what stuff to keep in vehicle?

Jhwrx1

Member
For the last 30 years I always traveled in a pickup with a camper shell so had lots of room to carry stuff like lawn chairs, shovels, tow rope, sleeping bag, hand saws etc. Now I'm in a Land Cruiser and don't have as much cargo space, so what do I need to keep in the suv? I haven't every used that hand saw or shovels, the tow rope only used it when starting from home, never used the sleeping bag. It has been over 20 years since I used the extra clothes that I kept in the truck. What stuff do I need to keep in m y Land Cruiser?
 
I used to own a 4Runner and an Armada before moving to pickup trucks. I used to carry all of my recovery gear, blankets, etc in a small Plano trunk. Pretty easy to take in and out as needed and rugged enough to be carried outside of the vehicle as required. I carried mine in a hitch basket, in a trailer and on the roof multiple times.

I even used that same trunk in my Ford Ranger as I ran out of storage inside of the truck. I put it in the bed and strapped it down with ratchet straps.

Link to it: plano sportsman's trunk
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I used to own a 4Runner and an Armada before moving to pickup trucks. I used to carry all of my recovery gear, blankets, etc in a small Plano trunk. Pretty easy to take in and out as needed and rugged enough to be carried outside of the vehicle as required. I carried mine in a hitch basket, in a trailer and on the roof multiple times.

I even used that same trunk in my Ford Ranger as I ran out of storage inside of the truck. I put it in the bed and strapped it down with ratchet straps.

Link to it: plano sportsman's trunk


I use the same ones. And also for my hunting/shooting gear. I love how they latch securely, and the lid is raised vice subsurface. They sell them in Home Depot now.
 
I think we all have some variation on what we need to carry with us. To accommodate my extra gear I had purchased some deeper under back seat storage for my 2023 Ram crew cab.
Under the seat and in the floor storage bins I keep some basic tools including needle nose pliers and extra line for weed trimmer jam ups(used at home and cottage). Ear protection, leather work gloves, a spare t shirt or 2 in case I need a rag or need to change my shirt.
I also keep a cheap air compressor for my boat trailer tires. A set of tie downs and bungee chords as well. An emergency tow rope.
In the winter I add warm gloves, hat, and collapsible traction aids (as well as disposable hand warmers and emergency blankets that collapse small).
I have a bin that goes in the truck bed for when I go to the cottage that has, a tree strap, shackles, bigger wrenches, a persuader (a piece of pipe to make the wrench handle longer) and assorted other tools for cottage work like dropping trees.
I have a lot of go bags that I setup when we used to have a student rental for different repairs. They come in handy for packing to do any construction projects at the cottage.
Wow… long note again, sorry.
I’ve used everything that I keep in my truck at least once except the emergency blankets… those are for getting caught in a traffic jam in a blizzard. Happens on the freeways in Canada just like the northern US states.
Somehow my wife’s gym bag she keeps in the back of her SUV has extra emergency items that mine doesn’t like a hair brush and an umbrella…lol
 

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I use the same ones. And also for my hunting/shooting gear. I love how they latch securely, and the lid is raised vice subsurface. They sell them in Home Depot now.
I love those trunks, I own multiple of different size. They resist being in the rain and are dust proof. I can leave them outside with no worries.
 
I love those trunks, I own multiple of different size. They resist being in the rain and are dust proof. I can leave them outside with no worries.
I use a different brand (mine is probably a more budget version purchased many years ago) but they are great.
 

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Nice! I used to have those, but they are now more expensive than the plano's where I live. They were great albeit a little prone to denting.
Very accurate…I have 2 and one has a big dent in the lid… I probably didn’t tie it down well enough and took it down some gravel roads… I remember hearing it rolling around in the bed.
 
I downsized too and realized I was hauling around way more than I ever used. Now I just keep a compact tool kit, jumper cables, flashlight, tire repair kit, and a small first aid kit. If I’m going off-road, I throw in a shovel and a tow strap. Way less clutter and still feel prepared.

 
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First aid kit (minor version), Bungees, Rachet straps, tow straps and D ring (For pulling the mower out when my wife gets it stuck in the ditch), one of those red flags, and a spare raincoat because Florida summers.
 
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