BS: Something that is always in your vehicle

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 10:10 PM

I have about 6 jackets in my truck right now lol. In March here in Ky it will be 75 degrees(F) one day and 40 the next. I wear a coat out in the morning because it is cold and then by noon it is almost 80 so I take it off and leave it in the truck. By next month every coat I have will be in my truck.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Rowan
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 09:11 PM

Thankfully, where I live it doesn't get quite as cold as the more frigid parts of North America and Europe so I don't have to keep snow gear in the vehicle. But I do have to cope with a bushfire season so the clobber in the car includes my Crew Leader's kit, leather gloves and gauntlets, woollen blankets and water (along with routine stuff like a Category A first aid kit, including Resusc. mask and latex gloves, reflective triangles and small tools) and reflective tabards. For more domesticated use there is a large brolly and parka (coat type, not the 'over the head' version) and an esky to keep milk and other purchases cool on the way home.

These get added to depending on where I'm travelling but I've managed to survive the toddler stage and its burdens in the boot (trunk to you North Americans). When the full Parental Taxi Service is operating there's netball clobber, schoolbooks and bags, dance gear and instruments. I've given up carrying the leather ferrets routinely; they get a lift only when they're due to be let out.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 02:44 PM

Things that are always in my vehicle include:

1. My yoga mat (unless I'm in class).
2. A brush
3. Hairbands
4. For 3/4 of the year, kayak paddles/life jacket/water shoes/other kayaking gear.
5. Phone charger
6. A sliding, laughing Buddha
7. A copy of one of my most favorite photos of Ridge Plucker and I
8. Fingernail clippers
9. My Weight Watchers necklace...a shoelace that has a bead on it for every pound I've lost...currently holding 98 beads..hangs on my rear view mirror as a reminder of not how far I have to go, but of how far I have come
10. Car seat for the Wee One
11. Stroller
12. MUSIC (goes without saying, doesn't it?!??!)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:53 AM

My old car, the Lada, used to contain a 5lb lump hammer. Very useful when stuck on the side of the road with a wheel brace that won't turn because the buggers in the garage put the wheel on with one of those hydraulic thingies... Used it whilst camping for tent pegs when we forgot the mallet, lent it to someone to bang out a dint in his bumper when he backed into a wall, and useful in situations where others might use the nightstick or wheel brace (I guess that would be a tyre iron.. or a tire iron).

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 07:03 PM

Well, I have two cars and a truck...

Each has it's own personality which, of course, means different stuff... One of the cars I share with the P-Vine which means that there are lots of garden magazines stuffed where ever they can be stuffed...

Mine car is an old Toyota station wagon which doubles as the dump-car which means the back always has bags neatly lined ujp with recyclables, and garbage (no too stinky because we compost)...

The truck is all mine... And it's a man's truck!!! Get it, ladies??? It's dirty and has tools on the floorboards... It has all the receipts that the P-Vine needs to do the books... Yeah, she isn't afraid of it and goes right in it rummaging for receipts but...

...she won't ride in it unless I clean out the inside which, of course, being a man, I don't do...

My truck, baby, if you want a clean truck, buy yer own... This one is mine and I like my dirt... No, make that "I love my dirt"... See, that's what makes a truck a man's truck...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST,EBarnacle on a friend's computer
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 06:48 PM

Guest above was yours truly.
We also carry CPR kits in the cars as well as an assortment of useful bandages and other things which don't go out of date if kept dry.
Always a flashlight with fresh batteries.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 02:10 PM

Peterson's Bird Book
7 x 50 binoculars
block and tackle
life jackets
2 meter band ham radio for Lady Hillary
Marine radio
owner's manual for the car
nasty little saw for various salvage jobs

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 01:37 PM

dry erase marker

BRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will add for sure.

Ziplocs for small-sized leftovers to fit into my purse or bra (really), which they don't search at hockey games, so that pre-game restaurant dinner can be split into the portion eaten there and the portion eaten later, by me or Hardi, who have blood sugar issues, without paying game-food prices for CRAP.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 12:54 PM

Wow, I had no idea I was so unprepared. But I'll tell you one damn thing, you'll never catch me living where you need:

"two "Aw, shit, I'm stuck in the snow!" kits, which include food and blankets." or some of the other stuff you all have mentioned.

I have a spare tire (at least I think I do), a couple bungee cords, big ol' shopping bags, including the freezer type, a couple maps of places I MIGHT end up if I drive far enough from home.

A dry erase marker for writing urgent memos on my rearview mirror: "GAS!!!!" "PICK UP KIDS!" "WHISKEY!!!", you get the idea.

Hanging from my rearview, sacred beads that remind me not to take anything at all for granted.

Sticky notes for the things I remember/hear/need to do when I get home/to work.

A frisbee.

Kite string.

Salt (in little packets for french fries, not for snow)

Stacks of extra egg cartons and empty milk bottles going back to the farmer's market/dairy.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 10:21 AM

Of course it varies by season (see Boondocking thread). In summer, the compleat autoharp and tabletop rig for summer-shady church on the lawn. The bin of cinders for winter ice-rescues comes out, the floor is swept, and in short order, in goes the music stuff and some pool stuff, too. Then there's the vacation kit that goes in for 3 weeks.....

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST,Jayto
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 10:00 AM

I used to have a huge collection of music. I had everything records, 8 tracks, cassettes, you name it. A cousin of mine was up at my house one day and was looking through my collection. I think he was about 18 at the time if I remember straight. He picked up one of my 8 track tapes and was looking at it. I thought he was reading the song list. He looked up and asked me what kind of game system did it go to. He thought it was an old nintendo cartridge or something lol. I had to explain to him what it was and then go dig out my 8 track player so he could see it. I really hadn't seen an 8 track in normal use since I was a small kid and I am several yrs older than him(and this has been a few yrs back) so I guess he hadn't really ever seen one used at all. I thought it was really funny though.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 08:58 AM

The Engine.Plus a bit of 4 x 2 timber,have a guess what is for.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 07:56 AM

Tool kit - hammer for removing things, WD40 for the ones that won't get removed and Duck tape for sticking them back...

Seriously though I always have my spare hiking boots, socks and waterproof in the boot. Stems from the days when I used to find myself at some very nice places with an hour to spare, dressed in my works suit. Got some very funny looks from hikers at the top of Mam Tor...

DeG

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 04:10 AM

Ah yes... the umbrella boot holder... I had one of those in my old car (the big red Lada, called it Niki... no-one ever accused me of having taste). It fitted perfectly into those little holes left behind when the rubber/plastic cover or sealing has gone, and wedged nicely under the busted hydraulic that formerly did the job of holding the boot up.

This car we have now, the boot opens like an ordinary door, so we don't have that problem. We do have a homicidal parcel shelf though, that hinges on a pole that fixes across the back. Putting large objects in can be a literal pain, because if you clip the bottom of the parcel shelf, where it extends below the pole, it flips down and hits you smartly on the top of the head (if you're under 5'2") or in the nose (if you're taller than 5'4"). I'm considering adding a 'what to do in the case of head injury' advice sheet to our permanent crap.

Just an innocent question, no malice or vindictiveness intended... but who needs to carry a supply of car paints, a fluffy polisher, what appears to be 15' of elastic luggage straps and a tarpaulin, in a city environment?

I wonder because an inspection on Thursday showed this to be the contents of the back door pockets - none of which I have used (to my knowledge), in any situation, since acquiring the vehicle. The tarp I used to line the car when I took garden crap to the tip was not in the car at the time. I took it out of the cellar because I couldn't find the one that used to live in the camping box. Turns out that was in the spare wheel well, and I only found it when cleaning out the odd bits of crap, after I'd finished hauling it. Now BOTH tarps are in the car and I bet I won't remember that next time I need one whilst camping.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 03:32 PM

Dust.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 03:03 PM

Gaffer tape. Fixes everything

Umbrella. Props open the boot since the springs went

Guitar stand. Because I never remember to pack it when I'm doing a gig.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 08:36 AM

Daughter cleared out her car and found 14 part used packets of wet-wipes.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST,green wellies
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 05:20 AM

Foot pump, jack, (who's Jack), tow rope (amazing how popular a 4 x 4 becomes in the winter), pink fluffy steering wheel cover (which I had to take off as it was impossible to turn the steering wheel with it on, now on the back seat and resembles a pair of pink fluffy knickers!)and a mini solar panel which charges the battery when you are parked!

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:52 AM

Found the bonnet catch (hood release), in exactly the opposite place to where Manitas said it was... typical. And yes, the wet wipes were dried and crusty.

Apparently, also in our car is a years' supply of wine gums. We only ever eat wine gums in the car.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: ragdall
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:22 AM

The 8 track player. It goes with the age of the car, but it's not something most young people have seen.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 05:12 PM

I was just checking to see if anyone was paying attention.

Besides you just never can tell when it will come in handy, like as a tow rope if a caravan gets stuck in muddy field.

Now I want to name our caravan (when we get one) hippohome. Got to figure out how to play on aging hippy thing.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 08:17 AM

Now if only I could find the bonnet catch (hood release) so that I can fill up the windscreen washer bottle....

Thank you Cool Beans, but I have to admit I stole it from a list of alleged instructions from/for the US army... can't remember where it came from, but it included the oft quoted line:

"When the pin is removed, Mr Grenade is not our friend."

Both have served their purpose on far too many occasions.

I am confused... Why a Hippopotamus lead? There are very few hippopotami in Kent - it's elephant country down there (See 'The Goon Show, The Terror of Bexhill on Sea or The dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler').

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:17 PM

I forgot to add 2 rain ponchos, toilet plunger (plumber's helper) flame thrower, box of tissues, 2 ice scrapers, hippotamus lead, 2 outback hats, and a very very very large umbrella.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: GUEST,Cool Beans at a different computer
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 11:56 AM

Liz, love your definition of a torch (flashlight we say here) as a tube for storing dead batteries.
Jeri, love your definition of a GPS as a bitch in a box.
What a great thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Jayto
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 11:10 AM

Books Books and more books.

Ipod w/charger

CDs galore
DVDs galore
Change out the wahzoo
Guitar cables and effects pedals
toys of assorted size,shape, and odor
normally some kind of food stuffed somewhere (compliments of my 2yr old he is good at that)
Cologne
Guitar picks
A Notebook
Pens
Snacks for the kids (nothing that will spoil or melt. This changes peridically. Pretty much every trip but it is always there.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 10:52 AM

A spare pair of glasses, telephone numbers and my medication.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 08:53 AM

Oh I forgot the DOG stuff. Not stuff for MY dogs-- tho there is a bit-- but dog-catching stuff for the occasional stray in the road. I carry nice, smelly treats, a water bowl, and a slip-leash piece of cording tucked under the passenger seat for any pooch in need of them. The treats, for instance, came in handy as an emergency supper for the campground stray we harbored last year till her people came along.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 08:49 AM

In the last car I used to have a table music stand and a couple of plastic clamps that could fix it to the passenger pop-hole cover so that Anne could practice concertina whilst being driven around.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 03:57 AM

Our car has a lot of stuff in it but very little useful equipment. The perils of being married to 'Gadget Man'. There are little rubbery mats to hold stuff on the dash but they turn to a moist jelly in the sun. There are so many chargers that we could use 3 phones, 4 MP3 players and a vacuum cleaner, if only we had 8 cigarette lighters. Thank heavens the flask and cool bin have lost their chargers.

Oh, a torch is a rubber, plastic or aluminium tube for storing dead batteries in. Thank the deities the car has its own recharging battery torch in the guise of the boot light (it pops right out and you can use it as a torch, but getting the sucker back in is a bitch).

Given the amount of idiots that are found on the road in my area, can I borrow the anti tank gun one day please?

And what is it about vehicles that automatically sucks all the moisture out of a packet of 'wet wipes'? No matter how securely or tightly the packet is sealed, when a damp cloth is required, they are all dried and crunchy.

I try to keep a bottle of drinking water in the car at all times, but my associated family are not that good at replacing it when they use it.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Jayto
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:54 AM

Is that "Me"thane or "Meh"thane lol jk. Just had a flashback to another thread lol.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:03 AM

methane

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Amos
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:44 AM

Oh, and a 12-volt inflater pump and emergency light, plus a 12-volt spotlight, gas siphon, emergency blankets, leatherman, a couple of rolls of quarters, jumper cables, a lighter, an array of CDs, a phone charger, maps, car papers, auto maintenance log...I am sure I am forgetting something.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: open mike
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 06:19 PM

i am ususally listening to a book on tape (or c.d.)
right now i am finishing up 3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

i usually have a flashlight, drinking water, highway flares, maps
back pack, spare motor oil, and my fire gear which is a large
bag with structure gear (bunker gear) and wildland clothes and
helmats and gloves and other equipment.

on the days i have my radio show there is a bag of c.d's and another bag with a c.d. recorder. often i add a guitar or other musical instrument to the baggage...

and oh, yes, and i rarely go anywhere without chap stick or lip salve.

and keys....to the vehicle, mail box, storage unit and buildings where i need access...

and in winter i bring a shovel and tire chains along in case of snow.
and it is still winter til about may!

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 04:55 PM

Gasoline and/or petrol....

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 04:33 PM

last year's National Trust book (gets changed out every year)
at least one roll of Refreshers (always replenished)
bottle of coolant and water (we have a slow leak)
footpump
several pair sungalsses (I think they are breeding)
UK Road Atlas (falling apart at the spring)
2 car blankets
2 cheapo binoculars
Britain's Birds book
collection of cassette tapes rock&roll and folk (we have an old car no CD player)
my wonderful walking stick (picked up at Knole - see National Trust book or is it English Heritage?)

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Partridge
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 03:51 PM

Water, chocolate, blanket and quartz stones and for no reason whatsoever 10 carpet squares

Pat x

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 11:19 AM

I must add...the fire arms are not left in the car and are not always there!

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 11:18 AM

Sometimes the land rover has a boyes anti-tank rifle in it but it's only in there for transportation to the range. Mostly the landy has CDs, blankets because it doesn't have a heater, instant heat packs for the babies, spare car seats for the kids, tools, spare wheel, tow ropes, toilet roll, an axe (we own woodland) and mud

The escort has...car seats for the kids, blankets and break down kit

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Gervase
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 10:33 AM

Behind the seats in the Land-Rover - hi-viz waistcoat, tow-rope, wheel chocks, 3-tonne bottle jack, wheel-brace, socket set, mole-grips, waterproofs, first aid kit, roll of gaffer tape, blanket. Under the seats - road atlas and OS maps.
On the dash tray - large Maglite, lock-knife, screwdriver, yards of baler twine, dog treats.
And lots of junk.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 10:10 AM

A blanket stuffed into my father's old hammock bag, a coil of rope, a first-aid kit, safety triangles, a snow brush and scraper, and a short-handled shovel with a bright yellow scoop. Maps -- lots of maps. I'm more than a little bit strange about maps. And a purple plastic bin from the grocery store so there's no stuff sculling about in the boot.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 08:38 AM

No 'Snow' kit, or extra water to cope with hot weather.
Don't really need either.
I do carry a 'high visability' gillet ('vest' to Americans). Good for working at the roadside (punctures), or for supervising Scouting, or Church activities/functions.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 07:04 AM

And another which I am a bit grey about know as it was about 40 years ago.

My brothers wife had a sister who was married and they were in Australia touring, in a caravan and had parked one night on the outskirts of one of the deserts.
I picked up the English newspaper one day to find a picture on the front page of her sister and husband with headlines saying they had been shot dead in their caravan.
The worst part about it, was that the direct fimily had not been notified, before it was released in the papers.
Naturally they were stunned when they saw it.
I don't think they ever found the killer(s)

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 06:51 AM

I remeber when my brother in law (who is Dutch) used to drive these large vehicles, that took passengers across Kenya.

Becuase it was a week or 2 week type adventure, they would camp up each night with tents.

One night, they were woken up by the Kenyan Army and rifles held to their heads as they were escorted to the interview place.

After a while, they were finally released.

He thought that his life was at an end.

Anyway he works as a director of a charity company and was recently invited to meet the Queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace.

Prince Phillip asked where he came from (he knew he was Dutch).
My brother in law who's surname begins with "van den" said "I am from the van tribe"
Prince Phillip laughed and slapped him on the shoulder and said "That was a good one".

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: kendall
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 06:04 AM

Jack, I remember the first time I saw a "Pealer" who was armed. It was a shock to me too.
If I had my way no one would carry a weapon of any kind, but, I never will, so I adjust.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Slag
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 03:27 AM

Tom Waits huh? Well, I imagine that's pretty handy if you need a service light to see by. Now if you ad a little AC/DC you'd have some place to plug it in.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Jayto
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 10:28 PM

I do have a big cardboard box containing all kinds of documents pertaining to my divorce. I know if I take it out I will lose it so it's there.

oh and no ofeense taken about the gun thing. Everyone has different views about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Gurney
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 08:00 PM

The only thing unusual about our car is that the radio/tape/CD player is never on when I'm driving.
I sing along, and harmonise. Sort of.




I can't harmonise with my eyes open.....

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 06:09 PM

Ah yes a Sat nav

Its wonderful when you are in the car on your own, even if you know the way.

I have this lovely womans voice who talks to me all the way, gives me the right directions and doesn't argue with me :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 06:05 PM

I need to get a REAL spare tire. I have one of those hard rubber wagon wheel thingies now.

I usually have a utility knife and a flashlight of some sort. Right now, there's a sleeping bag and a lot of birdseed (where it's not a temptation for moths and mice). There's always a load of CDs and a road atlas.

I bought a 'bitch in a box' (GPS nav system) but I haven't used it to get anywhere yet. I've memorized the way to Mary's house in Maine and my friend's house in Toronto. I'll probably use it for my Apple Hollow adventures this summer. I'm trying to decide if I want to download any special voices for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Something that is always in your vehicle
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 05:51 PM

What, Peace, no taking apart a ball point pen for an airway?:-)