Preparedness. This is a big one, guys!
I’m a huge stickler on this, not just regarding vehicles but in every way. Life has caught me lacking in this area too many times and for every instance of it, I’ve added something else to my bag so it won’t happen again.
What emergency tools/supplies do you carry with you? I’d love to know as I’m sure I’m missing a few things and am a firm believer that we can never really be too prepared. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, right?
Here’s what I personally have in my vehicle at any given time:
Spare tires. Yep, I carry 2 just in case.
Tire kit. Plugs, patches, glue, reaming tools etc.
Air pressure gauges
DC plugin air compressor
Bike pump in case DC compressor fails
Gas air compressor if you don’t want to pump the bike pump like a child, for all to see.
Lug wrenches
1/2 & 3/4, 1 inch. Etc. pull bars. Sometimes the lug wrenches just won’t get it, nor will a 1/2 in. Pull bar.
“Cheater” pipe, a short 1 1/2 foot one & 4foot one for bitch lugs and otherwise.
Regular socket sets, standard & metric
Deep-well socket sets
Spare battery
Power pack to jump with in case spare won’t do it, aim for at least 800 cca (cold cranking amps) with these!
Jumper cables
Hammer, never know when your fuel pump might go out.
Gas container with gas ofc. Sometimes your fuel gauge can lie to you!
Bailing/regular wire, never know when you have to wire something up to get home, whether a jumper or just using the bailing wire to keep your old fuel pump from shutting down due to lack of power there’s a story or two behind this. If anyone would like to know.
Oil
Power steering fluid
Transmission fluid
Antifreeze/water in case of radiator leak
Radiator sealant in case of above. Ya know, in a super bind you can use self rising (iirc?) Flour to stop a radiator leak? Don’t do it unless you’re ready to trash the radiator, but it can get you home. Story behind that as well ofc, I pissed in a radiator once!
Spare tail light/headlight bulbs when applicable
Flares/road light kit in case of a wreck
Water, for thirst. I also carry some Gatorade mix, potassium etc. In case I’m getting dehydrated.
Portable umbrella & stand. Nice to have if you’re stuck on the side of the road working on something. Also works for fields!
A couple jacks. I’d at LEAST recommend a few portable jacks but really a small shop jack imo makes it so much easier. Personally I also carry a few hydraulic jacks that can be worked by hand or via air compressor
Blocks. Few 6’s, 4’s,2’s and 1’s. They’re for work but really come in handy and I use them in lieu of ramps as well.
Cooler, because it’s always nice to have a cold beverage handy.
That’s basically it for the somewhat bare necessities (imo) though I’m sure I’ve probably missed a few.
That’s it for necessities, since this is Mechanic’s Advice, if anyone would be interested in a “Mechanic’s edition” including the necessities for most small jobs,
I’d be glad to share what I bring and would love to hear what some of you have in stock as well!
This is it for today’s JTT, anything I’m missing? What do you carry or deem essential? Doesn’t have to be life saving, just something you bring for emergencies, even small ones?
Anyway, until next time. Remember:
You are beautiful, no matter what they say and words can’t bring you down - Christina Aguilera
And,
Kudos!
The contrast here is so intriguing to me lol, not even long johns? That’s something else, agree with the glove advice though. I feel your pain with the carbs in the cold! I keep a pair of thin gloves for intricate things like carbs but usually end up having to go bare handed as well and that gas is no fun at 0, couldn’t imagine 40 and can’t believe you still even have fingers.
This is another contrast! In the hot summer around here if you work in direct sunlight, a t shirt and shorts will have you blistered all over in no time. So to combat the heat you’ll see outdoor workers covered from heat to toe like it’s winter time. Face masks, neck covering, long sleeves etc. It’s wild.
I still can’t get over the lack of “long johns” (as we call them in the south) and can’t recall ever knowing someone that didn’t wear them even in our mild winters