Back on track here, all good recommendations, dont fret on the oil ALHTOUGH it would be a good time to change to synth for this trip alone.

I use an outdoor timer for my block heater. Only needs 3 hrs or so. 0430 hrs for a 0800 start.

Army wool blanket and a sidearm.

Well, ok, for you, always have a warm blanket just in case.

Snow/ice scraper if its not part of the kit where you are. I don;t recall NC boys carrying them!

Mine is similar to this:

http://store.schumachermart.com/se-1-12s.html

I have a 3-way splitter under the hood feeding the charger, the block heater, and a battery heating pad. They are all feed from a plug at the front bumper so I can plug in everything at once.

That looks like the exact same one in the second link to Harbor Freight...just a somewhat cheaper version most likely, but it is half the cost.

The battery heater is a great idea as well. Here is one on ebay. I would assume they would be in the same price range at the local Farm Supply store.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370205859509&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=bad0336f1240a02652b0b460ffe9bc55&rvr_id=&ua=WXI7&itemid=370205859509

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Don't forget the need to power electronic rodent repellers when you leave the car parked for longer periods of time, too.....we presently leave all our idle vehicles with trickle chargers and rodent repellers (several, inside the passenger space and under the hood) powered up.

Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

My charger is a "Schumacher" brand, but I don't recall how much it cost. My battery heating pad was in the car when I bought it (I assume it works, but I've never really checked). Anyway, the combination of the block heater and the charger seems to work well.