NWsage wrote:Situational awareness: If it doesn't feel safe, I don't stop/stay.
Don't act like a potential victim (purposeful in my movements)
Have a mechanically-sound, well-maintained car, good tires/spare, fix-a-flat, chains
Share itinerary with family & friends, plan regular check-in times
Carry first aid kits w/whistle (car & day pack)
Carry bear spray and don't hesitate to use it
Carry key fob with car alarm button
Carry cell phone (charged)
Carry SPOT GPS Messenger (911 caller, when I don't have cell reception)
When dark, have a bright flashlight (also, useful as a small bat)
Air horn next to bed (along with above carried items)
At night, put out a large dog food bowl w/heavy-looking chain (even tho' I won't have dogs with me)
When in bear country, use bear lockers (food, toiletries, cleaning supplies)
Lock car when sleeping/resting in it.
If attacked, fight back, yell (re-taking a self-defense class this winter).
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Excellent start. I camp a lot solo and were I doing such a long trip I would also:
Keep a credit card or cash stash hidden away in the car (under a seat or some such out of the way place - not the glove compartment). Just in case you lose your wallet you don't want to have every dime and all your credit cards disappear with it.
Photocopy of driver's license, passport, credit cards, etc. In case they are lost or stolen. Have 800 numbers handy to cancel cards. Stash out of the way in your car -- perhaps with your spare tire if it's in an inside compartment.
Pre-paid phone card: I needed one in New Hampshire and Maine. Couldn't get cell signal -- used the pre-paid card at pay phones and hotels.
Road hazard reflector-flares-warning lights. I've got a kayak strobe and this battery-powered safety "flare" in my car all the time.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/depa ... =product_8
Seatbelt cutter/auto glass breaker: I carry this primarily in case I happen upon a car accident.
http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn ... 1263243103
Fire extinguisher: Again, more likely you'll use it to help someone else on the road but you should have one in case your own engine catches on fire. Know how to use it.
Extra fuses: Easy to carry, essential components of your vehicle will not operate if a fuse blows. Check out your owners manual, know where the fuse box(es) are located. My Honda has a fuse box under the steering wheel and one in the engine compartment. Usually extra spares are included but your car uses more than one size so take a look. I've blown fuses when plugging things into the accessory outlets, had the horn trip a fuse.
Tire air compressor: Cheap and potentially priceless. Check tire pressure and air them up when the tires are cold.
New windshield wiper blades: When the blades go it's hard to see in the rain or clear bird doo from the windshield.
Duct tape & heavy duty garbage bags: Duct tape has a zillion uses and the garbage bags can be used to cover a broken window.
Sharp knife - folding or fixed-blade: gotta have a good knife. I'm fond of the pink one below -- made by Benchmade, a portion of the proceeds goes to breast cancer research.
Battery jumper cables (good ones): you car owner's manual should have a section explaining how to jump your car's battery and how to use your car to jump another car's battery.
If your car's battery is nearing the end of it's expected life, replace it in advance of your road trip. Know your car's radio code (I've written mine in my owner's manual. If you replace your car battery or the radio fuse goes, you may need to code to use your radio - it's a common anti-theft feature to have the radio lock up if it's removed from the power source.
Read your car owners manual: It would simply be a good thing to be familiar with in advance of a problem.
Weather radio: I'm fond of this little one from Midland. Tiny, simple and it's worked for me sitting around camp and while driving in the car when the skies turn black and I've wondered just what that portended.
http://www.amazon.com/MIDLAND-HH50-Pock ... 094&sr=8-3
Security accessible from driver seat: Never know when you're going to be on the receiving end of someone's road rage. I had a whacked cabbie once accuse me of following him for blocks like I was CIA or something (I was in a Miata). Everytime I'm in the car I have within reach: bear spray, "tire knocker" and, for longer trips: an axe.
For $10, Duluth Trading has a nice tire knocker. It's protection utility is alluded to in the product warning below.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/18TK ... d_products
18" long Tire Knocker is made of sturdy hickory
Use for thumping truck tires to determine tire pressure. A nylon cord is provided to secure tool to your hand. Made in USA.
WARNING: Tire Knocker, when stored in the cabin area of a vehicle, may be considered by law enforcement officials as a concealed dangerous weapon. Please review appropriate State laws.
Happy trails!