Howdy all,

Fall/Winter is coming up and I travel a lot between El Paso, ABQ, and Lubbock where there are some looooong stretches of road.

I thought it would be a fun exercise to have you help me with building a "ditch kit" for my truck, making the following assumptions:

The plan is:

Have the ability to fix common vehicle issues

If unable to repair vehicle, remain close to the vehicle until rescue

Remain with vehicle for 48 hours without any additional assistance

Everything must fit in three containers:

two [2] lockable cargo containers with a 150# capacity and 41 x 17 x 14" internal dimensions (48 gal. Action Packer or similar) each, and;

backpack with 18 x 12"W x 6" internal dimensions (36L 72-hour pack or similar)

You can have as many smaller containers etc. as you wish (e.g. small "repair bag") to go into those larger containers (but please list what you'd use! e.g. "tool roll" or "zippered bank bag" so I know what goes where).

There are some items in the truck that do not need to be stored in the containers above:

Firearms (GAU-5A clone/AR15; takedown 10/22, handgun)

Cash (mixture of bills and coins)

GPS, inReach Mini, and battery/solar/crank Kaito Voyager ECO KA336

Fire extinguisher, first aid kit, IFAK

Headlamp, handheld light, and batteries.

Buck 110, Leatherman Supertool 300, Gerber LMFII.

USGI e-tool (folding), Bahco Laplander Saw, Morakniv Lightweight Axe

Wool blanket (queen size)

Czech surplus sleep system

Hat, gloves (work gloves and glove liner), scarf

Case of water (24x16 oz) [replaced each week with a fresh case]

Stock vehicle jack, spare tire

Please assume there are no other items that have been packed in the vehicle, that it's kept on the highway (no off-roading), and that it's street parked (and thus subject to temps from 0-100°F)

Thanks and I hope y'all have fun!!

Legal Beagle

Something that occurred to me that I didn't see you address in the OP: are these containers secured to the truck in some fashion to prevent them falling victim to a smash 'n grab?

You are going through ABQ, afterall. Even though it's locked, that entire container (or the secondary ones) would be a hell of a score for some douchebag. I figured you'd have to stop for gas, bathroom, etc. I've known some folks who had someone smash their rear window and steal some items while they were sitting in a drive thru line.

Apologies if I missed this in the OP.

Recovery straps and soft shackles and or a good length of sturdy rope.

ETA: also check out the DU-HA website for underseat storage.

https://du-ha.com/

Is there a chance of sliding of the highway due to ice or snow? If so, what’s your plan to get back on the highway?

How is the cellphone coverage on the roads you will be traveling?

Old fashioned paper maps and a compass in case the GPS isn't usable (for whatever reason).

quote:

How is the cellphone coverage on the roads you will be traveling?

If not 100% then perhaps a GMRS radio and a couple of spare batteries.

Or spend the $big on a satellite handset.

Of course, prepare for having to abandon the vehicle and walk out with a pre-planned subset of your items.

Fire starting materials (that have been practiced with enough so that you're confident in them).

The basics?

A lithium jump back for a dead battery.

A 12V or battery powered tire pump.

Cheap $50 impact wrench (Ryobi, etc) with socket to change a tire.

Tire plugs.

Soft shackles, stretch tow strap with metal shackles, hitch receiver with shackle (never use the tow ball)

I always liked the idea of a bicycle in the back. You can walk 10 miles a day but cover 100+ miles on a bicycle.

quote:

You can walk 10 miles a day but cover 100+ miles on a bicycle.

good idea perhaps, yet what happens if the bad road you couldn't drive on doesn't like bicycles either? Plus bicycles are a common target bauble for the lowlife collector crowd.

.

I know for sure there are areas without cell coverage.

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The problem with a GMRS radio or any other is there has to be someone listening for it to be useful. Highway Patrol used to listen to CB channel 9, but I don’t think anyone still does.

For tire changing, I keep it simple. Plug kit and air compressor are usually faster. I have a $10 Harbor Freight 18” breaker bar, a short extension, and 6-sided deep sockets for whatever sizes I need (truck and trailers). I have a couple pieces of 4x6 PT to help jack on dirt or sand and a couple of $5 a pair tire chocks from Harbor Freight.

I frequent those same roads and cities. I limit my “ditch kit” to what will fit out of view, under the back seat of my crew cab, to reduce the likelihood of some dirtbag relieving me of my goods.

18” 1/2 drive breaker bar and socket to fit lug nuts.
3/8” drive metric socket set
10” adjustable wrench
Screwdriver with flat and phillips bits
Lineman's pliers
Heavy coveralls (for roadside repairs and double as an insulating layer if stranded in cold weather)

I always carry several large bottles of water in my vehicle, too.

If you’re just looking to get home all those tools aren’t necessary. Fixed blade and multi tool. You’re not gonna carry an ax that far. Nor will you have the energy to saw or chop anything significant after moving all day. Wood is on the ground to make a fire.

Cash, ifak, water, a handgun, all good items. Most likely if you have to leave the truck, or even staying with it you’ll want a few comfort items to make life easier. Instant coffee, a lot of grub, and some change of clothes will feel better than most those items.

A shovel, woodblocks for a stable jacking base, zip ties, bungees.

Loosen and retighten all lug nuts and do a dry run taking off tire with your equipment. I changed my tires on my truck to a bigger profile and not thinking about the tire jack not being tall enough.

In the past month, I've done the ABQ to Carlsbad, NM and El Paso to Carslbad. Those road are desolate for sure, but well traveled. I can appreciate being self supported, but worse case scenario is that you'll have to wait a while for help. I think your list is solid. And as others have mentioned, there are a few stretches on 180/62 with little to no cell coverage.

All great ideas, appreciate your thoughts!