Working on a GHB and vehicle survival kit. Must all fit into my very tiny Jeep security trunk...


https://imgur.com/a/GqVTQXf

Most of this I have. Most will fit into a 29L LAPG school backpack.


https://imgur.com/a/aMABk5p

Some of the larger items are marked, that I'm leaving loose in the trunk. And not in the backpack. The backpack cannot be full. Or it won't fit in the trunk. Like semi full is ok though. And there is still room left in the trunk for other items. But soace is very limited.

I have not laid this out or put it in the backpack to see the volume. And if it will fit. So we'll see.

TASK:

This would be a GHB for Los Angeles. I rarely travel more than 3-5 miles from home. Most of these items are for my GHB in the LAPG backpack. But a small amount is just general vehicle survival items. Like for when traveling or bugging out. Like the e tool or the vehicle fluids obviouly aren't going in the backpack.

As my Jeep has a soft top. I only have two secure areas. One is this trunk. And the other is a normal sized metal security glovebox.

Very interested in what I am missing, what things could pull double duty, and what strategies and tactics I might be ignoring.

GHB ITEMS IN BACKPACK:

Boots (in trunk - not in pack) (I would change into these no matter what.)
Columbia hiking clothes shirt and pants, packs very small.
Thin baselayer too and top.
40* mss sleeping bag
Wool socks
Leather gloves
Tshirt and shorts
Prescription sunglasses
Fleece cap
Cheap Tarp 10x10
2 mountain house meals
1 roll toilet paper
Sawyer mini water filter and smart water bottles. One for drinking one for dirty water. All water in LA has to be filtered.
Space blanket
Shemagh
100ft of paracord
Baofeng radio
Cheap head lamp
AA flashlight.
Hand sanitizer
Lip balm
Zip ties
11" Crowbar
Small FAK
Spoon
Fire kit
Leatherman 300
Full tang knife
Cell power bank
Batteries
Important docs and pubs on phone. About 6gb worth.
Adapters and cables. Ac, dc(battery bank and 12v car battery adapter) and car power.
Poncho usgi
Small Fishing kit (Not sure I really need this. But some 59lb braid and a few #2 hooks could be used for other things. Takes up no space or weight.)
Aluminum cookpot or mug
10pk - Trader Joe's Black Mango Tea
Crystal lite fruit punch or poweder energy drink Celsius.
Instant coffee
Splenda
Dried creamer
Fancy Feast alcohol stove.
Alcohol bottle
Pad of paper waterproof
Sharpie and/or tactical pen
Handcuff key
Duct tape
Tiny Bottle camp soap Dr. Bronners

ITEMS IN TRUNK. NOT IN BACKPACK. TO BE LEFT IN VEHCILE IN A GET HOME SCENARIO. AND MORE VEHICLE SURVIVAL TYPE ITEMS. REPAIR ETC:

Oil & radiator fluid (in trunk - not in pack)
Small Canvas mechanics bag with a set of sockets and other basic tools. (Nothing expensive. As it would be one time use and I don't want to care if it gets ripped off.) (in trunk - not in pack)
Bivy Sack (in trunk - not in pack)
3600 cal food bar X2 (in trunk - not in pack)
5 gal water bladder. Under backseat. (in trunk - not in pack)
Candles (in trunk - not in pack)
E tool (in trunk - not in pack)
Inverter (in trunk - not in pack)
AM/FM crank weather radio (small, cheap got it as a gift.)(in trunk - not in pack)
UK goretex rain jacket. (in trunk - not in pack) (Just cause I have it. But kind of more expensive than I'd want ripped off. So idk. Still debating this.)
Sven saw (in trunk - not in pack) just cause I have it extra. And if I ever take a trip. Fits easily. Expensive. But I'm not sure a theif would even know what it is.

TP. Don't leave home without it. 

One other thought since this kit will always be in your car: swap the alcohol bottle for dry gas. Basically the same thing but can do double duty.

Looks like you have some VERK stuff there. Oil and mechanics kit. You should add to that, if you don't already have them, a tire plug kit and a mini tire inflation kit. Saved my ass so many times having those in my car.

I'd also add drinking water, at least 2 liters or 1 gallon. And separately, a hydration bag/backpack to transfer the water to if you have to abandon the vehicle and hike it. [I have no advice on how to deal with it freezing in winter on you, I don't have to deal with that here]

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 19, 2023, 07:57:01 AMTP. Don't leave home without it. 

I keep compressed cloths instead of TP. Those serve many roles, way more than double duty. But you need to add a drop of water.

I live in Maine and always have a couple of gallons of water in my car.  FWIW, I just make sure I leave a little room in the water containers for expansion as it freezes (it doesn't have to be much) and have never had a problem with spillage.

I'd double up the important docs and pubs on the phone with a copy either on a thumb drive kept on your keyring, or on a micro SD tucked away in the GHB, maybe even both.  If you have two-factor authentication setup on some of your accounts it's usually done to an app on the phone.  But if you lose/break the phone...  I have that setup but I also have access using one of my Yubico keys, one of which is on my regular keyring.

Thumb drive I most often use

Also these

Yubico key on keyring

Kept hidden in with my meds

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 19, 2023, 09:56:08 AMI live in Maine and always have a couple of gallons of water in my car.  FWIW, I just make sure I leave a little room in the water containers for expansion as it freezes (it doesn't have to be much) and have never had a problem with spillage.

It's been my experience that a couple of 16-ounce water bottles inside a gallon ziplock freezer bag are pretty leakproof, even if they freeze.  In my old utility truck I used to carry several cases of bottled water (and in our pickup) year-round.  Never had one leak yet and some are on their second decade.  Not sure I'd actually want to drink one, given what may have leeched in from the plastic bottle, but for use on a cloth for cooling or for flushing out a wound they're good enough.

I'd pack the rest that is not in the backpack in another bag so you can pull it out at once should you need to. Something like a shopping bag or cheap thin duffle would be enough.
I'd also reduce most of the things. A 5 mile hike should be doable in a day or two. The list sounds like a lovely camping weekend.

What I'd add instead (maybe I simply skipped it) are a car jack, advance warning triangle, car first aid kit and warning vest in case you need to work / walk next to a road.

Quote from: tirls on January 19, 2023, 01:45:55 PMwarning vest in case you need to work / walk next to a road.

I endorse this (and would happily send you one from my stock of them that I give out to night or early morning joggers dressed all in dark outfits) but bear in mind that "target fixation" is a real and dangerous thing when wearing high-viz around moving vehicles, particularly with impaired drivers.

I keep a supply of cheap ($1.50) disposable high-viz vests in all of our vehicles in case of need by us, other motorists, unthinking joggers, etc.  I also keep at least one really good one in there for myself but that's another story.  (one even lights up in glowing green at night)

QuoteI have not laid this out or put it in the backpack to see the volume. And if it will fit. So we'll see.

I would do this first before placing in vehicle. If it doesn't all fit , Get a bigger bag to half fill

Add to list  map of southern CA and maybe map of  state. Also this. .( If it was on list  Sorry just didn't see it)

ETA I also carry in my vehicle a folding bolt cutter

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 19, 2023, 07:57:01 AMTP. Don't leave home without it. 

One other thought since this kit will always be in your car: swap the alcohol bottle for dry gas. Basically the same thing but can do double duty.

TP is on the list. 

Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 19, 2023, 09:45:10 AMLooks like you have some VERK stuff there. Oil and mechanics kit. You should add to that, if you don't already have them, a tire plug kit and a mini tire inflation kit. Saved my ass so many times having those in my car.

I'd also add drinking water, at least 2 liters or 1 gallon. And separately, a hydration bag/backpack to transfer the water to if you have to abandon the vehicle and hike it. [I have no advice on how to deal with it freezing in winter on you, I don't have to deal with that here]

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 19, 2023, 07:57:01 AMTP. Don't leave home without it. 

I keep compressed cloths instead of TP. Those serve many roles, way more than double duty. But you need to add a drop of water.

Good idea on the tire kit. I was just looking at those. Would aerosol tire fix cans be good enough for the tire inflation? 

Water is a good one. I have a 5 gal bladder for under the back seat. And I would store the Smart Water bottles with fresh water in them.

Have you actually tried to wipe your ass with those pills? lol. Serious.

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 19, 2023, 09:56:08 AMI live in Maine and always have a couple of gallons of water in my car.  FWIW, I just make sure I leave a little room in the water containers for expansion as it freezes (it doesn't have to be much) and have never had a problem with spillage.

5 gal bladder under seat. And water bottles filled. I don't have to worry about freezing here in socal,

Quote from: NT2C on January 19, 2023, 10:19:16 AMI'd double up the important docs and pubs on the phone with a copy either on a thumb drive kept on your keyring, or on a micro SD tucked away in the GHB, maybe even both.  If you have two-factor authentication setup on some of your accounts it's usually done to an app on the phone.  But if you lose/break the phone...  I have that setup but I also have access using one of my Yubico keys, one of which is on my regular keyring.

Thumb drive I most often use

Also these

Yubico key on keyring

Kept hidden in with my meds

I don't understand what these keys do. I do have all my important docs and pubs backed up on thumbdrive.

Quote from: NT2C on January 19, 2023, 10:24:16 AM

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 19, 2023, 09:56:08 AMI live in Maine and always have a couple of gallons of water in my car.  FWIW, I just make sure I leave a little room in the water containers for expansion as it freezes (it doesn't have to be much) and have never had a problem with spillage.

It's been my experience that a couple of 16-ounce water bottles inside a gallon ziplock freezer bag are pretty leakproof, even if they freeze.  In my old utility truck I used to carry several cases of bottled water (and in our pickup) year-round.  Never had one leak yet and some are on their second decade.  Not sure I'd actually want to drink one, given what may have leeched in from the plastic bottle, but for use on a cloth for cooling or for flushing out a wound they're good enough.

I have one of these under my back seat. I can't fill it all the way or it won't fit. But I'd say 60 to 70 percent. And my Smart Water bottle.

Swiss Military Surplus Water Bladder, 20 Liter, New - 663106, Canteens & Hydration at Sportsman's Guide (sportsmansguide.com)
Swiss Military Surplus Water Bladder, 20 Liter, New - 663106, Canteens & Hydration at Sportsman's Guide (sportsmansguide.com)

Quote from: tirls on January 19, 2023, 01:45:55 PMI'd pack the rest that is not in the backpack in another bag so you can pull it out at once should you need to. Something like a shopping bag or cheap thin duffle would be enough.
I'd also reduce most of the things. A 5 mile hike should be doable in a day or two. The list sounds like a lovely camping weekend.

What I'd add instead (maybe I simply skipped it) are a car jack, advance warning triangle, car first aid kit and warning vest in case you need to work / walk next to a road.

I agree on the one to two day idea. I don't recall anything that should be omitted that is large enough to take advantage of ditching though. Please let me know if you see anything. Most of the items I have like 5+ days of are things like tea, food items - all super small lightweight stuff. Note that alot of list is marked as things in the car not in the backpack. Meaning they would stay with the car. And not be carried. They are mostly things I would use in a vehicle emergency rather than a get home scenario.

I can add a bag to put all the car only stuff in. But if I bag it it won't fit in the small trunk of my Jeep. Good idea though. I will put some misc bag in there. 

I have a car jack. It's a great one that comes with every Jeep Wrangler. And fits snuggly under the front seat. But I wouldn't mind adding a better bottle jack. Agree on the emergency orange items too. Maybe flares or glow sticks. I was broke down on a corner of the 5 freeway one time. In the middle of no where with just penlight. It was scary. Good call.

Quote from: flybynight on January 19, 2023, 06:21:48 PM

QuoteI have not laid this out or put it in the backpack to see the volume. And if it will fit. So we'll see.

I would do this first before placing in vehicle. If it doesn't all fit , Get a bigger bag to half fill

Add to list  map of southern CA and maybe map of  state. Also this. .( If it was on list  Sorry just didn't see it)

ETA I also carry in my vehicle a folding bolt cutter

I have maps and a Silcock key. I forgot out those. Adding to list. I even have a map of LA sewers. lol.

I'm not sure a bigger bag would make any difference. I would just need to cull items from bag. Between car stuff and backpack stuff that size bag is about all I can fit in the security trunk. 

Quote from: flybynight on January 19, 2023, 06:26:30 PM

I have a large bolt cutters. But I'd probably opt for a cheap harbor freight small set. Where did you find the above? Looks awesome!

I don't know if I would pack the tarp in the backpack. As it would need to be a cheap one. Which means bulky. And just about anything below 10x10 is a waste imho. I'm 6'3" and wind pushes rain sideways under tarps pretty easy. I might have a hf tarp in the trunk now. I'll have to check its size and pack the backpack and see where I'm at.

I might consider the poncho enough. Even tho it's alot smaller than 10x10. I have a small volume 10x10 tarp but it was $80 maybe? Not sure I want to leave that in the trunk. It's a standard key to open the back tailgate/trunk. So anyone could punch it with a screwdriver and hammer.

I wonder what the volume of 10x10 of Tyvek is? Anyone have any other suggestions for a lower volume, cheap, tarp material?

Or I could just take the mss bivy. But thats pretty bulky too. The size of a small tent.

Or just say screw all the rain cover. It rains here but a low number of days during the year. I guess I could decide at the time of departure whether I need the tarp or not. In a get home scenario.

EDIT: Modified list to separate items being left in vehicle. And items I would take with me in backpack in the get home scenario.

Quote from: Moab on January 19, 2023, 06:45:24 PM

Quote from: NT2C on January 19, 2023, 10:19:16 AMI'd double up the important docs and pubs on the phone with a copy either on a thumb drive kept on your keyring, or on a micro SD tucked away in the GHB, maybe even both.  If you have two-factor authentication setup on some of your accounts it's usually done to an app on the phone.  But if you lose/break the phone...  I have that setup but I also have access using one of my Yubico keys, one of which is on my regular keyring.

Thumb drive I most often use

Also these

Yubico key on keyring

Kept hidden in with my meds

I don't understand what these keys do. I do have all my important docs and pubs backed up on thumbdrive.

The keys are used in conjunction with two-factor authentication.  For example, if I want to access my Google account it's going to first ask for my email address and PW, then it's going to want to verify a second ID, which can be a security code from an app running on my phone, or for me to insert this key in a USB slot and touch the lighted center when told to.  The key has a unique encrypted code on it that has to match the one Google has for me.  It makes it harder for my account to be hacked and compromised.