What do you all keep in your car for prep purposes?

 

I've started stowing more and more things in my truck in case I get stranded somewhere. I drive an older vehicle and I have had to fix my truck in the parking lot at work, and it isn't too uncommon to get stuck in a blizzard on a highway in these parts. Here is some info about my situation..

 

What I drive: 1993 F150, shortbed regular cab with toolbox in the bed. Not a lot of space protected from the elements. 

 

Tools/mechanical stuff:

 

I always carry a good portion of my tools in my truck. They consist of a mix of Snap-On and Craftsman tools, 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 drive metric and standard since my truck was built when Detroit was in the process of Metrification. I have a spare serpentine belt, extra fluids, spare alternator, cap, rotor, etc. The alternator is an upgraded one I never installed, and everything else is regular maintenance items I replaced and kept the old ones for an emergency. All of this cost me nothing since I already had it, but a basic set of Craftsman or Horrible Freight tools can be had for cheap. I recommend you throw some in your trunk.

 

I don't have a spare tire carrier since the OE one was gone when I got the truck and I have oversized tires anyway. So I carry a cheapo 12v compressor and tire plugs and know how to use them. So long as I don't hit spike strips or curbs at 40+ I should be fine.

 

Clothing:

 

I need to improve. Now I only have a sherpa lined sweatshirt and a shemagh. I only have the shemagh for blizzards because I don't want to look too mall ninja. I also keep gloves there in the winter.

 

Food: Nothing really, I also need to improve.

 

As of right now I have some peanuts and a two year old bottle of water. I don't need to pack canned food or anything like that, but I would like something to hold me over in the event I become one of those fools in a turnpike blizzard for 12 hours.

 

Self defense:

 

I don't expect Red Dawn to happen and if someone tries to take my truck, they can have it since it isn't worth getting killed over. My tire iron is beneath my bench seat if the zombies invade. 

 

Misc:

 

I carry matches and a butane zippo for the novelty of it. 

 

Those lights in the hot deals forum are fantastic, I am buying one for my truck.

 

I am strongly considering buying tire chains. I have BFG A/Ts in good shape, but the extra security is nice.

The jeep is getting a front mounted winch sometime this year. Already have all the parts, just need the time to install it.

My wrangler is ready to go anywhere, throw in my bug out bag, ammo cans and rifles in back. I'm mobile roads are optional. Plenty of tools, winch, dual batterys, under hood welder, locking differentials front and rear, atlas II transfer case, hi lift Jack, Jerry can mount, on board air. Its good to go until fuel becomes scarce.

I was moreso talking about stuff to get your rig going again or just get you home. Hi lift jacks, winches, welders and all of that are cool but unneccessary unless society breaks down.

 

It is the stupid little things. For example, my POS autozone starter died in the work parking lot. I had the tools to replace it but I had to work by braille because I'm too ignorant to check my batteries.

For your truck, I would keep a spare TFI module in the glove box.

I have a rechargeable mag light mounted in the charger on my roll bar. Always have charged batteries that way, and a back up headlamp in the glove box. A fire extinguisher is also a good idea, and maybe a mylar space blanket, they take up little space.

I have a full change of clothes and some cold weather gear in travel space bags bungee corded inside my trunk. Thales bags keep them clean and dry and out of the way.

I recall the blizzard of '78 when there was a 6 mile backup on Route 3 due to the snow getting people jammed up across all the lanes going west.  If you were stuck in that it didn't matter whether your car ran or not.  I always keep a few things in the car because of that one memory.

I keep the can of this in each vehicle we own. It was given to me by a neighbor that is a volunteer firefighter and came highly recommended. The price is right, it fits in most glove boxes and it has no shelf life. The company that owns the product (FireFreeze Worldwide) is actually based out of Rockaway NJ.

 

Cold Fire Spray:

http://firefreeze.com/products/

I was moreso talking about stuff to get your rig going again or just get you home. Hi lift jacks, winches, welders and all of that are cool but unneccessary unless society breaks down.

 

It is the stupid little things. For example, my POS autozone starter died in the work parking lot. I had the tools to replace it but I had to work by braille because I'm too ignorant to check my batteries.

forget having to check your batteries. just buy a streamlight rechargeable. i have one of them plugged into one of the 12v power points in my expedition, with a spare battery too.

For your truck, I would keep a spare TFI module in the glove box.

along with the 5.5mm socket to r&r it.

I have a medium size back pack in the trunk of my car and this is what is inside of it:

Cheap Vodka (bartering tool and or sterilization method)

Tri-Fold Military style shovel

2x emergency "space" blankets

2 magnesium fire starters

bic lighter

First aid kit

Survival knife

Compas

USGS maps of current state and bordering states.

1x MRE

Water purification tablets

canteen

canteen cup

100' 550 cord (para-cord)

Bonnie hat

shamog (light scarf)

dozen road flares

flare gun

rain jacket

3x black garbage bags

sleeping mat

head strapped flashlight

small/cheap led flashlight 

am/fm/tv/air radio

extra batteries

3x extra socks (MOST IMPORTANT ITEM!)

3x underwear

3x undershirts

"rite in the rain" notebook

pencils and pens

 

 

It may seem like a lot but this all fits inside the back pack with plenty of room to spare and isn't really heavy at all. Its all a matter of what suits your needs and what you want to have access to in a bad situation.

 

I deem this my "get home bag" as my work takes me 100+ miles away from home at any given point in time. It takes up a small amount of room in the trunk of my car and has enough supplies to help me last at least 72 hours initially while having the capability of lasting me even longer if I ration things correctly. 

 

 

And IMHO if SHTF you DO NOT want to be driving around in a car. By that point people have lost their minds and will do anything they can to get their hands on transportation or stuff they were to lazy to prepare for before. Better to just be able to carry what you need, stick close to the tree lines and travel quietly/lightly to where you gotta go. Outta sight outta mind. 

 

However the fact that you can work on your own truck and carry tools with you helps greatly and your already better off then you would be otherwise. Keep in mind roads maybe congested and or completely blocked so investing in tire chains/tow-chains/hi-lift jack (which can be used as a makeshift winch) can help out if you need to find an alternate route and get in a jam. Another thing to consider if you dont want to abandon the truck is fuel. Get yourself a 5 gallon jerry can and have it filled at all times, if power is out gas stations might not be able to pump and the lines can become too long and volatile to consider as an option (hurricane sandy was a good example of this).

 

Best of luck in your preps. 

Things i keep in the jeep:

Med Kit

Fire extiguisher

Jerkey

Water

Extra Sweatshirt and a rain jacket(get used pretty often)

Emegency Blanket

Knife

Flashlight

Paracord

Towstraps

 

I keep it basic, just things you would need in case you get stuck in the snow if they shut down a road or somethign and your stuck..

I've got a bumper going on next week that will eventually have a winch mounted, and i'm planning for a rear bumper that can hold my 35" spare a hi-lift and a 5 gallon can.

 

Congested roads are going to be the biggest issue no matter what you drive... people will not be following traffic laws or anything like that, if you cant get ahead of it you probably should stay put, or use a vehicle that doesnt constrain you to the road... I've already planned out some routes on the way home from work that don't bottle neck and force you to take the road... 95% of the drive can be accomplished off road. I've got some other tricks up my sleeve for taking some man made paths not meant for cars... but i wont specifically divulge that info.