I finished setting up my truck for the winter. I'm a New England newbie, so I would appreciate any tips on additions etc.
I have an E-tool and tow strap, shackles and general towing stuff, a pretty decent tool kit (I try to use just the tools in the truck when I'm doing maintenance etc), tire pump, fire extingisher, fix-a-flat, extra bulbs, tall insulated boots, a head lamp, several pairs of work gloves and extra oil in the cab. I also have a get home bag/survival kit with a poncho, some 550 cord, a morakniv, space blanket, some survival bars, a micro stove and fuel, fire starting stuff, and a water filter. The bed has some traction mats, another (full-size) shovel, a bow saw and extra blade, some rubber shoe covers, chains for all 4 wheels, a 2 gallon rotopax gas can with gas, a 20 degree mummy bag, another poncho and a poncho liner. The 5' Z-lite mat is for my dog.
Idk where in new england you are specifically or what you do and where you go so that’s either going to be overkill or underkill.
I don’t see the chains getting much use, I hope your tire pump is electric and not a bike pump, the fixaflat is nearly usesless if you have a truck, should just make sure the full size spare is on good condition and the tire lift works. Drop the tire, clean out up there and oil it once a year. I also think light bulbs are more likely to get broken in a truck than anything and aren’t an immediate, get home repair. Worst case scenario stick a flashlight out the window. Speaking of get home repairs make sure you have vice grips, they can save a broken brakeline and be the difference between getting home with 70-80% stopping power or pumping all your fluid onto the road.
I’d look for a bottle jack and a piece of plywood to replace the factory jack becuase if you do ever have to change a tire they suck to use. They take forever to jack up, aren’t sturdy, and sink into sand or a soft roadside. I keep a rolling floorjack in my service truck, and it has enough ground contact to support itself on most soft surfaces I encounter around here.
Get some flares, and a decent first aid kit. More likely than being trapped in your truck for an extended period of time is an accident or breakdown, either being involved in, or coming upon one.
Also, at least down here, the biggest danger posed by a winter storm is a 4’ diameter tree blocking your way out of or into your neighborhood, driveway, workplace, etc. In the October storm I had 3 across my driveway and I spent 2 days with 3 crews doing nothing but moving trees off driveways and roofs. A chainsaw is a good investment for the truck, fill it with ethanol free mix and it’ll last sitting for a year. Get a small wedge too they’re cheap and can save you and your saw.
Make sure you have stabil or something in your gas cans and preferably winter blend fuel. They change over how they make fuel up here for the winter.
Also, practically, keep a gallon windshield washer fluid. If you know someone with a newer diesel steal a spout off one of the DEF cans they’re throwing away for it, they fit most jugs and are better than a funnel. The salt and road grime thrown up from driving in wet conditions in the winter will render your windshield opaque and you’ll inevitably run out of washer fluid when you need it most.
I’d also store the oil in the bed if/when you open them. They don’t seal afterwards.
I hope I don’t sound like a dick I’m just trying to condense as much of my knowledge as ai can quickly. I’ve plowed since I could drive and I have a fleet of 30 trucks that have seen nearly every breakdown, problem, and roadside mishap that a boy can. A good flashlight and a little wit has saved my bacon more times than I can count. I’m trying to think of what I keep in my service truck and what’s happened to me over the years.