Chris M
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Chris
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2020
- Threads
- 21
- Messages
- 4,500
- Reaction score
- 19,806
- Location
- Surprise, AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Ranger XLT Sport 4X4
- Occupation
- Security Supervisor
- Thread starter
- #1
Today there was a middle-aged man that limped his 2016 F-150 in behind my guardhouse with a flat tire. I asked if he was going to change it or if he was calling someone to come get it, and he said he'd change it. It was soon clear he had no clue, and was unprepared to do anything like that. No blanket to lay on, never had his jack and tools out of the packet, and did not know how to work his equipment at all--literally. He DID have a spare ratchet and deep-well socket that he was trying to use for the lug nuts, but the socket was the wrong size and there was just no way that ratchet would bring enough leverage to loosen the lugs even if the socket had been the right size. In his frustration with it all he started to call someone to just come get the truck. I helped him with all that (lent him a blanket to lie on, showed him the right direction the rod goes in to lower the spare, and how to put the tools together to jack the truck up) in between cars entering the community and gave him directions to the nearest @Discount Tire for help pumping up the spare (it was immediately evident it was low). He got the tire changed finally and eased off in the direction of the tire store. I was uncomfortable "supervising" so much, but the poor gent needed it and was grateful afterword (I think).
All that to say this:
It's really important that we do know a little bit about the basics of our vehicles, and that maybe we have some small things laid by so that we can use them in an emergency--whatever that may look like to any of us at any time. Simple things could mean a great deal to us in a stressful time. Blankets to lie on, or rest our knees on, a couple bottles of water, taking the time to look at and even try the tools given to us in the truck could make the difference between handling something ourselves and having to spend hard-earned $$ on a tow or something like that.
Anyway...I am sure some of you have really good "emergency" kits you've fashioned together based on your years of experience (the hard way). Maybe you could share here what a decent compact "kit" might look like for the pavement princes and princesses and mall-crawlers among us, as well as those of us that use our trucks as trucks doing truck stuff. I know I would like to see what you all think is important so that I can adjust what I and my wife carry in our vehicles.
Blessings,
Chris
All that to say this:
It's really important that we do know a little bit about the basics of our vehicles, and that maybe we have some small things laid by so that we can use them in an emergency--whatever that may look like to any of us at any time. Simple things could mean a great deal to us in a stressful time. Blankets to lie on, or rest our knees on, a couple bottles of water, taking the time to look at and even try the tools given to us in the truck could make the difference between handling something ourselves and having to spend hard-earned $$ on a tow or something like that.
Anyway...I am sure some of you have really good "emergency" kits you've fashioned together based on your years of experience (the hard way). Maybe you could share here what a decent compact "kit" might look like for the pavement princes and princesses and mall-crawlers among us, as well as those of us that use our trucks as trucks doing truck stuff. I know I would like to see what you all think is important so that I can adjust what I and my wife carry in our vehicles.
Blessings,
Chris
Sponsored
I would call roadside assistance 1st (and watch them very carefully to prevent mess ups) unless I was stuck in an isolated area and then I could change it myself 
