What do you keep in your car/trunk?

[bonybynatur2003]

I'm just wondering since my husband and I always seem to disagree about what is necessary to have in the car. He thinks there should be nothing in the car at all, while I like to keep 2 towels in the trunk and a change of clothes. I was also looking into a trunk organizer and the little trash can that clips to the gear shift as I dont litter and usually throw my garbage on the passenger seat floor, then clean it out when I gas up...he absolutely cant stand that I do that.

We just bought a car that is a spare (#4) that we will be sharing. We each have our main vehicles that only we primarily drive, but this one is going to be the car that gets all the "out of town miles" on it. I travel extensively during the week for school, and he does most of his traveling on the weekends for work.

So I was wondering-what do my fellow TPFers keep in their cars? What is it that you absolutely cannot live without?

Also-It seems like all the car fresheners out there suck. Do any of you have a favorite that you use?

[plain jane doe]

Whatever is needed should the car break down. Spare tire etc plus whatever gear is seasonable appropriate for being stranded on the roadside. Sometimes a plastic bag for trash.

[Necromancer]

In my boot/trunk there's a spare tyre and jack etc, a large subwoofer and several empty green shopping bags.

[Christine]

Sad. All I have in my *trunk* right now is a 24 bulk pack of toilet paper from Costco that has been traveling with me for the last month or so. Guess I could TP passing cars if I broke down...

I used to be better than that.

[PrincessCayenne]

My SUV actually comes with a full toolkit under the trunk floor for flats and such...not that I would ever even know what to do with most of those items...

I also keep a pair of "comfy" shoes, an ice scraper and tons of $5's in the hidden drawer (for those times when you need to tip the valet or forget your wallet and want a latte :))

[lovemysavior]

In the back of my SUV you will usually find my 3 year old's little back pack with a change of clothes. I try to toss all of the clutter but occasionally you will also find a sweatshirt or two.

[truegem]

Chairs, gatorades, and water for soccer or rugby games. A foldup blanket to sit on tbe ground when I want. A pair of shoes. A emergency overnight kit with toothbrush/paste, soap, lotion, facewash, tampons. Magazines. About 4 umbrellas...I could go on and on...lol!

[Vinyl]

Umbrella, box of tissue paper, my sunglasses & reading glasses (I wear them when I'm driving somewhere unfamiliar & need to be able to read the street names clearly!), my dad's glasses, my mom's glasses (go figure). There's a towel laid flat in the trunk area in case we buy food that may be somewhat wet or drippy (won't ruin the carpet).

I need a mini trash can.

[chessmont]

I have a roadside assistance kit (packed in its own box - bought it s a kit - with warning flares to set up if the car beoomes disabled, and some other stuff which I can't remember - oh jumper cables, too.

I have some spare old bathtowels.



Box of Baby wipes.

Extra pair of sunglasses.

Rubber/leather LL Bean rain/snow shoes in case I am wearing sandals or high heels etc, and I have to get out and walk.

a few extra nylon dog leashes. Sometimes one sees a poor, loose dog that will come to you, and I have a leash just in case.

A few spare plastic trash bags.

roll of toilet paper, box of kleenex.

And, no, I don't live in my car

[Jeneen]

beach chairs, a jack, donut, and jumper cables, a funnel, coolant, armorall wipes, umbrella, and some books that I haven't cleared out yet.

[GhstDreamer]

Besides a spare tire, first aid kit, extra pair of shoes (years ago one of shoes broke and I was so happy to have an extra pair in the trunk!), and a cardboard box.

[ssc0619]

Having had my car breakdown in a snowstorm before, in the winter I carry:

shoes I can walk a long distance in
blanket
flashlight
heavy duty gloves
ice scraper and snow brush
water



in the summer I carry:

fold up chair
water
blanket
flashlight
umbrella
walking shoes

[Moonstarr]

I have a spare tire (I assume there's a tire iron and jack ... although I don't know!), a blanket, an extra pair of gloves/scarf for winter (I just keep them in there all year), windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze fluid, funnel, cleaning wipes for car interior, bungy cord ties, flashlight, tool kit (screw drivers, etc.), power cord for the winter (blockheater), some tote bags, ice scrapper/snow brush, shovel, garbage bag with some cans for recycling. I think that's about it. I keep thinking I should get a first aid kit as well.

I keep editing this as I keep thinking of more things!

[PagePT11]

I have a first aid kit, a folding chair, sleeping bag, emergency car kit (jumper cables etc.), and ice/snow scrapper.

[stacmck]

All I carry in my trunk is the spare tire, an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid, a gallon of water, a blanket, and an ice scraper.

And for car fresheners, I like the Yankee candle ones.