What lives in your car?

[Run 'n' Get 'em]

I'm being considered for two positions, both would have a take-home car... This would be my first 24/7 take home car (having either shared cars or just had them on work days, etc) so I'm just curious what do you guys typically keep in yours?

Outside of the norm (chargers, tapes, batts, etc) here's what I'm thinking:
Laptop w/ Office suite, GPS, and Sprint Mobile Broadband card w/ power inverter
5-7 days worth of clothes in a duffel bag
Food/Bottled Water
Seasonal things (like waterproof boots in hurricane season, etc)


Also, What are most stations policies on take-homes? Obviously I'm not going to use it to go out of town on vacation or anything like that...

[thru-the-lens]

Where you gonna park it? That should decide how much personal gear you keep in it. Thats alot of stuff to carry in and out every night. Garages are much better than the driveway or an apartment parking lot. Even in my garage the camera comes inside the house.

Also consider:
a folding camp chair or two to sit on.
short step ladder for shooting.
Jumper cables & a road emergency kit. Can of fix a flat.
Safety vest like highway crews wear for those shoots along busy roads at day and night.
ice chest to keep those drinks cold.
Sunscreen, mesqito repellent.

thru-the-lens.

[Run 'n' Get 'em]

Some stuff I'd keep parts in... Like w/ the laptop, I'd take in the laptop itself but leave the cord so I can just plug in and go...

Odds are it'd be in an apartment lot for at least the first year to year and a half until I can rebuild my savings account and possibly look at purchasing...

I do like your list and could combine some of it, Like the chair and ladder and just get a ladder that wouldn't hurt to sit on for a while... thanx t-t-l!

[SeattleShooter]

Just a heads up...keep things tied down. I have seen a lot of photographer’s trucks with a wood cabinet and they stack tons of gear on top of it with out it being tied down. If you have a battery or a charger sitting on that and you get in an accident, those things are projectiles. So don’t carry so much that you cant see out your back window. And if you do...tie it down.

I have a GPS, power cords, coats, phone chargers always stay in the car same with laptop cables, an oversized umbrella so I can tape it to a light stand for cover (long AM shows), box of hand warmers. SOCKS and a dry pair of shoes is a must, rabbit hat for those cold pass stories, hide a $20 somewhere in your car and when you absolutely need it…its there.

[TexasDave]

Also, think about a few MRE's. They've come in handy for me quite a few times. (the chili mac ain't too bad!). They make 'em so you just need a liitle water to heat them up, and it's a full meal!

And some other things that have been pointed out....socks and shoes, umbrella, jumper cables a must!

And a jacket and tie - never know when you have a shoot that you need an outfit!

[Sportsguy]

Just a heads up...keep things tied down. I have seen a lot of photographer’s trucks with a wood cabinet and they stack tons of gear on top of it with out it being tied down. If you have a battery or a charger sitting on that and you get in an accident, those things are projectiles.

I got into a bad accident a few months back and one of my batteries, a brick, came from the back and hit the dash. They're dangerous! Secure your gear in the back!

[LongTimePhotog]

An empty Gatorade bottle for those moments(cemetery guy).

[mi3ke]

If your unit has "D" rings in the trunk, get a sturdy bike lock cable and use it to lock your camera in, for those moments when you have to eat lunch in the bad part of town. Also, a trunk monkey would be good to have.

Cheers, Mi3ke
KOB-TV

[thru-the-lens]

If your unit has "D" rings in the trunk, get a sturdy bike lock cable and use it to lock your camera in, for those moments when you have to eat lunch in the bad part of town. Also, a trunk monkey would be good to have.

Cheers, Mi3ke
KOB-TV

I have a really long bike cable that is not coiled that I have wrapped around the frame of the back seat. I believe the brand name is Kryptonite and its about 10 feet long. I'll run it between the camera handle and lock it in. The fact that it is not coiled makes it easy to find and use.

Oh and that "trunk monkey" is great idea its been awhile since I've seen the ad for that.

thru-the-lens.

[pre-set]

A shovel and a tow strap. Self explanatory.

[2gigch1]

Just think of the stuff you need and make "kits"; gear kits, car care kits, repair kits, clothing kits, food & supplies kits. Put them in duffles or backpacks.

For me the biggest special little items I need are my GPS, inverter (for charging batteries), scanners, medicine kits, snacks, water, clothes/boots/shoes/jackets.

Old terrycloth towels!!!!! Lots of them! (Dry gear, dry yourself, hand one to your reporter to cover themselves while you eat & drive, roll it into a pillow for a catnap - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was right!)

[INLANDNEWS]

Rain/Cold weather gear is a must. If you live in brushfire country then make sure you have your fire safety gear- Nomex shirt, pants, fire shelter, helmet etc.

[javary]

when i first inherited my news car there was quite the colony of mold living inside the cupholder (i have since decimated this population).

aside from my gear, my most important in-car accessories are hand sanitizer, pens, and (i'm too old-school for gps) map books.

[zebra stripes]

Duffel bag full of clothes. Hats, rain gear, toothbrush/toothpaste, mouthwash, a towel or two, sunscreen, sleeping bag, Curtis 8" widescreen LCD monitor with AC adaptor. (I also use it as my live shot monitor and I love it!) Don't have to lug a heavy monitor out of the back of the live truck anymore!

Umm....lots of CD's. Still haven't taken the Ipod plunge. Need to though. Telephone books, map book, pens, paper, armorall wipes...a car load of crap basically.

I will say having your own news vehicle is GREAT!!! The money you'll save on gas going to and from work is worth driving around with the station's logos plastered all over it.

Our company policy is to and from work only. We were sold recently and the rumor was that our new owners were going to make us pay 2 or 3 bucks a day for gas. Luckily that didn't happen. But, if there's somewhere I need to go and can't go before work, and isn't too far away while I'm driving in, I'll stop.

[detroitsprings]

GPS and Sirius Satellite Radio, YOU WILL NEVER listen to free radio again.

[Kent]

This is assuming I have no idea I might be sent out of town for a few days. I keep a 'shaving kit' under my back seat with a several day supply of all my personal and emergency needs. Besides toothpaste - toothbrush, deodorant, hand lotion, and first aid kit; I keep waterless hand sanitizer as well as medicines -- from pain killers, anti diarrhea, antacids, decongestants, antihistamine (benadryl is the ingredient in most over the counter sleeping aids as well). In the winter I keep only about 4 16oz water bottles, but in the summer, I try and keep 2 gallon jugs under my back seat. I wear contact lenses, so I have a full cleaning, disinfecting and storing kit. I have a full change of clothes wrapped up in several trash size plastic bags. I can use the bags for dirty clothes as well as wrapping my gear to keep it dry. In the same plastic bag I keep a roll of paper towels and two rolls of toilet paper.

And at home, I usually have an overnight bag packed with many of the same items. If you get the phone call from the Desk that the 747 has just crashed 150 miles from your house, you might not be thinking about your personal needs, so having things pre-packed will save you out in the field.

Kent

[Dirge]

Odds are it'd be in an apartment lot for at least the first year to year and a half until I can rebuild my savings account and possibly look at purchasing...

Make sure the apartment complex allows logo-ed vehicles. Some places act all highfalutin.

An empty Gatorade bottle for those moments(cemetery guy).

Oh GTFOOH! We’re all going to be “pulling a Gerry” when they stick MR in the dirt…and you know it. :D

[Sharp Shooter]

I don't know what it is, but it keeps brushing by my feet when I'm driving. really annoying because I don't want it to get stuck under the brake pedal.
It's living off something. Must be the granola bars or snack food I keep for emergencies.

S.S.

[F4 Fan]

Quarters – press pass or not there are places like UC Berkeley that want you to feed the meter. Some loading zones in San Francisco require that the meters be fed, even with commercial plates.

On a similar note – what not to leave in your vehicle, especially if it is marked. I have a take home vehicle; of course the camera NEVER stays in the van. I also bring in all my audio gear and most importantly I bring in my hip bag. Even though most everything in it (except the wireless) can be replaced, it’s really one of my most important tools.

Having a take home car is a nice perk; just don’t abuse the privilege.