Daily kit for winter
- Thread starter Azazruk
- Start date
comptiger5000
Adventurer
I usually keep at least one recovery strap and a few d-rings on hand when DD-ing in the winter. That's generally been enough for anything I've stumbled across where I could reasonably and safely help.
Happy Joe
Apprentice Geezer
...the same as I carry in the summer;
fire extinguisher,
Small trauma kit,
Jumper cables,
Snatch strap with shackles,
G.I. (NOT chinese) tri-fold e-tool or a small spade (if going snow wheeling a full sized spade and sand shovel).
a G.I. mini pick mattock or matt-ax,
a Svensaw,
a portable air compressor,
A hydraulic bottle jack and a 6" length of 4x4,
A truck size 4-way lug wrench,
A bunch of tire plugs (I will only mention the tire irons as most folks won't be inclined to dismount and remount tires, especially by hand in the cold)...
A box of short sheet metal screws; temporary studs for glare ice. (Very temporary, at most a mile or two; if you leave them in you will get flat tires, or ruin the tires)... learned this one driving up small frozen water falls)..
AND..
...Wait for it...
A roll of toilet paper in a waterproof container (becoming more essential as I age).
Enjoy!
fire extinguisher,
Small trauma kit,
Jumper cables,
Snatch strap with shackles,
G.I. (NOT chinese) tri-fold e-tool or a small spade (if going snow wheeling a full sized spade and sand shovel).
a G.I. mini pick mattock or matt-ax,
a Svensaw,
a portable air compressor,
A hydraulic bottle jack and a 6" length of 4x4,
A truck size 4-way lug wrench,
A bunch of tire plugs (I will only mention the tire irons as most folks won't be inclined to dismount and remount tires, especially by hand in the cold)...
A box of short sheet metal screws; temporary studs for glare ice. (Very temporary, at most a mile or two; if you leave them in you will get flat tires, or ruin the tires)... learned this one driving up small frozen water falls)..
AND..
...Wait for it...
A roll of toilet paper in a waterproof container (becoming more essential as I age).
Enjoy!
verdesardog
Explorer
I just removed the truck box tool box from the bed of my truck thus eliminating storage for stuff. I still have several shackles, tree strap, kinetic recovery strap, two wire rope chokers, snatch block, shackle coupler for the hitch and two towing clusters for attaching to vehicles without recover points.
Of course there is still safety and first aid stuff inside, extra fuel and water, my search and rescue pack etc. etc.
Of course there is still safety and first aid stuff inside, extra fuel and water, my search and rescue pack etc. etc.
Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
I swamped my waders as a young man on a duck hunting trip when this old geezer started in on me about hypothermia. Sure I was wet and cold but that was not going to stop me or have me run for cover. He would not back off but a wise man once taught to me to shut up and listen when another wise man is talking so I dropped my gear and took in an intense 1/2 hour dissertation on hypothermia. It was amazing with out a clue as to his real expertise. When he was done he scrounged in his beat up truck for a while and pulled out various hunting and outdoor publications with articles he wrote about hypothermia. It sold me and to this day you will always find wool army blankets in my kit and a change of dry clothes if I'm in the weather or near water. My personal findings after living in Colorado are that once you get really cold you seem to stay cold and not warm up for hours or the rest of the day. I keep stocking hats stuffed in my jackets and put them on at the first sign of a chill to try and never get to the point of being cold. On the other hand if I know I'm going to head back inside in a while I'll endure as much as I can stand for practice learning how the body reacts.
AFBronco235
Crew Chief
Blankets are always an essential for winter driving. I always keep an extra heavy coat in there for the same purposes.
Snow recovery gear consists of recovery straps, shackles, jumper cables/jump box, e-tool, tire tools, and sand/cat litter. The most important aspect to a snow recovery, is of course, know what you're doing and doing it safely. Before you do a winter/snow recovery, ask these questions.
1. Are the driver/passengers in any danger or need medical attention? Hypothermia and frost bite are no joke.
2. Can the vehicle be recovered safely with what you have? There is a potential for a lawsuit should any of your equipment fail and damage the vehicle because of it.
3. Is a vehicle recovery absolutely necessary for the continued welfare of the drive/passengers? ie would they be better off being driven to a warm place first and getting a tow truck?
Snow recovery gear consists of recovery straps, shackles, jumper cables/jump box, e-tool, tire tools, and sand/cat litter. The most important aspect to a snow recovery, is of course, know what you're doing and doing it safely. Before you do a winter/snow recovery, ask these questions.
1. Are the driver/passengers in any danger or need medical attention? Hypothermia and frost bite are no joke.
2. Can the vehicle be recovered safely with what you have? There is a potential for a lawsuit should any of your equipment fail and damage the vehicle because of it.
3. Is a vehicle recovery absolutely necessary for the continued welfare of the drive/passengers? ie would they be better off being driven to a warm place first and getting a tow truck?
Fifthpro
Adventurer
Well there are many items, but one I always put in my vehicles after the first freeze is a large multi-hour burning fireplace log. Why on Earth would I do that? Because I find myself in rather austere locations in purposely built vehicles. There often arrises the need to build a fire and in an emergency situation it is made even easier.
Sabre
Overlanding Nurse
My winter survival background comes from backpacking; I always make sure that the vehicle has stuff I might need to survive if broken down "out there," but I must admit that this has never occurred to me. What a great idea! One size large Presto log, coming up. Thanks. :campfire::luxhello:
LR Max
Local Oaf
Read here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/151004-Ready-for-winter-driving
Since I live in GA, I suspect that I wouldn't be stranded for more than 36 hours. My emergency kit consists of a lot of items that I don't regularly use.
One thing I did throw in there, a deck of cards. I figure if I'm stuck in the back of my car, I should have something to ward off boredom.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/151004-Ready-for-winter-driving
Since I live in GA, I suspect that I wouldn't be stranded for more than 36 hours. My emergency kit consists of a lot of items that I don't regularly use.
One thing I did throw in there, a deck of cards. I figure if I'm stuck in the back of my car, I should have something to ward off boredom.
My daily driver is also my fun vehicle - well, all the vehicles are fun vehicles, but you know what I mean - so I have a few extra things.
What I have in the vehicle at all times that I'd expect to use for others is the following:
- Tow strap
- Hitch pin
- D-ring shackle (unlikely to need this, but it was on the end of the tow strap so in it went)
- Glock shovel
- 12v compressor
- *very* basic tire patching stuff - some plugs and an insertion tool
- My bag of hand tools
- Fuses
- CAT Tourniquet and first aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Spare sleeping bag and a blanket
- Work gloves. You will shred your hands trying to clear snow out from other a vehicle without them.
- Gas can (3-gallon Rotopax mounted behind the cab)]
- Yaktrax (no point falling on snow/ice, because you know it's going to happen otherwise)
- Collapsible snow shovel, if snow is expected. Much better than a regular shovel for, well, shoveling most snow.
- Roll of paper towels and box of wipes
What I have in the vehicle all the time because I'm too lazy to unmount the Hi-lift from the bed:
- Hi-lift
- Hi-lift Lift-Mate (lifts from the wheel. No point having the jack mounted if you can't do anything with it)
If I'm expecting anyone to end up in a ditch I'll also toss in the Maxtrax. In fact, I'd say Maxtrax are the first recovery item to get if you have room to carry them them after a shovel, tow strap, and work gloves.
Used them on myself for the first time this weekend. Pulled over to let someone by, someone wanted to give me a tug when I had a hard time getting moving again, and it swung the back end into the creek. 10 minutes of clearing snow to place the Maxtrax and we pulled straight out, no drama.
What I have in the vehicle at all times that I'd expect to use for others is the following:
- Tow strap
- Hitch pin
- D-ring shackle (unlikely to need this, but it was on the end of the tow strap so in it went)
- Glock shovel
- 12v compressor
- *very* basic tire patching stuff - some plugs and an insertion tool
- My bag of hand tools
- Fuses
- CAT Tourniquet and first aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Spare sleeping bag and a blanket
- Work gloves. You will shred your hands trying to clear snow out from other a vehicle without them.
- Gas can (3-gallon Rotopax mounted behind the cab)]
- Yaktrax (no point falling on snow/ice, because you know it's going to happen otherwise)
- Collapsible snow shovel, if snow is expected. Much better than a regular shovel for, well, shoveling most snow.
- Roll of paper towels and box of wipes
What I have in the vehicle all the time because I'm too lazy to unmount the Hi-lift from the bed:
- Hi-lift
- Hi-lift Lift-Mate (lifts from the wheel. No point having the jack mounted if you can't do anything with it)
If I'm expecting anyone to end up in a ditch I'll also toss in the Maxtrax. In fact, I'd say Maxtrax are the first recovery item to get if you have room to carry them them after a shovel, tow strap, and work gloves.
Used them on myself for the first time this weekend. Pulled over to let someone by, someone wanted to give me a tug when I had a hard time getting moving again, and it swung the back end into the creek. 10 minutes of clearing snow to place the Maxtrax and we pulled straight out, no drama.
Mass_Mopar
Don't Litter
For winter DD'ing, I keep a high-vis jacket, fire extinguisher, small medic kit, and basic recovery gear (strap, d-rings, gloves). If you need more than that, call a tow truck.
If I'm going on a long drive with the possibility of a storm, I'll ratchet up my gear accordingly. The suggestions in this tread are all excellent.
If I'm going on a long drive with the possibility of a storm, I'll ratchet up my gear accordingly. The suggestions in this tread are all excellent.
rayra
Expedition Leader
couple cheap 5x7 tarps, beats laying or kneeling in the slush.
bright yellow 'disposable' raincoat jackets. Same reason and visibility.
an extra hoodie. I try to put that on while I'm doing the wet / messy work, so I can shuck it and put my dry clothes back on when I'm done.
and all the rest of the usual year-round gear.
bright yellow 'disposable' raincoat jackets. Same reason and visibility.
an extra hoodie. I try to put that on while I'm doing the wet / messy work, so I can shuck it and put my dry clothes back on when I'm done.
and all the rest of the usual year-round gear.
rayra
Expedition Leader
Snowedin I hope you learned for next time, have them tow you forward and not try to pull you diagonally into the road. That way you can ease your way out (if there's enough road or ditch to have room)
And don't hook the far / low side. Do that on a hard dry rut too and you are just grounding the vehicle harder as well. Pull the high side to pull a vehicle up and out of a ditch. It'll go easier as long as they aren't stuck in a really weird way.
And don't hook the far / low side. Do that on a hard dry rut too and you are just grounding the vehicle harder as well. Pull the high side to pull a vehicle up and out of a ditch. It'll go easier as long as they aren't stuck in a really weird way.