator hoses, fuel, oil, air filters, spark plugs, leads coil packs injectors etc. You might not know how to fix the stuff but it might be faster if you are caught in a small town where the local mechanic might get you underway quicker if you have the necessary parts rather than waiting on stuff.

I know of many broken down cars, trucks that were stuck somewhere cause they didn't have a spare fuse or block fuel pump/filter.

 

[desert_sailing]

I was simply replying to your original post of what I carry. I didn't imply you should carry these things. I note you carry a deep socket set. Not much point carrying stuff you don't know how to use. Like B and C wrote carry a good cellphone (and carrier) otherwise.

Sorry if my response wasn't clear ... I want to know what those parts would be because I would gladly carry these items.

I just don't know what qualifies. I have heard of folks carrying an extra belt. just not sure what else might be super handy to have. I would probably also carry a set of replacement bulbs for tail and headlamps.

I don't have a deep socket yet but it was referred to me that I should. I am not even out of the driveway..  LOL.. I need all the prep work as possible.
I definitely will have room for a nice "garage" space for basic parts.. I just don't know what those are.

 

[rokguy]

Please refer to my edit at the bottom of my last post re spares.

 

[WanderingRose]

I need to improve my first aid gear. i just have the common kit from walmart, but need quick clot, and good tourniquets. I was surprised at how many people carry tourniquets. Several LE guys that carried them said they ended up using them on people involved in wrecks when they were off duty or not otherwise involved, just happened to see it happen or came upon it quickly and it made a difference.

I carry a supply of assorted zip ties, which can be used for a variety of emergencies, including as tourniquets.

I also carry a couple of those little packs that you whack and they become ice.

 

[Malamute]

I carry a supply of assorted zip ties, which can be used for a variety of emergencies, including as tourniquets.

I also carry a couple of those little packs that you whack and they become ice.

 
 Good thinking, though I believe actual tourniquets are safer and simpler to use, as in release when needed to maintain blood flow, and the ability to add more tension when needed. One of the criteria mentioned when people are reviewing tourniquets is how easy they are to use on yourself, initial application and adjusting as needed. Zip ties could be useful as an alternative when better tourniquets arent on hand but probably shouldnt be considered as a replacement.

 Zip ties are very handy though. I keep a variety of sizes and colors in the truck tools.

 

[WanderingRose]

That’s true, Malamute, tho when I think of applying a tourniquet it is with the idea that it is very temporary until EMT’s arrive, like at the scene of a car accident.

Were I to prepare an emergency kit for a remote trip where help may not arrive in a timely manner, I would do a better job and take a refresher first aid course.

I did come across an accident that had just happened a few years back, and wished I’d had an ice pack for a young female with a deep head gash.

I bought the little chemical ice packs soon after.

Something else I carry, tho we may be digressing far from the original post, is a broad spectrum antibiotic should I be in an area where help is not close and have a dirty wound, an abscessed tooth, an ear or urinary tract infection, etc.

I have carried this 5 years, and taken it once.

 

[Malamute]

I carry a supply of assorted zip ties, which can be used for a variety of emergencies, including as tourniquets.

I also carry a couple of those little packs that you whack and they become ice.

 
 Good thinking, though I believe actual tourniquets are safer and simpler to use, as in release when needed to maintain blood flow, and the ability to add more tension when needed. One of the criteria mentioned when people are reviewing tourniquets is how easy they are to use on yourself, initial application and adjusting as needed. Zip ties could be useful as an alternative when better tourniquets arent on hand but probably shouldnt be considered as a replacement.

 Zip ties are very handy though. I keep a variety of sizes and colors in the truck tools.

 Edit: I missed some of the exchange above on this page.

 I used to carry more spare parts and supplies, now, not so much. Partly because vehicles tend to go longer now before needing tune up or belt replacement etc. Id keep a good belt  that was taken off in routine maintenance for a spare, sometimes zip tying them to hoses or wires by the firewall under the hood to keep them out of the way. Im not worried about trying to cover every possible event, no hoses, spark pugs, dont keep a spare distributor cap any more, nor plug wires brake lines, old but usable brake pads, filters, and so much more. Most parts can be sourced fairly simply today, within a day or two, unless its a weekend. I carry a 1/2" breaker bar and one socket, the one that fits the wheel lugs, because the supplied wrench is often pathetic, and because sometimes tire shop guys use an air impact to put the nuts on and over-torque then instead of using a torque wrench to give proper torque values. Ive been stuck on the side of the road trying to break wheel lugs loose with inadequate tools because of this.

 I broke down in a sparely populated part of Iowa, the alternator died. I was towed to a motel (towing insurance on your car insurance is a huge bargain for the most part in my experience). The only alternator I could find was 50 miles away. I found it online and calling, the motel manager happened to have another job in the same town and picked it up for me after I paid for it by phone with credit card, so I had it in hand in a day, the local shop (and tow outfit) installed it on monday, back on the road with an extra 2 nights worth of motels. Didnt turn out to be a big deal under the circumstances. It was also hideously cold, I had zero inclination to try to install it myself outside. And no, Im not going to carry a spare alternator around. Ive carried tons of junk around full time in the past in older vehicles. Not any more. Very basics, sure, trying to be my own mobile parts store, no. If I were doing more back country camping and adventuring, Id consider taking a few things like inline fuel pump and/or filter(if applicable to the particular vehicle, not all have such things), and some small relatively inexpensive things, but Im not doing expedition level stockpiling.

 

[maki2]

I carry a tube of epoxy putty. The kind that comes in a tube and looks like a tootsie roll with a different color on the inside. Very handy for mending things or stuffing into stripped screw holes in your wood cabinets so that those hinges and knobs can get a grip again. Amazing how many times I have needed it for making repairs. You can purchase it at any hardware store.

 

[Weight]

Tourniquets are not recommended unless direct pressure can not be used for some reason. This-> Direct pressure on the wound is what is recommended by modern first aid, even for arterial bleeding. Please do not pack zip ties for use as a tourniquet. Pack a shoe string and Popsicle stick if you don't want to buy a real tourniquet.

Every vehicle has it's own particle part that likes to fail. My 1974 Dodge was the ignition resistor. We cant carry every thing. That is why god put Auto Parts Stores in every town. I get a new belt and keep the old one stashed where I eventually forget. Fuses and light bulbs are good to carry. Along with a repair manual for your vehicle.