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Homeless - safe to store propane/gas in car while sleeping?

mileena
Explorer
Explorer
Hi, does anyone have advice?

I am homeless, and live and sleep in my car. I want to buy a propane or gas camping stove burner so I can boil water to make spaghetti, etc.

I am thinking of buying this one:

Camp Chef Explorer Camping Stove from Amazon

Is it safe to store propane or gasoline next to me while I am sleeping in the car? Should I get a carbon-monoxide detector to mount in the car? There is no place I can store it outside at, and my self-storage facility is almost two hours away from where I live.

Thanks!

Also, where can I pull out my camping stove to cook, next to my car? Will any large parking lot or city street do?
95 REPLIES 95

WoodGlue
Explorer
Explorer
OP (Original Poster)

If you take a look at the first page I give a lot of useful information about receiving temporary aid. Please consider some of these solutions.

Storing the small propane bottles (The size of a big jar of mayonnaise) is ok to do without any danger.

Best of luck to you.

WoodGlue
2002 Land Rover Discovery II
2014 Lance 1685 - Loaded - 4 Seasons - Solar - 2 AGM's
When Hell Freezes Over - I'll Camp There Too!
Lance Travel Trailer Info - Lance 1685 Travel Trailer - Lance 1575 Trailer

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
bigcitypopo wrote:
.... I stand in line at 7-11 at 11pm to get a cup of coffee and watch "less fortunate" souls buy alcohol with their EBT card. and then hand it to their buddies... as they pull their iphone out of their pocket.Oh jeez.... here comes a rant...


Not a rant by any means! Just the facts, sadly.

The past few years I have come across so many people that are 'upper income' applying for ssi that do not deserve it AND 'getting it', simply because they have the money to pay SS lawyers to get it for them. 😞 It's the new food stamps craze only a whole lot more money involved. I know someone that was so ticked off her neighbor who is way upper income got ssi that she hired a lawyer to get it also and did. Paid 6,000 in lawyer fees. Her pay back will be in less than 6 short months. Most ssi today is purchased by people who don't need it.

So, IMHO don't get all teary eyed when someone tells you they are on ssi, because today 90% of them shouldn't be on it.

I see people on ssi, food stamps, etc that by the time they are getting all they can, they take home more per month than a hard working middle income person does after taxes.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

2112
Explorer II
Explorer II
rockhillmanor wrote:

... BUT she has successfully trolled and netted 9 pages to entertain herself ....

And me! I was entertained reading the 9 pages.
I found the attacks towards her the least amusing though.

She asked about storing propane, not to be judged or lectured or are the prisons full enough to make a profit. The original question could have been answered in the first page. I guess the other 8 pages were just for our entertainment 🙂

However, I do find it a bit odd that the OP has been a member for 3 years but this is her very first post. How can that be?
Strange indeed.
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab Max Tow, 2084# Payload, 11,300# Tow,
Timbrens
2013 KZ Durango 2857

Dakzuki
Explorer
Explorer
I would take it easy on slagging on folks that live in their vehicles too. Some call it full timing. I know two guys with engineering degrees (and employed as engineers in aerospace...contract types) that do it..one in a 25 foot RV and one in a car. The guy in the RV saved enough money to retire early and now is hosting at Yellowstone just because he wants to. The guy in the car is still young so he is still figuring it out. Both are great guys. Neither of them are unhappy.....the guy at Yellowstone is obscenely happy and we can't get him to come back to work with us.
2011 Itasca Navion 24J
2000 Chev Tracker Toad

bigcitypopo
Explorer
Explorer
rockhillmanor wrote:
As for the OP.. She sounds like a sharp girl trying to live with what she has... Hats off to her.

Would you say the same thing if it was one of your children? Kudos my dear child you are living on the streets, I am so proud of you.:R

A smart girl?
Making $1,000 a month and living on the streets. What's wrong with this picture?

True educated homeless people due to the economy SEEK HELP. And help IS out there in each and every town and city across the US. There is SOOOO much help available funded by us taxpayers it's almost ridiculous.

I just bought a house in foreclosure process that at closing the government gave the seller $3,000 as an 'atta boy' for
NOT paying his mortgage payments. :S:S

So no this OP does not need sympathy she needs to get off her computer trolling, a kick in the pants to get a job or find a shelter. 'IF' any of this is even true.


^. i didnt giver sympathy... i gave her props for not costing us anymore than she does...
what i am saying is that most of this generation has been taught that this behavior is acceptable... that it is ok to live this way. My kids know different. what do you expect... would you rather her cost you and I $5-8K /mo... or let her live on how she is... as soon as she becomes a criminal... its gonna cost us a fortune.

I pay my bills.. and apparently hers too. you can thank the liberal handouts and the lack of work ethic that parents have handed down...

I am a parent, and a parent to every adult who never had one... I counsel people on a daily basis. I stand in line at 7-11 at 11pm to get a cup of coffee and watch "less fortunate" souls buy alcohol with their EBT card. and then hand it to their buddies... as they pull their iphone out of their pocket.

Oh jeez.... here comes a rant...
2014 RAM 2500 BigHorn CrewCab 4x2 ShortBox, 6.7L CTD
2014 Keystone Springdale 294bhssrwe - Hensley Arrow!
The best wife, 2 kids and a bunch of fun

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
I need to go to

my health club daily to work out

and shower. I also need to go to the library to work on my laptop. I could access the

internet from my phone

, but using the stylus to type on the

Android

virtual keyboard is a pain for me, so I just use it for calls, web surfing, and to check emails.


?Has anyone 'read' what she posts? She belongs to a health club, has a smart phone for internet access, but the poor thing doesn't like the stylus for the virtual keypad. Receives $1,000 a month. Does THIS sound like someone so truly broke they have no alternative but live in a car? Not. BUT she has successfully trolled and netted 9 pages to entertain herself as she is on the treadmill exercising in a health club$$$$.

Get rid of the Android and health club membership, that and the $1,000 would get her a pretty nice apartment. Oh but wait she's on ssi she's entitled to Section 8 where she can choose where she wants to live and the government will PAY 80% of the rent for her. Ya, feel sorry for the so-called homeless OP.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

JJBIRISH
Explorer
Explorer
solsprack wrote:
JJBIRISH wrote:
“Here is a fact that you may not know: A number of states have made a deal with private prisons to keep all beds at 90% full or else pay fines on a daily basis. This means that police, DAs, and judges are forced to toss people in the clink or their job is at risk. The true mentally ill are not wanted in jail, because they cost too much. A vandweller whom is trying to eke out an honest living, and who plays by the rules is their perfect target, because they can keep arresting them, and they "store quietly". Plus, the van and the belongings inside will sell at auction for good money once it gets seized and impounded.”

What States???

The prison population in the United States had dropped in 2012 for the third consecutive year, and in more than half the state’s prisons populations dropped from my readings, many like New York, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina, showed substantial reductions…

policy makers now think they can actually reduce recidivism and cut the number of prisoners… while the recession has played a role or kick started the shrinking prison populations, Changes in state and federal sentencing laws for lower-level offenses like those involving drugs have played a role in the shift, but more than anything changing public attitudes are the major driver behind the declining prison numbers… decriminalizing drugs and legalizing them will play a major role in the future… I will withhold judgment on why I believe this is happening…

but there is no way that I believe states are out to arrest and house homeless for the profits generated by auctioning off their remaining possessions…


Normally I wouldn't bother, but let me rub your nose in it here. Or, perhaps here. I wasn't expecting people's ability to google actually be less than their ability to flame, but I guess I showed a light on a dark space in our little world, and it made some people uncomfortable.

If you threaten to make a thread proving me wrong, do so. Make good with your promise and post what you have to show I am wrong. The gauntlet is thrown, and lies at your feet. Prove that I am a liar. Quoting an "internet blog" or giving vague statistics with no real sources doesn't count.

I am relatively new here, and I am not going to return personal attacks with like kind. However, I will defend myself and my assertions, and dare you to try to refute them in a meaningful way. This is no slam against our men/women in blue, but the fact that the blowback from private prisons means that they have to be filled somehow.



:B .Personal attacks… I asked what States, period… in reading the information you provided I didn’t find the part about making a horrid amount of money by auctioning off homeless peoples possessions, but I can assure you I will re-read it to see if I can find it… :B

One Ohio prisons sold to this contractor, and there is little else in either link you provided support your claims… but it’s a nice try and most likely the only thing you could find…

So what if private prisons operators attempt to exploit economic conditions to their own benefit by sending a letter of offering to 48 states… there is no ground swell of takers…

Apparently the Ohio deal isn’t as claimed either, but more of a trial run to try and build a selling point…
As stated in the article you linked… “Ohio's deal requires the state to maintain a 90% occupancy rate, but Janes said that provision remains in effect for 18 months — not 20 years — before it can be renegotiated”… maybe the state doesn’t have enough prison space to begin with and is already experiencing overcrowded conditions… if I have time I will look it up…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet

winnietrey
Explorer
Explorer
delete

winnietrey
Explorer
Explorer
rockhillmanor wrote:
As for the OP.. She sounds like a sharp girl trying to live with what she has... Hats off to her.

Would you say the same thing if it was one of your children? Kudos my dear child you are living on the streets, I am so proud of you.:R

A smart girl?
Making $1,000 a month and living on the streets. What's wrong with this picture?

True educated homeless people due to the economy SEEK HELP. And help IS out there in each and every town and city across the US. There is SOOOO much help available funded by us taxpayers it's almost ridiculous.

I just bought a house in foreclosure process that at closing the government gave the seller $3,000 as an 'atta boy' for
NOT paying his mortgage payments. :S:S

So no this OP does not need sympathy she needs to get off her computer trolling, a kick in the pants to get a job or find a shelter. 'IF' any of this is even true.


delete

Escargot
Explorer
Explorer
Geezuz.
Troll or no troll; ph.d or high school drop out...
The question is valid. The responses to the question are valid and generally useful.

But of course, the thugs, judges and jury, axe grinders, and pissing contest contestants have entered and sabotaged the thread.

What a waste.
2006 Pleasure Way Plateau TS, MB Sprinter

solsprack
Explorer
Explorer
JJBIRISH wrote:
“Here is a fact that you may not know: A number of states have made a deal with private prisons to keep all beds at 90% full or else pay fines on a daily basis. This means that police, DAs, and judges are forced to toss people in the clink or their job is at risk. The true mentally ill are not wanted in jail, because they cost too much. A vandweller whom is trying to eke out an honest living, and who plays by the rules is their perfect target, because they can keep arresting them, and they "store quietly". Plus, the van and the belongings inside will sell at auction for good money once it gets seized and impounded.”

What States???

The prison population in the United States had dropped in 2012 for the third consecutive year, and in more than half the state’s prisons populations dropped from my readings, many like New York, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina, showed substantial reductions…

policy makers now think they can actually reduce recidivism and cut the number of prisoners… while the recession has played a role or kick started the shrinking prison populations, Changes in state and federal sentencing laws for lower-level offenses like those involving drugs have played a role in the shift, but more than anything changing public attitudes are the major driver behind the declining prison numbers… decriminalizing drugs and legalizing them will play a major role in the future… I will withhold judgment on why I believe this is happening…

but there is no way that I believe states are out to arrest and house homeless for the profits generated by auctioning off their remaining possessions…


Normally I wouldn't bother, but let me rub your nose in it here. Or, perhaps here. I wasn't expecting people's ability to google actually be less than their ability to flame, but I guess I showed a light on a dark space in our little world, and it made some people uncomfortable.

If you threaten to make a thread proving me wrong, do so. Make good with your promise and post what you have to show I am wrong. The gauntlet is thrown, and lies at your feet. Prove that I am a liar. Quoting an "internet blog" or giving vague statistics with no real sources doesn't count.

I am relatively new here, and I am not going to return personal attacks with like kind. However, I will defend myself and my assertions, and dare you to try to refute them in a meaningful way. This is no slam against our men/women in blue, but the fact that the blowback from private prisons means that they have to be filled somehow.

Escargot
Explorer
Explorer
mockturtle wrote:
beemerphile1 wrote:
I don't understand all the hatred expressed here by some long time members.

A person with a legitimate concern asked a reasonable question and you thugs attack. You should be ashamed.

Pray that none of you are ever down and struggling! It can be a tough world out there and society tries to keep the downtrodden just like they are. It can be difficult to rise from a low place.


I agree, beemer. As I posted earlier, the OP will find more help and acceptance at Cheaprvliving.


Good comment, Beemer! Thank you!

I also agree with mockturtle's suggestion re: cheapliving site
2006 Pleasure Way Plateau TS, MB Sprinter

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
As for the OP.. She sounds like a sharp girl trying to live with what she has... Hats off to her.

Would you say the same thing if it was one of your children? Kudos my dear child you are living on the streets, I am so proud of you.:R

A smart girl?
Making $1,000 a month and living on the streets. What's wrong with this picture?

True educated homeless people due to the economy SEEK HELP. And help IS out there in each and every town and city across the US. There is SOOOO much help available funded by us taxpayers it's almost ridiculous.

I just bought a house in foreclosure process that at closing the government gave the seller $3,000 as an 'atta boy' for
NOT paying his mortgage payments. :S:S

So no this OP does not need sympathy she needs to get off her computer trolling, a kick in the pants to get a job or find a shelter. 'IF' any of this is even true.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

PAThwacker
Explorer
Explorer
fj12ryder wrote:
I'm leaning more and more towards trolling. It just keeps getting more and more outrageous, and they are starting to do some serious trolling now: Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, work out everyday, laptop, health center membership, and now attacking a "doubting Thomas" as ignorant. I think that's known as "upping the ante". 🙂

If true, it's definitely someone smart enough to take advantage of the system without working. Your tax dollars at work. 🙂

:B a LG whatever one too.
2015 Keystone Springdale Summerland 257rl
Tow vehicle: 2003 GMC K1500 ext lb
Previous: 14 years of 3 popups and a hybrid tt

bigcitypopo
Explorer
Explorer
solsprack wrote:
I will assume the OP isn't a troll, but I might be wrong.

I recommend the OP considers finding another place to go. California is a very hostile place to live these days unless you are making over $100,000 a year, or you have a sizable nest egg. Someone living out of a van might have made it there before 2008, but now, you will just end up a victim by street punks, or the target of police aggression.

Here is a fact that you may not know: A number of states have made a deal with private prisons to keep all beds at 90% full or else pay fines on a daily basis. This means that police, DAs, and judges are forced to toss people in the clink or their job is at risk. The true mentally ill are not wanted in jail, because they cost too much. A vandweller whom is trying to eke out an honest living, and who plays by the rules is their perfect target, because they can keep arresting them, and they "store quietly". Plus, the van and the belongings inside will sell at auction for good money once it gets seized and impounded.

It sucks, but seriously consider leaving California. There are better places in the US to go. Arizona is a decent state. Texas is a state that has jobs virtually everywhere. With a PhD, you can find work -somewhere-. Even New York state is having a boom.

End of lecture, apologies for the digression. However, I know people who tried vandwelling in the Bay Area or any coastal part of CA, and invariably it doesn't turn out well.



What is this police aggression nonsense.... I have no idea where you got your info... Possibly conjured from someplace that nobody has heard of... Maybe we should start a thread where a few of us can align you with reality...

As for the OP.. She sounds like a sharp girl trying to live with what she has... Hats off to her.
2014 RAM 2500 BigHorn CrewCab 4x2 ShortBox, 6.7L CTD
2014 Keystone Springdale 294bhssrwe - Hensley Arrow!
The best wife, 2 kids and a bunch of fun