OAUSA Net – February 20, 2014 – Vehicle Essentials

[toms]

Whether preparing for the trail or a drive around town, we will be covering the basics of what should be carried in your vehicle from tools to guns. Time permitting we will discuss stuff that you think should always be left in the vehicle.

[traveltoad]

We all bring to the table different real world experiences: winter driving, third world urban driving, family driving... all kinds of different things. We can all learn from your ideas on "vehicle essentials" so don't be shy, let's hear them!

[toms]

Product Spot Light

Tonight's product is actually a service.

I feel you really should not venture off-road without AAA's 200 mile tow service. If you vehicle breaks down far from home it is nice to get it back where you can work on it and not camp out in a motel for a few days, miss work, etc. while you are dependent on an "unknown" shop to get you back up and running. With custom modifications getting the right parts may be difficult as well.

The standard (they call it classic) AAA tow is only good for 7 miles. 7 miles seems so unreasonable most people upgrade to the 100 mile tow. But for just $26 more then the $100 tow you can have one 200 mile tow a year.

You still have to get the vehicle out to a road! AAA will not come get you on some unpaved trail. But this is cheap insurance and the cost is well worth the peace of mind.

One of the rules of wheeling is: the more difficult and more remote, the more "stuff" you take. In this context, it means spare parts and tools to fix it yourself. The 200 mile tow from AAA might be one factor for deciding if the trail is remote.

[DaveK]

We will mention our "Antennas in the Park event tonight. You can get more information about the park from their website. Follow this link: http://www.cityofrc.us/cityhall/cs/park ... edhill.asp.

Preliminary event details (full details to follow):

Date: March 15, 2014
Location: Red Hill Park, Rancho Cucamonga
Time: Approximately 10:00AM to 3:00PM

[lrsrngr]

So, at the risk of breaking the sound vs. visual barrier, I'll take the first stab at this.

1. Full size spare properly inflated.

2. Old belt moved in from last change and kept as an emergency belt (depending on how bad you let your used belts get).

3. Jumper cables.

4. Proper "star" for lug nuts. I really like the fold up star I have been carrying for many years now, great product.

5. Jack/special jack depending on run you plan on taking.

6. Tool bag with normal tools to include:
A. Voltmeter (at minimum continuity tester)
B. Extra fuses
C. Tow strap
D. Zip ties

7. Go Bag (butt bag/shoulder/back pack):
A. Stainless water bottles x 2
B. Camera
C. Lighter
D. Gloves
E. Can of sterno
F. Binos
G. watchcap
H. Leatherman Tool
I. Flashlight

8. Pouches in back of seats:
A. First aid kit (minimalist with feminine pads for heavy bleeding and cravats)
B. Large folding knife
C. Maps
D. Extra hand mic
G. Cell charger (dedicated to vehicle)

9. Glove box:
A. OBD II reader
B. Medic scissors

10. Center Console:
A. Bee's wax concoction for stings or chapped lips
B. Extra glasses and sunglasses
C. Normal paperwork for the vehicle to include the insurance documentation and AAA
D. Lighter (redundancy)

11. Pouch near my front seat:
A. Pepper spray
B. Signal Mirror
C. Whistle
D. Flashlight

12. Quart of oil near spare

13. Inverter 12v to 110ac (200amp constant to 400amp peak)

14. Double ended cigarette lighter plug that I use in conjunction with my deep cycle battery I use as a backup battery.

15. GPS with Southwestern USA updates (12v with battery backup)

16. CERT gear (minimum):
A. Helmet
B. Emergency blanket (heavy duty) doubles as large signal device and tarp.
C. CERT Vest

17. Machete with gloves

18. California Adventure Pass

This is the usual kit to include a half dozen or more stainless water bottles.

[toms]

This link is to an article I wrote in 2008 titled: Top 10 Must-Have Items For Your Recently Purchased Vehicle
http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/Equ ... Items.html

[cruiserlarry]

I was only able to listen to a small portion of the net, but I felt I should comment on a theme I heard repeated by several of the participants. Having spent the better part of 40 years selling, installing, and repairing all types of vehicles and the accessories and equipment that they contain, I was a little concerned by the general idea of buying "cheap" stuff to keep on board in case of emergency.

While there is not need to go overboard, my experience shows it is very important to have well built, reliable equipment or recovery gear, especially if you need to avail yourself of them in a true emergency. Getting a flat on a desert road seldom traveled is not the time you want to find out that "cheap" compressor or tire repair kit you bought just won't get the job done.

Finding yourself stuck in your vehicle after an earthquake strikes is not the time to find out that $3 flashlight doesn't work, or that bargain basement first aid kit isn't aiding your injury.

Invest in the best emergency or recovery equipment you can afford - because you will have enough to deal with, without having to worry about whether your vehicle essentials will work when you really need them

[DaveK]

Larry

WOW!!1 I couldn't agree more. Buying cheap stuff does not pay off, especially when you are a hundred miles from the nearest repair facility. I'll never forget my fathers advice - "son, you get just what you pay for!!". I know budgets may be tight, but sacrificing quality and reliability for low cost stuff is not a good choice when your safety is on the line.

[traveltoad]

Here is a link to the Antigravity Microstart.

http://antigravitybatteries.com/microstart/

I believe they are also developing a heavy duty SAE connector so the Micro Start can be connected directly to the battery. And also the Antigravity people have indicated that there will be a heavy duty version sometime the first half of this year.

And the video I posted here (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=3569) showing a Micro Start with a cold Rover V8:Starting a cold Rover V8 engine:

[cruiserlarry]

Photo courtesy of Traveltoad:


Dirty Parts is a distributor for the Anti-Gravity Micro Start XP-1 and XP-3, and we have them in stock. We have been getting amazing customer feedback on these units, as well as lots of personal experience jump-starting customer vehicles. In fact, the Micro-Start unit has out-performed our commercial jump start machine on several occasions already.

I now keep one in my wife's vehicle, and even in my rig - there are many uses, from charging your cell phone quickly, to running your laptop for 3-4 hours, and the unit is easily recharged in your vehicle or in your house (and it recharges pretty fast, too).

The XP-1 and XP-3 have the same capacity - the XP-1 adds additional ports and adapters for charging all types of portable electronics, while the XP-1 is slightly more compact, and has a USB charging port and and cell phone adapter only. Either way, everyone should have one in their vehicle...

MICRO-START XP-1

MICRO-START XP-3