Monday, November 15, 2010

What's in your vehicle?

My library is truly diverse.  Today I was looking through a book called Practical Archaeology: Field and Laboratory Techniques and Archaeological Logistics by Dr. Brian D. Dillon.  One of the chapters was titled The Archaeological Field Vehicle.  In other writings, Dillon writes about his vehicle, a 70 something Chevy truck with over a million miles on it.  In this book, the discussion centered around being able to get your field work done in the middle of nowhere and having the proper vehicle preparedness to do so.  On page 79, Figure 5 he provides a checklist with 100 items including tools, spare parts and supplies that he carried in the vehicle during extended trips in rough areas outside the US. 
1: Shop Manual
2: Timing Light
3: Tach/Dwell Meter
4: Compression Tester
5: Tire Pressure Gauge
6: Hydrometer
7: Circuit Tester
8: Feeler Gauges
9: Spark Plug Gauge
10: Combination Wrench Set
11: 10" or 12" Crescent Wrench
12: 6" Crescent Wrench
13: TorqueWrench
14: Socket Wrench Set (3/8 or 1/2)
15: Socket Extensions
16: Socket U- joint
17: Socket Wrench Step down/up
18: Breaker Bar for S.W.
19: Spark Plug Socket for S.W.
20: Impact Wrench Drive
21: Hex Wrench Set
22: Oil Filter Wrench
23: Adjustable Pliers
24: Vise-Grip Pliers
25: Needle-Nose Pliers
26: Wire/Sheet Metal Cutter
27: Large (12") Phillips Screwdriver
28: Large (12") Slot Screwdriver
29: Small to Medium Slot Screwdrivers
30: Small to Medium Phillips
31: Metal Chisel
32: Metal Punch
33: Ball-Peen Hammer
34: Putty Knife
35: Flat, Round, Triangular Files
36: Sand Paper
37: Easy-Out (Extracter) Set
38: Metal Drills/Drill
39: Gear Puller
40: Valve Spring Depresser
41: Hacksaw
42: Siphon Tube/Brake Bleed Tube
43: Oil Filler Spout
44: White Paint (Liquid Paper)
45: Flashlight
46: Flares
47: Fire Extinguishers
48: Lug (X-bar) Wrench
49: Hydraulic Jack
50: Sheepherder's Jack
51: Tire Pump
52: Crowbar
53: Wheel Chocks/Jack Blocks
54: Shovel
55: Bucket
56: Rip Saw
57: Machete
58: Axe
59: Length of Carpet
60: Towing Chain
61: Towing Rope
62: All Hoses
63: All Belts
64: All Gaskets
65: All Fuses
66: All Filters (x 20" more)
67: 2 Sets Spark Plugs
68: 2 Sets Points, Rotor, condenser
69: Distributor Cap
70: Plug Wires
71: 2 Mounted Tires
72: 2 Inner Tubes
73: Water Pump
74: Oil Pump
75: Gas Pump
76: Carb Rebuilt Kit
77: Timing Chain
78: U-joints
79: Oil (enough for change)
80: Rear-end/Trans. Oil
81: Wheel Bearing Grease
82: Engine Oil Flush
83: WD-40 or Liquid Wrench Spray
84 : 3-in-1 Oil
85: Carburetor Cleaner Spray
86: Quick-Start Spray
87: 1 Quart Brake Fluid
88: Radiator Flush
89: Radiator Stop-Leak
90: Gasket Paper
91: Gasket Sealer
92: Heavy Duty (Ignition) Wire
93: Light Duty (Accessories) Wire
94: Assorted Electrical Connectors (clip, spade, bolt-on, etc.)
95: Electrician's Tape
96: Tube Patch Kit
97: Assorted nuts, bolts, screws, washers, cotter pins, etc.
98: Epoxy or Super Glue
99: Duct Tape
100: Hand Cleaner/Rags

I figured that this is an excellent list for someone who expects to have a vehicle and isn't sure what they should carry.  With everything listed I'm not sure there is room for any other survival supplies, but it's a good start for what should be in my garage, if not in my vehicle.  I don't think I would really need to carry all of this all the time, especially if I was going between my bug-out place and home but I definitely rethought my ideas of what I should have on hand.

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