Trunk essentials

[Anonymous]

PPs who have all these things in your trunks, do you not have a AAA membership or some other road side assistance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PPs who have all these things in your trunks, do you not have a AAA membership or some other road side assistance?

in the dmv if the Police call a tow, they have to be on scene in 30 mins. AAA can be up to 2 hours. I decided to cut my losses and hope for the best. If I needs tow I’ll take the 30 min option. Sometimes my kid or dog are in the car, I don’t have 2 hours to sit with a broken down car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PPs who have all these things in your trunks, do you not have a AAA membership or some other road side assistance?

No, I'm not the kind of person who experiences something unexpected and expects someone else to save me.

If I'm in the grocery store parking lot and my battery is dead, I'm not waiting an hour or more for AAA. I'm asking the guy next to me to give me a jump.

If I'm on a road trip and get a flat, I'm not waiting two hours or more for AAA, I'm changing the flat. And if it's dark, I'll need a flashlight. If it's hot, I'll want a drink of water.

See how that works?

[Anonymous]

I always keep a bag in the trunk with jumper cables, a battery assist jump thing (also handy for charging dead cell phone), duct tape, couple old towels, couple trash bags, big water bottle, charged headlamp, small collapsible shovel/trowel, work gloves, baseball cap, wool picnic blanket, Leatherman multitool. Also, hmm. Chapstick, eye drops, small first aid kit with advil, Imodium, pepto bismol tablets, bandaids. Sunglasses. Pair of sturdy shoes, also handy for impromtu hikes. A paperback novel. Umbrella or rain poncho. Plus diaper bag with a couple extra diapers and wipes, emergency snacks, happy baby carrier, change of clothes and stuff to keep my toddler entertained I’m 40f, grew up in the Boston area and have driven in a number of unexpected blizzards that had pulled over on 95 for 12 hours or had random breakdowns so better safe than sorry. Also I use a lot of that stuff at least once a month so it’s not a big deal. I tend to take long drives up to New England to see family so it’s nice not to have to worry about weather issues or other small emergencies.

[Anonymous]

Own and EV so the car has its own inflator, but that being said it has a spare tire. I am not a big fan of cars that don't have spare tires. I simply don't like playing that numbers game that people swear buy not. Then in one of my lower trunks I have a jacket, work gloves, flashlight, 20 oz bottle of water.

Flares and triangle and first aid kit all come with the car in their own little kits. Those Germans are prepared.

No food. I don't want ants.

[Anonymous]

The following (most of which is primarily off-road focused):
Traction boards
Foldable shovel/multi-tool
Air Compressor
Air-down tool
Tire gauge
Tire repair kit
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Rechargeable jump kit
Water
Roadside emergency kit (flares/reflectors, etc.)
Gloves
Recovery strap
Flashlight
Cell phone charger
Torx wrenches and sockets sized to relevant bolts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PPs who have all these things in your trunks, do you not have a AAA membership or some other road side assistance?

in the dmv if the Police call a tow, they have to be on scene in 30 mins. AAA can be up to 2 hours. I decided to cut my losses and hope for the best. If I needs tow I’ll take the 30 min option. Sometimes my kid or dog are in the car, I don’t have 2 hours to sit with a broken down car.

Is this true? You call the police and THEY call a tow for you? I've never heard of this before. Does the tow cost more money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is probably an over-complete list, but everything is useful.

Goal:

1. Communications
2. Safety
3. Shelter/clothes
4. Sustenance
5. Minor emergency repair

Breakdown kit:

You can buy these commercially but you may need to add some stuff. You need QUALITY jumper cables; 12 volt air pump; some wire (maybe coat hanger or a little thinner); duct tape (needs periodic replacement); tire gauge; tools for whatever reasonable roadside repairs driver is capable of.

Jumper box with self contained battery is nice.

Flares if driver knows how to use them.

Sand/kitty litter in winter.

Non-perishable snack that can take summer heat.

Bottled water

Paper towels.

Spare bulbs if you want to be really thorough.

In winter spare warm/dry clothes and footwear.

Old blanket for changing tires, etc.

Folding shovel

“Recovery” strap for pulling out of the mud.

Umbrella

Baseball hat

Work gloves

Rubber gloves

Some people keep an old charged cell phone.

First aid: these run from tiny boo boo kits to portable field hospitals. Be reasonable but you may need to stop serious bleeding.

This would be great if you live in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone service and you get 6+ week of snow a winter. Other than that it's insanity.

Nobody asked you. “The middle of nowhere with no cell service” can be anywhere the signal gets interrupted. Or the battery goes dead. Not everybody confines their driving to well lit city roads in perfect condition.

Ummm what city has "city roads in perfect condition?" That's what I want to know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep a multi tool, a first aid kit, a reflective triangle, some towels and hand sanitizer. And trash bags.

No jumper cables? No flashlight? No water?

No. If it helps, I’ve never used any of the stuff I do have in there either.

[Anonymous]

New driver in my house

1. portable jumper (no other car needed) We got one like this. Can also be a spare charger for his phone and has a flashlight attached https://www.amazon.com/NEXPOW-18000mAh-Starter-Portable-Battery/dp/B087LRFYDB/ref=zg_bs_318336011_sccl_2/146-0395198-1802439?th=1

2. Emergency roadside flares - https://www.amazon.com/Tobfit-Emergency-Roadside-Flashing-Batteries/dp/B07K3YFMVH/ref=sr_1_5?crid=BHSPUH3SMR1K&keywords=roadside%2Bflares&qid=1684784322&s=automotive&sprefix=roadside%2Bflares%2Cautomotive%2C106&sr=1-5&th=1

3. First aid kit