Life on The Road

TOOLS TO KEEP YOU ROLLING

By Lowell Strauss

Call me crazy, but I enjoy packing for road trips. The gear and tools I load in my truck bring the satisfaction of being prepared for anything. I start with a list of essentials - items I can’t live without - and add trip-specific items that complement these basics. Memories of past adventures flood back as I handle each piece. Maybe that’s why I love the process.

I’ve become a self-reliant traveler, trusting I have the gear and know-how to overcome the “bumps in the road.” However, I wasn’t always this well armed - I’ve learned a lot along life’s path. This distilled list of essential gear elevates my readiness and enjoyment of the road to the next level, and it can help you, too.

Flat Tire Fixes

Being prepared for tire issues became apparent at a remote northern campground. Five campsites nestled in the woods along the shores of the lake promised an ideal launching point for world-class fishing. However, on the first day, the driver’s side tire met a sharp rock, puncturing the tread. Fortunately, I had a spare, but to my dismay, it was low on air. It was drivable, but not ideal. We were 50 miles from civilization and decided to limp to the nearest service station. They had air but couldn’t fix the spare. We were forced to cut the trip short. This experience underscored the importance of being better prepared for tire troubles.

A flat tire won’t keep you stranded if you have the right tools.

The dreaded flat tire is a typical vehicle issue. However, with a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench in the arsenal, I can quickly swap out that flat and continue my journey. A tire pressure gauge is another practical addition. It’s easy to tell when my tire is low, but knowing and managing recommended tire pressures offers me peace of mind (and better mileage!) on the road.

A 12-volt air compressor comes in handy when tire pressures fall below the recommended operating range or when nursing a slow air leak. One of these compressors would have saved the day on my fishing trip. They are an inexpensive insurance policy for savvy travelers.

Road hazards are inevitable, and the rock wasn’t my first encounter. After my fishing trip, I discovered a tubeless tire repair kit with plugs. They fill small punctures and prevent air loss. While they are not as good as a patch repair from the tire shop, it’s better (and safer) than running with the leak.

How to Get Unstuck When Off-Roading

It’s a sinking feeling (literally) when I drive someplace I shouldn’t and get stuck. There’s an unwritten rule around here that it costs a case of beer to call a friend for help - more if it takes more than a half hour for an extraction. And sometimes, calling a friend is not an option. I discovered traction boards, and they have paid for themselves in the price of beer alone (never mind embarrassment and lost time). As their name suggests, these lugged boards are placed by the stuck wheels, providing something for tires to grip. With a bit of momentum, I can usually drive out.

Knowing how to properly deflate your tires for rugged terrain can help you get home safely.

If off-roading is your idea of fun, deflating tires for sand, mud and snow improves floatation and provides extra traction. I’ve learned lower tire pressures make a tremendous difference to traction. If you do this regularly, consider tire deflators, a versatile tool that lets you drop the tire pressure to a pre-set level quickly and accurately. I also recommend a tire inflation system if you go this route.

Essential Tools and Tool Roll

On a European trip in 1975, Tim Leatherman and his wife Chau rented a faulty Fiat. He used a scout knife for basic fixes but really needed a pair of pliers. After returning home, Leatherman designed the first multitool - the OG of pocket preparedness - born out of necessity from his road-tripping experience. Many multitool options exist today, and one always rides in my center console. I can’t count the number of times I use it for vehicle repairs like removing hose clamps, pulling fuses, and installing wiper blades or tackling everyday tasks like opening packages and preparing lunch. Its pliers, screwdriver (and small pry bar), the knife and other tools are indispensable.

Sometimes, the job is more robust than my multitool can handle. That’s when it’s time to pull out the Cole Wheeler Leather Tool Roll and use my “real” tools for bigger jobs. Quality tools should last a lifetime, and the Leather Tool Roll keeps hand tools organized, secured and protected. I like to store combo wrenches - imperial on one side and metric on the other - in the roll and fill out the remaining slots with screwdrivers, pliers, a socket wrench handle and an adjustable wrench. A leather side pouch holds my commonly used sockets.

A leather tool roll keeps your tools organized and ready to use.

Jumper cables should be mandatory for every vehicle - they’re that important. Boosting a fellow traveler is a pay-it-forward act that feels right. Plus, I never know when I may need a boost. More recently, I’ve added a battery booster pack. It has meant the difference between being grounded and rolling down the highway. My booster pack paid for itself when my truck wouldn’t start on a cold (-15° F) winter’s night. It also comes in handy for charging my phone and other electronics.

Light Up the Night

Like the multitool, my headlamp has a permanent home in my vehicle. Mine hangs on the rear-view mirror or the stick shift, where I can grab it anytime. I use it for nighttime emergencies, checking under the hood and unloading my gear in the dark. Its hands-free operation lets me swing a wrench or operate a jack while always having a light pointed in the right direction. Recently, I’ve upgraded to a rechargeable unit for reliability.

Making an emergency stop or roadside repair at night presents challenges and hazards. In the remote areas where I work, play and explore, should I need to stop for a repair, I like to warn other drivers with either reflective triangles or LED road flares. A set of flares establishes a visual safety zone around my vehicle and gives me peace of mind. However, I stay vigilant because my safety is my responsibility.

My list would be remiss if it didn’t include duct tape. The cloth-backed “200 mph tape” is indispensable for minor repairs and has 1,001 everyday uses. All my repair kits and toolboxes have duct tape in them. A strip of duct tape rolled up on a lighter or pencil means I don’t need to pack a full roll. And in a pinch, duct tape doubles as a fire starter.

Speaking of starting a fire, never leave home without a dependable lighter such as the Cole Wheeler Rechargeable Waterproof Lighter. Its waterproof design and rechargeable capability enable you to start a fire in any weather condition, making it a must-have for road trips, camping and more.

Staying Safe on the Road

A seldom-used but vital item is a well-stocked first-aid kit . My kit includes adhesive bandages, gauze rolls, medications, gloves, triangles, splints and a silver (mylar) blanket. One night, I happened upon a single-vehicle rollover on a country road and, without getting into the details, was glad to have it. Ready-made kits are handy, but I prefer assembling supplies based on a standardized list from the Red Cross or other reputable sources. An individual kit covers the basics, but I also pack a trauma kit with a tourniquet, bandages, gauze and gloves for controlling life-threatening bleeding.

In a recent wilderness first aid recertification course, my instructor reminded us that a tarp and wool (or fleece) blanket are necessary first-aid extras. She considers these items essential for preventing patient shock and hypothermia. I’ve been thankful for these two items, and I know they’d be invaluable if I were stranded overnight. Silnylon tarps pack down small and have many uses on the road or in the backcountry. Wool is warm, fire resistant and even works when wet - it’s nature’s miracle material. Cole Wheeler designed the Fleece Blanket with Leather Tote Strap specifically for road trips, but it’s also ideal for camping, fall football games and more.

Store a fleece blanket inside your vehicle for road trips, and just in case.

While not tools per se, I pack Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Leather and nitrile gloves protect my hands for dirty jobs like tire changes and when working with fluids, while coveralls keep my traveling clothes clean. Paper towels have multiple uses, from checking vehicle fluids to detailing the interior.

Hand sanitizer kills germs. I stash a bottle in the door and know it effectively keeps illness at bay. Whether it’s time for lunch or after nature calls, I consider this an essential road-tripping item.

Don’t Forget Garbage Bags

Rounding out the list is the lowly plastic garbage bag . There are countless times when a garbage bag comes in handy, and when you need one, not much else will do. I use garbage bags for clean-ups, stowing gear, and (don’t laugh) even a makeshift rain poncho. Necessity is the mother of invention, and I’ve learned to get creative on the road.

Happy Trails

I learned from experience that being prepared lets me enjoy the journey. It has also taught me to appreciate the finer things in life, like the heirloom-quality Cole Wheeler Leather Tool Roll, which adds a touch of class and style to the ordinary while keeping my tools organized and secure.

I believe the greatest adventure lies ahead, so whatever your ride, be it a vintage car, custom truck or motorcycle, savor the cross-country road trip and the freedom it brings.

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