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Caribou

Caribou

Time traveler
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Joined
Dec 3, 2017
Messages
10,305
Location
Alaska
We have to have all types of items to keep our lives perking along on a semi normal basis, everything from screws and nails to vehicles. What do you have prepped?

I have spare rims and tires for my vehicles. Today I use them so I don't have to pay $80 twice a year to change over my tires but if I'm ever unable to purchase tires I have two sets that are mounted. In WWII tires were hard to find and you had to have enough points saved in order to buy one. Some unscrupulous car dealers would sell you a car and charge extra if you wanted tires on it.
 
I thought about buying wheels so I don't have to pay to have the snow tires mounted every year. The problem is the tire pressure sensors. Makes the cost way, way to much.
I might just bite the bullet and get some nice rims and tires in March since we need new tires anyway.
Non food items are guns and ammo. During the Y2K scare I told my neighbor I had lots of guns and ammo. He said he didn't have any guns but he had a lot of preps. I just looked at him and said "I know" he was not amused.:p
 
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We have a supply of diesel and gas thats treated. We also have extra propane filled since I use gas to cook with. Hubby just bought extra parts and hoses for the generator. He has 2 or 3 of his tools ( both hand and power).
Have extra scripts
Extra clothes for all seasons
Extra fluids for all the vehicles

the list goes on
 
Caribou said:
We have to have all types of items to keep our lives perking along on a semi normal basis, everything from screws and nails to vehicles. What do you have prepped?

I have spare rims and tires for my vehicles. Today I use them so I don't have to pay $80 twice a year to change over my tires but if I'm ever unable to purchase tires I have two sets that are mounted. In WWII tires were hard to find and you had to have enough points saved in order to buy one. Some unscrupulous car dealers would sell you a car and charge extra if you wanted tires on it.
Click to expand...
Thank you for starting this thread. It has been one that I have thought we needed.

When my dad was in WW II, some of his letters home were published in the local paper. Someone sent me copies of those letters from the paper. My dad responded to something he read in a letter from home, that usually driving the 20 + miles to town required at least one stop to repair a tire, sometimes more.

How many people have that little doughnut tire as their spare? If a person doesn't have a set of 4 spare wheels with tires as replacements, at the very least, a decent spare is important. Some cars don't even come with a spare of any sort. If it were me, I would get at least one.

For preparedness purposes, locking your tires on with locking lug nuts? People have their wheels and tires stolen. I have seen photos of people coming out in the morning and their vehicles are up on blocks, with no wheels.

Another thing that I have noticed is the tire irons and jacks are not always good. It may have to do with buying used vehicles. Maybe new vehicles are better equipped. Early on in car ownership, I had a tire iron that was not a 4-way type. It was totally impossible for me to use it to get the lug nuts off, someone who had changed a few tires previously. That was immediately replaced with a decent 4 way tire iron.

I have wondered about keeping spare air filters, oil filters, and oil? I have radiator coolant and window washing fluid. Replacement lights and fuses. I had one car that had a problem and I always kept replacement fuses for it.

I have a toilet alternative, a 5 gallon bucket with a special seat for it, along with many bags. I have been looking for more alternatives. I missed getting one for free last week on Craiglslist. It had had little use and someone was cleaning out. I need to get a bunch of saw dust and I see it given away for free periodically.

Lighting: a bunch of candles, some oil lamps and lanterns, and many solar charged yard lights that I still have in the package. I figure that they can be put out in the morning and charge up and be used when it gets darker inside. I have been working on acquiring matches and lighters. I have some, would love to have more.

Excellent garden hoses and good quality yard tools.

Axes, hatches, wedges and sledge hammers for splitting wood.

Spare quilts and blankets in case there is no heat. Fleece can be purchased on sale and can be used for blankets, shawls and more. I have several pieces. Remnants are typically half off, and there are also many good sales on fleece. Fleece comes in a variety of qualities. I also think fleece could be used to make coat liners and robes that could be worn over clothing if there were no heat. I typically wear a fleece jacket all day in the cooler months, inside and out, over a long sleeved shirt.

Extra clothing for all seasons. Several spare hats--sun hats for summer and warm knit hats for winter. Scarves, because they can make a huge difference when it is cold. Several spare fleece jackets and several pairs of gloves and mittens. A fleece jacket under a winter coat makes a big difference. Snow pants. Many long sleeved shirts. Many extra wool-blend socks and cotton ankle socks for summer. Homeless shelters always need sock donations. Lots of undergarments. Several pairs of shoes and boots. There are boots for different purposes. I usually wear mine until they are worn out. The older ones get used when I shovel snow and other messy work. I have a pair of Crocs which I use just for working in the yard. There is almost no tread on them.

Personal care items: extra shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, tooth brushes, toothpaste, razors, soap (liquid and bar). Toothpaste is not an essential, because there are alternatives, but I find some types on deep discount. Hydrogen peroxide for rinsing my mouth after I brush.

Water catchment barrels, 55 gallon drums. I need to get more parts for attaching more.

What else do I want and think I need? A generator and an oil heater. I have heard of the old antique Perfection oil stoves. More recent oil heaters might be more efficient and not smell so bad. I would like to have a tower of some sort, to be able to attach antennas for better reception and be able to attach a wind generator to. Solar panels for power and for heating water.
 
Great thread. Some items I keep and stock up on are: plumbing fixtures, hardware, lumber, hand tools, coal for a blacksmith forge, fertilizer, seed for veggies and green manure, most anything you can think of that you use on a regular basis that will keep in storage. I know other stuff will work as a substitute, but TP works well and is easy enough to store. I've been thinking about buying the bulk packs at Sams and storing it in a 55 gallon drum. A metal lid and ring keeps it safe and dry.
 
Bacpacker said:
Great thread. Some items I keep and stock up on are: plumbing fixtures, hardware, lumber, hand tools, coal for a blacksmith forge, fertilizer, seed for veggies and green manure, most anything you can think of that you use on a regular basis that will keep in storage. I know other stuff will work as a substitute, but TP works well and is easy enough to store. I've been thinking about buying the bulk packs at Sams and storing it in a 55 gallon drum. A metal lid and ring keeps it safe and dry.
Click to expand...
Costco and Sam's have large and durable 27 gallon plastic totes with lids. They have a shelving unit for them as well. The totes are $7.88 at Sam's. I have purchased some at Costco, but cannot find them on their website, so I cannot tell you the price, but I do know they are around $8 there as well. I have t.p. in a couple.
Tough box 27 gallon storage tote.jpg
 
The totes work well. I have similar ones loaded with all kinds of stuff. But I know mice can get in them and make a mess. Plus I have several drums I'm not currently using for anything. They are stored in my out building. I can stack them 3 high and not have much of a foot print. Nothing can bother it when sealed. And it''ll hold a bunch.
But hey, whatever works for a particular person in their situations and space.
 
Caribou said:
I haven't owned an electric can opener in at least 3 decades and I keep multiple hand crank can openers in the kitchen, as well as P-38's and P-51's in the emergency/camping gear.
Click to expand...
I haven't had one in at least 20 years. Didn't even realize it until now.
 
Caribou said:
I haven't owned an electric can opener in at least 3 decades and I keep multiple hand crank can openers in the kitchen, as well as P-38's and P-51's in the emergency/camping gear.
Click to expand...
this is funny cuz I just finally got an electric one about 2 years ago. There are some awesome good manual can openers out there.
 
Thanks @Caribou for starting the thread and a good subject :) .

Things we stock extra of are -

- Fuels, fuel preservative, oils.
- Wheelbarrow wheels.
- matches, lighters, tea light candles, solar lanterns, lanterns.
- flyscreen, tap washers, fibre washers, thread tapes.
- hand and battery and power operated tools.
- clothing, underwear, boots, spare appliances such as kettles and toasters.
- firewood, ropes, tarps, tents, screws, nuts, washers, bungee cords, ratchet tie downs, zip ties.
- Shampoo, conditioner, prescription medications, paracetamol, ibuprofen, antibiotics, saline solution, vitamins, minerals, toothpaste, deodorant, .
- wound dressings, bandages, peroxide, suture kits, support braces, surgical implements, tongue depressors, disposable scalpels, blood pressure monitor, teeth cleaning kits, surgical masks, zinc oxide for making temporary fillings with, particulate masks.
- Dried and wet cat food, worming tablets, flea and tick prevention.
- Gardening seeds, baling twine, chicken wire, high pressure pvc hose, cow and horse manure.

All I can think of at the moment.
 
I don't trust the jacks that comes with todays vehicles. They've been known to collapse while the vehicle is jacked up.so i replaced the one that was in my car with a hydraulic jack

Weedygarden said:
Thank you for starting this thread. It has been one that I have thought we needed.

When my dad was in WW II, some of his letters home were published in the local paper. Someone sent me copies of those letters from the paper. My dad responded to something he read in a letter from home, that usually driving the 20 + miles to town required at least one stop to repair a tire, sometimes more.

How many people have that little doughnut tire as their spare? If a person doesn't have a set of 4 spare wheels with tires as replacements, at the very least, a decent spare is important. Some cars don't even come with a spare of any sort. If it were me, I would get at least one.

For preparedness purposes, locking your tires on with locking lug nuts? People have their wheels and tires stolen. I have seen photos of people coming out in the morning and their vehicles are up on blocks, with no wheels.

Another thing that I have noticed is the tire irons and jacks are not always good. It may have to do with buying used vehicles. Maybe new vehicles are better equipped. Early on in car ownership, I had a tire iron that was not a 4-way type. It was totally impossible for me to use it to get the lug nuts off, someone who had changed a few tires previously. That was immediately replaced with a decent 4 way tire iron.

I have wondered about keeping spare air filters, oil filters, and oil? I have radiator coolant and window washing fluid. Replacement lights and fuses. I had one car that had a problem and I always kept replacement fuses for it.

I have a toilet alternative, a 5 gallon bucket with a special seat for it, along with many bags. I have been looking for more alternatives. I missed getting one for free last week on Craiglslist. It had had little use and someone was cleaning out. I need to get a bunch of saw dust and I see it given away for free periodically.

Lighting: a bunch of candles, some oil lamps and lanterns, and many solar charged yard lights that I still have in the package. I figure that they can be put out in the morning and charge up and be used when it gets darker inside. I have been working on acquiring matches and lighters. I have some, would love to have more.

Excellent garden hoses and good quality yard tools.

Axes, hatches, wedges and sledge hammers for splitting wood.

Spare quilts and blankets in case there is no heat. Fleece can be purchased on sale and can be used for blankets, shawls and more. I have several pieces. Remnants are typically half off, and there are also many good sales on fleece. Fleece comes in a variety of qualities. I also think fleece could be used to make coat liners and robes that could be worn over clothing if there were no heat. I typically wear a fleece jacket all day in the cooler months, inside and out, over a long sleeved shirt.

Extra clothing for all seasons. Several spare hats--sun hats for summer and warm knit hats for winter. Scarves, because they can make a huge difference when it is cold. Several spare fleece jackets and several pairs of gloves and mittens. A fleece jacket under a winter coat makes a big difference. Snow pants. Many long sleeved shirts. Many extra wool-blend socks and cotton ankle socks for summer. Homeless shelters always need sock donations. Lots of undergarments. Several pairs of shoes and boots. There are boots for different purposes. I usually wear mine until they are worn out. The older ones get used when I shovel snow and other messy work. I have a pair of Crocs which I use just for working in the yard. There is almost no tread on them.

Personal care items: extra shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, tooth brushes, toothpaste, razors, soap (liquid and bar). Toothpaste is not an essential, because there are alternatives, but I find some types on deep discount. Hydrogen peroxide for rinsing my mouth after I brush.

Water catchment barrels, 55 gallon drums. I need to get more parts for attaching more.

What else do I want and think I need? A generator and an oil heater. I have heard of the old antique Perfection oil stoves. More recent oil heaters might be more efficient and not smell so bad. I would like to have a tower of some sort, to be able to attach antennas for better reception and be able to attach a wind generator to. Solar panels for power and for heating water.
Click to expand...
 
jimLE said:
I don't trust the jacks that comes with todays vehicles. They've been known to collapse while the vehicle is jacked up.so i replaced the one that was in my car with a hydraulic jack
Click to expand...

We have replaced all ours as well. All our vehicles have full sized spares and each trailer has 2 spares.
 
Caribou said:
I haven't owned an electric can opener in at least 3 decades and I keep multiple hand crank can openers in the kitchen, as well as P-38's and P-51's in the emergency/camping gear.
Click to expand...
My wife can't use a manual can opener. Her hands hurt to much. She has an electric can opener in the motor home and at home. There is also manual openers at both so I can open cans if needed.
 
backlash said:
My wife can't use a manual can opener. Her hands hurt to much. She has an electric can opener in the motor home and at home. There is also manual openers at both so I can open cans if needed.
Click to expand...
I have both and multiples of manual, including military issued P-38s in my BOB. My electric can opener can also remove lids from jars, such as pickle jars. I don't need that feature very often, but when I need it, it is good to have.
 
P38 left from basic training, all sizes of batteries, flashlights, oil lamps, oil for said oil lamps.
Manual can openers, wicks for oil lamps, scissors of all shapes and sizes, trip wire, snare wire, fishing line of different weights.
fishing net, hiking boots, snow boots, poncho's, long johns of various weights.
Basic kitchen supplies:
cast iron pots and pans, dutch oven, kitchen utentsils, (forks, knives, spoons), aluminum foil, parchment paper for cooking at camp sites, water, salt tablets, seasonings.
TP, bar of soap, that's all I can think of right now.
 
Once in awhile I need to run to the store for a nut, bolt, etc. When I do I pick up a pack of 100 and depending on the job sometimes several hundred. My thinking is that my time and gas are more expensive than a hundred fasteners that I might as well get plenty of spares. Dad has sixty years worth of collecting sundries so I pick through his collection when I visit. He's glad to get rid of some of his stock as long as I don't take all of any one item.
 
Caribou said:
Once in awhile I need to run to the store for a nut, bolt, etc. When I do I pick up a pack of 100 and depending on the job sometimes several hundred. My thinking is that my time and gas are more expensive than a hundred fasteners that I might as well get plenty of spares. Dad has sixty years worth of collecting sundries so I pick through his collection when I visit. He's glad to get rid of some of his stock as long as I don't take all of any one item.
Click to expand...
I have several boxes and bins of all the fasteners left over from projects. If you buy a few, it costs you almost as much as a box of the fasteners. I have the shelf left from when we had VCR tapes. It is narrow and sits in a spot just inside the door of my shed. All those boxes and bins get stacked up on that unit and they are easy to see and find what I am looking for. I do have one drawered cabinet for all the odds and ends, such as a drawer for misc. Philips head screws, one for brad nails, washers, bolts, etc.
 
We just had all of our vehicles completely gone over and fixed whatever was needed by a reliable mechanic. We're talking brakes on three of them, complete tune-up and fluids replaced on hubby's work trucks. The seat belt on the Tundra stopped working so that was fixed. They were gone over with a fine tooth comb. The guy was glad for the work.
It cost us a 1976 Triumph 750 motorcycle and $1600 in cash. That is for all 6 vehicles parts and labor.

I'm glad thats finished. We brought the last one home today. Hopefully they'll be in good shape for a long time and we won't have to do much with them again. The oldest is a 1992 Nissan truck and the newest is my 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser.

It did put a big dent in our "emergency" fund but I'm glad we had the money to get it done and didn't have to put it on a card. Now we have to rebuild the fund again.


I have 2 Swingaway can openers, a P51 & 38. I also have a Jarpop to help open jars if I can't open the darn things. It even works on home canned jars without bending the metal lid.
p958777dt.jpg
 
once TSHTF the filling stations will be empty within 24 hours so I don't waste cash storing spare tyres and the like, i'll probably be walking and not very far at that.
I think more about bicycles, equines-horses, ponies and donkeys, of which there are plenty in my area.
 
I live in an oil producing region and we do have some small refineries so gas might be available though at inflated prices. I keep two sets of tires mounted. The ones that are my summer tires and another set for winter. When the winter tires get slightly worn they become my summer tires and I buy a new set.
 
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