Reflective triangle or reflective cone?

When I see cones I think of "road construction, or utility work". I'd get the triangles. they are more compact, and are plenty visable. Might want to throw a couple of road flares in the kit too.

Kind of what I'm thinking as well.....

Cones mean construction whereas triangles mean "breakdown"

snipped-for-privacy@privacy.net wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I've heard stories that the triangles tend to get blown over by passing trucks.

I'd have my doubts about a lightweight cone, too. If you can, check it out in person. See if its base seems big, heavy, and rubbery so that even if the cone bends in the wind, the whole assembly tends to stay right side up or at least return to that position.

Some of the triangles are supposed to be good for a 40-mph wind, evidently a Department of Transportation standard or suggestion. A heavy weighted base (a few pounds at least) and thick plastic are features to look for.

I've recently seen pictures of a "teepee" (two triangles that interlock), which has the extra advantage of visibility from other angles, but I don't know how well they perform in wind -- the only one I've seen didn't seem very heavy.

Something I've done, in addition, is put reflector tape on the underside of the trunk lid. A few manufacturers stow a safety reflector there. (I also apply reflector tape, discreetly, in the face of the door -- jambwards? -- that's normally hidden when the door is closed. That's mostly for the benefit of city traffic in normal parking, though it plays into emergency stopping at the side of the road, too).

To keep it (or better still, them) from bouncing around in the trunk, why not wrap them in one of those screamingly colored vests accented with reflector tape, like road construction workers wear. Or at least a bright yellow rain poncho, which you can accessorize with reflector tape as you wish. You can put all this stuff and an extra flashlight on top of the beat-up old coat or jacket that you keep in the trunk just in case. "Extra" flashlight? Well, one small flashlight (some of those new LED units put out a lot of photons from a small unobtrusive package) belongs in the passenger compartment, and needs to be in your hand, turned on, and oriented toward oncoming traffic before you exit the car at night or under bad conditions. The back of most cars has various hidey holes where a surprising amount of stuff can go.

Finally, don't forget to pack good judgment about when to turn on the hazard lights and limp along to a safer place if you can, or stay inside the car and call in the cavalry on your cell phone if you can't... And if you do get out of the car, always keep an eye toward oncoming traffic and always have an escape route. Do *not* base your continued three dimensionality solely on the situational awareness and sound judgment of oncoming drivers -- bring enough of your own!

Cheers,

--Joe

Thats plenty of helpful tips Joe...thanks.

Anyways, I'd go with the Triangle too so not to confuse motorist.

All good advice, but I find putting the old-style halogen revolving light up on the roof does an adequate job of warning oncoming traffic for me. The Brinkmann Q-beam plug-in spotlight provides good area illumination. Not sure if they still sell either of those. They do still sell flares. The semi-disposable dayglo green vest from Harbor Fright (around 7 bucks, IIRC) is a good idea- I got my sister and BIL a couple as a gag gift last Xmas, for walking their spoiled rotten 4-legged surrogate child after dark.