The car

[Pete Grey]

I’ve posted a lot about the camper so i thought i’d say something about our everyday transport for a change, ( just an other boring list, so i apologise in advance).

Being everyday transport it’s also our GHV and reserve BOV should there be a problem with the camper.

It’s an ordinary small family saloon, eighteen years old, so more people can probably relate to this rather than a 4x4 or motor home.

As it’s used everyday we have to make sure it’s practical for everything, general shopping, social use, trips to diy stores, trips to the tip etc. so it’s not kitted out like a safari wagon.

With any car the essential thing is to keep it well maintained and if things need replacing use good quality parts, for example i have replaced the rubbish OE jack with a good two tonne scissor jack.

In the space under the rear seat is a large tarp 5m x 4m some paracord, some tent pegs and a hammer, if i need to make a shelter. I also have a tow rope and a couple of pairs of work gloves.

In one door pocket is a pouch, duplicate EDC, led torch, spare batteries, knife, cigarette lighter, 12v phone charger. There are also some chocolate bars and a 500ml water bottle.

The other door pocket holds a FAK, local maps, general road atlas, a compass, chocolate bars and water bottle.

In the boot/trunk is a 12v compressor, tyreweld, jumper leads, folding shovel and a pair of grip mats (work on mud/grass as well as snow). I only keep a few basic tools as there is very little the average driver can do with cars even nearly 20 years old, but i do carry a pry bar and a syphon pump if i need to scavenge fuel.

The few spares i carry are bulbs, fuses, wiper blades, winter screenwash and brake fluid. A couple of years ago i had a rear wheel cylinder burst so i carry a clamp for a flexible brake hose (if it happens again it might keep me going).

My normal EDC is in a black daysac (either with me or in the car behind driving seat) which i can upgrade to a decent GHB with extra stuff (coincidently in a stuff sac) i won’t bore you with a list of contents. The stuff sac is in the boot with two 2litre bottles of water and three days food, an esbit stove and billy cans, this is if we have to hunker down before heading for home. From late autumn we keep two sleeping bags in the car.

That is the cars current everyday setup, if anyone can think of anything to improve it please post.

If the car is needed for a BO i’ve recently made up crate with a tent, another 5 x 4 tarp, camping gaz stoves, gas cartridges, candles, two empty folding water containers, extra food, first aid and meds, this crate is work in progress and is constantly being added to.

All the above is a waste of time and money if when you need it the fuel tank is nearly empty, never let the fuel gauge drop below halfway, that is your emergency reserve, if parking the vehicle up for some time keep it full, this leaves no space for condensation to build up in the tank.

I have tried to do nothing to the car or it’s contents that would make it stand out or give anyone cause to stop it, the grey man approach.


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