Many people only store water in their homes in case of an emergency. However, keeping water in your car for the same purpose is equally important.
You never know when you may encounter a breakdown, an unexpected disaster, or other unpredictable events that can leave you stranded on the road.
The best way to store water in your car for an emergency is to use containers made of food-grade material such as stainless steel.
Be sure to buy leak-proof containers, so your water doesn’t spill in your car. Choosing containers that will fit in your vehicle is also essential, as space is limited.
Storing Water In Your Car For An Emergency
Storing water in your car is a great way to be prepared for unexpected disasters, breakdowns, and other unpredictable events. Staying hydrated is essential in any emergency situation, and having water on hand can help you stay safe.
In addition to staying hydrated, having enough water on hand can also help if you become stranded.
I recommend storing at least 1 gallon of water per person in the car. This way, you have enough water to last until help arrives or until you can find another water source.
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You should also rotate the water in your car every 6 months. This way, you can ensure your stored water is still safe for consumption.
Storing Water In Cold Weather Conditions
The main concern when storing drinking water in cold weather is freezing temperatures. Water expands by 9% when it freezes, which can cause the container to break. For this reason, choosing a container that can expand and contract in response to the weather is essential.
Stainless steel or plastic containers are great for storing water in cold weather. Be sure to leave at least an inch of space between the top of the container and the water line if it expands when it freezes.
Other tips for storing drinking water in cold weather conditions:
- Store water in the car’s passenger compartment, which is warmer than the trunk.
- Insulate your water with a Mylar blanket to keep it from freezing.
- Fill the container at most three-quarters full to allow for expansion.
Storing Water In Hot Weather Conditions
The average car temperature during the summer can be up to 86°F hotter than the outside temperature. When storing water in your vehicle, you must remember PET plastic bottles are vulnerable to temperatures higher than 122°F.
When temperatures reach this level, the plastic breaks down quickly. It releases toxins into your drinking water, leaving you with a plastic taste.
Even if you keep the water inside an insulated container, I recommend storing drinking water in quality BPA-free plastic or stainless-steel bottles.
Other tips for storing drinking water in hot weather conditions:
- Keep the water out of direct sunlight.
- Use an insulated container to keep your water cooler for longer.
- Choose containers that are light in color, as darker colors absorb heat more quickly.
Choosing The Right Containers For Storing Water
Choosing the proper containers for storing water in your car is essential. Stainless steel and BPA-free plastic containers are great options, as they are durable and can withstand extreme temperatures.
PET plastic containers are only intended for short-term use, as they are vulnerable to heat and may release toxins into your drinking water.
The size of the container will depend on how much water you need to store. Generally speaking, 1-gallon containers are a good choice for storing enough drinking water for one person.
BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottle
Plastic bottles with a BPA-free design are undoubtedly the optimal choice for drinking water in your car. Not only are they light and shatterproof, but they can also be reused multiple times and contain no harmful toxins.
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Most bottles come in an array of sizes so that you can select the perfect one for your purposes, and they can be placed in the dishwasher when they need cleaning. On top of that, these plastic bottles are very cost-effective—a great way to save money while prioritizing your health.
Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Stainless steel water bottles have become increasingly popular over recent years as a convenient and cost-effective way to stay hydrated on the go.
Not only are they often fashionably designed and come in multiple colors, sizes, and shapes for various lifestyle needs, but also stainless steel provides an array of additional benefits that other materials cannot match.
Its rust-resistant nature is perfect for outdoor activities in varying weather. Its excellent heat conductivity makes it ideal for the insulation of cold liquids or hot beverages – all-encompassed by lightweight construction that won’t break down in extreme conditions.
Most importantly, these versatile bottles are equipped with carabiner clips to easily attach to backpacks, belt loops, or even car interiors, allowing access to your favorite beverage while remaining perfectly secure at all times.
Foldable Water Bag
Foldable water bags are great for storage as they are quite compact and easy to store away for future use.
When filled with water, they can hold up to 3 gallons of liquid and are perfect for storing emergency water in your car’s trunk or backseat.
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Most foldable water bags are made of food-grade polyester and are designed with a leakproof spigot, making it easy to fill up water bottles or other containers when needed.
Jerry Cans
These heavy-duty containers are designed to withstand extreme temperatures. Jerry cans range from 1.3 gallons to 6.6 gallons and are great for storing enough water for a family outing.
Most jerry cans are made of corrosion-resistant aluminum or plastic; some even come equipped with a tap for easy water dispensing. However, they can be quite heavy when full of water and thus are best used when storing large quantities of water.
Emergency Water Ration Packets
These pouches are designed to withstand high pressure, so they won’t burst easily even if a car drives over them.
They are also lightweight, so you can easily carry them in your vehicle without wasting too much space.
The packets usually come in a pack of 96, which can sustain one person for 24 to 40 days. This makes them an excellent option for long-term storage and emergency preparedness.
The Best Places To Store Water In Your Car
Once you have the right containers, storing them in the right places is essential. You’ll want to keep water in places that are easily accessible and out of direct sunlight. Here are some of the best spots to store water in your car:
- Spare tire well: Water pouches are the best option for this spot as it is small and dark, which will help keep your water cool.
- Trunk: A trunk is an excellent option for storing large containers. Make sure it’s secure and away from any heat sources.
- Door side pockets: The door side pockets are great for smaller containers. They will be easily accessible when you need them.
- Under passenger seat: If you have room under your car’s front passenger seat, it’s a great spot to store water containers. Under the seat will also keep the water out of sight and away from direct sunlight.
- Glove box: Glove boxes are a bit cramped but can be used to store smaller containers if you plan on keeping a few separately for easy access.
Storing water in your car is essential to ensure you are prepared for emergencies. It will help keep you hydrated and even save lives in a breakdown or other disasters.
Ensure you get the correct type of containers and properly store them in your car for easy access.
With these tips, you can be sure you and your passengers will be safe during any journey.
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That is too heavy. Just keep a small ceramic filter that pumps water out of a mud puddle and makes it drinkable. If you do store water in bottles, put some iodine drops in it like Lugol solution. That way it helps keep the water sterile and gives you the iodine boost for a nuclear attack.
I have had a case or two of bottled water in the the trunk of my car for years (along with a bug-out bag). Quick buy at the store, flat for storage, and easy to drink. If I need more I know where to drive. Have a great day.
That’s not safe. High heat will leach chemicals into the water.
I keep a full US 2qt canteen in the floorboard of my truck, a few bottles of water under seats and in door holds. Also have a Lifestraw and water purification tabs in my EDC bag. Having clean water is a must for survival. I also keep a foldable dog bowl in my kit so my Corgi can have a drink too.
Dehydration can kill you quicker than you think!!!
We keep US Military 5 gal water Jerry Cans which are light desert colored in our bug out vehicle along with water filters in case we run out. We have a camo colored M-1009 which we highly recommend for a bug out vehicle. Diesel motor, many radios to include a CB and camping gear just in case. Stay safe, the SHTF is getting closer by the day!
This solution is for the DIY inclined. Don’t be deterred from tring this if you’re not DIY inclined as it is a simple project. I live where the winter temperatutes can hover around zero for weeks on end, and the lows can reach -50F. To keep liquid water and other supplies from freezing or from frequent/extreme thermal cycling do the following: first put your water etc. Into a good ice chest. Buy a T.E.G. (Thermal Electric Generator). These are purchasable through the likes of Amazon.com for about a dollar and are a little bigger than an inch on a side and a quarter of an inch thick.). You can wire a T.E.G. to a very small power source (the T.E.G. has two wires). If you wire the polarity to the T.E.G. one way it provides heat. The opposite way provides cold. Also buy a small biscuit fan, a heat sink the same size as the TEG and a tube of thermal paste (used by ensuring the good surface-to-surface mating of heat sinks to computer processors). Lastly buy a solar panel intended for keeping you vehicle battery topped off. With these things you can cobble together a system inside of the ice chest to keep it warm without depleting your vehicle battery. It also provides you with an emergency trickle charger for your vehicle battery. You can be creative and scavange something to build a frame out of that will allow you to hold the assembly of the biscuit fan, T.E.G and heat sink. The heat sink should be mated to the hot side of the T.E.G. using the thermal paste and the fan should be positioned to blow downward on the heat sink. I recommend that the frame containing the assembly be attached to the inside of the cooler near the top with a good epoxy. You can wire the solar panel to the T.E.G and fan in series. Put the solar panel in a windown of your vehicle that faces South when it’s parked so that it generates as much power as possible. Remember to insulate all of the electrical connections well and give the fan room to breathe. If you want to you can use an unkeyed socket between the solar panel and T.E.G. assembly so that you can easily reverse the polarity to the ice chest converting it to cold storage instead of warm storage. I hope some of you give this project a try and enjoy cobbling it together.
How about using just an old Thermos bottle? They’re made for handling most weather conditions, they’re small and can fit under a seat, but keep away from interfering with the wiring!
IF a thermos isn’t enough for TWO people for 1 or 2 days someone is splurging on quaffing water!
You quickly find out who your friends are when it comes to CONSERVING water or food! There’s always someone who cannot think even an hour in the future, let a lone a day or two.
I have some of those water pouches, but they are now passed their printed expiration date. I am still keeping them JUST IN CASE there is a true emergency and I figure “expired” water is better than no water. Unless of course the packaging breaks down and becomes toxic or something, which in that case I guess you’re screwed if that’s your only option.
sorry – but unless you’re in a dry climate & remote area I don’t see the necessity – have your canteen type carry container to fill and treat/purify if necessary – flexible collapsible bag type water bladders for adding water to the situation ….
but if you want some water along on your daily commute – have an everyday carry bag with a few bottles along with other EDC goods >>> screwing around keeping water from freezing or busting loose in a car just isn’t worth the hassle for most people ….
Try keeping your containers upside down when freezing conditions exist. The top of the water will freeze first and if right side up this will colg the output. I take a gallon jug to the blind when hunting and keep it upside down in a cut off bottom of another gallon. This keeps it upright and inverted and when I return next day the ice is on top of the gallon and I can still get liquid around the ice. Unless weather drops below 0 f than I just transport enough water each day. I use a butane stove to heat coffee and soup during the day. I typically consume a quart or more (depending) on activity level and it is harder toting each day than having a stash for several days. I heat more water than necessary for my drink and pur some back into the jug, raising the temp enough to melt the ice (somewhat). When winter camping I keep several bottles of water in my sleeping bag to have liquid water for coffee and oatmeal in the AM. I keep the 5Gal water jug upside down but sometimes it freezes hard and we have to filter stream water and boil that to get the big jug loose. Hey I never said it was easy!
Depending on the distance I am going will depend on how much water I take with me,
Put most every day I am driving I will take at least up to a gallon with me,
Not having to buy your water saves a lot, , If you have good water out of your home
tap, Water improves your health in so many ways and body function . your bone health, Eyes sight, Heart and blood, and brain, Just to name a few,
You can dedicate it to multiple people
Thank You. All interesting and useful.
I keep a small cooler on the back floor of my truck. It’s LESS likely to sit in the sun that way.in it I put enough 16oz bottles of water to fill it up. I have to have any of them freeze or get more than a tad warm. I keep an empty metal bottle to use if I need to warm/cook something on the fuel tab stove in my BOB. I don’t like the metal taste a metal bottle leaves in my mouth so I don’t keep water in it. I have used water pouches as well out of convenience. I also keep a lifestyle in my BOB as well as the glove box. If I go on a longer trip I will toss a gallon or 2 of water in the truck as well.
Life straw not life style. I hate the dang spill chicken app that changes the words to what IT wants to say.