A breakdown on the highway is sort of like identity theft; nobody likes to think about it, and it probably won’t happen anyway, right? The truth is, tires go flat and serpentine belts break all the time. Are you prepared?
You can take some of the sting out of an unexpected roadside stop with a well-stocked emergency kit. Pre-packaged kits, like the Road Warrior packs from Mayday Industries (photo 1), go for around $60 and contain essential safety equipment — reflector triangle, flashlight, fire extinguisher — plus such commonsense items as leather gloves and the all-healing roll of duct tape.
A customized kit
Of course, you can build your own kits and customize it to your vehicles. It should include, however, items already mentioned as well as:
• A can of fix-a-flat
• Emergency light or road flares
• Jumper cables
• Spare fuses
• Such basic tools as screwdrivers (Phillips, flat and Torx), an adjustable wrench, locking pliers, utility knife, wire cutters, electrical tape and a set of socket wrenches in sizes most applicable to your rig. Deep sockets are more versatile than standard length.
If your travel takes you through remote areas, consider adding survival gear in case things really go bad. A box of granola bars, space blanket, bottled water, waterproof matches and a signal mirror are the bare essentials.
Deluxe kit
To upgrade your gear even more, consider a portable jump-starter. Regular jumper cables are fine, but with a portable power unit, you don’t have to rely on the mercy of others. The key is to buy as big a power unit as you can afford and that you’re willing to carry in your vehicle. Bigger truck and SUV engines require more cold-cranking amps than do automobiles. And a portable jump-starter’s lifespan contains a finite number of discharge/recharge cycles. More capacity equals longer life. Some power units, like the Black & Decker Start It (photo 2), also have an air-compressor feature — which is handy in emergency situations. This unit sells for around $80, but you can spend well over $100 on larger models.
A heavy-duty, 12- to 15-ft. tow strap is a versatile item to include, as is a scissors or bottle jack, which will help you fix a flat tire on your trailer. The jack that comes with your vehicle is nearly worthless when lifting a trailer. A small, portable trolley jack, like the one from AC Delco (photo 3), costs less than $40, and does a much better and safer job of it.
It’s good to be prepared for trouble, but it’s better to avoid it in the first place. Regularly check your rig’s tires, belts, bearings and fluid levels, and chances are good you’ll only have to rely on your emergency kit for peace of mind.