What are some things that everyone should keep in their truck?

I see a lot of people with "tow straps" but not many with "recovery straps".

Which one of these should I keep in my truck? I don't do a whole lot of off roading. But do end up in some pretty remote places.

 

Recovery straps have an elastic property so that if the tow vechicle gives a big jerk to pull a stuck vehicle out of a mud hole or ditch then the strap is less likely to break. Tow straps are more rigid and don't really stretch so they maintain a more constant tension between the vehicles already in motion so they minimize the elastic bobbing back and fourth that can result from towing with a recovery strap, so the actual towing is easier. Use what you have to but understand that tow straps are more easily snapped trying to tug a stuck vehicle out and recovery straps make towing kind of suck with their elastic nature.

 

I keep barely anything in my truck that I don't use..I should probably keep a jack and a set of jumper cables in there though, I used to when I was driving my old car but I like to keep as little as possible in there. Right now I just have the manual, sunshade, GPS, a rope for tying stuff into the bed and a lighter lol

 

There is no "big jerk" with kinetic recovery straps. They stretch and I'll you out smooth as glass. Hopefully thats what you mean.

 

Yes that's what I meant. I'm a mechanical engineer and not really articulate or eloquent as I should be most of the time.

EDIT
To stay on topic, here's what is in my truck most of the time:
Basic tools, duct tape, jumper cables, tire plug kit, 12V pump, ball mount with locking pin, several recovery shackles, recovery strap, ratchet straps, bungees, the Toyota jack and accessories, first aid kit, leatherman, wet wipes, glass cleaner, shop towels, a spare litre of 10W40, a couple car blankets, paper & pens, voltage inverter, flashlight, water bottle, sunglasses, & maps.

 

I see. I read that a tow strap should never be used for "recovery" because it can be very dangerous. In this thread I wondered if everyone listing "tow strap" actually meant recovery strap, or do some just use a tow strap as a recovery strap.

Or, simply having a tow strap (not to ever be used for recovery) is a practical item to have.

 

The wording can be confusing. Depending on what type you buy, will depend on how you use it. You have to be careful how the straps are worded. They're not always going to be called tow VS recovery.

From what I understand....
Any NON stretching or NON recoiling type of strap - you need to hook it up to both vehicles, get the slack out of it, and pull from a stop. Just a plain straight pull with no yanking.

With a stretching and/or recoiling type of strap - hook up to both vehicles. Let the strap lay on the ground (with slack) and you get a running start at the pulling process. It will feel like its a yank.....but the strap will stretch and the recoil is what does the work (more or less).

 

This thread reminds me of the "BOB" thread in Calguns.net. There were guys who were packing camping stoves in their bug out bags who couldn't even hump it ten minutes
There are good suggestions here but some of you are overboard

*EDIT* Oops, necrothreading. Sorry.

 

Everyone should wear theirs^^

Think of what could happen if they didn't...

 

Fu€k that! A bag of weed!
Cause everything is better with a bag of https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PS08NwdUkJY
On the real though, when i hibernated in Alaska for about four years, i kept WATER IN THE SUMMER, chains, axe, pliers, cans of sterno, hi lift jack, 3/8 steel chocker, some 3/8 AMERICAN SHACKLES (dont ever buy Chinese, ask me how i know), mittens, oil, antifreeze, assorted sockets and end wrenches, those neat little aluminum plate/frying pan things, couple cans of some sort of edibles, lighter (for the bag of weed). If i went out of town i would take a sleeping bag, weather appropriate clothing and boots (always in the truck, again ask me why) extension cord (for plugging in the truck at night, oh and papers, for.the weed of course. And your favorite hand gun/rifle...

 

This x 100,000,000,000!!!

 

When you get super paranoid after smoking a few blunts, you're gonna need this.......

 

Im lucky, i never got paranoid. Just the munchies, and better gas mileage

 

Sub'd, good info.

 

Lol. Once upon a time....

 

Btw, never could stand blunts.

Sorry op! Dont mean to thread jack!

 

I think it's a law in Montana that you need to always have alcohol tobacco and firearms in your vehicle. the ATF law...

 

Sand bags for traction. Sun block. Diapers. Feminine products. Portable hair curler. Portable ball washer.

It all depends on what you use your truck for and who is gonna be in your truck.