Winter Vehicle Equipment - Prep Tip 2

Most of us travel in some manner each day. This entry is for those that use automobiles.
Keep in mind that with the advent of smaller vehicles comes space and weight considerations.

Still, a visit to the local supermarket and mall shows that about 50% of the vehicles are SUV's, Vans, Trucks or Crossovers.

Travel distances, geographic location/climate, number of occupants will dictate additional vehicle safety requirements. Finances may also dictate how soon you can acquire what you need. you may have multiple vehicles in your family...so maybe a portable kit for longer travels?

Equipping all vehicles similarly will help you avoid getting stuck with nothing. Make choices from the list below. We had a little help from the Wilderness Learning Center of Chateaugay, NY

Items and vehicle checks to consider having on board for the cold winter season:

[ ] Ice Scraper/Snow Brush
[ ] AAA / CAA or similar emergency road hazard insurance membership
[ ] Spare Tire of Emergency Tire - Fully Inflated
[ ] Winter Wiper Blades - New for Winter
[ ] Winter oil/filter change suggested - Spare Oil
[ ] Radiator flush/fill (2 Years) - 20 degrees below lowest expected temp
[ ] Maintain low temperature wiper fluid - spare gallon in vehicle
[ ] Fully charged car battery - 5 years is rule of thumb for most
[ ] Engine belts/hoses/cables/connections should be new/not cracked
[ ] Mark headlight/signal bulb numbers on the housing - carry spares
[ ] Carry Spare 911 Cell Phone - Secure from Damage
[ ] Collapsible Snow Shovel - regular square shovel is preferred
[ ] Containerized ice melt - best on glare ice (5-10Lbs)
[ ] 30 Minute Road Flares 6-12 / Road Strobes with lithium batteries
[ ] Tire Chains - Mandated in some areas (e.g. Colorado)
[ ] Snow Tires - best in winter - studded for backcountry
[ ] Dry Gas additive - Isopropyl Alcohol suggested.
[ ] Reflectorized / Insulated Winter Work Gloves
[ ] Reflectorized Vest /high viz wind & water resistant outer wear
[ ] Tow/Recovery Straps - Know the difference!
[ ] Trailer Hitch Receiver Mounted Tow Hook/Tow Strap Loop
[ ] Radiator Stop Leak / Hose Repair Tubes/Clamp Kit
[ ] Tire Repair Kit
[ ] Emergency Tire Inflator/Sealer - (Be prepared to replace tire)
[ ] High Intensity Durable Flashlight - Spare Bulbs /Batteries (lithium)
[ ] Synthetic top/pants, layered shirts/jackets/liner & boot socks/thermal underwear
[ ] Watch Cap, Balaclava, Neoprene Face Mask or combination, liner gloves/mittens
[ ] Spare Winter Boots - consider distances you might walk in these shoes
[ ] Spare Gas Container 2 1/2 gallon - mark with name/vehicle reg #
[ ] High Visability Distress Flag
[ ] Water Displacing Spray Lubricant - Fluid Film/WD-40 Suggested
[ ] Fire Extinguisher - Dry Chemical 2A BC
[ ] Hatchet / Axe / Folding Saw(?)
[ ] Heavy Gauge Jumper Cables (4-6 ga)
[ ] Electric Power Supply - Jumper Combo Devise - Small Inverter
[ ] Garbage Bags - Large Contractor Colored
[ ] Canned Candles /Heaters / Coffee Can/Boat Matches/Windproof Lighter
[ ] Military 90MPH Duct Tape Roll of Bailing Wire
[ ] Self Heating MRE's or Food Rations Canned Nuts/Dried Fruit/Water
[ ] Tool Kit - Multi-function tools English/Metric /Torx/Hex Wrenches / Knife
[ ] Emergency Blankets/Bags & Wool/Fleece Blankets/Sleeping Bag
[ ] First Aid Kit - Spare Critical Medications 3-5 days
[ ] Road Maps - Compass - Spare Reading Glasses
[ ] Come - Along Device - two 3/4" Plywood Squares as Jack Support
[ ] Chemical Hand/Foot Warmers

Seems like a lot.....some of these items may be on board your go bag or part of another vehicle kit. There are a number of nylon higly durable containers/bags to house all this safely and neatly. If you have a truck and a tool box...you have room. Been there. Thule/Yakima boxes will allow you to carry this stuff as well.