Flares and tow straps!!!

[3930dave]

Dave, that's a good point, but down here, yellow/orange almost exclusively means "warning/danger" in almost all states so construction equipment/trucks, snow plows, tow trucks, etc. use yellow/orange. What's interesting is that I recently moved from Maryland with Pennsylvania being just north of it and Virginia being just south of it. In PA, a flashing blue light means volunteer firefighter and red for police. In Virginia (and West Virginia), flashing blue means police and red means fire apparatus both career or volunteer. In MD, the police use red and blue flashing lights. It's easy to drive from southern PA through MD and into northern VA in about an hour. Talk about confusing some people!

Yep, it can be pretty confusing.... many people here don't know what the flashing Green is.

Agreed, Yellow/Orange is likely a safe bet, but as traffic laws vary so widely, I wanted to mention it b4 DL put his first pay cheque to use ! :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Mine are stored in a gallon ziplock bag and have lasted 2 years. From my experience flares are almost like ammunition. Keep them dry and they should last a while. I do not mess with striking them on the ground, I always just light them with a lighter.

Search: flare | Safety Flares | AutoZone.com I purchased this set at Autozone last week. They come in a sealed bag. They are the same flares that I bought at rural king which are 15 minute flares.

Amazon.com: Smittybilt L-1409 Universal Flashing Object (U.F.O.) LED Safety Light: Automotive These are said to be very good!! They operate off their own batterys.

Thanks on the flare info...

I like Smittybilt products (I plan to pick up a great First Aid bag of their's described in a First Aid Kits and Supplies thread I started recently), so that should be a decent light. The only negative for me with that light is battery related.... those CR123 have good energy density, but I like AA's for the fact that I can find them pretty much anywhere, even the only corner-store for 50 miles should have some - albeit at a crazy price.

Rgds, D.

 

[diesel lover]

Thanks on the flare info...

I like Smittybilt products (I plan to pick up a great First Aid bag of their's described in a First Aid Kits and Supplies thread I started recently), so that should be a decent light. The only negative for me with that light is battery related.... those CR123 have good energy density, but I like AA's for the fact that I can find them pretty much anywhere, even the only corner-store for 50 miles should have some - albeit at a crazy price.

Rgds, D.

Yeah I keep wanting to get a UFO or something similar. People don't react to vehicles with their hazards on for some reason. Its just not right at all

 

[john_bud]

Glad it worked out. I no longer will tow anyone except personal friends / family. Last 2 people I towed nearly had serious accidents due to their incredible stupidity.

One was 2 high school kids stuck in a muddy ditch. I had them chain it up and put it in neutral. The driver had never been towed before AND GOT OUT TO WATCH. Yes, as soon as it started to move he GOT OUT OF THE MOVING MINI-VAN. The vehicle went across the road, the chain went "spwaang" as it jerked it to a stop. The bumper was crooked, there was some sheet metal damage and who knows what else. i just unhooked, was thanked and booked out of there!

Next tow was from a snow bank. College age couple. Gal driving. I pulled her out and she nearly hit my truck because SHE EXPECTED ME TO STOP HER. Yes, she thought the chain was going to somehow stop her so she didn't step on the brakes. I veered off and put my truck into the ditch to avoid her and she went into the 55mph roadway. Again, I unhooked while SHE WAS BEOTCHING AT ME, and left post haste.

 

[luvmexfood]

Kudos for helping. I too try and help when I can. Am hesitant about pulling anyone out of the ditch anymore due to so many vehicles being fragile. Flares are excellent. I live in VA. and the State Police are digilent in placing them out and used to gladly give them to local volunteer rescue squads to prevent further accidents as sometimes they were first to arrive on the scene of an accident. Course this was back in the late 70's so don't know what the policy is now. I am near the state line with TN. They do not place any flares or anything at the scene of an accident. You would not believe how many secondary accidents they have because of this.

 

[cartod]

Good job my man! I would hope someone of your caliber would be around should my wife or children get stranded.