Ruben Fidalgo
January 13, 2023
Traveling at night has its peculiarities and it never hurts to be prepared, for example, to sleep a bit while we wait for a gas station to open if we have gotten confused with the reservation. Here are our tips.
At night there are things that we often do not take into account, for example, the fact that most of the gas stations are going to be closed, so it is easier to get stuck or have to wait for them to open to continue on our way. In order not to freeze up at night, to be able to see clearly if we have to change a wheel, etc., it is useful to take these things with us on night trips.
In addition to elements to which the law obliges us, such as the new beacon V16 or the high visibility vest, it is worth taking with us certain practical things that can be very useful and that are neither expensive nor take up much space. Basically, the main problem at night is the lack of light, both to see and to be seen, but there are other less obvious criteria that we must also take into account. to be safer and more comfortable.
Here are the things that we recommend you take with you in the car if you travel at night.
What should you take in the car to travel at night?
The portable flashlight is very practical.
Here is a list of things that can help us a lot to make traveling at night more bearable and safe. As you can see, they are simple things that do not take up much space or are expensive and that will be very useful:
- Lantern: It is obvious. My advice is that, if you have to buy it, choose a front type (the ones that are put on the head, to understand each other). They have the advantage that they leave our hands free. This allows us, for example, to see while we change a flat tire, or walk on the shoulder with the emergency triangle watching where we are going (and being more visible to other traffic).
- Phone charger: this element is essential during the day as well, but at night it is more likely that we will have to use it, because it is easier to run out of fuel, since most of the service stations close at dawn, so staying stranded it is easier.
- fuel bagsThey do not take up space and are very cheap. It is a special plastic bag (which does not dissolve with gasoline or diesel) and with a clip to refill at the gas station. They usually have them at service stations, but, just in case, it doesn’t take up space and can get us out of trouble if, as we said before, we run out of fuel traveling at night.
- A blanket: at night, even in summer, the ambient temperature drops and sometimes we don’t wear the appropriate clothing for it. Whether we get sleepy and have to stop to sleep for a few minutes or if we have a breakdown and have to wait for assistance, we would appreciate having something to cover ourselves with and keep us at a comfortable temperature. You don’t need a Zamora blanket of those that occupy a cubic meter when folded and weigh 3 kg, there are very compact, light and comfortable ones.
- Tissues: it is something eschatological, but no one is free from being a victim of a squeeze. In the same way that we will not be able to refuel, because the service stations are not open, we will not be able to relieve ourselves, so it is better to have a plan B.
As you can see, these are simple things that easily fit in the doorway or glove compartment. In the case of the flashlight, Murphy usually makes sure it’s out of batteries the day you need it. He checks their status from time to time and makes sure they are charged. There are those that can be recharged in the car cigarette lighter, but they are more expensive.
