Being winter is upon us.....

What do you keep in your vehicle now both in the way of normal gear and winter gear? What items would you suggest should be kept in our vehicles during winter? Thanks <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Wool blankets.

I would add some candles (and matches) The survival candles in cans with three wicks look interesting. If you're stuck in a snowstorm it would be useful for avoiding hypothermia I think.

Oh, and another threat is carbon monoxide poisoning. Maybe you could add a carbon monoxide detector, I don't know much about them and if it's possible to install one in a car... Anyway ventilation is important.

Frankie:

Most new cars have constant pass-thru ventilation whenever the ignition is on, even if you have the A/C & heater fan shut off and all the windows closed.

Bountyhunter

We made our own candles for the vehicles.

We cleaned out a 8 oz salsa jar. We put a bunch of old candle stubs in a tin can. We put the tin can on the camp stove and melted them. We poured the wax into the salsa jar. We then stood a candle stub up in the jar. The stub came to just about the top of the jar. As the wax cooled, it held the stub in place. The wax shrunk a bit as it cooled leaving enough head room to leave a book of matches. The metal lid screws on ensuring that even in the summer sun, wax will not leak out of the jar.

An old scout standby is to use a cat food or tuna can. Cut a stripe of corogated cardboard the same width as the height of the can. Roll the cardboard and place into the can so that you can see the holes. Melt wax and fill can with wax. The cardboard acts as a wick. Cat food cans sometimes come with plastic tops. This actually becomes more of a burner than a candle since you have so much wick.

You could make a multi wick candle in the same manner as first described by putting multiple candles stubs in a cat food can. Fill the space between the stubs with melted wax from other stubs. Keep the plastic top on inbetween used to protect the wicks, keep a book of matches with the candle, and limit wax spillage during hot months in the car.

Of course wicks and wax are available for purchase from craft and hobby shops it you prefer to make your own wicks and are particular about the color of the wax in your emergency candles.

Portable, battery-powered CO detectors are available at retailers like Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Sears. Price is usually around $30.

I try to keep the tank as full as possible, especially when the weather is at its worst. I keep an old spare parka and blanket in addition to most of the other things already mentioned. Also a folding shovel, sand and tow strap in case I get stuck. I used to rotate this stuff out in the summer time, but have gotten lazy and it just stays in there all year long now.

I keep a TON of gear in my car year round. I'm like a mobile FEMA outpost. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Since I already have blankets, tents, candles, flares, glow sticks, fire extinguishers and a whole lot more, the only think I added for winter (which is pretty mild down here...73 degrees right now) is a heavy goose-down gortex coat w/ hood. Nice to have as I'm walking down the side of the road with my broken down car left miles back. Not really necessary since I have a vareiety of blankets and shelter items that would keep me just as warm but I'd rather have the coat when given a choice.

The Dec-Jan 2005 issue of Field and Stream has a brief article on this subject. A sidebar describes the TP Heater. You will need one toilet paper roll, a small coffee can with plastic lid ( or any can just big enough to hold TP) and 2+, 16 oz bottles of rubbing alcohol. Remove the carboard core, compress TP and slip into can. Add alcohol and allow to soak in. Light edge of TP. When it starts to turn brown on edge you need to extinquish and refuel. The plastic lid is to keep fuel from evaporating between use.

Another essential is a blaze orange flag to tie to your antenna.

Added for winter: Thinsulate boots, sleeping bag, ski bibs, jacket shell & liner, winter socks, & gloves. Everything except the sleeping bag are my normal field gear if necessary for work. About the coldest I've been was January in West Virginia when it started to rain.

The "Movable wicks" in survival/24 hr/48 hr candles are nothing more than short bits of COTTON pipe cleaner {synthetic cleaners just melt} bent into shape then dipped in molten wax, I've made hundreds of them myself. A neat idea I wish I'd have been the first to think of and market, somebody's made a killing on those things.

For the TP Heater: is there some reason denatured alcohol isn't used? The water in rubbing alcohol would seem counter-productive.

Sue

I pretty much keep a "72 hour" kit in my car all the time. There are a couple prior topics that get into lists for that kind of kit pretty well. That means I have signalling, firemaking, flashlights, water, rain/wind gear, 3 days of food rations, FAK, basic gear like sharps, paracord, space blankets, repair stuff, etc. in a day pack all the time.

In the winter, I just add enough fleece or wool pullovers and pants for my family in a duffle bag with some old gloves and hats that we would never wear in public, <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> but, would keep us warm in an emergency. I always have some boots and a parka in the trunk. In that duffle bag I throw a bunch of handwarmers and a couple of those small firestarter logs, (there is firemaking gear in the 72 hour pack, but, I think being able to light one of those little firestarters up might be a real emotional lift for my wife and son if we broke down on some isolated road when we're driving up to a ski place in Maine or New Hampshire).

I think I have enough fleece and wool stuff in there to keep warm, but, maybe a couple wool army blankets wouldn't be a bad addition as was mentioned before.

For communication, I always have a cell phone, but, I also keep a handheld FM amateur radio and a repeater directory in the car. There are plenty of places that the cell phone is dead, but, you can usually find a repeater that you can hit on 2M or 70CM. (Just in case)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned hand tools. I keep a small tool box with the most common size wrenches and sockets, along with screwdrivers, pliars, and wirecutters. It saved my bacon a few years back. I broke the alternator belt on my Bronco II while deer hunting. Fortunately I noticed that the AC belt was the same belt, and I was able to swap it out in about an hour. Without the tools it would have been a long walk out.

I include bailing wire for impromptu exhaust repairs as well as a cheap tire plug kit from Wal-mart. Some wire connectors and electrical tape are in there too. With this stuff I am pretty much equipped to fix anything up to my level of mechanical expertise (which admittedly is not that high!)

Come to think of it, I'd better buy a spare serpentine belt for my Dodge truck today.

Regards, Vince

Just a guess, but I think dehatured EtOH is more combustable or fast burning. Just a guess.

Speaking of denatured EtOH, I always have a soda can stove, water, and my 1 liter titanium pot in my car 3 seasons of the year. I also carry one in my survival kit in the winter when I ice climb or mountaineer.

A buddy of mine tested my soda can at everest base camp ~17,000 ft., and it worked great. I have personally used it effectively up to 14,500 ft.

Burns 10-12min and brings a liter of water to a boil, 170 F at sealevel, starting at RT, in about 8 min. or less. Great item to have. The stove, the fuel (6 ounces or 10 uses), and the pot stand all fit it a stuff sack 3.5" across, 4" high. The big plus is that it only weighs a few ounces without the fuel. I haven't used my MSR "lite-weight" white gas backpacking stove in 3 years- just too dang heavy and hard to light compared to the soda can stove.

Denatured alcohol (generally in the painting area of a store) is different from isopropyl alcohol (generally in the pharmacy area), which is commonly diluted with water (70%+). Denatured alcohol generally has acetone or some other “denaturing” agent to make it undrinkable and therefore non-taxable. Denatured alcohol will generally burn cleaner that isopropyl school.

Pete

If denatured alcohol uses acetone, wouldn't that affect the plastic can cover used to seal the toilet paper heater when it is not being used?

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

When I first read the term "TP heater", I thought it was a device that pre-heats the TP prior to use. Didn't really seem like an essential survival item to me.

Not necessarily, my daughter’s nail polish remover, which is acetone, is in a plastic bottle, with no problems. It would like depend upon the type of plastic of the coffee can lid and the amount of acetone in the denatured alcohol.

Pete

Since the TP stove would be a survival item, & whichever alcohol can evaporate given the chance, I would keep the alcohol in a separate container until needed.

I keep denatured alcohol in a hair-dye-base bottle-- light but very tough.

Sue

I confused. Who is gonna see a blaze orange flag on my antenna that wouldn't see the rest or the car. I mean a car is pretty big. I have trouble believing that someone could completely overlook a car but then happen to spot a small orange flag on the antenna of the car they couldnt see. Is this a "covered in 5 feet of snow" thing? Maybe that's why I don't get it. The only time I see more than even 5 inches of snow is when I'm on vacation up north. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think it's to let people know that the car is in trouble. As if a car by the side of the road with people in it wouldn't be enough of a hint.

Tools are important! I recently procured a Jeep, the first manual I have ever had, and started to immediately put stuff in it.

I went over to Harbor Freight Tools and then to Home Depot and had a blast!

Two 'tackle' boxes have most of my gear in it, one just for tools including a full ratchet and hex set. The other has the standard EDC, ranging from mylar sheet to canned candle. All new, too! The Jeep may be used, but the cr- um - stuff I am putting in it is not going to be.

The stuff not in the boxes are the blankets, Eastland driving shoes(I call them my duck feet), cell phone charger and Med kit.

I put a set of shoes in the Jeep because I usually work in an environment where I have to be more 'proffessional', meaning heels. I do not want to be driving in heels, and I would scrape them up too much. I keep the shoes on the seat when I am at client's offices so that I don't try to get in and just drive in my heels. I am also considering having some wool socks to stuff in them for the winter, and to keep the stockings from getting runners.

I have been looking at diffeent racks for the outside of Jeeps and would like to opinion of others about what type actually work well. If I have a rack, I can haul a Deer without having to tie it to the hood.

Brian:

It could be that Frankie is used to seeing vehicles that are not kept clean and end up blending in with the sorroundings they are kept in.

I remember being in a hurry once and I started to run toward the other side of the street and ended up running face first into the side of my van which happened to actually be parked on this side of the street.

My neighbors still look at me weird when I run (Actually limp quickly.) out of the house even these days.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Yes Brian, it's a blizzard thing.

Frankie

Truck Winter Kit

I have an extended cab long box four wheel drive diesel truck with a replacement sixty gallon fuel tank. There is a locked storage box under the rear seat. A seventeen hundred pound capacity cargo rack is mounted to the box outboard of a tall canopy. Inside under the canopy roof out of sight is a three hundred pound capacity Cargobat storage deck. On the floor of the box is a standard height Truck Vault with two five foot long drawers. The weight of the loaded truck with two people and two dogs is nine thousand pounds. When you look inside the cab, all you see is a couple of coats hanging from a clothes rod and a travel blanket on the back seat. When looking in the canopy, you see two dog kennels and possibly two large German Shepherds looking back at you.

However, the truck if full of essential equipment. In addition to the normal spare oil, filters, serpentine belt, and bulbs, there is a complete tool set with emergency repair equipment, i.e. fire extinguisher, various type tapes, electrical wire and connectors, bailing wire, heavy tow strap, jacks, two set of tire chains, etc. There are comprehensive first aid kits for humans and dogs complete with airways and Ambu Bag. I used to in the medical field during the fun times in the late 1960's in Chicago. There are three types of stoves and fuels for heating food and water, a complete cooking set, three types of water storage devices, thermos, collapsible containers, and canteens, four types of water purification and filter systems, dog food and collapsible food and water dishes, dog beds, harnesses and leashes. There are also various sizes and types of tarps two chairs, and packs for two people and two dogs. Oh, and lights, lot of lights, from small leds to a 1,000,000 candle power portable search light as well as a couple of seven day candles. All this and more is in the Truck Vault.

There are also three shovels, axe, four foot cross cut saw, collapsible bucket, rake, broom, long reach combination snow blade and brush, and a seventeen foot Big Boy ladder, two Wiggy’s Ultimate Thule FTRSS Sleeping Bag Systems, two heavy wool blankets, two Thermal Rest Pads, heavy Swedish wool pants with suspenders, wool sweaters, a complete change of clothes, two pair of down booties, two pair of rain gear, two pair of pack boots with extra felt liners, two pair of snow shoes, two pair of ski poles, wool and leather gloves, wool scarfs, wool hats, beaver hats, and finally a two man four season tent, a collapsible toilet, and books. This equipment fits in the Cargobat.

In the under seat storage compartment, is a weeks worth of food. This include MREs, dried fruits, meats, and fish, oat meal, dried milk, unsalted mixed nuts, crackers, energy bars, sugar, salt, tea, coffee, hot cocoa mix, powered wasabi, dried beans, too bad its not butter, pasta, candy, survival rations, etc

All this equipment is in addition to the my normal PSK and FAK.. For communications there is On Star, two separate cell phones systems, CB, and four two way radios, two portable short wave radios, XM radio, lots of batteries, mirrors, whistles, and three types of emergency beacons. Normally the roof rack is empty. If I need more room inside, I just move the ladder to the rack.

We live on the eastern edge of the Columbia River Gorge and travel extensively to Eastern Oregon, Mt Hood, Mt Adams, and Portland on a regular basis. If we get caught in one of our snow or ice storms, my wife and I want to thrive not just survive! For a total of forty five dollars per year, we both belong to Life Flight which is good from Wyoming to the West Coast and from the Canadian Border to Northern half of California. I transport people to medical facilities on a regular basis and one uninsured flight can break the bank.

"As if a car by the side of the road with people in it wouldn't be enough of a hint."

Oh. And here I thought they pulled over because they had to take notes while on their cell phone! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

However, I DID understand the signal of the red bandana on the crutch waving out the window. Not TOTALLY stupid, I guess.

Sue

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/buf/blizzard/blizphoto.html

Those pictures make me feel real prepared and lucky that I own seven snowmobiles, four front end loaders, and two bull dozers. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

>>>>I have been looking at diffeent racks for the outside of Jeeps and would like to opinion of others about what type actually work well. If I have a rack, I can haul a Deer without having to tie it to the hood<<<<

I use a flat cargo shelf type that fits into a hitch receiver on the back end. Basically angle iron, diamond grate, and 2" tube. I got a 15" longer piece of 2" tube for the tongue / center support. This allows me access (around the spare) to a truck tool box mounted on the shelf for extra "trunk space" on longer road trips. It is the kind that sits down in bed instead of across the side rails. It's held on with 4 bolts that pass right through the grate so it's no problem to switch configurations. A 60" shelf and box is the perfect width for a Jeep but you could go with a more compact 48" model with a standard length tongue for hunting or other trips offroad.

Ed

I've found a great source for orange bandanas is http://www.wholesaleforeveryone.com

Be careful that you buy the right content - cotton vs synthetic.

Ken

I keep hand tools in my truck year round. Between the hinges of the extended cab jump seats are a pair of eagle creek travel bags. One is a BOB with flashlights, batteries, leatherman, etc. The other has screwdrivers, socket set, etc. In with the jack is an extension handle for the lug wrench and wrench roll. under the hood is a spare set of wheel bearings packed in grease, a box with bulbs, fuses, and other electrical supplies, spare brake pads, set of spark plugs and wires, funnel, brake fluid, spare fan belt, etc. In the bed under the cap are tire chains, tow chin, tie down straps, jumper cables, 12v air compressor, and spare fluids.

RE the 1977 Blizzard

My cousins used to have a house they bought in the spring of 1978. They had airal pictures of the house taken during the blizzard, - with the snowmobiles parked on the roof as the house was being checked - similar to one of the photos in the spread, just taken from the air - you had to look HARD to see there was a house there

Thank you! I had looked at the cargo 'trunks' and was wieghing the benifits of that as oposed to the over the cab racks. Or I could do both, I guess...

Now I have more to consider! Eek!

Makes more sense now ... thanks for the info! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Instead of a can with a plastic lid, you might consider a "clean" paint can, they come in various sizes, from the Home Depot.
The only issue would be being able to get the lid off via a screwdriver, etc.
Would most likely make for a more water/air tight seal.

I did see that someone down the string mentioned sand, but if you are in a snow area, you might consider a few bags of kitty litter for traction. If it spills in the trunk or cab, it is a little easier to clean up than sand.

Skater,

tape a couple of pennies or quarters to the side of the paint can and you can use them to open the lid after it is sealed!!

Garrett

Good idea. You also have money for a pay phone.
I am putting a fire starting kit together using a can like this that when emptied and properly punctured, will serve as a small stove after having served as an air tight container for the fire starting contents.
I will let you know how it goes.