What do you put in your trunk?

[Mark Sedenquist]

Everyone I have ever traveled with had a different system (or lack thereof) for packing the trunk or, for that matter, the entire car/truck. What kinds of things do you carry? I addressed some of those isssues in my latest MSNBC column called "How to pack the trunk". I would love to know your secrets and ideas too!

Mark

[PNW Judy]

I have re-written that original post because I have changed a few things, I think, since that time. Thanks for the "amazing" compliment. Not sure if I'm amazing or a bit paranoid. LOL

Here are the things that I typically carry all the time, not just for roadtrips:

Glovebox and door pockets: GPS, 2 FRS radios, flashlight, battery charger that plugs into cigarette lighters with extra rechargeable batteries, small repair kit with thread/scissors/needles, individual packets of Shout for clothing stains (I'm a slob), individual handi-wipe packets for hand cleaning, multi-function knife, small first-aid kit, tape, paper pad/pens, and a few other miscellaneous things for personal care like dental floos, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, etc.

I have a little unit that plugs into the cigarette lighter with 4 extra plugs so I can plug my cellphone, my battery charger, and a little rechargeable flashlight that is always plugged in and ready to go, all at the same time with an extra space if I need it for something else.

I plan on investing in a CB with NOAA warning capabilities or, at least, just a NOAA radio as well.

In tote bag behind driver's seat (I rarely have passengers in the back except the dog): atlas, any extra maps I need (I add more for longer trips), one of those street-atlas maps for my state, sun shades, a battery-operated fan if I need to leave my dog in the car when it's a tad warmer for her, rainhat, warmer hat, gloves, raincoat that folds down into it's own pocket, teeny umbrella, dog leash, small pillow that crunches down small into it's own little tote bag, fleece blanket, and another rubber-backed type of blanket that the dog sits on in the car (and great for sitting on the ground, especially if it's a bit damp out).

My back seat is covered with a big beach towel that matches my car's colors. Mainly for the dog to sit on but it has been handy if I've needed a towel for some reason when out and about.

Trunk: I have a hatchback. The decklid that hides contents from view has 3 pockets underneath it. These carry my car's manual, a plastic tupperware-style container with extra fuses and bulbs, a kite that goes in it's own little totebag and doesn't need a frame for days at the beach, thin nylon backpack that folds into the small outer pocket just in case I need it to carry things. Oh, and a radio that operates on batteries

On the right side of my trunk I have one of those vinyl multi-pocket things that has a larger flashlight that can also be like a table-lamp and extra batteries, bungie cords, duct tape, flares, a couple of 24-hour emergency candles, a Sierra-style cup/bowl, some packets of cocoa and dried soup, protein bars, tuna packets, can opener, compass, 1 water-bottle filled with water, collapsible cloth water bowl for dog, a fanny-pack with 2 water bottles filled with water for day hikes. A few simple tools. A pair of hiking boots and socks.

Underneath the trunk space area, in the spare-tire well: full-size spare, tire-changing tools, more tools, and emergency cash.

Lying flat on the floor of the trunk is a neat cooler I found that is shaped like a large tote bag. It folds flat and takes up virtually no space when not being used. It's very handy. You never know when you might need it. I've used it if I've been out-and-about and we've decided to stop somewhere to put together an impromptu picnic. And for trips to Costco (an hour away) for frozen items.

Because I live in tsunami-country and, if the tsunami is caused by an earthquake from the Cascadia Fault, the earthquake will be major (they are predicting a 9.0), and the roads will probably not be driveable, I also have a fanny pack with emergency supplies. I started with a backpack with tons of supplies but realized if I need to run to safety over ruined roads that it would be too heavy to carry and run with.

Anyway, I've pared it down to this: It has two outside pockets for water bottles. One is a plain water bottle filled with water and the other is a water bottle with a built-in filter that will filter out things like giardia (a major problem where I live). It's filled with water and then, when that clean water runs out, I can fill it with dirty water and drink it with reasonable chance that it will filter out anything unsafe to drink. Within the fanny pack: 1st aid kit, collapsible dog bowl and a few packets of dog food, small leash, protein bars, flashlight that doesn't need batteries (shake it for light), signal mirror, 2 foil-type emergency blankets, small duct tape, poncho, Sierra cup/bowl, two 24-hour emergency candles, protein bars, soup-packets, tuna packets, paper/pencil, small backpacker's style can opener, gloves. And a whistle that has a compass on the lid, and the lid screws off to store matches. I have wind/water-proof matches inside.

BTW, my husband and two kids have the tsunami-ready fanny packs in their vehicles as well.

I think that's it. The major stuff anyway.

ETA: Oh, and XM Radio Roady2 and case with CDs. Gotta have the right tunes for a roadtrip. Even a short one, you know! LOL

[Mark Sedenquist]

I have a little unit that plugs into the cigarette lighter with 4 extra plugs so I can plug my cellphone, my battery charger, and a little rechargeable flashlight that is always plugged in and ready to go,

Interesting -- I have multiple doo-dads, but not a central unit.

My back seat is covered with a big beach towel that matches my car's colors.

In a future article (2-3 weeks) I am going to introduce an "essential" element of road trip gear: The Personal Cabana Towel (PCT) that I think you will get a kick out of.

a kite that goes in it's own little totebag and doesn't need a frame for days at the beach,

Good point, I forgot to mention this little ball-thingy that has streamers and is great for a game of toss.

A pair of hiking boots and socks.

Hmmmm, I ought to do that too -- for years on the road, I carried my HAZ-MAT response gear -- but I am too old and creaky to ever dream of doing that again....

Underneath the trunk space area, in the spare-tire well: full-size spare, tire-changing tools, more tools, and emergency cash.

Great place for cash. I have some stashed elsewhere -- but that is a good idea.

Anyway, I've pared it down to this:

Great list!

ETA: Oh, and XM Radio Roady2 and case with CDs. Gotta have the right tunes for a roadtrip. Even a short one, you know!

Yep, an impressive list as always!

Mark

[PNW Judy]

And, what's really amazing to me is really how little space most of this takes. As some of you know, I drive a New Beetle. Not known for huge trunks. Yet, all this stuff takes little space. I can easily get a weeks worth of groceries for 4 people in my trunk on most shopping trips. Once in awhile I do need to put some things in the backseat or passenger seat, but not often. Those of you with cars with more storage space should easily be able to carry all of this and more without hardly noticing it's there.

I guess I should been a Boy Scout! LOL

[RoadTripper Brad]

Mark,

Great article! It's funny you mention stuffed animals. I've got one bear that's always buckled into the back seat of my car. The rest of the items you mention are either "must haves" or "you should have if you can afford it". I know I carry two tool boxes, with everything I might need to make a minor repair or adjustment on the side of the road. I also (since an unfortunate encounter with a over-heating Uhaul truck) carry several gallons of Coolant in my car. I also try to carry at least one quart of oil and one quart of transmission fluid. Just in case.

I also carry my Red Cross Disaster Team gear, which has come to include hard hats, thick soled boots, vests (and a reflective vest and a Red Cross vest), and on my on-call weeks a change of pants and a shirt (driping water from a burned out house is really nasty and stains very easily).

Lately I also carry my mini-mobil CB radio, and my cell phone car charger (which a lot of people seem to forget... or don't want to expend the extra money on, but belive me, it's worth it!). A three-way splitter allows me to run my CD Player, charge my cell, and scan channel 9 at the same time.

I also cary quite the extensive first aid kit (again, another thing picked up from service in the Red Cross). Not only do I carry a first aid kit, but I also picked up the Disaster Kit that was (and may still be) being sold by Target bearing the American Red Cross logo, and it contains flashlights, battries, a small radio, emergency blankets, amongst other things. Unfortunately, I can't yet afford an AED unit, but if you have the cash, and the certification, its not a bad thing to get!

I did carry fire extinguishers (until they discharged on me in a explosion of powder), and have yet to replace them).

After reading your article, Mark, there are a few things I definately need to add. My next major purchase though is going to be a spotlight that plugs into my Cigarette-lighter plug. It will be mainly used for Red Cross service (its VERY hard to find addresses late at night without one).

Thanks for the ideas!
-Brad

[Mark Sedenquist]

My next major purchase though is going to be a spotlight that plugs into my Cigarette-lighter plug.

The one I use has capability of re-charging with either DC or AC. It is very handy when changing a tire at night.

It will be mainly used for Red Cross service (its VERY hard to find addresses late at night without one).

I was a DAT coordinator for a while -- and my Red Cross DAT response duffle is still packed and sitting by the door. Old habits die slowly (I haven't been on a response since 1997)..

Mark

[Craig720]

Everyone I have ever traveled with had a different system (or lack thereof) for packing the trunk or, for that matter, the entire car/truck. What kinds of things do you carry? I addressed some of those isssues in my latest MSNBC column called "How to pack the trunk". I would love to know your secrets and ideas too!

Mark

I just visited your article, but the first list of items is empty? What am I missing?