what essential survival gear do you keep in your Runner?

[orangeblast22]

I've been thinking lately...

all these major Earthquakes happening, the plates are shifting which may have a global affect. I'm in California, the San Andreas fault is in my backyard and I'm waiting for "it" to happen any day now, especially given how way over due we Californians are.

So all these major quakes around the world got me thinking of survival gear to put in my 4runner in case the situation comes up.

What do you guy consider to be essential gear to always have in your 4runner? Anyone thinking the same thing as of late?

Might be kind of cool to come up with a list of sorts. I think its a good thing anyways to have some gear in the car for whatever reason, not just for an Earthquake/disaster scenario.

 

[PTY507]

I always carry a flashlight, thermal blanket, first aid kit, knife.

 

[jca21]

1x 13,500 lbs recovery strap with two tow shackles
1x large flash light with spare batteries (large mag light)
1x pikka head lamp with spare battery
1x surefire e2d
1x first responder level B first aid kit (no AED)
1x axe (gransfor bruks forest axe)
1x 75ft half inch rope
1x blue tarp 14ft by 14ft
1x benchmade rescue hook
1x mechanix work gloves
4x ratchet straps rated at 300lbs
1x basic tool set (vice grips, wrenches, ratchet set, pliers)
2x large fleece blanets
1x roll of shop cloth
1x 1ft by 1ft square of sham wow
1x 72 hr food and water kit
3x 12 hr glow sticks
1x pair of work boots
1x B.O.B.
1x spare fluids (oil, coolant)
1x 16 inch expandable baton
4x 9 inch orange pylons
1x canister of bear spray


thats what i can remember off the top of my head. :zoom::zoom:


edit: i always have a knife on my person so its not listed as part of my truck kit.

 

[Jed]

No survival gear at all. I'm too close to civilization to worry about it. If something should happen, I'll grab whatever I can and take my chances.

My friend's dad was a survival nut. He kept everything you can imagine in his fullsize Ford van, just in case the world came to an end. But anything you ever needed was somewhere in that van. We used to get a chuckle out of that...and I think he used to get like 8 miles to the gallon because his van was so damn heavy with all that junk in it.

 

[Gromulus]

Prepared

An older related thread:


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/20929-what-kind-supplies-do-you-guys-keep-rig.html

In my 4Runner:

At all times:

- 3 flashlights (Streamlight ProPolymer Luxeon 3C or Gladius - forget those MagLights!, Inova X-1, and Red River LED lantern - (certifed "flashaholic" here)
-3,000,000 candle power spot (with 12v plug)
-7 pin plug-in "backup light"
-fleece blanket
-maps
-8' x 10' poly tarp
-one can Fix-a-Flat
-extra headlight bulbs (GE Nighthawk)
-extra fuses
-portable 12v air compressor
-HD battery cables and case
-tire gauge
-12v cell phone charger cable
-tool kit (Sears, in poly case)
-duct tape
-electrical tape
-tow straps
-road flares
-emergency reflective vest overlay
-Schumacher 100/40/15/2 battery charger
-LightForce off-road light filters (two different sets)
-poncho
-umbrella
-bungee assortment
-first aid kit
-multi-function utility knife
-water bottle
-empty jug
-rags
-fire extinguisher
-HD leather gloves
-small snow shovel (winter)
-two cans windshield de-icer (winter)
-rosary
-crucifix (hanging from rear-view mirror)
-St. Christopher medal
-mini-bible
-3 pairs of wireless headphones (for kids to listen to DVD player or rear audio)

-mini-survival kit containing space blanket, fishing hooks, mini-stove, Cold Steel SRK knife, water purifier, first aid kit, MREs, water-proof matches, emergency fire starter, signal mirror, compass, whistles, 120 hr candle, 50' nylon line, commando smoke grenade, etc, etc.......

-.32 Davis derringer
-Cold Steel SRK (in survival kit)
-ASP retractable baton/impact weapon
-Cold Steel "Special Forces" shovel with semi-sharpened side edges
-Commando smoke grenade (in survival kit)

On my person:
-Glock 23 (.40) or 1911A1 (.45) or Ruger SP101 (.357 Mag)
-Benchmade, Spyderco, or other folder
-Fenix mini-flashlight


I think thats about it.

These are always in the vehicle. We do a lot of backwoods camping - tent, A-frame camper, and often just me and the wife just sleeping in the back of the 4Runner. When 4Runner camping we add the necessary equipment (sleeping bags, Therm-A-Rest pads, home-made tailgate tarp, hatch window screening or hatch "tent", popane heater, small cooler, portable chairs, Jam-It table, backpacking stove and fuel, etc)

 

[BlairB]

I have posted about this previously, so I already had a list and pics which follow. Since there are not only earthquakes in SoCal but also because I off road in remote areas pretty frequently I usually carry a large North Face backpack with a ton of backpacking/camping/survival gear. I also carry in my car recovery gear in a 2nd backpack (shackles, straps etc...), an extremely well equipped set of tools, a few other flashlights, knives, pens, etc. When off roading in remote areas I also carry various weight oil, ATF, and various spare parts.

Also, depending on what I am up to that day may have scuba gear, spearfishing gear etc... in my truck as well (or a number of other random things).

Here is a breakdown of the stuff in the survival backpack and some pics of it.

Food

-(3) Mainstay 3600's
-(3) Mountain House Backpacking Meals, Serves 2 Persons Each
-(5) Ramen Noodles, Chicken Flavor
-(3) Power Bars

Tools

-SOG Tactical Tomahawk
-Gerber Folding Saw
-LED Mag-Lite
-(2) 3.5" Blade Folding Knives
-4.5" Riffe Silencer
-Multi-Tool
-Folding Shovel
-Mace

First Aid

-First Aid Kit, 131 Pieces
-Wound Closure Kit
-Mole Skin
-Blister Relief Bandaids
-Bottle of Extra Strength Excedrin
-Bottle of Multi Vitamins
-Chapstick
-Sunscreen, SPF 55
-Toothbrush/Toothpaste
-Zinka, face sunscreen
-Neosporin
-Immodium
-Crazy Glue
-Soap

Warmth/Shelter

-(4) Chemical Lights
-(3) Flares
-(2) Mega Warmer- Hand/All Purpose Warmer
-Emergency Poncho
-(2) Bic Lighters
-Magnesium Fire Starter
-Mouse Knife (to use with magnesium)
-(4) Box Strike Anywhere Matches
-Emergency Blanket
-Emergency 2 Person Blanket
-Signaling Mirror
-Leather Gloves
-Fleece Blanket
-Bug Repellant
-(2) Pair Fleece Socks, Heavy and Expedition Strength
-Strike-a-fire
-Saw
-Tube Tent

Water/Other

-(3) 1L Bottle of Water
-Pack of Chlorine Dioxide Water Purifying Tablets (30 Quarts Worth)
-Lotion
-Cards
-Platypus Collapsable Water Bottle, 2L (kept empty)
-Compass
-Sewing Kit
-Whistle
-ACE Bandage
-50' Paracord (multi-color)
-100' Paracord (white)
-Gloves
-Sunglasses
-Mirror
-Inner Layers of Clothes, top and bottom
-Small Bowl/Pan

-20* Mummy Bag

-Hiking Shoes
-Handheld CB Radio

And here is the bag all loaded up, it is probably right around 45-50 lbs when all ready to go.

 

[Jed]

Daayyuuuummm.....you guys can live in your vehicles for a month! If I ever decide to head to the outback, I'll have to take some notes from this thread! LOL

 

[PTY507]

You guys really carries your end of world's kit there...

 

[manhunter]

I carry alot of some of the things mentioned, but I can't believe none of you carry the most important thing, ....., an extra roll of TP.

 

[004Gunner]

I carry a first aid kit, 2 flashlights, 2 chemlights, a leatherman, several wratchet straps and bungees, recovery strap (as of 2 weeks ago), adjustable wrench, an umbrella, cheap poncho and military poncho, 2 handheld radios w/ spare batteries, and a couple pairs of gloves. Damn, I didn't realize I carried so much gear! I must have just kept adding stuff over time. . .

 

[004Gunner]

I carry alot of some of the things mentioned, but I can't believe none of you carry the most important thing, ....., an extra roll of TP.

:bravo: Good call! I always have my glove box stuffed with napkins

 

[jca21]

glad to see i'm not the only one carrying a bug out bag in my truck

 

[BlairB]

glad to see i'm not the only one carrying a bug out bag in my truck

You are not!

 

[jca21]

You are not!

i like that SOG tomahawk ya got there. great entry tool and a nice exit tool if ya gotta high tail it (breaking windows, doors, etc). :reddance:

 

[li_runner]

I carry a bag similar to BlairB's but a lot smaller, staying in a Metro area you will be able to find most items around. You will be super suprised with what you can carry in a very small space. My bag is built to let me run if I have to being less than 8lbs.

Google, "Bug out Bag", you'll have a lot of reading.

 

[swisscheeze29]

I'm not sure why you guys need all this stuff, or would want it. Do you all live in a rural town where it's several miles to gas stations and supermarkets? Can't you just call a friend to pick you up if the 4Runner breaks down for whatever reason, instead of hiking? What could possible happen where you would need a sleeping bag, 5lbs of food, and 3 flashlights? I'm confused.

 

[BlairB]

I carry a bag similar to BlairB's but a lot smaller, staying in a Metro area you will be able to find most items around. You will be super suprised with what you can carry in a very small space. My bag is built to let me run if I have to being less than 8lbs.

Google, "Bug out Bag", you'll have a lot of reading.

A big +1 to carrying a lot in a small amount of space. This is really my "everything" bag that is mainly for using when I am in remote areas off roading. One problem about having a such large bag is you fill it. You just keep adding things since you have the space. I figure with the purpose of this bag though, I can always leave what I do not need in the car, and as time goes on, it will only get lighter if I ever actually really need to use it.

I have a small REI daypack I use to carry in my car instead, and I keep meaning to make a much lighter version of my big bag, but have yet to get around to it. I want to keep it under 10lbs, like yours.

 

[BlairB]

I'm not sure why you guys need all this stuff, or would want it. Do you all live in a rural town where it's several miles to gas stations and supermarkets? Can't you just call a friend to pick you up if the 4Runner breaks down for whatever reason, instead of hiking? What could possible happen where you would need a sleeping bag, 5lbs of food, and 3 flashlights? I'm confused.

Well I know for me there are two reasons, one being the fact I off road in some really remote places. It is not uncommon for me to have an additional 10 gallons on fuel in jerry cans on my roof rack, so you can imagine if I happened to have issues in some the areas (which 90% of the time have no cell service), it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when I have others in my car with me to be responsible for.

The other reason is being in Southern California it is smart to have an "earthquake kit", some basics in case there is a big earth quake, this backpack also serves as my earthquake kit. It just usually lives in my car.

 

[Jed]

I'm not sure why you guys need all this stuff, or would want it. Do you all live in a rural town where it's several miles to gas stations and supermarkets? Can't you just call a friend to pick you up if the 4Runner breaks down for whatever reason, instead of hiking? What could possible happen where you would need a sleeping bag, 5lbs of food, and 3 flashlights? I'm confused.

I think some people like the concept of being prepared for anything, even if the possibility of actually needing the stuff is slim. The other day I was watching a show where this guy was driving with his wife and their baby and decided to take an unmaintained road to get to his parents house in the middle of the winter. Well, he ended up getting his Jeep Cherokee stuck in deep snow and got stranded. He had virtually no survival gear in his Jeep and they all came close to dying.

Now if I decided to take a trip where there was even a remote possibility of something like that happening, then I'd definitely load up with stuff that I might need. But I've never been far enough away from civilization to even worry about it. I live in the suburbs of NYC, so I'd have to be very far from home before I even had to worry about it.

Somehow this thread reminds me of how people go crazy at the grocery store before a blizzard hits. I always laugh at that mentality...like people are gonna be stranded in their houses for 2 weeks or something, LOL. Even a bad blizzard might keep people stuck at home for what, 3 days at most? If you don't have 3 days of food in your house, then by all means, go shopping. But how many people don't have enough food in their house right now to survive for at least 2 weeks?

 

[jca21]

for me i guess its a mentality that i grew up with. i used to go out as a kid with my cousin in his jeep off roading and one night he snapped his u joint and we were stuck out over night. he had a small kit in his truck, some water, snacks, a couple candles and an old wool blanket. we probably would have been alot colder and alot hungrier had he not had those things. we spent the night because it was safer to do that than try and wander down the trail back to a main road hoping that someone was going to pass by and give us a lift.


the next day we were able to hike back down to a main road, follow that one until we got cell reception and call my uncle to bring up a new u joint and tools.
from that point on i kinda developed the be prepared mentality.


sure it seems like i'm going over board a bit with my kit but hey, better to be safe than sorry. and who knows, i might be the guy who comes by when your stuck and yanks you out with my recovery strap and i'm sure you'll be happy i had it :cheers:

i also travel back roads and go off roading and prefer to just leave the stuff in my truck then have to put it in every time i head out and take it out every time i get back. :snacker: