Bug out vehicles

[WolfDog]

I have seen amny threads started here about bug out vehicles. And it also seems to be the general consensus here that one of two options is desirable in the event of a SHTF situation.

Those are

1. Stay put and ride it out.

2. Head for the hills and avoid humanity at all costs.

Well number one is pretty simple really so I wish to discuss number 2 a bit.

I have noticed that very few people seem to think that a good, properly set up off road vehicle like a Jeep with suitable modifications like a lift and larger tires and appropriate other equipment is suitable as a bugout rig. (the reason for this logic is that I have been drooling over the Jeep Unlimited Rubicon for a while now and is my current "dream vehicle")

I have seem some very capable off road rigs and those things are very capable. many have on board air systems for operating air tools, carry enough water and fuel on board for a week or more at a time on the trail as well as spare parts for nearly any trail breakaage as well as supplies for those in the vehicle.

with the newer Jeep Unlimited (longer wheelbase Jeep Wrangler) it would seem that a properly set up vehicle would be easy to obtain and would be the perfect thing for such an event. Especially if you towed a small offroad trailer behind it. You could have all of your bug out supplies already in the trailer and just hook it up and go.

The only thing you would need to add would be firearms and ammo and a few extras like extra fuel and water via jerry cans and you could hit the road in less than 30 minutes from the time of the disaster in most cases if not less.

Admiottedly those with families may find a jeep less than perfect for a family bug out situation but there are other suitable off road vehicles out there that offer similar capabilities and can be comparably equipped for such excursions.

 

[Scottmkiv]

I think a pick up truck would be better. You just can't carry that much in a jeep.

Something like a Tacoma 4x4 with a rear locker and decently large tires would be able to go most anywhere, carry a decent load, and not attract attention. I would say a Pinz or Unimog, but those are way to high profile IMO.

 

[dmftoy1]

I think alot is going to depend on what part of the country you're living in as well. My plan would be to head out using county roads and back roads. Here in Illiniois if you have 4wd and are reasonably smart about where you go I think you could go cross country without too much trouble (farmland and all). That wouldn't necessarily be true in say Colorado or ??

Right now I'm figuring that my diesel excursion with big tank gives me 800-900 mile range unless I"m spending alot of time in 4-low. In a pinch we could sleep in it without too much trouble.

The big limiting factor I can see around here if everyone else was bugging out is getting across the major rivers. (Illlinois, Missouri, Mississippi, etc. ) It would take a fairly specially prepared vehicle and knowledge fording locations to have a shot at those. (if it's even possible)

Regards,
Dave

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I'd lean towards a 4 door Cherokee myself because of the 4.0L I-6 engine. It's relatively simple, dependable, and there are plenty of rockcrawler goodies for it like air/manual lockers, winches, bumpers that can take abuse, etc. With an SUV, you also have roof storage with a decent roof rack. A short wheelbase vehicle will get you through gnarlier terrain like the Wranglers, but it can't haul as much so there is a fine balance.

Though, I don't like the idea of someone hopping in a pickup truck bed and hitching a free ride at my expense at gunpoint. A canopy would be a must in my mind. It also keeps whatever you're hauling bone dry. The downside is you can't readily haul stuff on the roof if you've got a lot to haul to my knowledge. I'm not sure if they have steel-frame reinforced canopies that would support a roof rack.

One suggestion might be to bring/buy/borrow/beg/steal (from a dealership, not your neighbor!) an RV, load it up, and tow a 4x4 behind it. Go as far as you can with the RV and it's amenities, then ditch it when you're far enough away from humanity that the roads are no longer hospitible to the RV. If you did it with just a 4x4 full of supplies, you might be half empty by the time you get to your destination. With an RV, you can be close to your destination, then start up the 4x4 with a full tank of gas and supplies. You can always hide the RV and run back to it for gas and any additional stuff you couldn't carry the first time around.

 

[rick_reno]

Will all the vehicles mentioned work after an EMP event?

 

[dasmi]

Will all the vehicles mentioned work after an EMP event?

Ding!
Nope.
Think old jeep, land cruiser, or truck of some sort.

 

[DelayedReaction]

Not to mention maintenance issues. Today's vehicles are extremely hard to service yourself if something goes wrong. What options are there for people who want a vehicle they can fix on their own?

 

[Cesiumsponge]

EMP effects on vehicles are questionable and unpredictable at best. It varies by intensity, angle of vehicle to the point source of the EMP, surrounding environment that might serve as absorption/reflection, etc. The idea that an EMP will destroy 99% of anything with so much as a copper wire or transistor in it is mostly Hollywood's doing and more propagation of the media's "feel bad, scare good" tactics which have permeated everything from depleted uranium to something as mundane as flouride water treatment. I'd be interested in hearing exactly how many people here have personally seen, conducted, or have sources of credible scientific institution(s) testing a wide variety of vehicles in controlled EMP bombardment showing the definite conclusion of, "your car is fried dude!"

Most older vehicles, and many newer ones (those without plastic body panels) are built with sheet metal bodies on a rugged steel frame chassis. There are also unibody constructed vehicles made entirely from strategically stamped and welded sheet metal.

These function as a classic Faraday cage and will direct electromagnetic radiation into earth ground if they're grounded properly. It is also the main concept behind staying in a vehicle when around high voltage (lightning strike, downed power lines)...not because of a few inches of rubber tire. Black rubber has carbon content and tires collect dirt; these lead to increased electrical conductivity at high voltages and will result in dielectric crawl and arcing on the surface. Instead, electric charge stays on the outer skin of the chassis and is bled off into the ground the car rests on.

Most vehicle ECUs in vehicles are completely sealed inside a grounded metal box. LEO and the military has had limited success with directed energy weapons used to kill vehicle engines because each vehicle is different (much like the argument of ballistic terminal effects differing from human to human) and that metal shielding will cover a wide spectra of electromagnetic radiation. ECUs are fairly well protected because they are both inside a protective box AND inside the vehicle's metal frame. Engine components like coils and EFI are more at risk, though keep in mind they are also inside a largely enveloped metal "box".

If you're truly worried about vehicles being rendered 100% useless in an attack of some sort, stick with an older diesel engine. They have a very simple electrical system, many with minimal or no electronics at all. Anyone who can read simple schematics or chase wires and identify parts should be able to repair the electrical systems on these vehicles.

 

[TexAg]

I think the Jeep Rubicon Unlimited is a great vehicle. I had a Regular Rubicon....was really small, also sucked on the higway, but more than great off road. If I had to bug out, I would have taken my wife's Xterra instead; thats what I would take today, good mpg, decent enough off road and plenty of room.

You have to ask yourself what off-roading you'll be doing in a SHTF scenario. For most people I imagine you'll stay on roads for quite a while, to get away as fast as possible and get as much mpg as possible. There you may have a problem with congestion and being able to traverse the right of ways and back roads and open flat driveable areas would probably be important. Your terrain where you live becomes a huge factor. Is it muddy frequently? Southern Louisianna you're going to need mud tires and a lift probably. Are you in a heavily wooded area? I've seen some areas in NC where you're going to have mjor problems "off-road"...there are palces you definitely could not get a vehicle through teh vegetation. The Rockies? you're probably OK already! but a good rock crawler would be nice. Flat plains? Again, some mud tires would be good, but a good pick up would be fine probably.
Jumping curbs and driving on sidewalks and not getting stuck in mud would probably be the most important aspects of a bug out vehicle to me. A good brush guard for pushing cars, fences, etc out fo the way, maybe a winch for self recovery, compressed air and tire patches would all be good. In my opinon a heavily modified vehicle is not necessary at all.

The Rubi Unlimited woudnt need to be modified much. Where I am in TX, I wouldnt lift it at all (worse mpg would be your result with not much gain in off roadabilty for the area). I don't like the engine much, but its a good 4wheeling one, reliable and lots of them out there. Its not great with mileage and its not the best for passing semi's on the highway.
The big question, can you get to where you need to be on the gas you have in the truck and whatever cans you carry? Its hard not to think about all those other vehicles out on the roads, clogging all of them, gas stations closed, or long lines at them, all the side roads clogged...

 

[R.H. Lee]

Any 4WD vehicle in good condition would do if you're gonna head offroad out into the yonder. You'll want water, extra gas, spare tire(s), maybe a winch and GPS would be very helpful, as would another vehicle, ATV or dirtbike in the truck/jeep. Depends where you're going and where you're leaving. I've long been an advocate of escaping a big city by way of the railroad tracks on a dirt bike-but you're limited as to how many people and supplies can go with you.

Do you have a destination, a hideway that is stocked? Or are you just fleeing some horrible catastrophe of biblical proportions?

I already live on acreage in a semi-rural area, so I'm not goin' anywhere.

 

[Jim March]

Your odds of the bug-out problem being nuclear are low, if we're talking the "suitcase nuke in a city" scenario. The affected area is very small.

EMP attacks at high altitude have a higher "range of effect". But serious EMP attacks are much more difficult to pull off. You need a bigger bomb and a delivery rocket launched off a tramp cargo ship or whatever.

 

[JohnKSa]

I'd be inclined to lean towards a modified VW Bug. Pretty reliable vehicle, and you can fix it by yourself if you need to. Besides it's cheap enough you could probably have a spare stashed somewhere in case it really gets trashed.

 

[Tall Man]

I've long been an advocate of escaping a big city by way of the railroad tracks on a dirt bike-but you're limited as to how many people and supplies can go with you.

As am I, Riley. That's why I've taken the time to become familiar with the Rails to Trails lines in the surrounding counties. In this scenario, I believe even a mountain bike would be a viable escape vehicle. If you are alone, your cargo needs are defined by the volume of gear you can stow (or have already stowed ) in a large backpack.

TM

 

[enfield]

I was kinda thinking of my F350 dually 4X4 with the camper on the back. I'd sure hate to leave it behind!

 

[svtruth]

Vehicle

If you are on a coast, a sturdy sailboat, provisioned, etc. will get you away from bad guys, is comfortable, fun, safe. What more could you want?

 

[cfabe]

I'd probably lean toward an older diesel pickup or an older gasoline midsize truck (toyota etc). Minimal electronics, and simple to repair. I'd also make sure the vehicle was in perfect mechanical condition and I was familiar with how to repair anything on it. Oh and lots of spare parts and a tool kit too, of course.

 

[JamisJockey]

I believe even a mountain bike would be a viable escape vehicle. If you are alone, your cargo needs are defined by the volume of gear you can stow (or have already stowed ) in a large backpack.

TM

A used kiddie trailer can be found for $20 bucks or so if you look carefully, which vastly increases the amount of crap you can haul. Mine is rated for 100lbs. Just like a car, make sure you're prepared to change out tires, tubes, and make basic repairs. I strongly suggest riding a few times a week, to stay in shape.