Comments on: What makes a good bug out vehicle?

By: Callum

Callum — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:09:55 +0000

I gotta give props to the Chevy Suburban. I have an 89 Burban (my bug out burban if you will) and it has a bunch of rust and plenty of dents, but let me tell you, its still a very solid vehicle (I plan on doing some work to it here in a bit and paint it flat black and put truck bed lining along the bottom after i use some rust inhibiter and do a little extra metal work, not going for looks, but function). I followed one of my buddies out to a few large hills going thru some rough country and fields, him in his 2003 Chevy pickup and me in my burban. Except for the last 200 yards, i was in 2 wheel drive the whole time going thru deep ruts and deeper snow, with bad, balding tires (another one of those things i want to fix lol). but it has 144k miles on her now, i bought it with 130k, and so far all ive done was replace the oil, spark plugs/wires, and put on dual exhaust. its given me far less problems then i ever thought it would from that old 350 V8 and ive lived in it for a few weeks straight while i was away working (I used to build and repair railroads, lots of traveling). i was considering selling my Lincoln, but i think instead il keep her and devout my burban to a full time bug out/camping/fishing rig instead. I dont have to worry about beating it up off road (one of the reasons i didnt buy my buddies Excursion or a newer burban or truck) and it will go thru anything and everything, and it has minimal electronics and is super reliable, what else could you want for a purpose built rig?

By: Papaswede

Papaswede — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:23:48 +0000

Those two wenches would probably prefer to ride in the seats with the rest of the folks. You may want to consider putting two WINCHES on the front and rear of the vehicle!!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:09:40 +0000

My current vehicle is a 2002 Acura MDX. Not a jeep or LR, but AWD W/lockable differential. Range is about 300 miles (20gallons x 15mpg, worst case scenario), but two 5 gallons and one 2 gallon tank in my garage extends my range another 180 miles. I fill up every 2-3 days on my way home from school, yes I'm that paranoid.

Now I'm about to break 5 of the rules above, but what about a PRIUS? Yes, the epitome of hippie california hybrids. It can go 500 miles on one tank of gas, that's amazing for bugging out!

Let me know what you guys think…

By: Michael Jay

Michael Jay — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:08:38 +0000

Hummer H1 with the adventure package which includes under carriage protection and a winch as well as dual diesel fuel tanks. This takes the capacity to over 50 gallons. If you add the jerry can rack you can carry another 50 gallons thus 100 gallon capacity plus you can drive over any cars that may be blocking the highway as you GOOD! You can pick up a used 1980's-2002 H1 for under 30K and these engines are good for 200,000 miles easy. After 2002, they become more expensive but the engines and safety features increase. I would stay away from 2006 Alphas. They are way overpriced and parts will be hard to find. 2004's are the best deal right now if you need to use the vehicle on a regular basis plus it still uses the same parts as the US Military version. The Allison, US Made, engine in the '04 is one of the best. Dollar for Dollar, pre- 2003 H1 are the least expensive with the most GOOD bang for the buck. Besides if the Army and Reserves can't go anywhere then no one else can. If you do get an H1 add a snorkel so that you can forge rivers if necessary. It is worth the few hundred extra and are easy to self instal.
GOOD when the getting is good and Avoid the Golden Horde!

By: emergency kits

emergency kits — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:21:52 +0000

In order for increasing survival rate, each member of your family should know how to survive in case of emergency and from where to get your emergency preparedness and safety kits and what to do when any emergency strikes.

By: gene

gene — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:16:32 +0000

My B.O.V. doesn't need all that stuff. If i bug out it will be house by house, till i die.

By: James

James — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:02:25 +0000

The best bugout vehicle is a sailboat (if you live on the coast)

By: naureen

naureen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:38:36 +0000

Hi, Thanks for commenting me on this post. Small 4×4 vehicles are the best options for any taravel.

By: wrangler type of guy

wrangler type of guy — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:18:38 +0000

Diesel, awd for sure. Jeeps and Land Rovers and Toyota are amongs the first choices for me. Then I'll go for a mitsjubishi or a nissan.

By: dinger65

dinger65 — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:11:50 +0000

I decided on a M109A1 "Deuce and a half, 6×6" 1971 AM General w multifuel diesel engine. This is the "comm or shop van bodied version of the M35 troop transport. Added second 50 gal fuel tank w crossover, plus did the interior of box as RV IE full bed, sink, tub/shower, tv/dvd, microwave, hot water, 2 refrig, plenty of storage. I installed 4 110 volt deep cycle batteries, shore power hookup and onan generator. There is 40 gal water w'pump under bed. Has both A/C and D/C power. I added an M105 1.5 ton matching trailer. Vehicles are Govt Surplus and dirt cheap. Military installed new engine, trans, drivetrain in 1991 and had 17,000 miles on it when I aquired it two yrs ago. It has both upper and lower case for 5gear trans. Aircompressor is integral ( can deflate/inflate tires for terrain adjusment) Many more aspects to mention here. Just reading blog and decided to chime in.

By: brearbear

brearbear — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:38:14 +0000

i am NORTH AMERICAN…i will defend my southern neighbour, and Canada to the bitter end.
but on my terms.
“The enemy advances, we retreat; the enemy camps, we harass; the enemy tires, we attack; the enemy retreats, we pursue” Mao Tse Tung
i will never fight an Alamo type battle if i have to, guerrilla warfare tactics have been mastered.
Vietnam has proven that. a lesser force can destroy a greater force.
Sun Tzu "art of war'.
i value my life. i want to live. i will fight, but only on MY TERMS, and in so doing, i will do so wisely!

By: brearbear

brearbear — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:29:26 +0000

remember to zigzag and take ure time getting there…go the long way…find out the area and master all approaches…laminate maps of the area…4 miles with a convoy of bicycles?
Take 4 days to do it…take your time…dropping the bikes is better. practice evasian skills. u.s.army books are online.
easy to see, easy to follow you dude.
be carefull, and please work on this plan harder than you have done anything in your entire life.
the lives of your children are at stake here!

By: brearbear

brearbear — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:16:15 +0000

sorry, i admire you william, i responded to ure post before even before scrolling down and seeing your further posts…sorry, and both of us are thinking alike, may there be others who think this way…and survive.

By: brearbear

brearbear — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:13:14 +0000

See that humble, poor looking, rag wearing,"bum", travelling extra light, flying by at a good pace, with a couple garbage bags tied to his back and bike? or slowly trudging onward…as if to nowhere… going here, then there, seemingly…nowhere?
(yes, not travelling straight as a crow flies, right to the site …)..
but taking a few extra days, a few extra, well travelled paths, and not so well travelled paths…always looking backwards…
making sure he is not being followed…

the freaking out, anger, will be dangerous for those unprepared…
for those prepared, imagine how dangerous they will be if their truck breaks down, or there is a traffic jam…

yes i am right here folks.
hopefully this letter will, humbly help some one.
it is my plan, i have been working on it for years… remember, even a cheapo chinese made dollar store knife will cut up a fish, buy $20,00 bucks worth and ya now have 20 dif knives for 20 dif caches to spread around!
lose that $200.00 rambo super special survival knife and ure @(&^(&@#^……………
a $2 bottle of water makes a great canteen, hung on a string off yure belt, a $5 dollar hunk of plastic or tarp makes a great poncho, or tarp tent. Mud, and branches/leaves make great camo.

the only things i ALWAYS HAVE ON ME NO MATTER WHERE I GOis my primus firesteel, my buck knife, my leatherman wave, and my knife sharpener.
( i have back-ups close by and far away…do not worry !

looks can be decieving…judge not and ye shall not be judged!

By: brearbear

brearbear — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:12:35 +0000

As far as bug-out-vehicles, sure is a great idea having these fancy high teck4x4's…
but a cheapo 10 speed, pump, patch kit, saddle bags mouse trap, and maybe even a bike trailer, should be your main back up!
Of course having a high tech mountain bike all equiped with every do-dad possible, tons of spare parts enroute, and at site, would be great!
but some rusty but working, ol' 10 speed will get you very far, so when all the other survivalists, who are also surrounded by the many, many, many un-prepared hordes, or "golden Hordes",
bugging out, are stuck with there tons literally of survival gear, tools ,food etc., in a super highway traffic jam completely^%$#%$#^%$#, you ride right on by, wearing rags, rusty ol' 10 speed, a few plastic bags on ure back!
then when u get to ure site, ya change into your camo, grab ure main/equiped load carrier, etc., and know full well that u are surrounded by caches up the ying yang, and are safe…for now!
the same thing at your Main site, as your cache system,
i suggest , by following Crestons advice, by having more than one site, and also having at least a few expedient fallout shelters.
make your main site the main place, but have a plan b.
have a very well fortified retreat, surrounded by your cache system, but also have
other plan b retreats and hidden cache's, and hidden expedient fallout shelters!
Man, maybe even have a plan f, to get the "F= &%$$# out of the entire region, or continent!

One other cheap idea i suggest is having a truck inner tube, fishnet and rope, pump and patch kit, and a homemade paddle. tie Baja bags , or garbage bags to ure stuff, and swim/float across that water obstacle.
dudes (and babes), … i could go on, but highly suggest that ya keep a very low profile,
wear rags, rusty gear ENROUTE to yure site!
Ya do not have to look like a very wealthy Rambo, just to go a few hundred freaking miles, or however far ya gotta go!
your $20,000 4×4 equiped with all yure crap is a waste of money, if eventuall gas is $500.00 per galon, rationed, or illegal to have, or the army police are taking everyone's gear/vehicle/etc., "for the greater good"…
Put your $20,000 dollars into a cache/expedient fallout/SYSTEM i say!
if ure plan a fails, have a plan b, if that fails also, have a plan c, etc.
finally, even if all these back-up plans fail, make sure ure in great shape, and master the basics of woodlore and woodcraft!
be able to forage/hunt/fish/ and be a "Mcgiver". ( ya know that gidget gadget dude, on that t.v. show?)…
Be able to make your own back pack out of nature, etc.
foraging/plant identification etc.
learn, and master the old pioneer, and Aboriginal ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last but not least, i suggest that u get some kind of back-up community group happening.

going lone wolf is a crazy hard life…

and remember…tRYING TO HELP OTHERS IS HUMANS AT THERE FINEST!
we will probably want to re-build North America?

By: brearbear

brearbear — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:11:55 +0000

"prep your site with everything you will need, and make it safe"
———————–
even better..master caching.
never leave your eggs in one basket.
always have a plan "b".
even better, always have a multiple plan, or system for your very survival!

I would recommend that you download Creston Kearnys "Nuclear War Survival Skills", a free e-book, for more ideas!

CACHING
1.
P.V.C. piping, with 1 screw on cap end, one end glued.
a fence hole auger, and basic hand tools…
2.
Plastic, or metal culvert, up to 4', which, empty can be carried backpack style to a cache site.
3.
6 gallon food safe super pails, mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, silica gel.
gun grease, plastic bags etc.
-have many, many, many from very small to large caches hidden everywhere.
the edge of your town, by all roads leading out…along the way…to your site.
at your site have many dif sizes of caches all around.
never only have one!

-even just a army can opener, a couple cheap bic lighters , a few cans of food, a gallon of water, a knife, a tarp, an old sleeping bag,etc.
etc, wrapped well in plastic, on the edge of town might just keep you alive, so you do make it to your well stocked site dudes!

plan on getting out on foot. make and have many bug-out-bags, one for your home, one for your vehicle, and have a few cached along the way, also hidden around your site.
Yes i said many. Why carry several hundred dollars of your pride and joy, highest best quality survival gear/load carrier, and only to possibly lose it along the way, fire/theft/etc.
a descent thrift store pack with the cheap basics and a good pair of boots, will get you to your site.

By: smg

smg — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:35:07 +0000

The best bug out vehicle should be a diesel.

Good life expectancy , More reliable in general. less to go wrong.
Cold temperature tolerant
Diesel fuel is safer to store. Fire or explosion is greatly reduced.
Diesels, work best under load over long periods of time.
More readily available in emergencies. Shorter ques at the filling stations. (Can run on cooking oil,Kerosene and Jet fuel)
Diesel engines offer increased torque. Pulling/ Towing power
Less fuel per mile.
Store's about ten times longer than gasoline.

By: cartools

cartools — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:03:28 +0000

Those cars are so cool !

By: PrepperMom

PrepperMom — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:05:48 +0000

but if you are in a small town with only one road in and out of it, a bug out horse may be the way to go! Packhorses some call them. =)

By: Parker red neck

Parker red neck — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:07:16 +0000

I'm an American I will stand and fight.