Winter car kit - what do you carry?

[Habbibu]

I've ordered Autosocks, have flask, blankets, first aid kit. Need decent torch and small shovel, so will hunt those down. What else do you keep in a winter/snow emergency kit?

[dietcokesholidaysarecoming]

Chocolate and snacks

[Ponders]

bottled water
make sure your phone is charged
make sure your fuel tank is never less than ½ full
maybe some grit (although the autosocks might do instead)

[Habbibu]

Ooh, yy - should have also mentioned we have 1yo and 4yo. Not as part of the kit, you understand.

[SleepingLion]

Water. Sleeping bag (thinking of those people trapped in their car for 18 hours).

[JaxTellersOldLady]

should we all have an emergency kit?
For long journeys only or as a 'just incase'?

what are autosocks?

[Ponders]

I was wondering about sleeping bags too, SL, but you can't get about very well in those so blankets maybe more useful?

[scurryfunge]

An inflatable dinghy is very useful.

[Ponders]

autosocks are grippy covers that slide over your tyres, JTOL - can only be used on snow though, have to be whipped on & off as conditions change, so not ideal in the UK

[fortyplus]

If you get stuck then shovel the snow out from under the wheel and use one of the blankets to get grip - so make sure it's really old one!

I have an in-car kettle that I'll be taking on 3-day trip to Wales on Wed. It plugs into cigarette lighter. Journey there looks fine but coming home may not be!

Woolly hat, gloves, LOTS of chocolate!

[Habbibu]

Autosocks are a sort of textile version of snow chains - easier to fit, apparently, and came out well in tests (made in Norway. so i bloody hope they're good. And that they arrive).

We are supposed to be heading up to Invernesshire for Christmas, from Fife. Won't go if forecast/conditions bad, but want to be prepared for surprise weather. People on the M8 were just commuting...

yy to sleeping bags - cosier than blankets, i guess.

[Habbibu]

Ponders, that's the same with chains, though, isn't it? Anyway, odds are that if it's snowing anywhere on our journey, it'll be snowing evcerywhere...

[Habbibu]

I used car footwell mats for grip one winter, which worked quite well - tyres, to my shame, were bald...

[Ponders]

oh yes hab, same as chains (but much more portable) but there are winter tyres which can also be used off snow.

My own winter plan is just not to go anywhere until it all stops

[JaxTellersOldLady]

well I always have a first aid kit, a fleecy type cardi, dog towel, wipes, scraper, numerous bits of rubbish, phone charger in my car.


Actually, I am going to tidy out my car and put an 'emergency' bag in the back.

When we drive up to Scotland I make sure we take blankets for the children, snacks, drinks and a thermos cup of coffee for on the way.

[geordieminx]

As one that was stuck on the m8 for 15 hours....

Car charger for phone....it's really no good in your bedroom drawer
A potty, or a couple of spare nappies..... The spare nappy will come in very hammy when you are bursting for a piss, and really don't fancy flashing your arse to the rest of the motorway
A book or a couple of magazines, this was then big thing for me..... I had nothing, and was sooooooo bored. I had a map to read, and the radio and that was it... For 15 hours.
Chocolate
Fags. You will start smoking after being stuck for 5 hours
Waterproof boots, just invade you happen to be traveling in 4 inch shoe boot that is not waterproof

[JaxTellersOldLady]

oh, I also have winter tyres on my jeep which is 4x4 so in most situations I can get home or to someone elses home, but still I think a 'justincase' bag would be good.

[expatinscotland]

a metal shovel
flares
cardoard
kitty litter
a large jug of water turned upside down so the drinking hole doesn't freeze up
screenwash
a 'potty' of some sort
carrier bags/bin liners
wind up torch
old sleeping bag
old climbing rope (great for towing if the towing vehicle can't get so close to yours)

If you have a pair of old football boots with metal studs, they are great on ice!

When I lived in the Rockies, I carried a camp stove and packets of broth, tea, the like.

[JaxTellersOldLady]

geordieminx you made me laugh... fags and the image of you driving in 4" shoe boots!

I dont think I could pee in a nappy, I really dont.

[Habbibu]

Have been living in my impulse buy North Face snow boots for weeks. never have I been so glad to give in to temptation - warm and dry as a bone in feet of snow.

[Habbibu]

Potty definitely - fro dd, if nothing else!

[CerealOffender]

nothing - i live in a town adn will not be traveling anywhere

[PrettyCandlesAndTinselToo]

With dc that age I'd also take a potty (plus funnel and bottle, or maybe by one of these) and extra nappies in the car, too.

[expatinscotland]

I still have a pocket knife/Gerber thingy on my key ring and it's very handy for all manner of things.

One time, when stuck in a snowstorm in Montana, it came in handy opening bottles of beer. :o

I have a candle lighter, too, for thawing locks and back in the day, lighting spliffs.

[expatinscotland]

If you're looking for durable, amazing snowboots, look no further than Sorrell.

Mine have been going strong since 1994 with just a clean and a new coat of wax every year.