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What are some essential (and not so essential) trunk items that you like to keep in the truck at all times?

Lightning Rod

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In my old F-150, I had a 30 gallon storage bin in my bed, held in place with a cargo bar. I kept all sorts of items in there and I called it my "trunk".

I want to start a new bin and stock it with items. Here is a short list of items that I thought of in the last five minutes here at work. What are some items that you guys have?

  • Pump
  • Jump box
  • Tire plug kit
  • Breaker bar + extension and lug nut socket
  • Extension cord(s)
  • Corded LED trouble light
  • Nylon Tow Strap
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bmwhitetx

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Here is a short list of items that I thought of in the last five minutes here at work.
Yeah, I used to do things like this at work when bored. Glad to be retired!
 

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RedLightning86

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Yank rope and hardware for it.
Traction boards
First Aid kit
Shock cords
blanket
small folding chair
Jump-start battery for other cars, or if I kill the mini battery in the Lightning
Ford Charger (30 amp / 240V and 10 amp/120V)
rechargeable wand vacuum cleaner
some basic wrenches, Allen wrenches, screw drives
Hazard Triangles
lots of USB cables
camera battery chargers
 
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Lightning Rod

Lightning Rod

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Rachel straps.

Yes, I forgot about my ratcheting straps.

Yank rope and hardware for it.
Traction boards
First Aid kit
Shock cords
blanket
small folding chair
Jump-start battery for other cars, or if I kill the mini battery in the Lightning
Ford Charger (30 amp / 240V and 10 amp/120V)
rechargeable wand vacuum cleaner
some basic wrenches, Allen wrenches, screw drives
Hazard Triangles
lots of USB cables
camera battery chargers

Excellent list. Thank you.
 

djwildstar

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Here’s my current load-out:
* J+ Booster2 charger with 5-15, TT-30, 6-20, 14-50 adapters
* Generator plug adapters (to 14-50 and quad 5-20)
* Extension cords (120v and 240v)
* Tire inflator
* Jump box
* Tire plug kit
* Umbrellas
* Walking sticks
* USB cables
* Cargo nets (trunk and bed)
* Ratchet straps
* Windshield squeegee
I’ve been taking notes, and will update based on some of yours!
 

srspring551

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Curious about what length/strength for both tow and kinetic-recovery straps people would carry? Or only tow straps? How does the Lightning perform with these? Are recovery ropes not as much needed due to instant torque?
 

columbiaskier

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Here’s my current load-out:
* J+ Booster2 charger with 5-15, TT-30, 6-20, 14-50 adapters
* Generator plug adapters (to 14-50 and quad 5-20)
* Extension cords (120v and 240v)
* Tire inflator
* Jump box
* Tire plug kit
* Umbrellas
* Walking sticks
* USB cables
* Cargo nets (trunk and bed)
* Ratchet straps
* Windshield squeegee
I’ve been taking notes, and will update based on some of yours!
I carry around at 50’ 240 v welding cord for bigger trips. Saved me once when I had to plug into the oven and a friend with a Tesla when he didn’t have the right adapter for Charge station at the cabin.
 

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RedLightning86

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definitely the walking stick/monopod, and umbrellas for wife and kids! And a box that holds all that, as well as gloves and cloth shopping bags and coffee thermos, on the floor.

Also, Molle panels on back of seats, holding:
  • EMS shears, which are always useful
  • window shatterer
  • Mouth-to-mask, so I never need to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation!
  • belt knife on each side
  • Bear Spray
  • head lamp
  • plastic store bags for trash
  • insect repellant
  • sun block spray
  • alcohol spray for hands, especially after charging
  • OBD reader
 

Mmatthews

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Extra ammo.. jk*
Love the post, I'm going to take alot of the ideas. I carry a extension cord now along with a first aide bag.
 

Monkey

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It's so nice having a truck with real storage. In my frunk, which is only about 2/3 full, I have the following:

Lower compartment - 100ft rope, camping hammock, some paracord and a mobile charger, roll of TP.
Main frunk - Tools, a 120 piece mechanics tool set that is in a shallow case and on top of that sits another toolbox that keeps most everything else -- screwdriver set, hex drivers, nut drivers,, assorted pliers and a couple wrench sets in rolls, breaker bar, and more, work gloves, utility knife, pry bar, hammer.... These strap down easily and fit nicely with room to spare. I also keep a box of shop wipes and a bag of ratchet straps, extension cord. I have room to also strap a folding camp shovel, but don't drive around with it every day.

I'd love to find a small air compressor for the frunk. So far the best two options are the Husky 1.5gal or the Makita one about the same size... I just haven't bought one yet. I wouldn't drive around with this all the time either, but exploring options. I'm not running air tools out of my truck, but would be nice to have air for some things.

I didn't get the foldable locking storage under the rear seat that I thought I would. But honestly haven't missed it. The existing storage area there holds quite a bit split between the two sides. I have a carhartt coat, winter gloves, Rumpl puffy blanket, snow brush, two compact camping/backpacking chairs and a couple compact camp lanterns, solar charging kit (good for phones, lanterns, small things) and a first aid kit.

The center console storage is huge. I'm debating if I want to put in one of the Console Vault units. I've had them in other vehicles and while nice, it usually limits what can be done with the console storage. So I'll have to explore that a bit more. I used to need locking firearm storage, but now days I don't... Might still be nice to have the option. For now I'm just using the upper tray for a pack of gum, a knife and flashlight. With some batteries and a rain jacket that stuffs into a small sack in the main bin. I keep meaning to throw an umbrella in there...

So really, this truck holds a LOT of stuff without encumbering passengers or the bed.
 
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Monkey

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...I guess I also have a tow strap in the frunk (18K lbs rated, I think), a couple shackles in the toolbox and some other things like a few shopping bags since all the stores have to charge for them now. And I usually forget to grab the cloth bags when going into the store.

I need to throw in a spray bottle of window cleaner/de-icer. Super handy in the winter slop since the LED headlights don't melt off snow and there's often not a good way to clean the headlights at charging locations, otherwise I have to stop at a gas station and hope they have a squeegee and some liquid that isn't frozen solid.
 

GarageMahal

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I love the Dewalt 20v inflator and keep a charger for it in the frunk too.

I actually carry a 120v battery charger with boost feature for starting other cars which is more common then needing a jump myself.

One thing I carry in all vehicles is a fire extinguisher... again for other cars. Haven't seen an active car fire since!
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