Where do you store your food, Is it safe to store it in the car?

[theoutbackdream]

Hello all,

As a backpacker, I've always had the mindset to carry light weight foods such as dehydrated foods, or non-perishable(canned) goods. Perishable goods depending on the trip. Nonetheless, put them quite far away from you while at camp. Now that i've come into the overland scene a little, I've noticed that some overlander's have fridges in the car and often carry perishable foods that put together a delicious meal that I couldn't even imagine while backpacking....

But, is it even safe to leave food in the car? My only worry is if you have wild animals, like a bear, come and smell these foods, they'll try to go through your things and damage your car while they're at it.

Thanks!

 

[krax]

I store food in the vehicle, but I don't cook directly out of the back so I'm not too worried about the scents. I keep my key fob nearby when I go to sleep. My theory is that if an animal is curious about the vehicle, a sudden noise/light from it would discourage the animal. Probably less effective on bears that are used to people.

I do hang a bear bag when backpacking.

 

[trikebubble]

I keep the fridge in the rig along with all foodstuffs. Never had an issue at all. We had a big cat come strolling by one night, and he seemed more interested in what was up in the rooftop tent than the food in the rig.

Sent from the Mountains

 

[dblack]

Very safe to leave the food in vehicle.

Having said that precautions still need to be made. Seal food in the cooler, in bags and dry boxes etc. Don't leave a dirty camp. Don't dump your food leavings around camp and don't dump dish soap, toothpaste etc close to sleeping quarters and they'll leave you alone.

Leave your garbage around camp and yogi will be sniffing around looking for more. He may smell the things in the car and be curious but it's unlikely.

If he starts knocking on the window you should have time to at least shine your flashlight in his eyes before he gets in. :-)

 

[Ironhide Fx4]

How about with pick up beds? My RTT will be above the bed of the truck. I'm thinking I should move the cooler from the bed and either throw it in the back seat or slide it under the truck. I'm not sure which is best yet. I will be in grizzly territory this summer.

 

[krax]

I'd be more concerned with dry goods and any garbage from cooking than things that are sealed inside a fridge or cooler, but if you've got room inside the cab, why not?

 

[Luis Merlo]

Small Cooler (beer...lol)...larger cooler (meats , milk, bread etc) and larger "kitchen box" frying pan, kettle, chopping board and all the related food prep needs....

 

[dblack]

How about with pick up beds? My RTT will be above the bed of the truck. I'm thinking I should move the cooler from the bed and either throw it in the back seat or slide it under the truck. I'm not sure which is best yet. I will be in grizzly territory this summer.

That's exactly my configuration. Rtt above the truck bed. Don't put the cooler or anything food related under the truck (it's fine while you're in camp). Put it either in the bed of the truck or in the cab. I put mine in the bed for convenience.

 

[CDN Offroader]

How about with pick up beds? My RTT will be above the bed of the truck. I'm thinking I should move the cooler from the bed and either throw it in the back seat or slide it under the truck. I'm not sure which is best yet. I will be in grizzly territory this summer.

Grizzlies are different. Some hunters I know had the camper torn off their truck by a grizzly who was after their moose. Definitely take full bear precautions in grizzly country.

 

[dblack]

Small Cooler (beer...lol)...larger cooler (meats , milk, bread etc) and larger "kitchen box" frying pan, kettle, chopping board and all the related food prep needs....

That's a nice daytime setup while you're in camp. Looks good.

At night of course, I'd suggest you slide the food boxes/coolers and anything cooking related into the car for safety.

 

[Billy "Poserlander" Badly]

Also, keep in mind that in some areas, bears recognize coolers and have been known to make the extra effort to get into vehicles if they can see them. So, if you stow them in your rig, throw a blanket over them.

 

[The other Sean]

View attachment 19391

Small Cooler (beer...lol)...larger cooler (meats , milk, bread etc) and larger "kitchen box" frying pan, kettle, chopping board and all the related food prep needs....

Correct me if I'm wrong, But there are no bears in Australia?

 

[trikebubble]

Correct me if I'm wrong, But there are no bears in Australia?

Sent from the Mountains

 

[Jeepney]

Also, keep in mind that in some areas, bears recognize coolers and have been known to make the extra effort to get into vehicles if they can see them. So, if you stow them in your rig, throw a blanket over them.

Can bears recognize between a Yeti and RTIC? I imagine they scoff at RTIC coolers.

 

[dblack]

Can bears recognize between a Yeti and RTIC? I imagine they scoff at RTIC coolers.

I think they look for anything that says "bear proof" on it and open those first.

 

[Billy "Poserlander" Badly]

Can bears recognize between a Yeti and RTIC? I imagine they scoff at RTIC coolers.

They'll attack either, but they expect Yeti coolers to contain filet mignon, and RTIC coolers to contain hamburger helper.

 

[Ironhide Fx4]

This thread just went in a hilarious direction. Wonder what they expect in my Coleman extreme cooler with no fancy latches or locks...

 

[dblack]

This thread just went in a hilarious direction. Wonder what they expect in my Coleman extreme cooler with no fancy latches or locks...

Water. [emoji851]

 

[Luis Merlo]

lol

 

[Billy "Poserlander" Badly]

https://www.outsideonline.com/2167046/6-ways-keep-animals-raiding-your-camp-food

For reference, though I doubt any of this is news to anyone here... (plus, oh yeah, cooler recognition!)