I am looking to build a general purpose low-budget commuter survival kit for my Subaru Forester.

My commute will soon changing from around 20 miles a day to more than 100. I will be traveling from the Philadelphia suburbs to New Jersey and back every day.

I don't want to depend just on the contents of my shoulder bag for this. Or should I?

I have a new 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5 X Premium and a hefty monthly car payment to go with it. I just paid off a credit card. Also, our annual per capita and occupational school taxes will be sent out in July. Hence, my available cash is on the low side.

Any hints, tips, or suggestions in putting together this kit would be appreciated.

-- Craig

Well, since you're on a low-budget and already have a shoulder bag for your PSK, BOB and FAK items (correct me if I'm wrong) I would focus on the repair-stuff for your vehicle, because your survival-items you already carry. If you only focus on that, you can make a much less expensive kit.

Since you'll be starting a long commute, the first couple of things that come to mind are all car related, such as a couple of Gerry Cans of extra fuel, extra radiator fluid, a roadside emergency kit, and so on.

Then perhaps I'd work outward from there on things you might personally need in an emergency, wouldn't want to lug around every day, but that you could store in a large shoulder bag or backpack in the truck. Items like a poncho or rain gear, wool blanket, first aid kit, and the like fit in this category.

From there I'd go for EDC items.

Overall I'd try to think about what you might need in an emergency and start a list, cutting or adding items by probability.

I understand working within a tight budget. Over the last year I put together a BOB a little at a time, waiting for sales and specials to come around, and comparing different brands with one another for the best bargains. I found in a couple of instances that even though prices on the internet were better than those offered at a physical store, the shipping charges made up the difference unless I was buying multiple items.

Ask stores both online, and in your area if they offer price match guarantees.

Other ways to save money are to shop on ebay, at flea markets and garage sales and so forth.

Nothing wrong with the basics: Fire extinguisher, fix-a-flat in a can, aaa membership, keep the tank topped off, etc

What do you have so far?

I'd recommend a car charger/air compressor. I paid $20 plus $20 S/H for mine, so look around. It's already paid for itself. AAA is good. Doing it yourself in 5-10 minutes is even better. Being able to lend a quick hand to others in need is a nice benefit, too.

I also keep a midsize crowbar within reach. Good b.g. deterrent and extrication device for yourself and others.

Hey Craig,

What is your commute like? How's the weather, the traffic, and are there any long stretches of road with no services? And what exactly are you preparing for? Normal day to day events, or a full emergency?

I was in your exact situation, 100 mile round trip commute each day in a Forester. I didn't have to carry anything too extensive becaust the weather in SoCal is generally mild, and forturnately my commute was through the most populated area of the country (not so fortunate because of traffic). There would be thousands of people passing 24 hours a day, every day, so no need for survival shelters or hunting traps and stuff like that. At worst, you'd walk less than a mile to the nearest pay phone or store and hang out for a while. I also didn't want to carry a whole lot, because the vehicle isn't that large, and I didn't want to take up valuable space. I would carry some of this stuff at a minimum.

1) AAA card. I actually didn't get a membership until recently, but I've been in a few cars where AAA has come to the rescue.
2) Cellphone. I personally don't own one, but I would recommend an emergency phone or something

It may not seem very "survival" oriented, no cool knives and firestarters and stuff like that, but I'm betting those two things will cover you in 99% of the situations you will ever face on a daily city commute. If you drive through a metropolitan area like i did, chances of not being able to get services are very, very small. In addition to that, I would carry things just to use for everyday emergencies

3) Portable Jumpstarter - because you don't always want to wait for AAA to come along, could take up to an hour.
4) Extra clothes
5) Couple bottles of water
6) Snacks
7) Headlamp (for changing a spare tire)
8) Change your spare to a full-size spare, get rid of the doughnut
9) Extra money for emergency gas or stuff
10) First Aid kit
11) Road flare or reflectors (very important if you commute at night)
12) A couple of tools (Screwdrivers, wrench, pliers, etc)
13) Fire Extinguisher
14) Wet Wipes
15) Maybe a sleeping bag if you need it

You might have to add more stuff depending on you situation, and most of the stuff you probably already carry in your bag. I've had friends who had longer commutes on the east coast, even when they were stranded by a snowtorm and couldn't make it home, the only tool they ever used was a credit card. Rent a cheap motel room, have a nice dinner, and watch TV until it passes.

Since you have a new car, I wouldn't worry too much about major breakdowns, so no need to carry a bunch of spare parts and a full toolset. As the vehicle gets older, I do carry a little more, but not much more, unless I'm planning on going somewhere more remote. And I wouldn't recommend carrying gas cans inside the car for obvious reasons.

I'm not doing the nasty commute just yet. My current contract expired, so technically I should be working from headquarters in NJ right now. Not sure what's going on, but my manager says to stay put (in King of Prussia) for now. Who am I to argue?

I already have both the AAA card and cell phone. So does My Better Half, at my insistence. (She has improved a whole lot herself, and now carries her SureFire E2e everywhere. Bought that for her, too. My wife is Equipped! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

The possible nasty commute is exactly why I got the vehicle I did. We are debating getting a bigger house and sure didn't need this expense, but what can you do. I knew my old 1993 Ford Taurus at 153,000 couldn't handle it.

Hey, I think I already have all the items on your list. How about that? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My work expects you in your chair, and we get ice and snow in our area. I wanted All-Wheel Drive. The Forester was an easy choice.

I think I'll go for the "everyday emergencies," as well. Except for the sleeping bag. I always carried one in my old Taurus during the winter. I'll probably throw one into my Forester this winter, too.

-- Craig

I've gone blank. Can't recall. Sigh. It's Friday night and I've been working 10-hour days. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I'll take a gander at the cargo area the next time I'm in the car.

-- Craig

Like many have suggested - sticking to the basics is where to start. Jumper cables, duct tape, water, a snack, flare / road hazard triangle, flashlight, blanket, oil, antifreeze. I really like the idea of the self jumping / air compressor gadget - I'd put one in my vehicle, but it gets broken into far to often for me to shell out the cash for someone else's benefit.