Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere.
It’s every driver’s worst fear when you start a road trip.
And without a roadside emergency kit, the situation can get extremely dangerous quick. Especially in dangerous temperatures.
That’s why we’ve gathered some must-have items for your checklist before you embark on your journey! Read on to learn more:
Why You Should Have a Roadside Emergency Kit
You should have a roadside emergency kit in your RV because you never know when you might need it.
When you’re traveling on the road there is a wide range of things that could happen from a flat tire to a car accident or even a snowstorm. You never know when or where you could be stranded.
We suggest multiple emergency kits in your vehicle because depending on the amount of trouble you run into on your journey, you may run out. If you are traveling with a family make sure you keep things that are necessary for family members like medication, or things for allergies.
Consider where you live when making your pack too. What you might need in the South on a hot day is very different than what you’ll need in a Northern winter.
Where to Store It in Your Rv
You’ll want to store your roadside emergency kit somewhere where it will be accessible and also where it won’t get damaged. If you are taking a road trip in an RV there will probably be a lot of movement in the cabin area. If your kit is on the floor it will be easier to kick it around and damage it.
Store your kit above ground if possible in a cupboard or drawer. Make sure that the items you’ll need in an RV emergency are close at hand. These include window breakers, seatbelt cutters, and flashlights.
Tools to Bring
There will be a wide range of items in your roadside emergency kit. Here are a few:
No-spill Gas Can
These are those red containers with the black spout coming out of it. These are necessary for long trips, especially if you are traveling through a remote area. Carrying these with you can help you in situations where you run out of gas or can’t stop for gas.
Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are around $100 or less from the store. They can be a great help if your battery dies on you. And obviously, you can also use them if you come across someone whos battery died as well.
Fire Extinguisher
There was an estimated average of 152,300 vehicle fires per year in 2006-2010.
Having a fire extinguisher handy will put a stop to small fires and stop them from spreading and causing catastrophic damage.
Car Battery Charger
This will also help in the event your battery dies on you. If there’s not another vehicle by you to help you jump your vehicle with your cables then you can use the charger. The price varies from 30$-150$.
Road Maps
Today we use technology for everything, many of us use the navigation apps on our phone to find our way. But if our technology dies or we’re in an area without service we’ll need to rely on something a little more old school. Always pick up a map to where you’re traveling to.
Flat Tire Inflator
If you get a flat tire on the road and your spare is already being used or you don’t have one at all you’ll be in a bind. Having a flat tire inflator will help you to inflate it and back on the road until you can have it serviced professionally.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is always necessary for an emergency. Find ones with bandages as well as items for sanitation. Also if you are reliant on medication or take ibuprofen, adding some backup medication to these kits too would be helpful.
Road Flares
These flares are traditionally used to alert other drivers of obstacles or to proceed with caution. Lighting road flares can be helpful if you get stuck on the side of a busy and overcrowded roadway.
Drinking Water and Snacks
It is recommended to have at least 3 days worth of water for each person and food stored away if you are traveling with multiple people. Store water and nonperishable foods that will last you if you get stranded somewhere remote.
Antifreeze
This is a necessary item if you plan to be traveling in cold or hot climates. in cold climates if you get stranded it keeps the water in your engine’s system from freezing. If the water in your engine freezes it will expand and when it expands it can cause extreme damage to it and how it works.
In hot climates, the cooling system is your engine’s only means of releasing the heat that builds to incredible temperatures inside the engine block. Antifreeze coolant carries the heat out of your engine to the radiator, where it is transferred to the metal fins in the evaporator and released into the air.
Cash
Also keep extra cash, if you need to abandon your vehicle or don’t have your debit card this might be how you contact safety. You never know if you will need to pay for a repair or gas to get you out of an unsafe situation. Having cash on hand can solve the problem and not hurt your bank account either.
Phone Charger
Having a phone charger is also critical. As a dead phone can sometimes mean cut off communication with the rest of the world. Keeping your phone charged even if you don’t have service is necessary.
Some phones will still let you access the radio without service. This way you can listen to emergency announcements.
Tool Kit
Having a toolkit can help you fix your RV if it breaks down or fix it just enough to get to safety. In this kit, you should keep a flashlight, a wrench, a multi-use screwdriver, a hammer, and some cable ties.
Things You Should Know How to Do
In emergency situations such as these you should be able to know a few basic things:
- Change a tire
- Jumpstart an RV
- Fix a chipped windshield
- Put coolant in your RV
- Light a flare
Knowing these basic repairs or emergency actions can help make you feel like you have a situation under control. Read up on other tips before going on a road trip in your RV.
More Helpful Information for Your RV
Nobody likes having a roadside emergency ruin a good road trip. But keeping all of these things in your car and learning basic roadside repairs you’ll be back on the road in no time.
For more information on your RV and road trips check out our blog.