Car Preparedness

[Haertig]

For food, I go with an unopened box of saltine crackers and an unopened jar of peanut butter. It's not gourmet, but it will get your through. And it lasts a long time. Plus, you're not likely to sneak and eat some of it if you really aren't stranded.

 

[jimLE]

i get the lil packets of crackers from dollar tree.in which i keep in the console between the front seats.
keeping the small packages of saltines and ritz crackers there could be a great idea as well.

 

[Weedygarden]

I'd suggest changing the food twice a year. In the spring perhaps canned goods, like chile, that you can eat without warming. The heat in the vehicle will deteriorate anything quicker so you'll have to eat it soon after the fall switchover. In the fall go for your granola or other items that don't matter how cold they get.

This is good.

Saltines and peanut butter is also a good idea. Saltines do not have a very long shelf life, but 6 months should be good.

And then for me, the stuff rolls around in the trunk. I have used crates to contain stuff, but sometimes, moving stuff around such as taking a load to the thrift store means I have to empty the trunk.

It seems to be a never ending process of maintaining BOB's and food stuff. I think I need to make a list for myself that I can check periodically.

 

[jimLE]

i got to wondering if peanut butter comes in packets like mustard ketchup and relish does.so i did a web search. sure enough.it does.im thinking that these can be useful in many ways when on the road.for example.you go to town and you want to save money by not eating out.or your hiking. or having to hoof it home with a ghb.maybe even camping out.


https://www.roundeyesupply.com/Pean...AIVDb7ACh2keQDnEAQYAiABEgI5QvD_BwE&Click=7195

 

[lonewolf]

if you carried most of what some people say you'd never be able to get in my car!
the car itself is prepped all the time, oil, anti freeze and screen wash checked every 2 days or so, fuel is kept topped up from half full, never goes below this. tyres checked regularly and changed as needed, tracking/wheel alignment checked every 3 months.
GHB kept in the car on a permanent basis.
a few trail bars kept in the front, more food added if going away for the day, not usually away overnight.

 

[Weedygarden]

i got to wondering if peanut butter comes in packets like mustard ketchup and relish does.so i did a web search. sure enough.it does. I'm thinking that these can be useful in many ways when on the road.for example.you go to town and you want to save money by not eating out.or your hiking. or having to hoof it home with a ghb. Maybe even camping out.

https://www.roundeyesupply.com/Pean...AIVDb7ACh2keQDnEAQYAiABEgI5QvD_BwE&Click=7195

I did not do the math, but I would think keeping a jar of peanut butter in the car would be much cheaper. Peanut butter is one of those things that is shelf stable. I've also never had it get contaminated and spoil, other than going rancid, that I know of. The other thing about the packets would be more exposure to plastic in your food. Another thing about having a jar is that in a very serious situation, it could end up that the potential empty jar could have other uses.

 

[jimLE]

thing about my situation. is i don't have much room for storing stuff.plus i'll seldom pull over to eat saltines and peanut butter.because of that.maybe keeping 3 or 4 packets of peanut butter in the console instead of a small jar of it might work better for me.good point about the plastic chemicals leaching into it.i have the peanut butter jars and others just sitting and collecting dust right now.on account i don't have any use for them.as of yet.

 

[ssonb]

I need to adjust my in car "git gear". for years I have worked and lived within ten miles ....Now I live 64miles away from work that is quite an adjustment to work on. As old as I am now that is at least ten days travel as the dog trots, if I have to walk the whole way and I cant tote what I used to.

 

[jimLE]

@SSnob.. would you be able to acquire a. Bicycle and trailer where you work?

 

[ssonb]

A good bicycle with saddlebags might be what I need to store at work....that would cut down the travel time.....fud fer thought.

 

[Weedygarden]

A good bicycle with saddlebags might be what I need to store at work....that would cut down the travel time.....fud fer thought.

When there are bike rides, like RAGBRAI in Iowa, people ride about 100 miles a day. Of course, that is a long way to go for someone who is older and out of shape. but, my guess is, if everything is good, you could do 60 some miles in a day.

 

[Weedygarden]

I am not into MRE's or Mountain House meals, but it occurred to me is that the 72 hour kit would be a place that I would have them or homemade versions of them from dehydrated or freeze dried food. Just add hot water. Of course, having adequate water and a way to heat it would be important. In some situations, having a portable stove and pot to heat water could be a real bonus, especially in winter conditions.

 

[Bacpacker]

I am not into MRI's or Mountain House meals, but it occurred to me is that the 72 hour kit would be a place that I would have them or homemade versions of them from dehydrated or freeze dried food. Just add hot water. Of course, having adequate water and a way to heat it would be important. In some situations, having a portable stove and pot to heat water could be a real bonus, especially in winter conditions.

Weedy, I don't keep MRE's in my GHB, but I do have a few cases at home for quick grab for use in a bug out. I also keep a bunch of extra heaters. I haven't tried them, but I bet they would heat the water enough to use with freeze dried food.
I do keep a couple Freeze dried meals in my GHB. They are fairly nutrious and easy to fix. I also have a small backpacking stove and fuel container with a cook pot that holds just enough to heat the water for the freeze dried food. Total is a little more than 1 lb. And would be enough food for 2 good days, could be stretched to 4. But I also keep some food that is grab and go, meal bars, peanut butter, etc. My daily trip is 35 miles one way. I plan to be home in 4 days or less, barring severe problems getting there.

 

[ssonb]

I have in both my current git kits four of the military trioxine heat cooking tabs, good for heating a canteen cup full of water with no smoke and light weight. They make a foldable light"stove"that is just for using these tabs ,very compact....need to get a couple.

 

[jimLE]

i just had a look in amazon. they have saddle bags..tools and other items for bicycles.there's even a chain removal tool that i had long since forgotten about.

 

[Weedygarden]

My cousin posted a photo of the snow this week where he lives in Montana. He said he thinks he got 3 feet of snow. News article says his area got 4 feet. School was cancelled, which I'd bet is rare in Montana, especially in September. I'd bet people were not prepared, especially car preps.

SHTF.com sent a newsletter with these car prep suggestions:

1. Candle powered heater (candle, matches and a metal can)
2. Thermal blankets
3. Hand and foot heaters
4. Safety absorbent (to help with traction, similar to cat litter)
5. Foldable shovel

 

[HippoTwilight]

My vehicles themselves are in good shape. I need to work on their contents though.
Our daily routine keeps us within 10 miles of home, most of which is through a small city. I've been pretty negligent in our car kits b/c it's seemingly a non-issue.
They're stocked with a "Mechanical Bag", with basics like jumper cables and fluids.
Nothing in terms of summer survival supplies b/c...well...it's only 10 miles home. Maybe a mile tops to the nearest public business if shelter is necessary.
Winter supplies include extra warm layers in the trunk.
The rest of our survival kit is just common sense, like checking the weather. If there's a blizzard looming, we don't go far. If we're at risk for a flood, we keep an eye on the rivers.

What grocery items do you have that can survive a season in the trunk of a car? Ambient can be over 100F with 90+% humidity, inside the car reaches 150F on a regular basis. I don't know of many things what can be stored in those conditions and last more than a week.
How do you store water in the winter? Specifically regarding ice rupturing containers.

 

[Weedygarden]

What grocery items do you have that can survive a season in the trunk of a car? Ambient can be over 100F with 90+% humidity, inside the car reaches 150F on a regular basis. I don't know of many things what can be stored in those conditions and last more than a week.
How do you store water in the winter? Specifically regarding ice rupturing containers.

I think it is good to rotate these especially if the temperature can affect them. I have the same situation. If you are only ten miles from home, some granola type bars (Kind are my favorite, but they would melt), water to drink with a strap so you can throw it over your shoulder and have easy access to it, chewing gum, maybe hard candy. Just crackers may be better in your situation.

It may work for you to have a bag that you take in and out of the car every day, so it isn't affected by the heat and cold.

If you keep water and it freezes, you don't fill the container all the way to the top. It gives it room to expand. I have had cases of bottled water in my trunk that froze and leaked out. Not good.

When I walk, I usually walk about 3 miles in an hour. You could walk faster or slower, and may need a rest in that ten miles. For me, it would be at least 3 hours, maybe 4 or more to walk ten miles, and depending on whether I have my Chaco sandals, winter boots, dressier shoes, or walking shoes on. I usually have spare shoes in the trunk, just for walking as well as clean socks.

I have redone my car preps many times. Sometimes I am not good with maintaining them, especially food. I almost always have water in gallon jugs in the back seat on the floor.

 

[Sparky_D]

For food items and water, I keep some of the shelf stable "microwave meals" and a couple 1 liter plastic bottles in an insulated lunch bag wrapped in my spare blanket behind the truck seat.
While I'm fortunate to live where things generally do not get blisteringly hot or bone chillingly cold, I've never had an issue with the items becoming unstably hot or freezing. Between the insulated bag and the blanket, I feel they're well enough protected for the max couple days my vehicle spends idle.

I rotate items out on a quarterly basis (I.E. I remember to rotate them about a quarter of the time...).

 

[Sentry18]

Some related inf0.

https://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/preparedness-a-winter-survival-kit-for-your-car_10012019

Preparedness: A Winter Survival Kit for your Car
Mac Slavo
October 1st, 2019
SHTFplan.com

It’s time to get your winter survival kit upgraded and thoroughly audited. Before the first winter storm hits, you should audit your car’s winter survival kit to make sure you’ve got what you need and nothing is missing or expired.

If you want the guesswork taken out of preparing a winter survival kit for your car, that’s an option that is available. Ready America has a cold-weather survival kit for one person and it costs less than $65. However, if you’d like to build your own kit, or are switching out gear for the changing season, here are a few things I suggest you consider.

The first thing you should do is ensure that the medications in your current vehicle survival kit are not expired and that the seals aren’t broken on the items that need to remain sealed. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to add a few things that will be much more useful when temperatures drop than they would be during the warmer months.

1. Candle-Powered Heater
If you get stuck or broken down in your car during the winter, keeping it running to stay warm can be tricky. You’ll eventually run out of gas, but you’ll need some fuel to drive when help arrives or when the weather clears up. But more importantly, snow and ice can block your engine’s exhaust and lead to deadly levels of carbon monoxide in the car’s cabin. So make sure you pack a simple candle-powered heater. All you need is a metal can, a candle and a lighter. A candle can make a surprisingly effective ad hoc heater in the confined space of a car. Family Handy Man has a great tutorial on how to cheaply and easily make one. Check out another way to make a quick candle here.

2. Thermal Blankets

These will not set you back much financially but are important. They will help keep you and anyone else in the car warm if the worst happens. It’s pretty self-explanatory why you’d want some of these in a winter survival kit.

3. Hand and Foot Warmers

Hand and foot warmers work great, last for a long time, and help keep your fingers and toes comfortable. Toss in an extra pair of socks and gloves in your survival kit just in case you leave home without adequate pairs. These warmers work well for everyone and if you get a large enough box, you won’t have to worry about having enough warmth to last you for a few days. Hot Hands will last up to ten hours!

4. Safety Absorbent

Also an inexpensive item, safety absorbent will help if you do happen to get stuck by adding traction. Kitty litter can also work well, but safety absorbent will work better. You can pick up 8lbs of it for less than $12 too.

5. Foldable Shovel

Add a foldable shovel to your winter survival gear too. If you get stuck in the snow, you may need to dig your way out and digging out compacted snow from under the car or around the wheels is much easier with a proper shovel. A shovel that folds up will save you space in your car and be readily available for use if you happen to get stuck!

 

[Weedygarden]

Some related inf0.

https://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/preparedness-a-winter-survival-kit-for-your-car_10012019

I got this in an email. I could not find it online! Thank you!

 

[Peanut]

I’ve posted about these before… They are food ration bars that are made primarily to stock lifeboats on sea going vessels and some military applications. They are made by Survivor Industries, Inc. who have been around since the 80’s. I became aware of them in the early 90’s when I serviced a catscan not far from their headquarters in Oxnard CA. https://www.survivorind.com/

Their food ration bars have a shelf life of 5 years with a temperature range of –40˚F to 300˚F. They come in 1200, 2400 and 3600 calorie sizes. They are complete nutrition with all the daily allotment of vitamins and minerals etc. They are also non-thirst provoking. They are designed to feed people in a lifeboat at sea for weeks if necessary.

The complete details are here… https://www.survivorind.com/product/mainstay-240024-pack/ These details should answer any question you may have far better than I can.

I buy the 2400 calorie bars by the case and usually keep 2 cases around at all times. MS24-20 Mainstay 2400(20 pack) for $94.50, shipping across the US is about $30, they are heavy. That’s a 40-day supply of food for 1 person that doesn’t need to be cooked. The wafers/bars have a lemon flavor, actually quite tasty.

The company has many other emergency products which I have not tried. That said I’ve done business with this company for 28 years. My only complaint is that since they are geared toward suppling large shipping companies and militaries around the world their customer service for an individual can be slow, so be patient.

 

[Weedygarden]

I have in both my current git kits four of the military trioxine heat cooking tabs, good for heating a canteen cup full of water with no smoke and light weight. They make a foldable light"stove"that is just for using these tabs ,very compact....need to get a couple.

I have a foldable stove, but have never gotten the cooking tabs. I always thought I would use sticks or something around that I could find that would burn.

 

[joel]

Some time back an asian Man, his wife & two small kids were trapped in a road side snow storm.
Mother stayed in cat with to kids, father went looking for a home or store to get help.
Mother & kids were found safe in car & lived, father was found dead in a snow covered ditch.

 

[Terri9630]

I keep a few pint jars with freeze dried meals Vacuume sealed in them in my truck along with a little stove and water. Add water to the jar, put the jar on the stove and eat. If its cold out you may have to use body heat to warm the jar before starting the fire so it doesn't break from thermal shock.

 

[Weedygarden]

I keep a few pint jars with freeze dried meals Vacuume sealed in them in my truck along with a little stove and water. Add water to the jar, put the jar on the stove and eat. If its cold out you may have to use body heat to warm the jar before starting the fire so it doesn't break from thermal shock.

Great idea. You could also keep a metal cup for heating it up.

 

[Peanut]

I spent the night in a snow bank in upstate NY long ago. I had worked really late on a CT and started home during a snow storm.

Ironically I was run off the road by a snow plow! 10 minutes before I had stopped for a box of chicken w/sides and a large drink before the kfc near the hospital closed. I always kept an army surplus mummy sleeping bag in my truck. I cracked the windows a bit for fresh air and had dinner. Afterwards I listened to the radio for a while then climbed in the sleeping bag and went to sleep.

The same jerk who ran me off the road found me about 4 the next morning and pulled me out with his plow. He was very sorry, so he said!

I drove back to the little town, had breakfast, then went back to work on that pesky CT.

The event took my boy scout level of preparedness to a whole new level after that... You might say thats when my serious prepper attitude really began.

 

[Terri9630]

Great idea. You could also keep a metal cup for heating it up.

I've done it more than once. Usually when we are traveling and don't want to stop to eat or if we are traveling late and everything was closed.

 

[Weedygarden]

https://survivalblog.com/2021/05/29/equipping-vehicle-emergencies/

 

[Caribou]

Thanks Weedy, I have a folding shovel with coarse saw teeth on one edge. The opposite side I have ground down to a sharp edge and then placed duct tape on the sharp edge to protect both myself and the edge.