Could You Live in Your Car If You Had to?
Think of it as a cross between camping and being homeless.
Imagine you are driving, just a few minutes from returning home, when suddenly the roads are blocked and the authorities will not let you pass. It could be for many reasons – natural or manmade – storm damage, flooding, fire, chemical leak, train derailment, bombing.
The result is the same. It will be a few days before you can go home and all you have for survival is what is with you in the car.
From there, it’s not difficult to imagine emergency centers and motels filled and your only shelter having four wheels instead of four walls. But with a little mental preparation and designated trunk space for supplies, your vehicle can contain what you need to survive.
Where to Park
The real estate rule of thumb applies here: location, location, location. A well-chosen parking spot is a key element to sleeping well in a vehicle. Look for an area that is safe, but also lets you blend in enough to stay under the radar.
Position the vehicle with the path of the sun in mind, particularly at sunrise and the hottest part of the day. Shade trees are a plus in summer, while a structure that blocks the wind is good in winter. Don’t box yourself in. You want to be able to drive off quickly in the event of unwelcome company.
Public Land
Public lands such as national parks, forest preserves and similar areas are one of our country’s greatest treasures. Nearly every state has them and they offer some of the best hiking, climbing, fishing and hunting around.
They are also a great spot for a good night’s rest and the occasional shower and bathroom facility.
Retail Parking Lots
In an urban setting, a 24-hour superstore is generally a safe place to sleep. It may be a gray area legally, but many people do it and a security patrol might be sympathetic to your plight.
Highway Rest Stops
These are great places to stop for the night or a nap. Many have restrooms, making them ideal for freshening up.
Truck Stops
Not the most scenic, but certainly friendly to drivers looking for a place to rest.
Sleeping Arrangements
A comfortable bed is the key to car camping. The core components are, obviously, a pillow, blanket and padding to act as a mattress. What isn’t always obvious is arranging them in the vehicle.
A bit of acrobatics may be called for to find the sweet spot where one can stretch out between seat belts, armrests and other obstacles. Towels and blankets can be placed strategically to soften these.
If the seats don’t recline enough, consider folding the back seat forward and extending your available space into the trunk. SUV seats fold down to create a good sleeping surface.
Dark tinted windows offer privacy. For clear windows, black poster board can be cut to fit snugly in window frames. Dark towels can be tucked into windows to provide privacy and shade without advertising your presence.
Once you have your sleeping spot, keep it uncluttered and tidy. Drape a blanket over the back seat and the two front seats to block light and people’s views.
In winter, add a sleeping bag to your vehicle. Dress warmly inside the bag. Thermal underwear is best. Cover your head with a hat, scarf or hoodie.
I lived in a Ford Station Wagon when I became homeless due to a financial crisis.. I ran out of money and that was the crisis. Because i knew I was getting to the short end of my income, I prepared for the inevitable . I had a camp stove, water containers, buckets, a Medic gurney, and even a 12 volt pop-up TV. On the roof I grew vegetables, Made a Canvas wraparound for the tailgate for shower, and toilet. I lived almost 4 seasons in my Station Wagon. And yes, I used my buckets for washing my clothes. I did learn that you could eat a lot of sprouts while waiting for your first crop to mature, as well as add wild foods growing on the side of the road. SO can I live in my Car… YES… and remember that rain catchment can occur from the car or an inverted umbrella with holes in the center nearest to the pole.
I live in my RV but keep my truck equipped with essentials for just such an emergency, as well as keeping the gas tank as close to full as possible at all times. I’ve slept in my truck before; it helps that I’m not too tall.
My granddaughter parked in a motel lot & blended right in.
Very great ideas and practical advise.
My wife through me out once (no need to know more) and since then I have kept a mini bug out bag. If you work one set of work clothes, one or two changes of underwear and a typical ditty bag tooth paste shampoo etc. Dont forget flashlight . I also saved several rolls of TP used down to 1/2 way they fit nice in the bag. (slip the small hotel shampoo bottle in the center ). A roll of Quarters helps in the vending machines as in Rest Stops and to do laundry etc. Also I always have a bottle of water and an MRE tucked away, I have towelx but will be adding a blanket and more dark towels for teh windows thanks for that idea
A “bug out” bag from Fortress Clothing should be on your essential cold weather survival gear list! This stuff is truly amazing! I have personally tested their gear riding ATVs here in WV at 5 below zero..
What you don’t mention is food. I would think that keeping snack bars in the car would also be easy to store in the car in summer or winter, as well as a jug of water, especially in summertime. Just make sure they are fruit and nut bars and not containing chocolate which could melt.
under the radar suggests lack of air movement, open area with air movement
reading some of your comments it reads how to die in your car.carbon monoxide
I think that is why you should always keep a window cracked on both sides of the vehicle… air flow! And you know that urine is a great electrolyte for a DIY battery so you can actually use a light bulb instead of a candle, and if you need a small heater in the winter… while living in a station wagon, and I found a way to heat with 4 candles without the problem of soot getting in the air. If interested, I submit a method I found to work.
If stranded in really cold weather, the means to build a fire can be a life saver. I suggest a few roadside magnesium flares, a sleeping bag, cell phone, wool blanket, dry change of clothes, Two days of freeze dried food and at least one gallon of drinking water.
A “Get Home Bag” is the best bet. It would include all of the above with additions.
Tarp: for shelter/signal{one with a reflective side/orange side},small camp stove w/kit, MRE’s,freeze dried food,H2O, TNHoutdoors.com and outdoorvitals.com sell top quality bags and pads direct to the consumer for inexpensive gear.
More important than sleeping gear, which is important, are things like a supply of bottled water, enough for three days, high energy food for the same amount of time, first aid kit, toilet kit and provisions for waste disposal. Key items, copies of your birth certificate, passport, drivers license, concealed carry permit, small stash of cash, extra cell phone and extra battery, knife, firearm, ammunition. And yes I have been forced to “camp out” in a vehicle a few times, and the first time I wasn’t prepared.