Pinyo over at Moolanomy recently wrote about roadside emergency gear you should have in your car before you have to use it, and I felt compelled to elaborate.
I’ve had a lot of roadside emergencies, so I keep my truck stocked with everything I might or someone else might need. One of the big ones is a tow strap. Like I said in my comment over there, that 14 foot tow rope that he linked to isn’t going to get you far. Spending $20 or so on a 30 foot, 3000lb tow strap can save you from a $75-$100 winch out bill from a towing company, as well as a lot of time stuck in that ditch. When using it, make sure you’re wrapping it around axles and not hooking on to bumpers or hitches. Be sure to help your rescuer by getting on the gas while they’re trying to pull you out, especially if they have a manual transmission.
Example 1: I once drove my truck down in to the median on an interstate during a snowstorm. I had been following a semi (the only other vehicle on the road) because I could hardly see where I was going. When he got off at an exit, I told myself not to follow him down the ramp. Sure enough, I found myself following him. Overcorrected (mostly due to lack of vision) and drove right down in. I sat down there for two hours waiting for a winch out that ended up costing me $75. In the meantime, about 20 other vehicles in total drove by, 5 of which stopped to make sure I was alright. If I had tow straps at the time, any one of them could’ve pulled me out.
Example 2: I once was on an accident at a busy intersection. I parked my truck as far off the road as I could, right on the edge of a slope leading down in to a corn field. When everything was cleaned up and it came time to leave, my back end promptly began sliding down – I forgot it rained the night before. Called my dad to come yank me out, and instead of sitting there looking like a complete dumbass to all these people the whole time, I got my strap out and hooked up. Several other people offered to pull me out while I was waiting (as they saw my strap), but I informed them that my dad was already on his way. When he got there, he was in and out in 2 minutes. Backed his truck up on the opposite side of that corner of the intersection, I hooked up to him, hopped in my truck, he pulled me down, up, and out (an operation that had to be carefully coordinated with the traffic light), I jumped out, unhooked and threw the strap in the back, and we were on our way.
As a “just in case” measure (you’re already thinking of “just in case” anyway), carry two tow straps. You may find yourself needing either double the length, or your rescuer might bust the first one by not letting out the slack first.
What else is in the back of my truck? Three, count them three jacks. One from my old Ranger, one from this truck, and a big old floor jack I bought at WalMart. I also have two lug wrenches (one that only fits my old Ranger, one from this truck) as well as a universal tire iron. Jumper cables are a no brainer. A gas can sure comes in handy (especially when you keep it full), as well as fluids of all kinds. I have coolant for emergency and maintenance use (I used to go through a lot of it), oil (because I have nowhere else to keep it), and power steering fluid (again, nowhere else).
Not only do all these things help to keep yourself prepared, but they also help you to help others. You know how much it sucks to watch people keep driving by while you’re either broken down or stuck in a ditch, so why not help them? It can also yield a few extra bucks to you as thanks.
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