My sister calls me and asks what I'm doing. Watching tv, as usual. Anyway, her car won't start, it's in the parking lot at Grouse Mountain after a day of snowboarding. She thinks it's a starter, and wants to know how difficult of a job it is for me to replace, or should she have it towed to a dealership.
So I start in on the questions. Do the lights work. Does the radio work. What kind of sound does it make while trying to start.
Click click click. But Simon (boyfriend) says it's the starter.
Lemme talk to Simon.
Simon is sure the starter is hooped. He tried banging on it, all it does is click. Tow truck is coming. So I tell him in no uncertain terms to get the tow truck driver to give them a jump, it's the battery. 9 year old car with the original battery, yeah, definitely. He's still adamant it's the starter, but says he'll ask for a jump. Doubting me.
So I call my sister back an hour later.
"Ya home yet?"
"No."
"Did it start with a jump?"
"Yeah."
"Tell Simon I told you so."
"Okay."
"Talk to ya later."
"Okay, bye."
Then I called her again today, asking her if she had her battery replaced yet. I have to keep on top of her because she'll take it in to the dealer for a battery, and pay shop rate to have it installed. So I told her to go to Costco instead, they're way cheaper, and will install for cheap too. But the next time I see her and her car I'll have to check her alternator output just to be safe.
Here's what got to me though, not so much Simon doubting my "expert" advise, but my brother not being able to help. He is about 45 minutes closer to where she was and could have easily gone up there and given her a jump, saving the money on a tow truck. Well, he didn't have cables, so he couldn't go. Here's the real kicker. He could have gone out and bought cables, and driven there and back for cheaper than the tow truck was, and still have the cables for the next time.
SHORT LIST (supplies)
1) Jumper cables
2) Electric Air Compressor *Plugs into cig lighter unless modded to clip onto battery
3) Plugging kit, with lots of extra plugs and rubber cement.
4) Sockets and breaker bar, or four-way wrench.
5) Scissors jack
Now- since all of this fits in a short cab Ranger, "But I don't have a..." is kind of a silly thing to have to say.
I'd also feel slightly under dressed if I didn't have a length of chain for towing in the bed.
I think at a bare MINIMUM, a car should have it's spare tire, jack and lug wrench, AND a set of jumper cables. As in the case of my sister. The cables would have paid for themselves the first time she needed them. In my Ranger, I have all that, plus the air compressor (small cig. lighter one). I also have a piece of crap 2 1/2 ton jack. Works great as long as your truck doesn't roll away. So now I am reminded of the fact that I need a couple of wheel chocks.
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Joe, who's GONNA BE A DADDY!!! drives an 02 supercab shortbed 3.0 liter automatic power nothing Ranger Edge. BC Chapter Member
countless times... ive talked my mom into stoping to help some guy walking down the road... to get gas... ive walked threw town, and helped push guys out of gas up into a parking lots so that there cars where out of the road...
Jumper Cables
4 or 5 Flares
30' tow chain
Jack
2 Gallon gas can
Chock
Fire Extinguisher (small ABC)
Link belt (not many cars use a V-belt any more, but I do)
A gallon of water (usually for the dog, sometimes me)
3/8" ratchet set, Channellocks & Vise Grips
Some baling wire, and zip ties
First Aid kit and an Epi-Pen (mostly for the job site, but could be handy)
Roll of paper towel or a bucket of 'Scrubs'
Never seen much use for a compressor and plug kit, as most nitwits drive the tire right off the rim before they stop.
Keep those on the bike, but I'll have to add that to the truck too.....
and get a 4-way lug wrench.
Something I'm missing?
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Jim '87 F-250 4V 460, T19, 4x4, 4.10 sterling 10.25" - Lil' Red FTE Fraternity of Blue Max
Pretty good list Jim. Do you carry a plug kit? I also carry a few large trash bags in case you need something to lay down on without making a mess of yourself.
Jumper Cables
4 or 5 Flares
30' tow chain
Jack
2 Gallon gas can
Chock
Fire Extinguisher (small ABC)
Link belt (not many cars use a V-belt any more, but I do)
A gallon of water (usually for the dog, sometimes me)
3/8" ratchet set, Channellocks & Vise Grips
Some baling wire, and zip ties
First Aid kit and an Epi-Pen (mostly for the job site, but could be handy)
Roll of paper towel or a bucket of 'Scrubs'
Never seen much use for a compressor and plug kit, as most nitwits drive the tire right off the rim before they stop.
Keep those on the bike, but I'll have to add that to the truck too.....
and get a 4-way lug wrench.
Something I'm missing?
How about a flashlight, Mini compressor, Rope, small shovel, extra fuses, etc
__________________ Don #4 SlackerMaster Chapter Leader of the Massachusetts Chapter
Join the MA Chapter Here Currently own: 2006 F350 Lariat CC Super Duty, 6.0 L Diesel FTE Fraternity OF Blue Max
Oh,
I've got a flashlight,
Contractor bags in the jobbox.
fuses for my truck along with spare taillight/turnsignal bulbs.
A shovel in the bed, along with a push broom and a BFH. But that's for work...
A bunch of Tie-down straps.
Like I said, perhaps I should have a compressor and a 4-way
What's up with hotlinking photos from my Flickr?
I see it if I go back to edit that post, does it need to be approved by a mod or something?
I see Springerpop/ Marv was having the same issue, I'll leave it as a link.
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Jim '87 F-250 4V 460, T19, 4x4, 4.10 sterling 10.25" - Lil' Red FTE Fraternity of Blue Max
Road flares anyone? Yes I drive a bigger truck and have a tool box full of junk, but I also carry a 1/2 dozen road flares to be on the safe side.
You have to be careful with them "flares". At an accident scene, there may be spilled fuel. Also, from my perspective, The law states that there are to be no open ignition sources or flames within 75 feet of the vehicle. (I carry explosives) so it scares the crap out of me that some good citizen such as yourself with every good intention in the world to help out, will come by at my accident scene and place flares thinking he's doing the right thing to protect the public and KABOOM. There goes a good portion of a zip code.
So I ask that if you ever do happen to be the first one on site at a truck wreck, look for Placards on the trailer. Here is a list. US DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Placards (EnvironmentalChemistry.com)
The ones that are Orange, call 911 and tell them truck is carrying 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 or whatever. then tell everyone to run the other way as fast as possible.
The red ones indicate that cargo is flammable. Gasoline, diesel. etc..
none of these are good with flares.
I am not harping or anything, just letting you know.
You bring up good points, although a big truck will usually have their own pop up triangles. Flares around a wreck are better left to the police officers. I live out in the country, and our little 2 lane roads with no street lights can be dangerous. I've used the flares at 4:30 in the morning after a caddy hit a cow. It's kind of hard to see a dead cow in the dark until your on top of him.
Another warning about flares. Pay attention to the wind and any tall grass etc. around. You don't want to start a fire with them either.
I'm into rocketry and have a LEUP. So I'm WELL aware of the hazards.
I also have an Emergency Response Guidebook, so I can always check out those "odd" placard #'s.
Some of the 'stuff' going OTR is downright scary.
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Jim '87 F-250 4V 460, T19, 4x4, 4.10 sterling 10.25" - Lil' Red FTE Fraternity of Blue Max
Coming home in the center lane in a light rain on a bridge, I saw two people next to a Harley Dresser in the left hand breakdown. Couldn't get over in time so I got off the next exit and came around, parked on the other side of the Jersey barrier and busted out a couple of flares.
Hopped the divider and had placed one 100' up or so and was walking farther into oncoming traffic when some ass came barreling down the breakdown lane to get past the backup. Jumped up on the wall and almost threw the flare through his windshield.
He for sure would have creamed them given the visibility.
Walked back to their bike and used his plug kit to fix their flat.
They were soaked and I recommended they get off the exit after the bridge, turn right and I'd meet them at the diner, then went back and used the flare to flag them back out into the travel lanes.
10 minutes later they were buying me a cup of coffee and I had pulled out a towel to help them dry off.
They wanted to know how they could thank me. I told them to do the same for someone else.
If courtesy in contagious, let's start an epidemic!!!
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Jim '87 F-250 4V 460, T19, 4x4, 4.10 sterling 10.25" - Lil' Red FTE Fraternity of Blue Max
This is a really cool idea you got Greywolf. Who knows, maybe it can grow in response to the "RoadRage" addiction that seems to infect so many drivers today. When I was growing up, the long haul drivers were looked up to as good Samaritans/Knights of the Road and for the most part, deserved that respect. It's all changed now. Rudeness and discourtesy seems to be the order of the day. It would be great if Ford truck folks could gain a rep. as good Samaritans of the road. Of course, you'll have to establish some guidelines or you'll get some "yota" guy wanting in.
You get my vote.
Don't forget to design the bumper "snicker"
__________________ "GREENIES" BEWARE-My goal is to use my full share of the available fossil fuels plus any shares left unclaimed!
06 F-150 Lariat SCREW
08 6.4 SD 250 King Ranch crew 4X4
08 Solstice GXP (we be going racing now!)
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FTE Fraternity of Blue Max
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