I'm all about having some helpful tools in the vehicle, if not for self reliance, then to help out other people. I work in western Canada and routinely drive 5+ hours with little more than a gas station. I know lots of guys who keep sleeping bags, flares, etc. in their trucks, but it might be a bit overkill for the average person. The following are a few suggestions I have, and this post was inspired having just seen the first item - a lithion battery powered car starter.
Powerall -
I went to test drive a truck the other day and the battery was dead. The owner was like 'oh, I'll be right back' and brought out a Powerall. I couldn't believe it, but it started the truck just fine. She told me that she takes it to the beach and powers a mini-speaker for her phone all day. I was standing there like WTF. I'm used to seeing those HUGE battery pack deals. I always keep road-side tools handy and will be the first to say jumper cables suck, especially in the cold, and it isn't always practical or safe to jump someone (along side a highway for example).
She had the red/black plastic Powerall that I wasn't totally sold on the build quality. It seemed a bit... 'Asian market' to me. She also said she wasn't a fan of the jumper connection port because it didn't have a tab, so it was difficult to open. Both those aspects seem to be improved on the Powerall Element, which, from what I can tell, is the same product with a tacky 'tire-tread' rubber bumper, aluminum covers, and reconfigured power ports with rubber flaps to keep the water and crap out. I don't know why it is, but whenever I seem to have vehicle problems it's always the coldest, wettest, or windiest of days.
Anyway, I thought I'd share. Price wise at $130-150 on Amazon it's obviously more than jumper cables, but if you don't like carrying around a ton of stuff or are a tech person who might like portable power, I think it's worth a look.
Stanley Tools (Canadian Tire) -
Ask any Canadian and we will tell you to 'wait until it goes on sale' at Canadian Tire. They run sales all the time in their tools department and if you hold off long enough, it'll usually end up on 75% off. At least for tool kits by Stanley and their house brand Mastercraft. Sorry Mericans - no suggestions from this guy.
Anyway, when those sales do come come around, I'd say it's a good opportunity to strike on a mini-kit. I keep one in my truck at all times. I picked up a 99pc Stanley Black Chrome kit regular $199 for $49. I have the full-on kit at home, but this will help me fix the majority of repairs on the road. It's small enough to slide under most seats/benches or throw in the trunk. I haven't tried, but it might even be small enough to hide in the E30 spare wheel-well.
Magnetic LED Worklight - Canadian Tire
I have three of these and could find uses for three more. I bought one to help with drive-way repairs and such and kept finding uses for it. It has normal flash-light style which is suitable for car-camping and finding your way to the bathroom, but it extends to reveal a 36LED strip for more serious projects (not pictured). The magnetic base is genius however for two reasons. If, for example, you need to change a flat tire along side a road, you can attach it to the side of your vehicle and make use of both your hands. The double-benefit is that it lights you up as well as your workspace, so approaching vehicles can see you.
I've also used them in the garage under the car, in dark parking lots when backing up a trailer (I set them up in a row so they light both your trailer and your path), and I keep one in the car at all times. It comes with your typical 12volt charger too which is nice, and they are CONSTANTLY going on sale... such as right now. lol
Kobalt Mini Tool Box
Okay, it isn't so much the product as it is the idea and how you use it. I keep a Kobalt mini tool box in my truck with a few key items. Kobalt makes good, simple stuff at very reasonable prices. I would pay $15 for this all day long. In mine I keep a can of Fluid Film. It's a lubricating, anti-rust, and penetrating fluid. Basically, for all the reasons you've been using WD40, this is what you actually should be using. I also have a small adjustable wrench, a pack of zip-ties, a small tube of crazy-glue, some common screw drivers, and of course 'duct' tape. I also keep a Pertex brand windshield repair kit. I picked mine up at Princess Auto for around $10-15 and if you live/work in Alberta, you'll know it's a lot cheaper than replacing your windshield or those grocery-store lot guys. I'd say it's nearly as effective as the professional jobs and will handle most normal rock chips/cats eyes.
Powerall -
I went to test drive a truck the other day and the battery was dead. The owner was like 'oh, I'll be right back' and brought out a Powerall. I couldn't believe it, but it started the truck just fine. She told me that she takes it to the beach and powers a mini-speaker for her phone all day. I was standing there like WTF. I'm used to seeing those HUGE battery pack deals. I always keep road-side tools handy and will be the first to say jumper cables suck, especially in the cold, and it isn't always practical or safe to jump someone (along side a highway for example).
She had the red/black plastic Powerall that I wasn't totally sold on the build quality. It seemed a bit... 'Asian market' to me. She also said she wasn't a fan of the jumper connection port because it didn't have a tab, so it was difficult to open. Both those aspects seem to be improved on the Powerall Element, which, from what I can tell, is the same product with a tacky 'tire-tread' rubber bumper, aluminum covers, and reconfigured power ports with rubber flaps to keep the water and crap out. I don't know why it is, but whenever I seem to have vehicle problems it's always the coldest, wettest, or windiest of days.
Anyway, I thought I'd share. Price wise at $130-150 on Amazon it's obviously more than jumper cables, but if you don't like carrying around a ton of stuff or are a tech person who might like portable power, I think it's worth a look.
Stanley Tools (Canadian Tire) -
Ask any Canadian and we will tell you to 'wait until it goes on sale' at Canadian Tire. They run sales all the time in their tools department and if you hold off long enough, it'll usually end up on 75% off. At least for tool kits by Stanley and their house brand Mastercraft. Sorry Mericans - no suggestions from this guy.
Anyway, when those sales do come come around, I'd say it's a good opportunity to strike on a mini-kit. I keep one in my truck at all times. I picked up a 99pc Stanley Black Chrome kit regular $199 for $49. I have the full-on kit at home, but this will help me fix the majority of repairs on the road. It's small enough to slide under most seats/benches or throw in the trunk. I haven't tried, but it might even be small enough to hide in the E30 spare wheel-well.
Magnetic LED Worklight - Canadian Tire
I have three of these and could find uses for three more. I bought one to help with drive-way repairs and such and kept finding uses for it. It has normal flash-light style which is suitable for car-camping and finding your way to the bathroom, but it extends to reveal a 36LED strip for more serious projects (not pictured). The magnetic base is genius however for two reasons. If, for example, you need to change a flat tire along side a road, you can attach it to the side of your vehicle and make use of both your hands. The double-benefit is that it lights you up as well as your workspace, so approaching vehicles can see you.
I've also used them in the garage under the car, in dark parking lots when backing up a trailer (I set them up in a row so they light both your trailer and your path), and I keep one in the car at all times. It comes with your typical 12volt charger too which is nice, and they are CONSTANTLY going on sale... such as right now. lol
Kobalt Mini Tool Box
Okay, it isn't so much the product as it is the idea and how you use it. I keep a Kobalt mini tool box in my truck with a few key items. Kobalt makes good, simple stuff at very reasonable prices. I would pay $15 for this all day long. In mine I keep a can of Fluid Film. It's a lubricating, anti-rust, and penetrating fluid. Basically, for all the reasons you've been using WD40, this is what you actually should be using. I also have a small adjustable wrench, a pack of zip-ties, a small tube of crazy-glue, some common screw drivers, and of course 'duct' tape. I also keep a Pertex brand windshield repair kit. I picked mine up at Princess Auto for around $10-15 and if you live/work in Alberta, you'll know it's a lot cheaper than replacing your windshield or those grocery-store lot guys. I'd say it's nearly as effective as the professional jobs and will handle most normal rock chips/cats eyes.
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