Tips from Jeff the Trailer Dude | Valder’s Vehicles | Hinckley, Minnesota
Your winter emergency kit should travel with you, whether you drive a pickup, SUV, or car. Pack it before the first difficult trip, then keep it accessible instead of buried beneath cargo.
Must-Have Winter Supplies
- Warm blankets or sleeping bags.
- Extra hats, mittens, socks, and winter boots.
- Ice scraper and snow brush.
- Compact snow shovel and traction sand.
- Flashlight with spare batteries.
- First-aid supplies.
- Phone charging cable and a charged power bank.
- Drinking water and nonperishable snacks.
- Jumper cables or a suitable portable jump starter.
- Reflective warning equipment and a high-visibility vest.
Pack for Your Passengers
Plan for everyone riding with you, including children and pets. Bring needed medications on each trip and follow their storage instructions. Account for water freezing and for the storage-temperature limits of batteries and electronic equipment.
Know What You Packed
Check flashlight batteries, learn how your jump starter works, and keep roadside-assistance information handy. Follow your vehicle’s jump-starting instructions; do not attempt to jump-start a frozen or damaged battery.
Jeff’s tip: Put your kit where you can reach it without unloading the whole vehicle.
Download the National Weather Service winter car kit checklist.
Preparing your vehicle for colder weather? Request an automotive service appointment.
If you have questions, please call us at 763.689.8778. Visit Valder’s Vehicles online or stop by in Hinckley, Minnesota.
