Your truck is practical, but it’s also for fun. It’s a great way to explore the outdoors and throw in some camping gear for a spur-of-the-moment weekend trip. The vehicle is also for getting around town and longer drives. Your truck is ready for anything, like you.
But being ready for anything while on the road means having the equipment you need for emergencies. Those unanticipated situations can range from encountering stormy weather to getting stuck in a ditch. Stocking your truck with essentials ensures you can handle whatever the open road throws at you like a pro. Make the ultimate kit with these seven items every man should carry.
1. Battery-Powered Light
You can’t always rely on your vehicle’s headlights and the lights in the cab. What if you break down in the dark or need to illuminate the exterior? There’s also the possibility you’ll need to walk some distance from your truck.
Battery-powered flashlights and headlamps can give you enough light to get through any situation. A light you wear on your head lets you change or repair a tire hands-free. Headlamps are also more convenient for looking under the hood and when you have to carry supplies while walking. Furthermore, many devices are rechargeable, eliminating the inconvenience of switching out batteries in the dark.
2. Mini Air Compressor
Did you know there are an average of seven flat tires per second in the U.S.? Another way to put it is that there are approximately 220 million flat tires in the country each year. Flats can happen for many reasons, including road hazards like stray nails. However, changes in the temperature can also deflate tires, making them more susceptible to flats.
Once the weather turns cooler, you might get a warning signal on your dashboard. Instead of panicking, you can use a portable air compressor to inflate your tires back to the proper PSI. In case you didn’t know, PSI stands for pounds per square inch. Portable air compressors are compact but are powerful enough to help you get back to driving. These devices plug into your truck’s cigarette lighter, and some come with a built-in light source.
3. Fire Extinguisher
Anything can go wrong with a vehicle, including an engine fire. Having a fire extinguisher in your truck means you can put out a fire in a jiffy. Even if your vehicle runs smoothly, the campsite fire you start to cook your dinner could need extinguishing.
Unexpected wind gusts and sparks from embers are all too common. Putting out that small fire fast ensures your safety and prevents the fire from spreading. Look for extinguishers made to handle flammable oil and liquid.
4. Blanket
Say you’re stuck in your truck for longer than you’d like. It could be because of a breakdown, a traffic jam, or a severe accident up ahead. What if the weather’s cold? How will you keep warm while protecting yourself against hypothermia?
In some situations, you might be able to keep your truck’s heater running. But you can’t guarantee this ideal scenario. You’ll be thankful you were astute enough to toss a blanket in your truck. The emergency variety helps keep both the cold and heat out, making it the ultimate solution. However, any kind that allows you to stay warm will do.
5. Basic Tools
Who knows when you’ll need to make minor repairs? A basic tool kit with items like pliers, duct tape, wrenches, and screwdrivers should be on your list of essentials. If space is tight, consider using a multitool.
A multitool combines the basics into one. You’ve got a wrench, pliers, can opener, knife, and more in a single device. Cut ropes and tighten screws without wasting time searching for another tool. Other items to consider for your kit include jumper cables, shovels, hammers, and tow straps.
6. Power Bank
A power bank can save you if your cellphone runs out of juice. If your truck breaks down, you can’t rely on a cigarette lighter charger to recharge your phone’s battery. Smartphone battery life isn’t always reliable, especially with constant use.
Activating a hotspot, Googling repetitively, and making numerous voice calls mean your phone can lose power quickly. A power bank recharges your phone’s battery so you can communicate when you need to. Consider keeping more than one power bank in your truck in case of extended emergencies.
7. Nutrition
Your truck takes you places, but you never know when you might get stranded. The human body can only survive for so long without water and food. Storing extra water and non-perishable food in your truck gives your body the nutrition it needs when you’re stranded.
High-calorie options, such as protein bars and MREs or meals ready to eat, are compact enough to store safely. You can use water containers resistant to bursting from freezing to stay hydrated. Even if you don’t get stranded, having extra nutrition and water in your truck can sustain you. For instance, you might underestimate a strenuous hike or the time it takes to complete a day trip. You could also get lost in a remote area without access to convenience stores and supplies.
Truck Kits for Every Man
Packing your truck for a road trip brings to mind camping gear and fun times. But calling on your sensible side means stocking your vehicle with the items you’ll need to survive any situation. The ultimate truck kit is about ensuring safety as much as it is about anticipating what could go wrong. Having one on hand makes you both self-reliant and able to help others when adversity strikes.
