23-04-2013, 04:30 PM
Sure everyone has a reflective vest, maybe fix-a-flat spray, windowwasher liquid, first aid kit, and spare bulbs, but...
What do you keep for those special occasions?
My winter gear...
Sleeping bag! Motor organisations recommend a blanket, but how many of those are really good enough? My sleeping bag is an old army-surplus with wood buttons(yeah, that old) and Kapok filling. (Kapok is plant fibres, and unlike most synthetic filling, this stuff retains a lot of its insulation power when wet. That could be a lifesaver if you're sweaty after failing to dig your car out of a snowdrift during a winter storm)
Snow shovel. (of course... )
Good headwear and gloves/mittens.
'Snow ladders' and quick-mount snow-chains.
Chem-lights.
A box of reuseable handwarmers (the kind with a metal disc suspended in a liquid. Good heat for 20 - 30 minutes, each. Those may ave your fingers from frostbite... )
A box of 'shake to activate' disposable handwarmers.
(They work for up to 12 Hours. Nice and cozy in the foot-end of the sleeping bag)
The chains, ladders and shovel are loose in the back, gloves are in the glove compartment, of course. The rest is packed in a big nylon bag, and is NOT removed from the car unless I'm really desperate for room, and only need to drive a very short trip.
I also have a normal blanket in the back seat. Never know when someone might need it. It's also useful for covering up all my junk.
On long trips in the winter, I always bring a thermos with Tea and food, of course.
(Storing water in the car is kind of stupid during winter)
What do you keep for those special occasions?
My winter gear...
Sleeping bag! Motor organisations recommend a blanket, but how many of those are really good enough? My sleeping bag is an old army-surplus with wood buttons(yeah, that old) and Kapok filling. (Kapok is plant fibres, and unlike most synthetic filling, this stuff retains a lot of its insulation power when wet. That could be a lifesaver if you're sweaty after failing to dig your car out of a snowdrift during a winter storm)
Snow shovel. (of course... )
Good headwear and gloves/mittens.
'Snow ladders' and quick-mount snow-chains.
Chem-lights.
A box of reuseable handwarmers (the kind with a metal disc suspended in a liquid. Good heat for 20 - 30 minutes, each. Those may ave your fingers from frostbite... )
A box of 'shake to activate' disposable handwarmers.
(They work for up to 12 Hours. Nice and cozy in the foot-end of the sleeping bag)
The chains, ladders and shovel are loose in the back, gloves are in the glove compartment, of course. The rest is packed in a big nylon bag, and is NOT removed from the car unless I'm really desperate for room, and only need to drive a very short trip.
I also have a normal blanket in the back seat. Never know when someone might need it. It's also useful for covering up all my junk.
On long trips in the winter, I always bring a thermos with Tea and food, of course.
(Storing water in the car is kind of stupid during winter)