Sometimes in an emergency you just have to get out of town.
People who live in areas regularly hit by fires and storms
know this better than most of us and have found a few factors
essential for a bug-out vehicle. I’m using the term bug-out
vehicle loosely because most people don’t have dedicated
vehicles for evacuation, that would be a bit extreme. Most
people simply choose a day-to-day vehicle that can also serve
them well in an emergency. Here’s what to look for:
Capacity
You need a vehicle that has enough room for your group (family)
and their stuff (bug-out bags). You should also be able to carry
enough water and food for 3 to 30 days depending on your
personal predictions for potential disasters.
Ability
You need a vehicle that can get you through a mess, like a
storm. I personally think having 4-wheel drive is essential. It
provides the clearance and traction you’d need to get through
most conditions.
Range & Fuel
Your vehicle needs to be able to get you to safety with the fuel
it can hold. If power lines are down gas stations may stop
pumping fuel. Being stuck with an empty tank during an
evacuation is a serious problem. Diesel fuel, good fuel economy,
and extended fuel tanks is often preferred.
Livability
When evacuation is required it tends to include the relocation
of thousands of people. Even with ample cash finding a motel or
safe place to stay may prove impossible. Vehicles that provide a
protected place to sleep and live for your whole group may
quickly become a very valuable asset.When evacuation is required
it tends to include the relocation of thousands of people. Even
with ample cash finding a motel or safe place to stay may prove
impossible. Vehicles that provide a protected place to sleep and
live for your whole group may quickly become a very valuable
asset.
Stealth
The best protection is often the ability to go unnoticed.
Vehicles that blend into the environment and don’t look like
expensive temporary housing may be the safest place to stay. For
example an RV looks like a place people live. A white panel
truck with no windows that’s outfitted like an RV blends into
the urban scenary. Less expensive vehicles are also less of a
target when people begin to get out of control. For example an
Escalade or Hummer would be a much higher theft target than an
old pickup.
Towing
The ability to tow a small to medium size trailer gives you the
flexibility to transport more stuff if time permits. Towing
additional vehicles also becomes an option. Towing ATVs and
motorcycles can also give you a way to bypass clogged freeways
although this would require abandoning your primary bug-out
vehicle.
Repairs
Vehicles you can work on yourself without the aid of
computerized equipment is preferred. In an evacuation being able
to preform a quick repair can get you back on the road fast.
Modern computerized vehicles are nice when they work and when
there are mechanics around to fix them. Simple vehicles that can
repaired with hand tools are better in extreme situations.
Examples
I spotted this truck on craigslist the other day and imagined an
extreme survivalist being it’s next owner. It’s a monster and
former forest service truck. The owner is asking only $4900 for
it. A truck like this wouldn’t be very useful everyday but it
could be great during an evacuation. Some problems might be that
it would stick out like a soar thumb and would need some kind of
camper on the back for living/sleeping. It might also be hard to
find truck parts. A smaller truck with more common parts would
probably be better.
Here’s another example, a 1971 Suburban. Also less than $5,000.
It would fulfill many of the requirements above and still be
useful as a day-to-day vehicle, albeit a little expensive on
fuel.
Another example of a good bug-out vehicle is an old jeep. I
found this on craigslist too; its a 1962 Willys Wagon and the
seller is asking for only $8,000. It’s got a fresh engine and
transmission and with a more neutral paint job it might be a
little more stealthy.
An older camper like this one can also serve as a very useful
bug-out vehicle especially if any modern computerized components
are replaced, like the fuel injection. But like the Willys and
Suburban above range and fuel capacity might prove to be too
limiting.
A truck like this (below) is probably the best balance between
all the factors especially with a diesel engine and extended
fuel tanks. The camper provides the living space, the 4-wheel
drive can get you where you want to go. It’s also not an
expensive camper so you wouldn’t be calling too much attention
to yourself. Best of all it could serve multiple uses.
Sometimes in an emergency you just have to get out of town. People who live in areas regularly hit by fires and storms know this better than most of us and have found a few factors essential for a bug-out vehicle. I’m using the term bug-out vehicle loosely because most people don’t have dedicated vehicles for evacuation, that would be a bit extreme. Most people simply choose a day-to-day vehicle that can also serve them well in an emergency. Here’s what to look for:
Capacity
You need a vehicle that has enough room for your group (family) and their stuff (bug-out bags). You should also be able to carry enough water and food for 3 to 30 days depending on your personal predictions for potential disasters.
Ability
You need a vehicle that can get you through a mess, like a storm. I personally think having 4-wheel drive is essential. It provides the clearance and traction you’d need to get through most conditions.
Range & Fuel
Your vehicle needs to be able to get you to safety with the fuel it can hold. If power lines are down gas stations may stop pumping fuel. Being stuck with an empty tank during an evacuation is a serious problem. Diesel fuel, good fuel economy, and extended fuel tanks is often preferred.
Livability
When evacuation is required it tends to include the relocation of thousands of people. Even with ample cash finding a motel or safe place to stay may prove impossible. Vehicles that provide a protected place to sleep and live for your whole group may quickly become a very valuable asset.When evacuation is required it tends to include the relocation of thousands of people. Even with ample cash finding a motel or safe place to stay may prove impossible. Vehicles that provide a protected place to sleep and live for your whole group may quickly become a very valuable asset.
Stealth
The best protection is often the ability to go unnoticed. Vehicles that blend into the environment and don’t look like expensive temporary housing may be the safest place to stay. For example an RV looks like a place people live. A white panel truck with no windows that’s outfitted like an RV blends into the urban scenary. Less expensive vehicles are also less of a target when people begin to get out of control. For example an Escalade or Hummer would be a much higher theft target than an old pickup.
Towing
The ability to tow a small to medium size trailer gives you the flexibility to transport more stuff if time permits. Towing additional vehicles also becomes an option. Towing ATVs and motorcycles can also give you a way to bypass clogged freeways although this would require abandoning your primary bug-out vehicle.
Repairs
Vehicles you can work on yourself without the aid of computerized equipment is preferred. In an evacuation being able to preform a quick repair can get you back on the road fast. Modern computerized vehicles are nice when they work and when there are mechanics around to fix them. Simple vehicles that can repaired with hand tools are better in extreme situations.
Examples
I spotted this truck on craigslist the other day and imagined an extreme survivalist being it’s next owner. It’s a monster and former forest service truck. The owner is asking only $4900 for it. A truck like this wouldn’t be very useful everyday but it could be great during an evacuation. Some problems might be that it would stick out like a soar thumb and would need some kind of camper on the back for living/sleeping. It might also be hard to find truck parts. A smaller truck with more common parts would probably be better.
Here’s another example, a 1971 Suburban. Also less than $5,000. It would fulfill many of the requirements above and still be useful as a day-to-day vehicle, albeit a little expensive on fuel.
Another example of a good bug-out vehicle is an old jeep. I found this on craigslist too; its a 1962 Willys Wagon and the seller is asking for only $8,000. It’s got a fresh engine and transmission and with a more neutral paint job it might be a little more stealthy.
An older camper like this one can also serve as a very useful bug-out vehicle especially if any modern computerized components are replaced, like the fuel injection. But like the Willys and Suburban above range and fuel capacity might prove to be too limiting.
A truck like this (below) is probably the best balance between all the factors especially with a diesel engine and extended fuel tanks. The camper provides the living space, the 4-wheel drive can get you where you want to go. It’s also not an expensive camper so you wouldn’t be calling too much attention to yourself. Best of all it could serve multiple uses.