Just for fun and practice

[hintonlady]

Some people have to travel for work. Some people travel for pleasure. Although having a well stocked home is nice it's nicer still to take the foil hat off to escape for a break.

Lets assume one person is on the road alone. They have space for an average sized foot locker in the trunk of their car, back of truck, belly of camper. Limited to one trunk. This is an exercise in creativity folks.

Now assume TEOTWAWKI has struck. This one person is at a random motel on the road, maybe in a city may be rural. They need the trunk to survive. Could be short term survival but prepared for long term. May be 1000's of miles from home. May make it home, may not due to emergency. The trunk is all there is. I'll throw in a wagon or bike as a bonus to make trekking your stash easier if you so choose.

Now, tell me what you jam pack this trunk with?


Mre's?
Guns and ammo?
Garden seeds for a crude new homestead?
Folding shovel and axe?
Extra socks and first aide?
Your entire existance depends on and begins in this trunk.
...you get the idea.

[mpillow]

Did I fill up(gas) before checking in?

[Pam6]

The chances that I would be alone is slim to none! I have 6 kiddos and it is a very rare occation that I would be out none of them. Most likely I would have anywhere from 3 to all 6. I have given this some thought (just this past week) and I have started to make up a couple bookbags for just such an emergency.
It is winter time now so I would put in hats and gloves for everyone...we so often go out of the house without all of that on our person.
Water is one of my big concerns because I cannot leave it sit in the van or it will freeze and bust.
I would need diapers for the baby, heavy socks and walking shoes for 4 yo dd because she is near always wearing dress shoes.
Food....not sure....jerky, crackers, tuna cracker packs.
I near always have my CCW on me.
I would head home whatever it took also.

[AngieM2]

Pam6 - why can't you carry water? Just don't fill the bottles all the way up and it can freeze and expand and not bust.

[Ernie]

I already carry this, because as some of you know I do travel a lot far from home.

Two rainproof ponchos
A broadbladed knife
A small camping cook kit
A bedroll
8 pairs of warm socks
an extra pair of comfortable boots
2 military-style canteens
Swiss fire starter
3 days canned food (1 can of ranchstyle beans, 1 can of corned beef hash per day)
Box of 9mm ammo
1 9mm pistol
atlas of the United States (good maps of every state showing not just the highways)

I also usually carry a bit of cash in case for some reason stores aren't accepting credit cards, or I run into people who will give away their precious survival gear for fiat currency.

All of this fits into one backpack that fits behind the seat of my truck. Anything bigger than that would be too odious to carry.

[hintonlady]

The way I imagined the scenario was when I was on a trip to pigeon forge and feeling a bit antsy away from home.

I pictured packed highways and semi useless cars. Sure a full tank but sometimes life leads you to half a tank between exit signs, you know? Then a 4 wd assuming you have one may or may not get stuck at an exit behind a geo that tried to shortcut, lol.

I say a trunk per person. I have kids so that can be interesting too. Not trying to make strict "game" rules. My mind wandered on my trip and I really wondered what I would do with a trunk and 700 miles from home. Sometimes my hubby travels for work and it wierds me out. I fill the nervous time with tin foil fantasy.:banana02:

Mostly I was at a loss as to how to start from scratch on the road if emergency or catastrophe forced me too. I'm not that prep savvy and am genuinely curious what you guys come up with. A whole life starting in a trunk is waaay different than a temporary evacuation or delay in grid function.

It just struck me that I should have taken a longer vacation.

[hintonlady]

Originally Posted by Ernie

I already carry this, because as some of you know I do travel a lot far from home.

Two rainproof ponchos
A broadbladed knife
A small camping cook kit
A bedroll
8 pairs of warm socks
an extra pair of comfortable boots
2 military-style canteens
Swiss fire starter
3 days canned food (1 can of ranchstyle beans, 1 can of corned beef hash per day)
Box of 9mm ammo
1 9mm pistol
atlas of the United States (good maps of every state showing not just the highways)

I also usually carry a bit of cash in case for some reason stores aren't accepting credit cards, or I run into people who will give away their precious survival gear for fiat currency.

All of this fits into one backpack that fits behind the seat of my truck. Anything bigger than that would be too odious to carry.

Oh Ernie, I knew you wouldn't let me down. All in a backpack too. Any secrets as to how I can con my husband to stash one? lol

I see you moved, Alaska was my first bet but amongst the rubble and ash has a poetic ring to it. The growing season is too short in Alaska for pineapple. I could have told you that silly.

[Ernie]

Originally Posted by hintonlady

Oh Ernie, I knew you wouldn't let me down. All in a backpack too. Any secrets as to how I can con my husband to stash one? lol

Tell him he might die without it.

I've seen F-16 pilots cram more stuff into their pockets in case of emergency than the average American takes on a trip. Every winter it amazes me because I see people (usually women for some reason, but not always) broken down on the side of the road and staring at a flat tire in a thin bathrobe, cotton pajamas, and the equivalent of bunny slippers. With 4' of snow on the ground! They stand there waving their cellphones at the sky, frantically trying to get a signal so they can call for help.

Sometimes people ask me why I don't believe in evolution. As my proof of the flawed theory, I point to the human brain. Scientists argue that the human brain evolved as a survival mechanism for dealing with our environment. Every day I see many examples of idjits who disprove this theory. Clearly the brain is UNSUITABLE for this purpose.

The minute you unplug civilization, the dying starts.

[Spinner]

If I'm in my car I have a survival kit with the standard things including a tent and camp stove/oven.

If I could only have a trunk of stuff, I'd have:
2 knives
small pistol w/ammo
folding bike w/ saddle bags & basket to be traded for a horse ASAP
mylar poncho & blankets
My trusty old cowboy hat with the wire saw hat band and a few other goodies stashed in the liner
compass & pocket atlas
pemmican
a few loaves of survival bread
berkey bottle
change of clothing for the season
mess kit
hand held GPS & cell phone (which might or might not work depending on SHTF scenario)
pictures of family members
bar of soap w/ rags
fire starter
hiking boots
eatable wild plants book
roll of twine w/ fishing hooks
roll of duck tape
zip lock baggies

I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of things, but right off the top of my head that's what I'd grab to pack quickly.

My goal would be to get home.

[firegirl969]

I don't travel far from home due to my health, but if I did, this is what my trunk would have, a handle to pull with, wheels and contain:

sport berkley water bottle w/spare filter
7 pkgs of tuna/chicken salad with crackers
2 boxes of granola bars
several bags of jerky
7 pkgs of cheese/crackers
bag of bubble gum (to chew while walking and bored)
3 pairs of dry socks
2 pair of clean undies/bras
3 clean shirts
pistol/ammo
us atlas
cash in small bills
emergency silver blanket for warmth
bottle of muscle relaxers and pain pills to keep me moving
walkman radio with earphones and spare AA batteries to listen to what is going on in the world and to pass the time
rope
a few clothespins
duct tape
sunglasses
open-pollinated seeds
hand garden tools
good knife
multi-tool leatherman
hatchet
solar flashlight
bedroll
deoderant
bar of soap
toothbrush/paste

[Kari]

Here is my list, it is long and broken into 3 major parts. Some items overlap / duplicate each kit, however I am confident that we have enough on hand to mix and match to cover most contingencies.

Our car trunk is always perpetually full as we spend a lot of time outdoors. As you can see by the list, there is a lot of items and does not leave room for anything else in the trunk...like when going to get groceries.

The first set of items don't vary much by season with the exception of some winter specifics and are always in the trunk at all times...no exceptions.

In no particular order (and off the top of my head)

Car Trunk:
2 tents 5x6 and 9x7
3 tarps (various sizes)
2 sleeping bags
1 wool blanket
1 medium weight synthetic flee blanket
2 sleeping pads, one foam, the other a lightweight blowup type
2 folding and very lightweight camp chairs
I Coleman propane 2 burner stove
3-4 1 lb cans of propane
1 qt paint can stove
1 small coffee percolator
One MSR Rocket Pocket stove and 3 butane/propane canisters
1 qt paint can stove
1 axe
1 21" bow saw with extra blades
1 hatchet
2 LED flashlights
3 gallons of unopened water in various containers
Water treatment tablets
2 fishing poles and 1 small (larger paper back sized) but well stocked tackle box
1 laptop computer bag stuffed full of different types of on and off road maps...enough coverage for 1000's of square miles.
1 pair of good condition running shoes each
1 pair of lightweight and waterproof ankle high hiking boots
I tub of sanitizing wipes
2 changes of clothes, extra socks, both synthetic hiking and regular poly/cotton blend
2-3 coats of various warmth and material.
Umbrella
Small car repair kit: Wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, fuses, jumper cables etc
Tow rope

Extended travel and winter related:
Small snow shovel (stows on floor in back seat)
2 gallon container of kitty litter (traction help)
Traction boards
5 Gallons of gas

1 large Rubbermaid type container which has:
Personal and sanitary supplies
TP (3 double rolls)
Cooking utensils: small fry pan, 1 qt pot and lid, small 1 LT anodized aluminum kettle
Eating utensils: Forks, knives, spoons, plastic and tin dishes/bowls, can openers
Fire related: Wooden matches, BIC lighters, candles,
1 roll of mason twine (very strong BTW)
50 feet of 3/8" rope
4 bungee ropes
A few various sized plastic bags (bread, shopping, garbage, lawn)
One hurricane lantern
3 LT kerosene (mixed with citronella)
Small container liquid laundry soap
Small bottle of dish soap
Small hand /dish towels
Food condiments, salt, pepper, sugar etc.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate
1 plastic container (about 2-1/2 gallon) container with 3 day supply of canned/dry food. The food varies as it is rotated.


Some extra items taken if we go camping / hiking / vacation. Some of these items I interchange with my EDC and vice versa depending on the event.

MY BOB/GHB (my G/F's is similar but smaller) These are not always in the car.
Flashlight(s)
Compass
Map (of area(s) we are going to)
Wooden matches, BIC lighter
Swedish Steel
2 Candles
Multi-tool
Small folder knife
Fixed blade knife
Folding garden saw
Bear bells (lots of bears here if we have to walk off-road / cross-country
Bear spray - dual purpose....You can guess the other use, if ever required.
Trekking poles
MSR Rocket Pocket stove and usually 1-2 butane/propane canisters
3 LT water
Water treatment tablets
Personal hygiene: soap, toothpaste, deodorant
2 small rolls TP
2 traveler packs of baby wipes.
3-4 day supply of food. Dehydrated soup, jerky, rice, pasta, tuna/chicken in foil packages, crackers, tea, instant coffee, hot chocolate packs, Gatorade powder.
First aid kit. (bandages, OTC meds, Zincofax (baby rash cream), disposable gloves, straight razor blades, tweezers etc.
2 changes of clothes....t-shirts. socks, undies and a pair of synthetic hiking shorts and pants
Jackets (type depends on season)
Lightweight gloves
Leather work gloves
Extra eye glasses and screwdriver
Duct tape
Various twine, string
20 feet brass wire
Small sewing kit.
pocket radio with 4 extra batteries.
Hat (winter and a summer style)
Sun block (I don't need it, but others may)
Large Rubbermaid container of various easy to prep foods which is enough for 12-14 days.

My EDC (from an older post) Always on my person whether I am on foot or driving by car.
LED Mini-Mag-lite flashlight and spare batteries
Multi-tool
Nail clippers
Cellphone
Extra eyeglasses
Extra shoe and boot laces (I walk 9 miles round trip to work and back 2-3 days per week) I also bike to work a couple of days per week.
Extra pair of socks
Lightweight and waterproof jacket
1 LT (approx 1 quart) water bottle.
Extra 1 LT fold up water bottle
First-aid kit inside a doubled up zip-lock bag: Various bandages including a triangular and small tensor, small tube of antibiotic cream, Ibuprofen/Tylenol, no-name Imodium, anti-histamine, lip balm, about 10 feet of clear first-aid tape -useful for many other purposes.
One J-Cloth in a zip-lock bag
Several folded up paper towels in a zip-lock bag
1/2 roll of TP in a zip-lock bag
Traveler pack of Baby Wipes
Zincofax (baby rash cream) - millions of babies can't be wrong.
2 medium sized Glad kitchen catcher bags - hundreds of uses.
Bic Lighter
20 strike anywhere matches in an old pill bottle.
Small sewing kit with scissors and extra buttons of various sizes and colors, 6-9 safety pens.
Small MP3 player/radio and spare batteries - I don't listen to it much but I consider it a tool as the radio comes in handy for important news and weather reports
Pen and small notebook
Pre-paid $25.00 phone card.
4 local transit passes - comes in handy when the weather takes an ugly turn or I am not feeling well enough to walk or ride home.
8-10 dollars in coins of all denominations. These are kept in a 35mm film canister.
Couple of Cliff Bars and a couple of Granola Bars

[FrontPorch]

I just finished putting together my car emergency kits. At the bare minimum everyone should have the following on them or in their car at all times.

EDC (Every Day Carry, always within arms reach)

Multi-tool
Flashlight
Rain Poncho
Emergency Blanket
Hand Warmer or Sunscreen & Bug Spray (depending on season)
Lighter
Tissues
Cash
One MRE
One Granola Bar
One days Water
Mini First Aid Kit (Bandaids, Tylenol, etc.)

GHB (Get Home Bag, stashed in car)

TP
Sunglasses
Whistle/Mirror
Compass
First Aid Kit
Travel Size Toiletries
Tissues
Hats (sock cap or ball cap depending on season)
Gloves
Hiking Boots/Walking Shoes
2 Pair Socks
Underware/Sports Bra
T-Shirt
Longjohns
Hooded Sweatshirt
Jeans
Water Bottle w/ Filter
3 Days MREs
3 Granola Bars or other snacks
3 Days Water
Sleeping Bag

Ideally, if you had a trunk you could also have your BOB items that would include all camping/survival type equipment as well. Most can't fit all of that in the car on an every day basis though.

Being a woman of particularly small stature I'd have no choice but to try to band together with the locals to survive. No way I could travel safely the 1000 miles home or start over completely alone.

[NCLee]

IMHO, it all depends on your skills. Can you make a stove from a tin can and start a fire with flint and steel? Can you make water safe to drink without a commercial filter? Can you bake bread on a stick, if you have the basic ingredients? Can you bake a chicken, rabbit, quail, etc. in clay? Can you make a shelter from natural materials in your area?

When questions like this one arise, I think back to the pioneers crossing the states in covered wagons. Sometimes pushing handcarts or even walking with only what they could carry. If you've ever seen one of those wagons, the interior space is small. After loading plows, seed, axes, tools, cooking pots, etc. there wasn't much room left for other things. Those with the skills to use what nature provides, buffalo chips for fire, for example, were generally more successful than those who had to rely soley on what they could haul, IMHO.

In the situation presented by the OP, what goes into that trunk, has to be based on the individual's skills. Should be based on what they can carry, if they can't tote the trunk. Based on the premise of this question, it isn't likely the vehicle will make a l-o-n-g trip, for any number of reasons.

And, it'll depend on the locations/seasons involved. Here in the southeast conditions are much different from those in the southwest or the northern border states. What's needed for your starting point, the journey, and your destination.

Just some musing this morning about the trunk. OP, good topic. Thanks for starting it.

Lee

[gideonprime]

camp axe
foam yoga/sleeping mat
fixed blade knife
leatherman
Blankets 2 - cotton light weight (no need for wool in FL IMO. It's too dang hot here)
Browning 9mm and ammo 1 box
fire starter
magnifying glass
3 changed sox and undies
50' paracord
2 painter's plastic tarp
emergency space blanket
granola
jerky
oatmeal
3 cans chicken
5 tea light candles
canteen w/metal cup
backpack

[wyld thang]

dang it! I have a pic of my grandpa and his brother taken as they set out west from Minnesota(in winter, during the Depression). as soon as I can get it I will post it. He traveled from MN to WA hopping boxcars, getting beat up by the bouncers who would sweep the trains for hobos.

anyways, they each have a gunny sack. I wonder what what in it? I imagine a knife, a little food, maybe a blanket, and the clothes on their backs. He always said that trip was great fun! He would tell us granddaughters about the hobo camps and Grandma would shush him because that was innappropriate topic for little girls(heh)

cooking was catching a rabbit or fish, jamming it on a stick and torching it over a fire.

Anyways, at the very least, I would say great boots, socks, a good knife, warm coat, a blanket. And a head and hands full of skillz. An ax/machete is gravy

[lorian]

Great thread, I'm going to use the ideas to back a bug out bag for my son in CA....

[texican]

To fit into your rules hintonlady, I'd have to seriously downsize what I regularly carry in my truck. I have a double cab one ton diesel, with a full size toolbox in the back... full of tools, hand tools, axes, power tools, 18v tools, chains, files, etc. Back seat is full of stuff. Change of clothes, shoes, socks. Sleeping bag. Food: currently a case of chili, case of beef stew, two cases of vienna sausage, 20lbs of rice, 20lbs of beans, 40lbs of sugar. Assorted fruit, nuts, gum. One .300win mag rifle, 44 mag pistol, 200 rounds ammunition. Internal frame pack behind the seat. MSR Water purification filter. Water.

I have extra food, as I've been buying lately, and haven't gotten around to getting into the house or into the area set aside for food, in the barn.

When I travelled back and forth to AK, I had a complete set of log home building tools, including chainsaw. A months worth of food, winter camping gear.

If I followed your guidelines, I'd simply have my Lowe Expedition pack filled with my winter camping gear. A ruger .22 rifle and or pistol and a brick of ammo. If I have my winter gear in the pack, I'm ready for anything from AK bush to AZ desert. A weeks worth of dehydrated or pouched food.

I don't care how short or long the trip is, I keep a lot of munching food handy.

If I were to break down tomorrow in my vehicle, I daresay I could live a month out of my backseat... would have to procure more water, but that's not hard to do in this part of flooded e Texas.

I vehemently dislike travelling on airplanes... not because I'm afraid of flying... but because the safety natzis insist on their illusions of safety. I go NOWHERE without a leatherman. If I walk outside, if I get anything done around the house, I've had to come back in and put the leatherman on. Never leave home without at least three or four knives.

[NCLee]

I keep a Husky Utility knife in my pocket ALL the time. There's a Swiss Army knife on my keychain. Security guard at a hospital took that away from me one time. Still had my keys in my hand when I was inquiring about a family member's admission. Got it back when I left the hospital. Key's were in my pocket on the next visit. ;-)

Lee

[Blu3duk]

Originally Posted by Karihwanoron

Here is my list, it is long and broken into 3 major parts. Some items overlap / duplicate each kit, however I am confident that we have enough on hand to mix and match to cover most contingencies.

Our car trunk is always perpetually full as we spend a lot of time outdoors. As you can see by the list, there is a lot of items and does not leave room for anything else in the trunk...like when going to get groceries.

Where do you put your gold prospecting equipment!!!! but seriously you, like others have way to much weight in your packs to be toting them very far in an emergency..... car camping is one thing, carrying the camp on your back is totally a whole nother camel of a different color...... I aint really trying to nit pick, but have you [or anyone who keeps a pack loaded to grab and go] loaded your packs on your back and walked around the local high school/ college track several miles? [or just once]..... that is optimal conditions, flat, clear of little rocks and other debris and you can pick your weather styles.

Originally Posted by texican

To fit into your rules hintonlady, I'd have to seriously downsize what I regularly carry in my truck. ......
....... I go NOWHERE without a leatherman. If I walk outside, if I get anything done around the house, I've had to come back in and put the leatherman on. Never leave home without at least three or four knives.

I concur, I too have a similar laden rig, Ive had to toss stuff out of my cab so i could take a passenger along, kind of make s a fella nervous for the day. texican you can come visit anytime to Idaho, sounds like you would be able to handle our temperate climate too. I have had a Gerber multi-tool since way back in 1994 on my belt, the first one broke when i bit into something i should not have, they replaced it no charge, can you say friend for life?

Originally Posted by Ernie

I already carry this, because as some of you know I do travel a lot far from home.........
All of this fits into one backpack that fits behind the seat of my truck. Anything bigger than that would be too odious to carry.

I know this was a car trunk thread, but what happens when you fly out of your driving zone? do you take the bag with you too or acquire one when you arrive?

Originally Posted by hintonlady

The trunk is all there is. I'll throw in a wagon or bike as a bonus to make trekking your stash easier if you so choose.

Now, tell me what you jam pack this trunk with?

We aint traveled far from home for a few years now, but when we do it is usually a trip of a couple hundred miles one way or over a thousand to visit relatives..... so we pack prep items for an extended stay along the way or an event once we get there, if i had room for a wagon we woulda took it along, but what i have packed is 12 gauge, a couple of pistols and a couple of rifles when still owned them..... hard times ya know, desperate measures and all. We took along some bacon and we brought a along some beans..... [now git the battle of New Orleans out of yer head the rest of the day, Johnny Horton is smiling down upon me now!] We fill two to three rectangle milk cartons with our camp food and toss in the wannigan full of camp cook gear [cant take everything cause we have enough to outfit a couple camps still..... sorta] it makes for a lot less room for the grips full of clothes, but we managed [aint got teenage kids yet, merely 9, 7, and 5 now] also added in is my hunting/prospecting/fishing/hiking "day" pack and it contains of course a water filtration set up, so we cart along a 5 gallon coleman square jug and it starts out full if possible, road trip food consists of and is generally kept in a couple of coolers that fit in the cabin with us rather than tied down elsewhere [in the ford mini-van we got rid of it had a roof rack as does the expedition we have now, the old suburban did/does not, but it has more room than both the others] anyhow the road food is lunch meat of various types, hotdogs [yeah i know but they travel pretty good and the kids eat them] a couple different flavor cheese blocks to slice, yogurt, bananas and "seasonal" fruit [canned fruit is in the "trunk camp food"], kids cereal, milk, sandwich condiments, bread loaf, string cheeses, juices, chocolate chips, peanut butter and jams [some of this is also meant to be included in the short term just in case foods we take for extending the length it will last] obviously the perishables get et first and the longer lasting things go as they will and can even make it back home if nothing goes "wrong". and of course paper towels, and paper plates, and plastic tableware... and a couple bags of ice which can also be picked up along the way as long as no "emergency" happens. I try to take along minimal tools, but my minimal is usually way more than most folks rollaway boxes hold [yes i have to leave some behind for seed] I shudder to think what my RV would look like if we had a motorhome to travel in...... <----insert devious grin here, cause travel would mean PROSPECTING trips in the mountains for me!

sorry to be long winded.... i am told i kinda git that way sometimes.

William
Idaho

[firegirl969]

Adding matches to my trunk now. (I forgot them originally)