Car winter emergency kit

[RichardRay]

47. Chains! Good ones!!

Curiously, I don’t see these listed anywhere. Better to not get stuck! Perhaps a bit much for an occasional heavy frost in hilly terrain, but getting home is always better than trying to curl up in a sleeping bag in the back seat.

o Big, honking CHAIN chains. No cable ‘chains’, no plastic ‘chains’, real chain chains. Big, ugly, heavy chains. There are other needs and reasoning for other kinds of chains, but for getting unstuck, chains are the best. (I like’m with ‘V-bar’ re-enforcement Get the chains fitted when you buy them. Check the fit when you change tires.

o Chain tighteners.

o a small vice grip style pair of pliers.

o an inexpensive closed cell foam pad. You will, almost certainly, end up having to lie down in the snow to put the chains on securely. The foam pad will make the experience much less objectionable.

o on the same note, a cheap set of waterproof outerwear. A one piece jump suit is ideal. Waterproof gloves with minimal insulation. Putting chains on requires some dexterity.

o a headlamp. Because you’ll likely end up putting them on in the dark at some point. Regular flashlights never point in the right direction.

o a snow shovel. You should have one of these, anyway, but it’s much easier to get chains on when you can find the bottom of your tires and clear an area to work in.

o put the chains in *two* heavy duty, waterproof bags, each chain in its own bag. Package up 6he whole kit in a durable duffel that can sit on your trunk.

Now, practice putting them on so you know exactly how the whole thing works. practice taking them off and putting them away *neatly*. You’ll be glad when you have to get them out again.

I lived on Donner Summit in the Sierra Nevada, at the top of Donner Pass for 10 winters. I drove a 2 wheel drive Ford Econoline van. I got really good at putting chains on. 😁 I *never* got stuck.