So Kyle and I talked earlier this week about Making Your Ford Bronco Winter-Ready. Sharing basic maintenance reminders that could help ensure your Bronco or Sport stays running smoothly during the colder winter months.
Once you’ve prepped your vehicle, another important thing to always consider is essential gear and supplies to pack in your Bronco. You never know what kind of situations you may encounter on the road, and there’s nothing worse than realizing you forgot to bring something you could really use at a particular moment. Me? I am a total over–packer. Always have been, probably always will be. I like to be prepared for any and every situation. But packing more does not always mean packing correctly. Kyle has made a list of things to help us pack smarter when hitting the road in with those winter elements.
“By no means is this a definitive list. I personally keep all of this and more in my Bronco at all times,” said Kyle. “But this is a solid starting point and good reminder of some of the essential gear you’ll want to keep in your Bronco anytime, but especially during those unpredictable, snowy, colder months.”
A Good Ice Scraper and Snow Brush. Seems obvious, I know, but you’d be surprised how many people I’ve encountered without one. I prefer ones with an extendable handle, because it allows you to get the whole windshield, and even some of the snow off the roof, too. I also like the brushes that have foam heads on the opposite side of the scraper, but brush ends work just as well. These brushes are for more than just the windows — they also work very well to keep the snow and ice buildup off the headlights, or to clear snow off the hood of your Bronco so it does not blow onto your windshield as you begin driving.
Extra Clothing… Just In Case. It’s always good to layer up — especially in the cold. Packing a few extra pairs of good gloves, a hat, an extra coat or hoodie, and even a blanket can be life savers in the event of an unforeseen breakdown or delay, or unexpected weather change. It’s also not a bad idea to have some raingear (that waterproof gear could come in handy if you suddenly find yourself in a flurry of big, wet snowflakes). Plus, you never know when you might end up on an unplanned hike or winter trail drive and want to stay warm while exploring! One other thing I like to keep in my Bronco and backpack, are rechargeable USB hand warmers. They've gotten really cheap and can be used as power banks, as well.
Traction Boards or Cat Litter. Wintery roads can be more slippery than usual… and result in you getting stuck in the snow. Traction boards speak for themselves, and can make a huge difference in off-road recovery/helping us get un-stuck. But another cheap and easy-to-store alternative is a box or small bag of cat litter. If you end up in an icy spot and can't get out, even with the aid of 4WD or AWD, a little cat litter under the wheels can work wonders in a pinch!
A Good Tow Strap, or At Least Shackles or Sturdy Recovery Points. They can be used to get you out of a ditch if the unthinkable occurs, or you could be the savior of the day and help someone else out of a ditch or a slick area! This Ford Performance Off-Road Recovery Kit is a great one to consider.
A Fully Stocked Roadside Emergency Kit. In a backpack or in a storage case, this kit will include a variety of important items that can be used to help you dig out, jump start, stay warm, find your way and more. Each Bronco owner will figure out what they want to include in their kit, but here are some essentials that should make the list:
- Flash Light (with fresh – and extra – batteries!)
- First Aid Kit
- Road Flares or Reflective Cones/Triangles
- A Compact/Folding Mini Shovel
- Jumper Cables or a Portable Jump Starter
- USB Cables
- Hand Warmers
- Power Point Tire Inflator
- Gloves
- A Multitool With a Knife and Pliers
Extra Windshield Wiper(s). These are a good thing to consider for your emergency kit in case one of yours becomes damaged while on the road. They don’t even need to be a new pair. They could even be the older set you replaced, just to have as a backup if one of yours breaks on the road.
A Backup Bottle of Solvent. I keep an extra jug in my Bronco during the winter. You go through it so much faster than usual when driving along salty roads, and you definitely don’t want to be driving and suddenly have no solvent to keep your windows clean and clear. It’s also good for wiping down your lights if they get salt covered. During our cold Michigan winters, I like to use a solvent that is a washer/deicer combo, as it can really make a difference clearing an icy windshield.
Tire Repair Essentials. We start our journey with a set of four trusty tires, but anything and everything can happen along a snowy trail or slick street. These can be key to help:
- Full-Size Spare and a Jack: Always double-check to make sure your full-size spare tire is packed, along with a jack (whether it’s the stock tire jack provided with your Bronco, or a different, sturdier jack you’ve found elsewhere).
- Tire Repair Kit: While these are definitely not a permanent fix, these kits Include plugs and patches for temporarily sealing minor punctures or leaks in a tire, to at least get you back on the road. Sure, you’ll have your spare packed, but you really never know what you may encounter on a trail, so this keeps you uber prepared if a second tire happens to become damaged.
Snacks and H20. Off-roading can be unpredictable, on ANY day – but especially on one that’s cold and snowy. So always be sure to pack for emergencies. Hopefully you never encounter a situation where you are unexpectedly stuck and have to wait for help, or are suddenly parked on the side of the road waiting for a blizzard or snow squall to pass. But it you do, having extra water or fluids to stay hydrated, and snacks (packaged treats/bars, nuts, beef jerky, etc.) can be important to have.
Make some (or all!) of the above items part of your Bronco Winter Prep List and you’ll be able to take on those cold temps and snowy roads with confidence.
Anything special you always pack in your Bronco? Have some cold weather tips for the Nation? Tell us below!
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