Bug-out vehicle for SHTF situation?

[FSCJedi]

Saw this kind of thread on a different forum and thought I'd see what my fellow high-roader's thought of it. What vehicle would you ideally want for a SHTF situation? What kind of modifications would you want to it? I'm sure it'll be based on where you live, of course, but keep in mind that in a SHTF situation, you probably won't be the only one bugging-out. This is more for fun, but it's something I've thought about (buying a cheaper vehicle and fixing it up and outfitting it just for this purpose and stashing it somewhere with a full tank of gas or whatever it uses for fuel).

 

[Art Eatman]

I've long believed that if a serious-enough SHTF situation is to occur, the signs would have been evident long enough to get out of town in a sick and ailing old sedan. If the type of vehicle would make a difference, odds are you'd need a helicopter to get past the pandemonium.

One who really believes it could happen in their city should already have everything of value somewhere else, pretty much. IMO, anyway.

A single guy trying to get out of a city, after it breaks loose? A relatively lightweight motorcycle, with a couple of extra gallons in cans in panniers.

Family? A smallish 4WD SUV (The older 4Runners come to mind) with six-or eight-ply tires for serious driving through back yards and alleys as well as cross-country. Don't forget the heavy-duty cutters for fence wires or chains/locks. Or, if valuables are already stashed at a refuge, doubling up on motorcycles might work...

And don't forget detailed maps, such as USGS topos...

FWIW, Art

 

[Smoke]

Well if the 4wd pickup or the Jeep won't go there, I can always saddle up the horses.

Figuring that a SHTF situation will start at a major metropolitan city, it will be awhile getting this far out. I should have plenty of time to plan, move and figure out how to get where I'm going. And yes, I have a pretty good idea where that will be.

Smoke

 

[TrapperReady]

Whichever one happened to have the kids' carseats in them at the time. My first priority would be to get the kids and my wife.

BTW, if they weren't $120,000+, a Hummer H1 (not the re-worked Tahoe H2) would be nearly ideal.

 

[IRONFIST]

I have to stick with the vehicle I have as a daily driver, a 4x4 Chevy Suburban. Nothing fancy, just a plain-jane model with a normal paint job, though I am going to repaint it flat black one of these days. The only things I have done to it is put on taller, wider wheels and tires, added a motorhome tranny cooler and a heavy-duty tow hitch. I like a Suburban because my wife and I can sleep in the back if needed, the rig can carry alot of gear and family and I have been able to get this vehicle into, and out of, some crazy terrain. It is not a perfect "???? hits the fan" vehicle but it is a start. Future mods include both front and back ram/push bumpers(I will weld these up myself), Shattergard ballistic protection film on the interior windows, some accessory outlets in the back, a winch and an extra fuel tank. I have simple survival gear on board already, so ideally all we have to do is grab weapons, mags and our bug-out bags... and our cats, can't forget the cats.

 

[fslflint]

well, I have one of these that could get me anywhere I might need to go.

and my family has one of thse that could get them where they need to go

if neither of those work. I am proficient on a bike and hopefully will have one by the end of the summer. and if that doesn't work we have horses. wow, I sound really prepared.

 

[R.H. Lee]

If I ever had to get off my mountain top (say in the event of wildfire blocking the road) I'd take my Ford Ranger 4x4. Other than that I live in paradise and am not going anywhere

 

[junyo]

A single guy trying to get out of a city, after it breaks loose? A relatively lightweight motorcycle, with a couple of extra gallons in cans in panniers.

Exactly. One of these

with Givi hard cases. Can go a long way on a little gas, highway or trail, and carrying a decent load. Assuming infrastructure's breaking down, I wouldn't want to depend on regular fuel deliveries to or stable prices at the local Gas'n'Go. You'd be paying to fuel a Hummer in gold bricks by the end of the month.

 

[IRONFIST]

A motorcycle is an okay idea, but I would be worried quite a bit about impact protection. A bad guy with a lowly .22 rifle can knock a rider off a motorcycle, but a car or truck offers at least SOME protection. Granted, unless you up-armor your car/truck, if someone sprays your 4-wheeled transportation with gunfire you are going to sustain some major damage. My point is that even with major damage, a car/truck will at least give you a chance, where a motorcycle just makes you vulnerable. As to the fuel issue, I already carry enough around with me to get us to where we want to hole up. My Suburbans only real utility to me is as a means to get me and mine from point A(danger) to point B(safety). I didn't really plan on staying in the vehicle long-term because once the fuel is gone, all it is then is not- very-comfortable shelter. I also have to factor in a Mother-in-law, a wife, three cats, enough food and water to last us a week or more, assorted weapons, ammo, gear and clothes. It would be very hard to fit all that on the back of a motorcycle. I guess we could have multipule bikes, one for each of us, but then what do you do if one of the bikes breaks down or a rider gets hurt? A truck is just a better all-around solution if you have anyone traveling with you. Also something to think about... If the situation deteriorates rapidly, there will be barricades and roadblocks put up by good AND bad guys and if I am going to push my way thru one I want a big, metal vehicle around me to soak up bullets and to give me some mass for the pushing part. I don't think there is a perfect vehicle for the job, we are all just going to have to make do with what we got in the driveway when the fur flys.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Actually, an off-road road motorcycle ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS makes a lot of sense. Probably away from roadways, other vehicles, etc. Not likely to run into any hostiles........

 

[12 Volt Man]

How 'bout this straight out of "Road Warrior". I saw it in a parking lot one day and I had to take a picture.

 

[junyo]

Agreed on all points IRONFIST, just a difference of approach. I'm single and the people I care about are where I'd be traveling to. Push to shove I can go two-up if I want/need to bring someone else. I can carry everything I need (arms, three days worst case of food, ammo, and clothing, a roll of tools and repair supplies for the bike) in hard cases or on my person. Hell, I can fit everything except my MBR and the cased ammo in my big messenger bag and be gone in ten minutes. I think in terms of the old fighter pilot's adage 'speed is life'. I don't need protection from the threat, I need to get away from it, around it, or kill it, quickly. Avoid contact whenever possible, then run, then fight. If it comes to a protracted firefight, yeah, I'm boned, but from the avoiding/running aspect I can be way more elusive. I don't ever want to be in a position where 'soaking up bullets' is my best option, but I'm funny that way.

The other aspect, gas mileage, is because I wouldn't plain on being stationary. If the initial situation deteriorates further my original safepoint might have to be abandoned. A siphon and an abandoned car and I'm back in business. Once at a safe place, I ditch the luggage and I've got a fast scouting platform. In any case I'd have an ongoing need for gas, which is why fuel efficient makes more sense to me.

Although your multiple bike idea intrigues me. A pack of motorcycles, sweeping down on an unsuspecting village like modern day cavalry... yes, very interesting...

Edit: Not to go off topic, but suddenly I thought 'Wouldn't it be smart to plan for multiple vehicles?' Then you get the best of both worlds. A thumper/ATV to scout ahead and a larger vehicle to act as your base/hauler/battering ram.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

i'll take a seal team Chenowth with the 50bmg

Desert Patrol Vehicles are operated by U.S. Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land). They were formerly known as Fast Attack Vehicles. The DPVs are built by Chenowth Racing Products, Inc. They are modified version of off-road race cars.

During Desert Storm, the first U.S. forces to enter Kuwait City on the day it was liberated rolled in on these vechies. Because the hastly constructed obstacles could not hold back the off-road vehicles, the SEALs were able to go where they wanted to and avoid traps left by fleeing Iraqi troops. The vehicles raced ahead of U.S. troops to scout out territory, and darted behind enemy lines to assess the size and position of enemy forces.

The DPVs are equipped with an air-cooled, two-liter engine capable of producing 130 horsepower for a payload of 1,500 lbs. With a range of more than 200 miles, the vehicle is able to achieve a speed greater than 60 miles/hour. The vehicle's suspension is made up of two shock absorbers located at the front on each side and of four additional ones at the rear. In addition, the front suspension utilizes a position-sensitive trailing-arm system.

The SEAL Dune Buggy has a complex communication system that allows each Navy SEAL to communicate with the others while riding in the vehicles.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/dpv.htm
http://www.chenowth.com/military.html

 

[buy guns]

depending on where i am at the time i would take either an H1 or a porsche cayenne turbo. both would have space for whatever i need. if im in a rural area where i would need to go offroad then i would definitely take the hummer. if its more of an urban enviroment i would go with the cayenne turbo because (i believe) its the fastest production suv available so i would be able to outrun most cars.

 

[Ian]

I think I could do a lot worse for a bug-out vehicle than my 10-year-old Subaru War Wagon (I mean Legacy). It gets great gas mileage even when loaded down, I can sleep in it comfortably, and it's very capable of driving on poor-quality roads. I can't really off-road in it, but with its 4-wheel drive I can get along on most dirt roads without trouble.

 

[Combat-wombat]

I would probably take a Jeep Liberty or Wrangler, quickly spraypainted in some low-key camo colors like OD and black.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

Porsche Cayenne's have a hardtime getting up to speed when the roads clogged with Camrys

That much yuppie bling bling is a car jack magnet

 

[lee n. field]

What vehicle would you ideally want for a SHTF situation?

A VW Beetle. A real one, with the air cooled engine in the back.

 

[Red_SC]

It depends, if the roads were really bad I'd take this, my 1980 International Scout II. It's simple, doesn't break, strong, and will go anywhere. But probably it'd be the wife's Grand Cherokee 4x4. It's much faster, better on gas, and more comfortable.

 

[mr_dove]

every situation certainly varies and each option has its drawbacks.

full sized vehicles, including SUV's: the problem here is that traffic will be a HUGE probelm in a SHTF scenario. It will be the worse rush hour anyone has ever seen in their lives and nobody will be going anywhere. Even with a huge SUV and 4WD capability, you can't get through the gridlock. 4WD won't help if there's nowhere to go.

Some areas might allow you go leave the road and go around the gridlock. One problem with that is that EVERYONE will be trying to leave the road as well (even without an SUV). People will try anything to survive.

Has anyone ever seen Deep Impact? Entire cities hit the road at one time once the meteors get close and every freeway locks up very quickly. People then set out on foot trying to get as far away as possible.

Full sized vehicles do offer increased capacity, protection from the elements and speed but none of those mean much if you can't even get out of town.

I think the test to use here is to imagine a situation in which you could not use ANY road in your city. Is there a route you could take that would get you out of town without using any of the roads? If you can pass this test, then your vehicle might work for you.

motorcycles This is potentially a much better option. You still have the speed of a full sized vehicle but you have the capability of avoiding major traffic problems. I would probably choose a quad over a motorcycle because quads can potentially carry more gear. Most quads will carry about 300 pounds of gear (probably more). You can also stop a quad and go on the defensive without trying to balance or stay upright like you would with a motorcycle. You can mount a rifle on just about any quad as well. This would be my option when/if finances allow for it.

Range might be a bit of a problem with most options in this category so increasing range would be a primary concern. You should think about carrying extra fuel or hiding some along your route.

I could see advantages in making this vehicle as quiet as possible but I don't know how to go about this.

mountain bikes this is another good option. Your speed is not as high as with a motorcycle or quad and your cargo is more limited but its offset by a few great benefits.

bikes are silent. If you choose to travel as night you will be very difficult to detect.

range is limited only by your available calories. You can ride thousands of miles on a bike if you have the fuel (food) to keep going. Fuel shortages are not a problem.

Many of these options can be combined in a number of ways. I would consider these primary and secondary transportation. You could attach motorcycles or mountain bikes to your full sized vehicle and take your SUV as far as it would take you before you had to get out and change to 2 wheels.

You could also try stashing a full sized BOV outside your area and use bike/quad/motorcycle to get to your SUV quickly.

Those SEAL vehicles look pretty sweet. Looks like they have lots of great firing positions for defending the vehicle.

 

[Sleuth]

Look for a PINZGAUER, a Steyr made, Swiss Army surplus truck. Carries one ton with the back seats folded down, or 8 troops with the seats up. Air cooled, 4WD, locking front & Rear differentials. "Your ability to climb a slope is limited by your tire traction" (owners manual). Looks like a tall, narrow, Hummer. 13" of ground clearance, can ford 24" of water with no prep. And, will do 69 MPH on the blacktop.
Best part - they run 1/10th the price of a Hummer - about $11k
Mine is NOT for sale.

 

[buy guns]

good point mr dove. in that case ill take one of those helicopters that can carry cargo underneath it so i can pick up my hummer and carry it out to the country or wherever there isnt traffic.



Edit: i just realized i live in florida so screw a car or chopper. ill take a 40ish foot boat stocked with food and extra fuel.

 

[BadWolf]

a Sportsmobile 4x4 ford E350 extended

www.sportsmobile.com

of course, if money were no object-

http://www.steelwheels4x4.com/

or

http://www.unicat.net/de/pics/VXL16HD-2.html

 

[Boats]

Good enough for Paris to Dakar, probably good enough for SHTF, KTM 950 Adventure II:

Good enough for the USMC, probably good enough for SHTF Kawasaki KLR650:

 

[armoredman]

$13500 in Texas, armored Land Rover known as the Shoreland.



Ferret scout car - $15,500 in Ohio.

Both of the above were for sale last year - may still be - both are street legal, titled and licensed in thier respective states.
Now, if I had my druthers?



Austrian Bushmaster - the armored SUV from Hell.