I have in the past, but eventually it gets taken out to make room or cannibalized for non critical needs.

I need to refocus and commit.

In regard to fire extinguishers, any extinguisher is better than no extinguisher. However, that being said, the rule of thumb is, if the extinguisher doesn't have a hose, it's basically useless. Especially for something like a car fire where you may be trying to hold it off while trying to get someone out.

We keep a first aid bag in each vehicle, along with a folding shovel, folding knife, some cheap fleece blankets, gloves, a bag of kitty litter.

I should have more stuff. When I was working I carried a weekend pack with me everywhere that contained about everything mentioned. Two things that I always have in my truck are ratchet straps and a CPR mask. I’m expired now, but I was an EMT for a long time and probably wouldn’t perform rescue breathing without some sort of barrier between myself and the patient. It doesn’t have to be what I have, a plastic mask with a one-way valve, there are also disposable barriers that are very inexpensive. I use the ratchet straps with some frequency and also have a metal cam strap, that remains hooked across the back of the box between the rear anchor “rings?” (whatever you call those) that I use constantly to secure a propane bottle or keep luggage and the like from ending up at the front of the box, myriad uses. I guess that’s not “emergency equipment” though.

Last year i drove my car less than 1300 miles and was never more than 37 miles from home for the past 8 years.

So i am not to worried but i do hav basic stuff

Since I upgraded to a Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road, I have added some items with mounting, and swing out compartments in the bed with a hard cover tonneau cover.

1. Pack with seasonal clothing and footwear.

2. 48-72 hour bag.

3. Fire extinguisher(s): small one in cab and bigger one mounted in the truck bed.

4. Recovery gear: tow straps and attachments, shovel, traction boards. Also have a set of ratchets strap. Both recovery gear (except the shovel and traction boards) and ratchet straps are stowed in two different color military sustainment pouches.

5. Emergency med kits: small one with tourniquet, clotting gaze, and Israeli bandage in cab and a bigger IFAK in the bed compartments.

5. GMRS radio in the cab.

Next upgrade will be lockable compartments under the back seat. Someplace to put my "truck gun".

quote:

Originally posted by ryan81986:
In regard to fire extinguishers, any extinguisher is better than no extinguisher. However, that being said, the rule of thumb is, if the extinguisher doesn't have a hose, it's basically useless. Especially for something like a car fire where you may be trying to hold it off while trying to get someone out.

Definitely agreed. To extend on this you need to get the extinguishing agent to the fire. Spraying the vehicle or tires when the fire is under the hood is useless. You need to get the agent under the hood, under the body, under the dash, etc. You really need a hose to be able to accomplish this and enough agent to really knock the fire down.

I keep a 5lb in my SUV. I have the smallest made in the Corvette, mostly because it is a C4 and cargo space is minimal.

quote:

Originally posted by Stlhead:
A tube sock with a billiard ball in it, and a 5gallon pail of AstroGlide.

Dude. You’re bringing it. I’m still laughing. And the fact that you’re from Spokane is even better.

I had a girlfriend from Spokane once…

All of my family vehicles (4 total which includes my fleet SUV) have the following:

-Fire Extinguisher
-First Aid Kit
-Bottled water (at least six standard size bottles) in a cooler bag (keeps them from freezing in winter or boiling in summer heat)
-Flashlights (at least 2)
-Highway HiViz Safety Vest
-Fixed Blade Knife
-Small Booster pack for jump starts or mobile power source
-Quality MultiTool (Leatherman Wave or similar)
-Small Microfiber Blanket

If a fire is under the hood, I won't try to put it out. Trying to find the secondary latch (every car is different, and some are counter-intuitive) while flames are licking out from under it ain't gonna happen. If you do get it open, the sudden inrush of air may make the fire jump out at you. Moreover, most hoods either have a manual prop, or gas lift supports that often don't work. (At my work, this is the single most difficult item to sell.) You aren't going to be holding it up with one hand and manipulating the extinguisher with the other. I'll concentrate on getting the occupant(s) out.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,

Yes, I remember one of those 'emergency or cop'shows from he '70's where the first responders are pulling up to a car with smoke coming out from under the hood and they yell to the guy not to open the hood and he does and there is a big flash of fire when he does and he gets toasted....