One thing you may want to try is this:
get a 2.5 gallon red plastic jug (or whatever storage device you prefer) and fill it with your chosen fuel.
Every time you tank up, first use the gas in the can, then when you start pumping fill the can up first then go on to top off the tank. This allows you to keep fresh gas in the can, you dont have to worry to much about the gas going stale.
Pick a container that seals up really well.
In referance to some of the answers here, I may be the one mistaken, but this is more of an “out in the truck doing chores” type kit than a “winter survival” or “arctic zombie apocolypse” kit. There is only so much that most people want to store in a vehicle.
So to reiterate, and in staying with the intent of the original post:
Some readily available source of food that you dont necessarily have to cook if you dont want to
A shovel to dig yourself out of a snow berm
warm blanket, and some of those chemical hand warmers (in case you can’t dig out or the car breaks down)
small amount of extra gas
Basic first aid kit
Something to start a fire
A good strong length of rope
Jump cables
A head lamp with a strobe function, great for working in the dark, or placing on top of your vehicle to signal for help.
I like the road flares idea… I have used those things down to -30 with no problem.
talking about storing a red can of gas in the back of a vehicle[/i]
I dont feel like there is much to be uneasy about with this as long as it is a well sealed can. Dont store it near heavy or sharp things that could crush or cut it and you should be fine, particularly if you use it in the above proscribed manner. Certainly dont store it near road flares if you decide to get some of those.
You could put it on the passenger side floor boards if you don’t regularly have passengers, or the back seat if no one site back there regularly. There is the option of a roof rack if you really want it out of the vehicle. Other wise it will probably be inside.
Another option may be to build a small cage (wood or PVC pipe maybe) to put the can in so that it is protected inside the vehicle. This cage could be bolted or strapped where ever you want in the cab or in the back.
Stowing extra gas in Jerry cans locked into a rack is one thing, but a plastic jug of gas unsecure is another (even if you have a bungee throught the handle to something fixed in your vehicle). In the event that I am involved in a vehicle roll over the last thing I want is gas inside the vehicle getting all over me and my supplies as I do want to immolate myself. There is a reason there are so many safety guide lines that the auto indusrty has to follow concerning gas tanks. . .and they still don’t have that down 100%.
Mooseknuckle, I hear you, and understand where you are coming from. I don’t mean to advocate unsecured storage of gasoline - people have to use some common sense when it comes to personal safety. But most of the time it is safe to store small amounts of gas somewhere inside of a vehicle as long as it is secure and well sealed. I would be very wary of the quality of the storage medium and take lots of care to make sure it is well secured against the possibility of roll overs.
For me the percieved gain outweighs the percieved risk. I drive very conservatively and feel pretty comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Others may not.