Winter Travel Emergency Kit (Need some ideas)

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:50 am

I’m trying to put together a winter kit. Basically, I’m wanting to put together some type of emergency bag in the event that I might be broke down or stuck during the winter months. My off-road kit already includes a winch remote, tow ropes, gloves, flashlight, D-rings, etc. Besides the common off-road gear, I’m looking for items that are specific for winter travel. Let me know if you have any good ideas to add to the kit.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 1:47 am

couple 2x4s with steel grips nailed to them and optionally a flange or hole for a stake

one them shiny thermal wraps case ya get cold

extra socks

cgass · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 2:03 am

Reflective vest is nice for low visibility conditions if your on the side of a road. Some cliff bars or something of the like.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 2:11 am

I always carry an extra gal of windsheild de icer in the winter. I always seem to run out at the worst time.

streetglideok · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:54 am

Bottled water, granola bars, a blanket, if you run a CRD, then some fuel anti-gel, handwarmers maybe?

Zack A · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:14 am

Go pair of gloves

METCRD · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:36 pm

Not sure if under "common offroad gear" you have a shovel, but I put a nice full size flat shovel on my roof rack for situations needing a little moving of snow (i.e. axle/bumper/underbody stuck up on a snow drift). I used a snow scraper once...now I have the shovel.

Lancer · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:46 pm

Large- bladed shovel for snow or mud, warm gloves - waterproof is good if possible, deicer, water (at least 2 litres, you can dehydrate very quickly working in severe cold), reflective waistcoat, tarp to lie on if you have to get underneath the vehicle, or to use as an ancillary shelter (with bungees to secure to the roof rack etc), blanket - the reflective ones are fine - but try and get a reusable one - more robust. I carry a sleeping bag - its a thermocell one that is now issued to RAF rescue aircraft. It may seem extreme (I'm only in England) but I do travel around Europe and Scandinavia and even in some parts of England - if there is a cold snap - it can get COLD! I also volunteer with a 4x4 response group, so I also have it if I need to help someone else who went out unprepared. Packs down to a very compact bundle - about the size of a kilo bag of sugar. Heat pads/handwarmers - you get them in outdoor shops - keeping a few of them in the centre box is handy.

Food - granola or other energy bars are good, I also - if the conditions I'm going to are a bit grim, take a couple of hotcan meals and a spork - when its cold, hot food is a real morale booster. Can help to take a flask of hot coffee out with you - depends on how far you're going.

For snow - I carry snow chains if I'm going somewhere where its either the law in winter (Austria, Germany, Norway) or its just likely to be a problem (North Yorkshire), but its also an idea to carry a couple of lengths of old carpet to put under the tyres if you get a bit bogged down.

Tow rope and jump leads - but you probably already have these. I always have a good head torch in winter as well as the maglite that lives in the jeep, and spare batteries - easily overlooked but severe cold kills batteries quickly.

Jeepinjarhead mentioned socks - good idea both to put on in addition to the ones you're wearing (make sure you can still wriggle your toes in your boots/shoes though) or to put on over your footwear to give a bit more grip in snow/ice conditions. I like felted wool insoles - take up very little space but make a real difference in cold conditions.

RENE · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 1:03 pm

Candles and matches, keeps you warm in truck.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 1:48 pm

Bottle of wild turkey 101.

Tow Strap.

Lighter.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:40 pm

jarheads always have extra socks

Lancer · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 5:00 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

jarheads always have extra socks

I used to keep a woolen pair in a waterproof bag with a small pot of footpowder in the inside pocket of my smock with a couple of mars bars. Mind you, I used to keep a spare magazine in the other pocket.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:54 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

extra socks

That’s a good idea!

cgass wrote:

Some cliff bars or something of the like.

Yeah, energy is important

Atthehelm wrote:

I always carry an extra gal of windsheild de icer in the winter. I always seem to run out at the worst time.

I perform a fluid check a few times per month, so I typically keep the windshield wiper fluid topped off. However, carrying some type of deicer is something that I might add to the list. We do get a fair amount of ice build up on the windshield.

streetglideok wrote:

Bottled water

Water is probably one of the most important items; although, I've had problems with it freezing. I could use my 40 quart Coleman Hot/Cold Thermoelectric Cooler to hold all my winter kit items in. That would also keep the water from freezing.

streetglideok wrote:

a blanket

Yep, that was on my list

streetglideok wrote:

if you run a CRD, then some fuel anti-gel

I don’t have a KJ CRD, but I do have a Dodge CRD. I’m adding a fuel heater, plus I always use cold flow improver.

streetglideok wrote:

handwarmers

Not a bad idea………

Zack A wrote:

pair of gloves

That’s already on my list. I bought waterproof insulated gloves and work gloves

METCRD wrote:

Not sure if under "common offroad gear" you have a shovel, but I put a nice full size flat shovel on my roof rack for situations needing a little moving of snow (i.e. axle/bumper/underbody stuck up on a snow drift). I used a snow scraper once...now I have the shovel.

Yeah, I have the Hi-Lift multi-tool set. Although, a plastic snow shovel would move large volumes of snow faster and be super light weight to carry or mount on a roof rack.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:42 am

Lancer wrote:

I carry a sleeping bag.

I was considering sleeping bags. We have nice goose down bags that can zip together to make one large bag. Individually they are rated at -5 degrees. They are designed for backpacking, so I have stuff sacks that are very small for saving space.

Lancer wrote:

For snow - I carry snow chains

I’ve been stuck in a snow storm a few times, and that was scary enough that I wished I had snow chains. I’ve never used them, but they are legal here in New Mexico. I would consider a studded snow tire, but I don’t know if it’s worth buying a second set of winter tires. It’s never worth it until you need them, lol. :banghead:

Lancer wrote:

tarp to lie on if you have to get underneath the vehicle, or to use as an ancillary shelter (with bungees to secure to the roof rack etc)

Great idea……….

RENE wrote:

Candles and matches, keeps you warm in truck.

X2 I had emergency candles on my list as well as matches/lighter.

Sir Sam wrote:

Bottle of wild turkey 101.

Tow Strap.

Sam, you know that I don’t drink. :5SHOTS:

I already have the tow strap in my off-road gear bag.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:55 am

The wild turkey is to be burned to keep ya warm, or take a swig to keep ya warm, either way.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:59 am

ive seen anti-freeze for bottled water, real similar to the thickener used for elderly peoples water

makes it nasty and bout corn oil consistancy

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:45 am

I carry the following in winter:

Tools(enough to do just about anything on the kj)
Blankets
Extra jackets/sweatshirts/winterhats/gloves
rain suit (works great for getting in snow and nt getting wet)
few bottles of water and some snack food(granola bars until I get off my butt and get MRE's)
snow shovel (also have my handy camping shovel)
Hatchet
knive(s)
tape
bungee cords
jump box with air compressor
extra jack or 2

Im sure there is alot more I just cant think about off the top of my head.

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 4:25 pm

I carry a coleman one burner stove fueled with unleaded in a large coffee can. Not sure anyone sells coffee in the large cans anymore.
I usually keep half dozen 1 pint bottles of water in the truck. If they freeze you can peel off the plastic and melt them in the coffee can.
2 candles pillar style 6 - 8 inches tall for heat + matches carried in a large coffee can. Will take the edge off the cold and provide a little comfort.
2 sleeping bags (cheap walmart bags +20 degree)
high calorie food for two, granola bars, peanut m&m's, etc.
Car phone charger
bright color tarp (orange if you can find one)
Road flares (the easist way to start a fire when everything is wet)
extra set of warm clothes, extra jacket and my winter boots.
wool blanket

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:01 pm

a water activated battery in a can!!

and that's a joke..

kjon · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:43 pm

Well, up here in Wisconsin, Red Forman would tell ya: a tin can, matches, candles, and kitty litter. But that was the 70's... (Candle in can for a mini heater, candle under can for melting snow, kitty litter for traction if you get stuck). Really though, I've driven hundreds of miles in severe blizzards out in ND, with nobody around for dozens of miles and snow drifts up to the hood, and my best advise is: always have a full tank of gas, drive slow, and have enough warm clothes/boots/blankets to keep you alive for days. I tend to pack anything and everything I can fit for survival and recovery, and I've never had to use any of it for myself...

Winter Travel Emergency Kit (Need some ideas)

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