The Dark Wob

For me,driving older high mileage cars, some oil, a basic simple tool kit, spare lamps, a jump pack, a wind up torch, first aid kit (pinched from my Mercedes)
In the wheel well, a set of paper overalls and gloves (as it is invariably raining and you are in your best clothes when you get a puncture), ratchet straps, a wheel brace and the vehicles scissor jack, a fag lighter run compressor.
I also usually have the padded roof rack in case I see something that won't fit inside a micra Note why a wind up torch? Because battery torches are just a tube to keep dead batteries in
Also why is it always raining when you get a puncture? Because the water helps lubricate the nail/screw/whatever when you run over it, have you tried to push a dry nail through a dry Tyre? Almost impossible
Plus if you have different sized wheels front and back you are better carrying a rear as about 80% of punctures are to rear tyres, (due to mast sharp objects lying point down until your front wheel runs over them, they then spin and stand up and your back wheel goes over them (shite upside down diagram below)

My cars all carry a torch (battery operated which are tested during tyre/oil checks), blanket, bottled water, correct grade of oil and coolant, atlas, de-icer (all year so I know where it bloody well is) and window squeegees. Tyre pressure gauge, pump (either 12v or foot-operated), basic tools (AF or metric spanner roll and socket set, screwdrivers and pliers) warning triangle, tow rope and an umbrella. Pens and paper, rubber gloves, towel and bin bags.

Morrises both additionally carry a myriad of spares, the VW less so but still has spare HT leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm and rectifier. I run bareback in the Focus and Chrysler as there isn't much I can sort on those if they fuck up - which is why I have an AA card.

Before anyone asks the VW has fire extinguishers too.

Coat. My dad always tells me to. Has been useful in a few cases.

My manager laughed when I bought a coat in the summer when we went in his car for a business trip. As the light was fading and temperature dropping on the M4 hard shoulder after it broke down and both of us wearing shorts, he saw the sense.

An empty Pringles tube, useful on static motorways...

Are they watertight?

12v impact gun,jack,tow pole and a battery boost pack that has a 12v socket,usb socket and the obvious jump cables for battery. Also need to start keeping a jacket in the van and the 12v cool box is going in too with drinks and snacks. Always handy to have something being diabetic. I have a few cable ties and ratchet straps permanently in the van too.

bub2006 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:11 pm I have a few cable ties and ratchet straps permanently in the van too.

Kinky

Bloody hell you lot carry some crap about. I think the only thing that sits in my cars permanatly is an ice scrapper. Every winter I struggle to find one so just leave one in each car. Hopefully there will be a jack in the car if I need one, otherwise it is mobile phone to ring the breakdown mob and use as a torch. The only time I take any real tools is going to Le Mans in a classic. Then just a bag of assorted spanners and sockets to do most things. Last year as it was a bit of a test run with the hearse I did take a spare alternator, carb and distributor. I doubt I will bother this year though as it is running so much better since I did the head last year.

Spare roll of dog poo bags, more uses than you think.

I do think that other people have made far more use of the crap I carry over the years....Forgot cable ties, there's a bunch of those in each car too. I've also had to fix far more things from my boot stash in holiday chalets and caravans over the years than the cars themselves have needed.....