[Vwdiesel] winter adventure

[Travis .]

I can add a few of my stores. I don't have any of being stuck really but what I do to prepare. With the rabbits, I have the cable style tire chains (while I was in WY where they didn't salt-they are in winter storage now). I test fitted one time and they worked. Never needed them so I never installed again. Still have the cables and when I get my metro running-they will go in there. Foldable shovel, a EMR kit that has foil blanket, lighter, and a few other supplies. At one time in the rabbits I had a full toolbox that I could about do anything on the car with. But once I had them both running well-I found I never used it so I took it out. Only think that I have needed along side the road was a couple tubes of silicone gasket maker and antifreeze after going to the top of a Ski mountain. I filled at the top with water and basically costed to the bottom where there was a gas station with the supplies I needed to finish my 1500 mile trip before replacing the radiator since no one stocked a radiator. I also make sure I have cloths I could walk out with. 
 
Now that I live in WI where cell service is better and there is a lot more people/houses per mile I don't fret as much. Good tires, shovel, EMR kit, tire chains and that is it. Tire chains aren't allowed in this state but if I am stuck-you will see me with them on. So far I have only used them twice gong up a hill with a trailer. For the folks that don't like installing tire chains or have a hard time as there bodies aren't what they used to be-look at Spikes-spider tire chains. There is a few options to install and you can get the install hubs on mulitiple cars if you have the same size tires so you can put the chains in the car you are going to drive. I bought when my wife was first pregnant as there was no way I wanted her shoveling possibly slipping and attempting to put on normal chains. They are not cheap but less damage will occur if something fails on them vs normal chains and I can put on both tires in about 30 seconds and take off in about 45 if I am doing it fast. http://www.spikes-spiders.com/195-65-15/spikes-spider-sport-style-6 That is the style I have. You can find used for about 1/2 price.
 
As far as carrying extra fuel filters-on the rabbit truck I almost had to. Seemed like ever year the first cold snap even with winter fuel and treating it would gel up, My other rabbit I had put the same filter style as the TDI were it returns the fuel through the thermo T into the filter below a certain temp. It never gelled after doing that. I advise that be done with anyones winter VW diesels. I have a kit that actually used a CAT 5 micro filter setup with the thermo T as well so there is extra capacity so there is less fuel filter changes as well and the rabbit truck will be getting that installed this spring. That way all filters are the same (TDI and rabbits). Some people with TDI's change the thermo T to a straight line and bypass-I won't. I understand they can crack and leak but I won't mess with gelled fuel either. 
 
Travis