THE ARIZONA MEXICO CONNECTION

 

We also carry a small VHF radio (Raytheon Ray 102) with a weather channel. It is extremely handy near the coast (anywhere, not just in the U.S. coast) for listening to weather reports or making emergency communication.

 

There is one glass item we do keep on board, a small signal mirror. It is low tech, but weighs next to nothing and takes up virtually no space. If we were ever stuck in some remote location and had no reception for any other form of communication, we could at least hope to capture the attention of a motorist, cyclist, plane or boat. If one were stuck on a road or byway, even if no auto traffic came by, it’s possible that air traffic might appear overhead. A signal mirror, even one as small as an empty make-up compact, might capture potentially life-saving attention.

 

Another of the tools we use for set up and take down is a pair of sailing gloves. These gloves have a soft leather palm. The fingertips are open, but the knuckles are covered. Since set-ups and take-downs are times when we are handling heavy chains, jacks, chocks and blocks, the gloves are a real hand-saver. We have maximum dexterity with minimal exposure to potential bumps and scrapes.

 

When we’re backing, hooking up or pulling out, we use hand signals, but there’s sometimes a need for verbal communication between the spotter and the driver. For docking the boat, we used hand-held walkie-talkies and we’ve carried this technique over to RVing. The radios help prevent misunderstanding of important time-sensitive cues. And, given that we are sometimes in close proximity to neighbors, they help us be clear with each other while being quiet.

 

CB radio
A citizen’s band radio alerts us to accidents or traffic tie-ups. If we’re going to a park that has a CB, they can guide us in with it. The CB has also helped us stay awake with its lively, colorful conversation.

 

We keep several in various places, both in the trailer and in the truck.

 

In all sizes to accommodate any battery powered mechanisms you have.

 

After we stock the medicine chest as anyone would at home, we stop and consider what else we might need, what we are almost certain to need at some point and what it would be lovely to have if we managed to be on the road for, say, a year.

 

Accommodating for first aid situations is a priority. So much so, we keep two fully stocked first aid kits. One remains in the travel trailer in a cabinet near the most-used entrance door. The other we keep under a seat in the truck.

Additionally, we keep a first aid kit for our dog. It has medications our pet has needed in the past, and other tools that could be useful in case of illness or injury.

 

In addition to the factory supplied fire extinguishers we also carry a larger fire extinguisher in the bed of the truck.