The importance of specific mandatory tools for your bug-out vehicle may be lost on you until you suffer a tire puncture, battery failure, or any other self-repairable damage without the tools for repair. Isn’t it? Often, we are driving around in our cars. We don’t even need to have prepping knowledge to accept that the road is also a pretty unpredictable terrain. Yes, you could get stuck one way or the other on the highway, and the best you could do for yourself is to have a toolkit that can help solve the problem.
At least 7/10 drivers have narrated that having some tool handy was their only means of salvation when SHTF.
7 Mandatory Tools For Your Bug-out Vehicle
Much like all survival situations, using your toolkit to avoid a vehicle breakdown requires assessment and insight.
Should you run into an accident, be it a rollover, sinkhole– or natural disaster–caused, there are some questions to first answer to evaluate your situation and work out a feasible plan.
Answering the following questions will earmark your next step and, more pertinently, figure out the use of your kit in that situation.
- Is anyone injured — driver or passenger?
- If yes, how severe is the injury? Does the victim need immediate care?
- How far off are you to help? Can you trek to where help is?
- How long can you spare before getting your car or bike back in shape? Can it be repaired then?
By figuring out these questions, you’ll be able to optimize the tools at hand to save yourself (and others) as well as limit the extent of the damage.
Let’s see what and what you need to be perfectly equipped for the road.
Survival Bag
Typically, this is your preferred survival bag, just what you carry around while exploring the wilderness. These bags can be bug-out or bug-in bags, so it’s vital that you carry both, or at least the one you expect to be more helpful. They are specifically meant to keep you alive in the wild, so your bag should contain all items that will help you survive in case of an emergency. I think you should pack all gear that will aid survival whenever you get stranded.
Car Safety Hammer
Thankfully, the car safety hammer has become easily found in the cars of Americans. At first, this little hammer may not mean much, but wouldn’t it be pleasantly surprising to find out that it may be a lifesaver if you get trapped in your vehicle during an emergency that requires you to evacuate quickly, for example, flooding. Your safety hammer should have the glass hammer, window breaker & seatbelt cutter. I doubt that there’s the need to start explaining how to use this. The chief thing here is to always have one (or even two) in your bug-out vehicle.
Tire Repair Kit
A flat tire happens often, whether we’re driving to the beach or going to pick our kids from school, much more when navigating the unsafe roads during an emergency or driving through unfamiliar terrains. There will rarely be enough time to wait for help from roadside service or passing motorists. Even if there was time, finding the people would still be difficult.
For your sake and that of the passengers in your care, a tire repair toolkit is a must-have. It’s basically everything required to fix a punctured tire in minutes. Why shouldn’t you carry one?
Air Compressor
The air compressor is needed to complete the repair of your tires. Except you’re James Bond, I doubt that your car can move on deflated tires. However, a common problem with selecting an air compressor is the failure of most to know that the tool varies from vehicle to vehicle. What I drive may need a different compressor from what you drive. Pressure requirements & air capacity are very different for car & truck tires.
A Jumpstart Power Bank
An unresponsive battery is sure to leave you stranded. And with the air of catastrophe hanging around, I doubt that would be a nice situation to be in.
First, finding help will be highly difficult because there’s rarely a person around to help. To worsen things, hoodlums could lurk around the shadows and attack you. You can save yourself the entire problem by coming along with a stand-alone power bank that will jumpstart your battery when it’s dead. It’s also nice if the bank’s capacity is powerful enough to power your basic electronic devices as well.
Folding Shovel
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A folding shovel is also becoming a more common tool with preppers, but it is more important if you have to travel within an off-the-grid terrain. This tool will assist in digging your way out of suffocating spots, and its specifications will come in handy as well.
For the best effects, your folding shovel should come with a saw blade, which can be used to cut tree branches & use them as a peg to get your car out of a sinking spot. The shovel can also be used to make enough traction for your tires by digging up rocks and setting them in place.
Tow Strap
A tow strap is relevant during an SHTF scenario. You don’t want to be left stranded on a highway because even with all your preparations, machines can be simply unpredictable at times. So, if your car breaks down and you’re unable to repair it, having a way to pull it to safety is advisable.
You should have a tow strap in your car, preferably something heavy-duty up to 30-foot with the capability to drag a load that weighs up to 5000 pounds. You can always go for another time strap, but this is ideal. Get yourself one that is rugged and can be effective in self-recovery. Also, you may be the one to offer help using the strap; it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you have your safety in mind.
Concluding The Mandatory Tools For Your Bug-out Vehicle
There are several other mandatory tools for your bug-out vehicle. There’s the need for an auto toolkit, a tarp for basic tinkering if you’re stranded, signaling devices, tire jack, led lamp, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit & clothing fits. Accidents may not happen when you bug-out, but having these gear nearby is essential. With them, you can help yourself, help others, and be helped in return.