15/20
Yanes yukon −30°C (-22 °F) winter mummy sleeping bag (15/20)
A minus-30 mummy bag for the nights the heater can't cover. Packs smaller than you'd think.
Guide
Winter emergency gear
When the highway closes at -35°C, this is what keeps you alive until it reopens.
Updated October 5, 2026
Every winter, drivers get caught between closures on stretches with no services and no cell signal. The ones who are fine had a kit. The ones who weren't are a news story. This is the kit.
The non-negotiables
Sleeping bag rated to -30°C. Not a blanket — a real winter bag. If your bunk heater dies at 3am, this is the difference between uncomfortable and dangerous. See how three winter bags compare, scored out of 20 →
12/20
Derby XXL −30°C (-22 °F) heavy-duty sleeping bag (12/20)
Roomy alternative. Space to turn over, which matters more than it sounds at 3 a.m.
Keep the fuel flowing
Gelled fuel is the #1 winter roadside killer. Carry anti-gel treatment before you need it — once fuel gels in the filter, additive in the tank won't save you.
14/20
Howes diesel treat, 64 oz (14/20)
The preventative anti-gel. Dose per fill-up before the cold snap, not after.
15/20
Power service diesel 911, 80 oz (15/20)
The rescue bottle for gelled fuel. When the preventative didn't happen, this is the call.
13/20
STA-BIL Diesel Winter, 20 oz (13/20)
Compact anti-gel for the side box. Prevents gelling; won't rescue gelled fuel.
The kit you never use is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.
What freezes in a parked cab overnight
Water bottles (obviously), but also: wiper fluid (use winter-rated), any food with high water content left in an unheated box, your phone if left on the dash, and DEF if the tank heater fails. Keep water inside the sleeper, keep the phone in your pocket, and know where your block heater plug is before you need it.
Block heaters and battery warmers
A block heater is mandatory equipment in real winter — plug in below -20°C if you want the engine to turn over in the morning. Battery warmers help, but a healthy battery with clean terminals matters more than any accessory. If your batteries are 4+ years old going into winter, replace them in October, not January.
Questions, answered
What goes in a winter emergency kit?
-30°C sleeping bag, anti-gel treatment, flashlight + batteries, high-calorie food, water, warm layers, and a charged power bank.
How do I keep diesel from gelling?
Treat every tank in winter before cold hits. Carry emergency de-geller, but prevention beats rescue.
What temperature should I plug in the block heater?
Below -20°C at minimum. Many drivers plug in below -15°C for easier starts.
Deal alerts
Price drops, without the noise.
Real drops on the gear you actually want. No fake sales, no pressure tactics.
— Marcus
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