The things I carry in my truck - just in case ...

[dogtag]

It's a 73 Datsun PU so when you open the hood
there's an engine that you can see. You can also
see everything attached to it. Not only see, you
can actually get to them without having to remove
half a ton of crap. As long as I do my part she keeps
running just as she has for the past 17 years.
But you never know, so I carry a whole bunch of tools,
a 12 v tyre inflator, jumper cables, a power jumper,
and the usual stuff for changing a wheel.
If you carry all that things won't go wrong, but if you
don't they will. I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law.

[Art]

I have a power jumper (Noco) and let me tell you those things are great. You do have to remember to recharge them once a year but I've used it on my vehicle and somebody else's and it works as advertised. I also have all the tire changing stuff, para cord, a tarp, an entrenching tool, utility machete, a knife set, and some basic tools. In the driver's compartment are flashlights, including a headlamp and extra batteries.

[dogtag]

I've helped a few people over the years.In each case I found that
I had to use my jumper cables. No one bothers to prepare for an
emergency. Maybe they know you can't fix new cars as what
has gone wrong is most likely a computer, but they could at least
carry a set of cables in case their battery goes flat. If they can't be
bothered to help themselves, why should I bother to help them ?
The last ones I helped didn't even know which side the battery was on.
I had to do all the connections.
My tolerance for useless people is approaching it's limit.

[Art]

One other thing about a jumper like the Noco. You don't have to have another car to hook up to which means if you're a woman, especially and you have a dead battery after dark there's no depending on some possibly shady character for help. No need for a call to the auto club either. They also have a flashlight and cell phone charging jacks.

The military now has these with juice appropriate to the job in all their vehicles.

[Allen]

Don't forget a small tire repair kit (plugs) and a can of tire stop leak. You never know when you will run over a nail.

I have a Stanley rechargeable flashlight that recharges ac or dc. As long as your truck battery has power your flashlight will have power.

My F-150 has those cell phone jacks (usb) all over and even an ac outlet (150 watts or so).

[dogtag]

By Plugs you mean the skinny rubber plugs with the needle ?
That has to done from the inside of the tire -you push the needle
through then attach the plug, pull it back in and cut excess.
How can you do it from outside ?

[dryheat]

A Datsun wow! What? 300,000 miles or more? My buddy's girlfriend got one about 1972 and I was among the haters. Not the Japanese but the silly little door handle you could only get three fingers on. I remember the bumper stickers. I'd eat... but, it was the Japanese that put a prod to the American car manufacturers. I'm not sure Ford is on board anymore.
I keep an array of tools in the truck (machete included) and at least jumpers and aired up spare in the car. I hear cars today don't even have spares. You call triple A.

[Allen]

By Plugs you mean the skinny rubber plugs with the needle ?
That has to done from the inside of the tire -you push the needle
through then attach the plug, pull it back in and cut excess.
How can you do it from outside ?

No. They are only done from the outside. You're thinking of a "boot" or patch that is done only from the inside and impossible to do on the go.

I never used the liquid "slime" but it probably works better with it. These kits are available at WM. You would need to carry a pair of needle nose pliers too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eF4EjdYZ7k

[dryheat]

I did use slime and I regret it. I bought an ATV and it came with it's OEM tires (whatever that stands for). It stands for junk. I probably had a half dozen holes in them and kept pouring slime in. When I finally woke up and ordered new heavy duty tires the guy at the shop told me, we hate slime, it's a mess to clean up.
If you buy a new vehicle, especially a travel trailer or such, drive on the OEM's about three times and then get better tires. I know it's hard to believe but the dealers don't care what happens after it leaves the lot. That's why the first ten pages of the owners manual is about tires. There is some important stuff there, but there is- We told you.
The tires I patched were on the bicycle and on the inside and some stuff outside involving the tube. My dad showed me how. I remember he would put glue on the inner tube and then light it on fire with his Zippo and then blew it out. Patch goes on. You left the cellophane on until it was time to install or if you were un-decided you left it on.

[Allen]

OEM = Original equipment manufacturer.

What your vehicle or whatever was equipped with when new. How it came from the factory.

[Major Tom]

My cars are too new for me to 'work' on them. The only thing I carry in my cars is my cell phone ( to call a garage to pick up my car and a S&W 45 (concealed on me).

[dogtag]

My cars are too new for me to 'work' on them. The only thing I carry in my cars is my cell phone ( to call a garage to pick up my car and a S&W 45 (concealed on me).

If your car quits - shoot it. That'll teach it.

[Allen]

Most importantly, if you own a car make sure it is equipped with a trunk monkey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qtG82HJB2I

[dogtag]

I don't like Monkeys, so I certainly don't want one in my trunk.

[Ltdave]

I did use slime and I regret it. I bought an ATV and it came with it's OEM tires (whatever that stands for). It stands for junk. I probably had a half dozen holes in them and kept pouring slime in. When I finally woke up and ordered new heavy duty tires the guy at the shop told me, we hate slime, it's a mess to clean up.
If you buy a new vehicle, especially a travel trailer or such, drive on the OEM's about three times and then get better tires. I know it's hard to believe but the dealers don't care what happens after it leaves the lot. That's why the first ten pages of the owners manual is about tires. There is some important stuff there, but there is- We told you.
The tires I patched were on the bicycle and on the inside and some stuff outside involving the tube. My dad showed me how. I remember he would put glue on the inner tube and then light it on fire with his Zippo and then blew it out. Patch goes on. You left the cellophane on until it was time to install or if you were un-decided you left it on.

OEM = Original equipment manufacturer.

What your vehicle or whatever was equipped with when new. How it came from the factory.

my 2007 dodge caliber came with Firestone OEM tires. i put 88k miles on them before needing to replace them and it wasnt because the tires were junk, its because i was working almost every single day of the years i had them and IF i had a day or two off, i certainly had other things to do around the house and family that took precedents over rotating the tires...