Roadside emergency kit for a highway truck (2026)
A breakdown is the worst place to find out the triangle case is empty or the extinguisher gauge reads in the red. This page splits the kit into what the rules require on a US power unit and what is worth carrying because you might wait hours for a tow, in the dark, in winter.
What the FMCSA requires
49 CFR 393.95 lists emergency equipment on a power unit:
- Fire extinguisher. One rated at least 5 B:C, or two rated at least 4 B:C each, for a truck not hauling placarded hazmat. A power unit hauling placarded hazmat needs one rated 10 B:C or more. It must carry the UL rating on its label, show whether it is fully charged, be filled, be readily accessible, and be mounted so it cannot slide or roll. The agent must not need protection from freezing.
- Warning devices. Three bidirectional reflective triangles that meet FMVSS 125, or at least six fusees. Flame-producing devices are banned on some hazmat loads and on vehicles fueled by compressed gas.
Read the full text at ecfr.gov. Your carrier may require more.
Where the triangles go
49 CFR 392.22 says turn on the hazard flashers right away and place the triangles as soon as possible, and in any case within 10 minutes. On a two-way road, one goes on the traffic side about 10 feet from the truck toward approaching traffic, one about 100 feet back toward approaching traffic, and one about 100 feet away in the other direction. On a divided or one-way highway, they go at about 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic. Near a hill crest or a curve, the rule moves one back to between 100 and 500 feet so traffic sees it in time.
Swipe this table sideways. The page stays put, and the first column stays visible.
| Road | Triangle 1 | Triangle 2 | Triangle 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-way road | 10 ft, traffic side, toward oncoming traffic | 100 ft toward approaching traffic | 100 ft in the other direction |
| Divided or one-way highway | Within 10 ft of the rear, traffic side | 100 ft toward approaching traffic | 200 ft toward approaching traffic |
| Within 500 ft of a hill crest, curve, or obstruction | Placed as above | The one toward the obstruction goes 100–500 ft out | Placed as above |
Walk the triangles out facing traffic, with a light and a vest on. Carry them, do not drag the case. Pick them up in reverse order with the flashers on.
Canada
Canadian commercial vehicle equipment and warning-device rules come from provincial law and the National Safety Code, and they are not word-for-word the same as the FMCSA's. Most drivers run the same three triangles and a rated extinguisher in both countries. Check the province you are based in and your carrier's spec. Winter adds its own kit; see Canadian winter traction and chains.
The kit, required items first
Along the way
What else to keep in the truck
- A headlamp and a backup flashlight. See headlamps for the pre-trip.
- Work gloves you do not mind ruining.
- Water and food for a long wait. Water on a summer route covers the hot side.
- A warm layer, hat, and blanket or sleeping bag for winter. If the engine will not run, the cab cools fast.
- A charged phone power bank, or a power station.
- Spare fuses for the truck's accessories, a tire gauge, and a few basic tools.
Pre-trip check
Make these part of the pre-trip:
- Extinguisher gauge in the green, pin in, bracket tight.
- Three triangles in the case, all legs present.
- Headlamp works, vest is where you can grab it.
Conclusion
Carry three FMVSS 125 triangles and a properly rated, mounted extinguisher, and check them at every pre-trip. Add a truck-rated jump starter, a vest, and a light, and you have a kit that works at 3 a.m. on a shoulder in January.
FAQ
What fire extinguisher does a truck need under the FMCSA?
A power unit not hauling placarded hazmat needs one extinguisher rated 5 B:C or more, or two rated 4 B:C or more. Placarded hazmat needs 10 B:C or more.
How far back do the triangles go on an interstate?
On a divided highway, about 10, 100, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic, within 10 minutes of stopping.
Can I use flares instead of triangles?
The rule allows at least six fusees, but flame devices are banned on some hazmat loads and compressed-gas-fueled trucks.
Are the rules the same in Canada?
Similar kit, different law. Check your province and carrier.