Broke down 80 miles from anywhere in 1F weather

When you hear your idler pulley on your truck chirping like a baby bird do not say to yourself "Hmmm... I better change that this weekend before it seizes" then attempt to drive 300 miles across PA. Go to NAPA immediately and get one.

Doh.

I misjudged my gas gauge and ran dry in the middle of nowhere IL on one hideously cold night. (just outside of Gibson City) The temps were -15 without wind chill. Being stuck in the cold, on the side of the road, late at night really makes the survival instinct start to tingle.

By the time help arrived I'd been shadow-boxing for 1/2 an hour just trying to keep warm. Even on a heated waterbed I was shivering hours later. Pretty sure I got minor hypothermia that night. Sure glad help came when it did.

It is always a good idea to have blankets in your car if you live up North. Not a bad idea down here either.........they come in handy at the beach!

Glad to hear you came out of it OK!

When it's cold, I carry extra clothing and a cold weather rated sleeping bag, just in case.

People have laughed when they see the blanket in my car.

People have laughed when they see the blanket in my car.

I lived. I keep a Navy P Coat, ski hat and zero gloves under the rear seat with a few other survival items. I'll be adding firewood and warmer pants to that list.

Joe Gearin wrote: I misjudged my gas gauge and ran dry in the middle of nowhere IL on one hideously cold night. (just outside of Gibson City)

Next time you break down there get ahold of me, I'm only ~25mi from there.

I keep a wool blanket, a Mylar heat blanket (also makes a tent if need be), first aid kit, a candle, matches, a magnesium fire starter, a small pot, 2 cans of tuna, a mutlitool with pocketknife/some drivers/pliers/can opener, and a flare in a box in my trunk. I figure, worst case, I can make it a week on 2 cans of tuna and water ive boiled and filtered through my shirt. If I cant find help in a week, I shouldve never taken that road trip to the moon.

petegossett wrote:

Joe Gearin wrote: I misjudged my gas gauge and ran dry in the middle of nowhere IL on one hideously cold night. (just outside of Gibson City)

Next time you break down there get ahold of me, I'm only ~25mi from there.

Thanks Pete!

I love the Midwest in the Spring Summer and Fall. I don't ever plan on returning there in the Winter!

I spent alot of time on Rt 47 between Crystal Lake IL, and Champaign back in the early 90s. Even rolled a car 5-6 times just North of Gibson City! Thankfully the corn was high!