An ounce of preparation (or prevention)... what are you keeping in your truck?

Hey guys, I'm sure this has been covered somewhere but what do you all keep in your Tacoma that keeps you prepared for the worst? I'm becoming a little smarter as I approach my third decade, and trying to become a little more ready in the case of general calamities.

Before (what I had in the little pods under the extended cab jump seats for the first five years of Taco ownership):
two ratchet straps
15' heavy chain with chain-hooks
a busted tape measure
mini mag-light
a couple of bandaids
Knife with an obligatory bottle opener
two expired condoms...

Right now:
a pair of chains (storing them in the truck? what a revelation!)
a freshened up surplus first aid kit
3d maglight
a couple of those mylar emergency space bags (they actually do help a lot - long and stupid story)
a couple sizes of zip-ties & some electrical tape
50' of paracord

What else should I keep in there? If I go wheeling, I usually grab a pocket chainsaw, a shovel, and a 4 ton come-along. I don't go out into the real boonies (not in Wyoming anymore ) quite as much anymore, I should have been much more prepared when I did, but that's the beauty of hindsight! but given the opportunity I have a tendency to "see what's down that way" more often than the wife cares for...

What do you guys carry that gives you peace of mind on and off the road

 

I carry a survival backpack I made for whenever I go wheeling and I'll be miles away from help. I usually have my son with me so I pack for 2. Here's what it has so far, and yes it all fits into a large padded waterproof backpack (not frame pack):

1. 2 large bivvy sacks
2. 1 2-man hiking tent
3. Large roll of hardcore cloth duct tape
4. 150 ft of orange paracord (thin but holds 450# of tension)
5. Folding shovel with saw stored in the handle, axe head attachment and pick axe attachment
6. Mid-sized Gerber multitool
7. Complete first aid kit
8. Snake bite and sting kit
9. 4 steel hunting traps (4" mouth) - designed to trap up to coyote size animals or quickly kill rabbits/squirrels
10. Extra thin steel wire for making snares
11. 2 survival books - one for general survival and the other for hunting/trapping
12. 2 emergency rain ponchos
13. 2 pair neoprene fishing gloves
14. 3 days worth of dehydrated food pouches for 2 people
15. 3 extra days of emergency high calorie ration bars for 2 people
16. 2 small aluminum mess kits to cook with
17. 10' of folded aluminum foil
18. 6 large freezer zip-locks
19. Water filter (hand-pump style with physical/chemical filtration)
20. Water purifier tablets (just to be extra sure)
21. Soft nalgene 96 oz collapsible canteen for carrying any water I have to purify in case the original supply runs out
22. Storm-proof matches with waterproof case
23. Magnesium and flint fire starting tool
24. Whistle
25. Mirror
26. Good compass
27. Compact fishing kit (telescopic small pole, small spinning reel, weights, hooks, small rubber jigs, small spinners, 6lb test line)
28. 2 cheap 7" straight knives with sheaths (great for lashing to sticks for spears, using as a small tree cutter when hammered on with a stone, general use blades I don't mind beating up)
29. 2 small 3-AAA LED flashlights with 2 extra changes of batteries
30. I always carry one of those 2.5 gallon water jugs from the grocery store. In the summer, I carry 2.

These items are on my wish list to make the kit more complete:

1. 2 rainsuits to replace the cheap ponchos
2. Machete
3. Flare gun kit
4. Larger hiker's frame pack so I can fit more stuff and organize it better, and easier to carry longer distances if I need to hike out of an area

Believe it or not, everything fits into the one large waterproof backpack (designed for a couple SLR cameras and all of their lenses), except for the small fishing kit which is in its own plastic case that I have tied to the outside of the backpack. I just throw it in the back of the truck along with the water jugs whenever I wheel, no matter what time of year. I feel 100% secure that my son and I can make it about a week without having to do too much work to survive and stay comfortable in snow or desert.

Hope this list helps you complete your kit.

 

I created something similar to this

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112935&referrerid=4098

 

I keep a few things in the truck. But I don't off road that much and when I have I have always had someone in there own truck with me. I like to keep just a few things in there that could maybe get me through a cold night or stranded situation. I keep a blanket, which my wife uses alot anyway. I bought this camping bottle I think at Dicks sporting goods, it has water proof matches a poncho a small flashlight some band aids. I can't remember what else, but a few other things. I keep a cheapy plug into the lighter air compressor that comes in handy once in a while. I keep a couple winter tossel caps and a couple pairs of winter gloves. I have 2 first aid kits, because I had one in my car before the Tacoma and then I got the one that came with the truck. I keep a few flashlights in there. One large Like "rescue" one, a 2 d mag light and a mini mag in the centre consol. I have some band aids of course, cause I have a 5yo son. I have a few small tools I keep and some small pocket knives for whatever. I think thats about it.

 

just for every day driving i have 2 snap straps and a log chain. two big cinder blocks and jack. jack stands. sleeping bag (being caught in colorado is not fun). set of warm huntin bibs. tire chains. flashlight. work gloves and mechanics gloves. a 5 quart jug of oil. some antifreeze. a bottle of water. 2 very sharp knives. leatherman. and a come-along. most of all this fits in my toolbox or the little compartments in the back

Oh, and everyone should keep a fishin rod and some lures in their truck just in case they happen upon a good lookin lake or pond

 

Damn, I dont keep nearly enough in comparison to some of you guys.

1. Flashlight
2. Jumper Cables
3. Small Toolkit
4. 3ft Heavy Duty Chain (no long enough for anything though, lol. Just there b/c I'm too lazy to take it out)
5. 3x Ratchet Straps
6. Bunch of Bungee Chords
7. Knife

 

ive got

1. Flashlight- surefire with 16 extra batteries
2. Video Camera
3. Assortment of lighters
4. Ka-bar 8 inch
5. gerber pocket knife
6. Block of wood (so the factory jack actually works)
7. Spare studs and lug nuts
8. Tow strap + shackles
9. Lube
10. On board air and a tire repair kit
11. Replacement fuses for just about everthing
12. Like 5 mres and several gallons of water
13. First aid kit
14. Powerbars
15. Tool set with bottle opener
16. Flairs
17. Extra set of clothes, blankets and towels.

 

I have:
first aid kit
Axe
Machete
jumper cables
lug wrench
tow strap
tie downs
bungee cords
a couple knives
Flashlight
Rain jacket

 

Same list as everyone else basically.
Shit paper
couple gallons of drink water
MRE'
MSR Colorado single trak pack
axe
GI shovel
tuggem straps
firesticks
Always a first aid kit
weapons
extra gloves
wool cap
wool socks
dressing appropriately with backup clothes
boat flares

 

Lol... yeah the 4 piece fly rod pretty much lives in there 6-8 months of the year.

I bought this pocket chainsaw a while back... when I was younger I always carried a smaller axe (but bigger than a hatchet) when I'd head out wheeling or camping. One day I came to the revelation that swinging an axe really isn't the most efficient way to deal with wood. It takes a ton of energy for one thing, it's a lot slower, and then you always have have a f@ckin' axe taking up space. I can rip through decent sized branches in no time with the pocket chainsaw,making collecting firewood or clearing dead trees & branches a hell of a lot easier. Plus it weighs practically nothing, so I can take it with me if need be. An axe does look pretty bad-assed however.

I should throw my purifier in there, any time I actually would use it, I'd be taking my truck to at least where I'd start backpacking. Why not leave it in there? Oh, and the idea about the collapsible nalgene jug - gotta find one!

 

30’ 33,000 lbs recovery strap w/ extra shackles
Jumper cables
Mattock
Crow bar x 2 (large and small)
Full size and folding shovel
Axe + wedge
Bow saw
Cheater bar
Bolt cutters
Leather gloves
Tool kit
Leatherman
JB Weld
Ratchet straps, bungee cords, 100 ft of 550 cord
Zip ties (various sizes)
100 mph tape
Hose clamps (various sizes)
Super glue and blue Loc-tite
Full set of replacement bulbs, connectors and fuses
Multimeter
Wire strippers
Electrical tape
1.5 L Nalgene w/ water
3 L Platypus collapsible water bladder
Water purification tablets
Dehydrated camping meal + Energy bars
Tabasco
Trauma kit
Baby wipes
Roll of toilet paper
Shaving kit (toothbrush, razor, soap, etc)
Bug spray
Sun block
GI brown towel and washcloth
Extra set of sunglasses
Space blanket
8x10 tarp
Maps (topo and highway)
Compass
Handheld GPS
Funnel
Siphon pump and hose
1 qt 5W30 oil
1 qt brake fluid
Starter fluid
WD-40
Fire starting stuff
Flares
Canteen cup
Surefire, chem lights, candles and headlamp
Spare batteries for lights/GPS

 

And that's just to go from the house to work!

 

Ha! I've got a double cab....it would be a shame to waste all that space behind/under the seats.

 

i have:
Napkins
Listerine
School books
a jacket
scissors jack
1 cup noodle
a couple of forks
lighters everywhere.
and 2 stuffed animals. 3 if you count the whale.

i stay prepared!...nah...

 

hmm.. let he think what i have in my toolbox..

1x 30' 3" tow strap
1x 20' 2" tow strap
2x 20' chain
2x hi-lift jack
1x full size shovel (cut down about 6" to fit in my toolbox)
1x stihl 020 chainsaw
1x bushmaster AR-15
1x walther P-22 (center console)
1x surefire flashlight
3x mini maglight (center console , toolbox and glove box)
1x ruined suit jacket that has been in my toolbox for years
1x stock toyota jack
1x stock jack out of a 2005 ford ranger
4x 3' oak planks
1x CKRT Knife
1x full change of clothes to included boots
a ton of other misc stuff that only comes useful for 1% of all situations (such as suit jacked mentioned above)