How can we store gasoline living in an apartment?

Posted by GirlWithWolf@reddit | PrepperIntel | View on Reddit | 27 comments

If things suddenly collapsed the mountains will provide everything I need, but I have also prepared an area to make surviving easier, especially at first. However, I am currently living in an apartment 600 miles from my safe zone in the mountains. Even with the most fuel efficient vehicles we will have to refill an 18-20 gallon tank at least once to get there.

As an apartment dweller what is the best (and safest) way to store that much fuel? I thought about a storage unit but they say no flammable liquids, it’s too much for our tiny apartment, and I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t think I’m a nut job if I ask to use their shed.

Thanks for any suggestions.

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Nice_Collection5400@reddit

Another issue is gas goes bad. You’ll constantly have to consume, refill over the months. Better just to keep your tank in your car full and buy it when you need it.

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Equivalent-Buyer-841@reddit

Here’s your solution - buy a diesel truck and add a large transfer tank. Between the regular vehicle tank and that you should have more than 600 mile range. Plus diesel is a better choice for SHTF situations. I’d also consider putting in a diesel storage tank at your bugout location.

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TwinIronBlood@reddit

If its an old diesel you could run it on veg oil which would be safe to store. Mix it with 20 percent diesel in summer. Add some petrol in winter.

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GirlWithWolf@reddit (OP)

Excellent, thank you. We wouldn’t have to make it 100% of the way but of course the closer the better, especially since we’ll be traveling through desert most of the way.

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Equivalent-Buyer-841@reddit

You need to include paper maps with a route that bypasses things like interstates (total gridlock), urban areas, etc. Plus lots of water now that you mention deserts. Why wouldn’t you have to make it 100 percent of the way? You plan to be walking? I’d also include some effort to EMP proof your bugout vehicle.

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GirlWithWolf@reddit (OP)

That’s an excellent idea about the maps and water. Yes, we could hike as much as needed (especially me, I’m a hiker) but if things go crazy the car is the safest option. I’ll read about emp proofing it. Thank you

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light_switch33@reddit

You can find ethanol free gas. Doesn’t have the same issue as the ethanol blends.

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AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit

This is a news sub, so, post on r/preppers for questions like this or post in our everything else weekly post.

I actually stock fuel as part of my hobby (tune engines to fuel) and preps. You don't store gasoline in such a confined area... gasoline is volatile and just flat out dangerous. (I say this from experience) Stick to Propane and diesel at worst if you have to. In your case, just keep your tank 3/4 full / fill often. Consider an economy car, they're more capable than most think, diesel economy cars even moreso... it isn't uncommon for 800 miles + per tank and much more modified. Propane can also be modified into any internal combustion vehicle expanding the range along with multiple uses... but thats a small rabbithole in mechanical modding and $3-500 in parts.

An EMPTY gas can (and other "refilling supplies" are still a VERY GOOD option for your apartment to expand the range of your vehicle in an emergency.

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GirlWithWolf@reddit (OP)

Oops sorry about that. Thanks for the info and for the other sub. I’ll show this to my brother he’s more apt on such.

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Western-Sugar-3453@reddit

Why not get a good road bike? You could do quite a lot in the car and cover the remaining distance on bike

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GirlWithWolf@reddit (OP)

Good idea, thank you. But there is 3 of us at the moment. I live with my brother and his gf moved in, but he and I could fit on it and toss her as a distraction device haha

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MycologistPuzzled798@reddit

Maybe if you can rent a small storage garage that allows vehicles and such.

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GirlWithWolf@reddit (OP)

Good idea. Would just need to make sure we can get to it.

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CandusManus@reddit

That’s the cool part, you can’t! You can increase the shelf life of gasoline with additives and stabilizers, but it’s going to degrade. The best way is to just rotate through. Fill cans when you fill the car. Refuel at home, refill both car and cans.

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CatoChateau@reddit

That's how I'm always confused about Mad Max movies. Like 30 years after the collapse of every thing, gas is still being refined. Like, how? The populace can't even maintain a water source except for a few endless springs held by warlords...

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CandusManus@reddit

Lore wise you had tribes take over manufacturies and that became their purpose. So you have the guzzoline people who have archaic rituals to keep the machines running. Mind you that ignores the fact that you have to then import the crude to refine, but that's outside the rule of cool.

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New-Doctor9300@reddit

Ah yes, storing an extremely flammable fuel source in a tightly packed area with multiple lighting points, what could possibly go wrong?

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berkingout@reddit

As an apartment dweller, the idea of someone doing this scares me greatly

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GirlWithWolf@reddit (OP)

We won’t put it in our apartment, I’m looking for alternatives.

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dooperdude69@reddit

bad idea man. When i lived in a small townhome, i stored my dirtbike in the front room over the winter. After about a month I became lethargic and confused. It clicked one day that it was the gas in my bike giving off fumes so i put it in the garage and problem was solved. That was only from 1-1.5 gallons in a closed tank.

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