Storm Chasing Vehicle and Equipment Prep

[Mike Tobin]

With 2015 on the horizon that means the 2015 Storm Season is approaching and after last years rather weak year I Feel in my gut that this year is going to be more active no data no models can take this feeling from my gut away. With that being said every season I chase the month before the season starts I take the time to Prep my Chase vehicle. You see I dont stay in hotels during chase season I camp in the back of my SUV and use truck stop facilities to take a shower and wash clothes. The month before it starts I take my SUV to a garage and give it a once over. I restock my on the go meals and resupply my first aid kit. The basic items i carry mini stove and propane electric cooler. I carry a mini bottle of laundry detergent and a weeks worth of clothes. By sleeping in my truck I save money that I can use for fuel. What do you do to prep your chase vehicle and what equipment do you carry.

 

[John Olexa]

What do you do to prep your chase vehicle and what equipment do you carry.

Not all that much really. For me it's more spotting than chasing so I just make sure the glass is clean, vehicle is running good... Oh and that the cell phone & camera are charged and working lol.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I take the vehicle for a routine maintenance check at the end of February. I basically just bring it in and say fix anything thats loose, leaking or otherwise about to break. I need new tires so that will probably be the "big prep" for the vehicle this year. My chase vehicle (2006 Expedition) is getting old with over 225k miles, its beginning to use oil and has a slight knock but otherwise runs fine. This is the last solid chase season I plan to keep it for as Ive begun saving for something new. I'ts been incredibly reliable and has never broken down on me, if I can get 2 more seasons out of it that would be great, but with your vehicle being the most important piece of chasing equipment I'd rather not chase in anything more than 10 years old.

 

[Bill Hark]

I use a rental but will do a quick check of tires, oil etc. Each year, I usually purchase if I don't already have the following vehicle equipment: Glass cleaner, Rain-X, tow-strap, flashlight, duct tape, bottled water, extra fuses, windshield washer fluid, and paper towels. I haven't decided if I'll add Fix a flat to the mix. If I ahd room, I'd also carry a small electric air pump.

Bill Hark

 

[Todd Lemery]

Rain-x, fix a flat, toilet paper, power inverter, power strip, camcorder, camera, tripod, "shooting glasses, chargers, sunglasses, flashlight, tripod, cell phone booster, collapsible cooler, weather radio, rental car with insurance (if it's a fly in) and trauma bag. You hope you don't need the trauma bag, but if you do need it, you'll be glad to have it with you. (If you are trained)
The other thing that isn't equipment, but is critical, is good chase partners. Having good partners can make a bad chase good and bad partners can make a good chase bad

 

[Bob Schafer]

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?8339-Chase-Essentials&highlight=Chase+essentials

 

[JamesCaruso]

Like Bill, I use a rental. I always check the tire tread wear; I am super-paranoid about getting stuck with a flat in the middle of nowhere without even enough of a cell signal to call for help. I got a flat once in Colorado but had the good fortune to be a quarter-mile from a gas station that fixed it (enjoyed having an HP pass over with small but dense hail, but had to let the storm go after that...) Had one other time where a tire was losing pressure but I was able to get to the Wichita airport to swap out the car. I carry some of the items on Bill's list, plus a tire pressure gauge, although most of the newer cars have an internal pressure monitor that gives a warning about low pressure. Anyway I am so paranoid about having a reliable rental that the selection of cars influences my choice of where to fly in! For example, I have found the quality of rentals in terms of newer vehicles at Amarillo airport is relatively poor and for that reason alone prefer to fly into airports with a more reliable selection such as Denver, Oklahoma City or even Wichita.

 

[Mike Tobin]

That is a good looking ride how are your window protectors mounted

 

[Sean Mullen]

Like Bill, I use a rental. I always check the tire tread wear; I am super-paranoid about getting stuck with a flat in the middle of nowhere without even enough of a cell signal to call for help. I got a flat once in Colorado but had the good fortune to be a quarter-mile from a gas station that fixed it (enjoyed having an HP pass over with small but dense hail, but had to let the storm go after that...) Had one other time where a tire was losing pressure but I was able to get to the Wichita airport to swap out the car. I carry some of the items on Bill's list, plus a tire pressure gauge, although most of the newer cars have an internal pressure monitor that gives a warning about low pressure. Anyway I am so paranoid about having a reliable rental that the selection of cars influences my choice of where to fly in! For example, I have found the quality of rentals in terms of newer vehicles at Amarillo airport is relatively poor and for that reason alone prefer to fly into airports with a more reliable selection such as Denver, Oklahoma City or even Wichita.

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?30297-Renting-car-in-Wichita&highlight=ghost

After flying in and renting, I will also hit a local Home Depot or Lowes for their largest fire extinguisher, crash ax, and wrecking bar, paying cash. The night before I fly back, I return them(hopefully unused) for a cash refund. I also usually pick up batteries or gloves there; those I keep, and figure it's a cost of renting the other stuff. Then it's off to Walmart for Rain-X, windex, paper towels. I also buy or bring a cover for the steering wheel for a better grip.

 

[James Gustina]

We've still got some time before we start to prep the beater Jeep but the addition of a mounted tablet might be coming sometime in January. I'm planning on waiting to apply the Aquapel to the windshield until February so it hopefully makes it through May or June.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

2007 Forester XT
CB, gmrs radios
Ipad and android tablets
Smart phone (hotspot)
Wilson cradle booster
Full size spare + space saver spare
Water
Oil
Fix a flat (2×)
Tool kit
Recovery strap
High visibility vest
Power inverter
Chargers for cell and tablets and cameras
Nikon d60 w/ lenses
Nikon d5200 w/ lenses
Pistol grip tripod
Window camera mount
Various other camera mounts
Fire extinguisher
Mobile air pump
Air mattress/sleeping bag/pillows
12v outlet splitter
Extra sweatshirts
Socks
Shoes
Umbrella
TP
Paper towels
Soft cooler
Arkon tablet mounts
Cell mount
Paper street atlas
Oh boy...probably more crap I don't need, but rather have it and not neet it blah blah

 

[Mike Tobin]

2007 Forester XT
CB, gmrs radios
Ipad and android tablets
Smart phone (hotspot)
Wilson cradle booster
Full size spare + space saver spare
Water
Oil
Fix a flat (2×)
Tool kit
Recovery strap
High visibility vest
Power inverter
Chargers for cell and tablets and cameras
Nikon d60 w/ lenses
Nikon d5200 w/ lenses
Pistol grip tripod
Window camera mount
Various other camera mounts
Fire extinguisher
Mobile air pump
Air mattress/sleeping bag/pillows
12v outlet splitter
Extra sweatshirts
Socks
Shoes
Umbrella
TP
Paper towels
Soft cooler
Arkon tablet mounts
Cell mount
Paper street atlas
Oh boy...probably more crap I don't need, but rather have it and not neet it blah blah

that is a great list man you are definitely preparing right in my book hope to see you out on the road during chase season

 

[Jason Boggs]

Just bought a JustinCase emergency kit form Wal-Mart. I think it would be good as a supplement for chasing, and just your every day driving. Kit includes:

Tow strap
head lamp flashlight
Jumper cables
first aid kit
poncho
gloves
blanket
orange warning reflector

Items I added:
knife
extra batteries
extra flashlight
extra phone charger

 

[James Gustina]

Jason just reminded me to get a first aid kit soon. I took a prairie barb to the foot in October of 2013 and then another in late April last season. Nearly ruined my sandals the first time around.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Dang...I didn't include first aid kit on my huge list above. Got one of those.