SHTF Shelter - your plans

[tater_salad]

Here's my dilemma. I've been thinking more and more about what I will do if the SHTF, and I've realized that right now my only option is to bug in. (I don't like that option as I live in an urban neighborhood in Milwaukee, WI - enough said). I've talked to the wife and we are going to get a plot of land (maybe 3-5 wooded acres) about 2 or 3 hours away up north, somewhere rural, but still not too far from civilization. The problem lies in the fact that we are 21 and 22 years old, so we don't have a ton of cash to build a small cottage or cabin on that land. I was thinking about how viable a camper would be (for now), something I could keep loaded up in the garage - ready to go. That way, if the SHTF, I could throw my plastic totes w/ the rest of my gear in my pickup bed, hook up the camper, and be on my way. Once we got to the land, the camper would provide us shelter. I'm open to any thoughts on this as viable shelter for an extended period of time (6 mo. or more) I know it wouldn't be comfortable, but it would be better than the alternative.

 

[azredhawk44]

I'm 27 and my plans are similar.

I've realized, however, that we aint gettin' out of town on the first couple of days if SHTF.

We are set to hole up for a week or two if need be, but hopefully only a day or two as we pack up.

I know of several places in the mountains around here that are either national forest or wilderness preserves. They have temperate weather (for arizona), water and wild grains/apples/citrus/berries/game.

We would load up one of the two trucks and drive as far as we could with as much gear as we could before we were forced to hoof it and ditch the car (probably military blockade or rioters/looters/thugs on the highway).

We each have a rifle and a pistol that we shoot well.

Just add a long-barreled .22LR pistol to the mix for small game hunting, and we're set.

Bird Flu made us consider our plans. We want to be away from people. We both have very stong immune systems and will take our chances in the mountains. Likewise, if terrorists somehow blow up the Hoover Dam. The water shortages, loss of electricity and resultant flooding would make Phoenix a very bad place to be.

We have warm sleeping gear, a couple of tents, hatchets, knives, cook gear, guns and ammunition all purchased, but not packed and ready to go.

Like I said, it will be a couple of days before the roads are clear for something like that. We just go into isolation mode and prep to get out of town.

 

[hayseed]

Tater-

Also consider the possibility of not being able to get your camper out of the city for whatever reason. Check out the large, rectangular canvas hunting shacks available from places such as sportsmans guide. You can put a wood stove and chimney in one of those, and I believe they even have windows. You may be able to set one of these up on your plot. Other than that, dome tents aren't that expensive, and break down into a case about half the size of a golf bag. Might not be a bad idea to have one if you have to leave your camper behind.

 

[Alex45ACP]

IBTL

 

[Thefabulousfink]

My SHTF shelter...Hell's Canyon on the Idaho/Oregon border. It is some of the most rugged terrain in the lower 48, and is completely impassible for any sort of vehicle. Despite being very rugged It provides lots of shelter from the air and lots of steep canyons and mountains to hide in. There is a constant supply of water from the Snake river and numerous other streams, and lots of game animals from ground squrriles to elk and big horn sheep. A determined man determined man could hole up there and it would take an army to drag him out.

 

[Pilgrim]

Getting your camper-trailer out of town might be difficult if the SHTF situation is intense. Have you considered staging your camper-trailer at a storage facility not far from your wooded bug out site?

Pilgrim

 

[1 old 0311]

There will be a hunderd people on that land by the time you get there. Your deed wont count for a lot in that situation. Either form a group to TAKE AND DEFEND it or fortify and stay home. I have chosen the latter.

Kevin

 

[tater_salad]

Getting your camper-trailer out of town might be difficult if the SHTF situation is intense. Have you considered staging your camper-trailer at a storage facility not far from your wooded bug out site?
Pilgrim

That's actually not a bad idea, but If I keep it stocked somewhere, I'd be worried about it getting broken into. My other concerns are what to do for water / heat in that situation, say I had to bug out for 6 mo. or more and it's bare wooded land, what are my options. (I know about survival situations, like collecting water from the land / purification, etc.) I'm talking water storage, or maybe even a well, etc. As far as heat goes, in a winter up here it is a necessity. Most campers come with 2 20 or 30lb. propane tanks, but I can't see that lasting more than a week or two (if I'm wrong, correct me). I would have to get some type of NG or electric hook up to my site, but then if those go, I'm still stuck.

After thinking about all this, I'm seriously considering putting up a small (700 s.f. or so) modular / manufactured home up. 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 living space, and a kitchen. Nothing spectacular, but at least it would have real insulation, and I could install a woodburning stove in it. I'd still have to dig a well and put in septic, so my costs are still going to be around 100K for the land, home, septic, well, hook-ups, etc.

Man, so many variables to think about. I think I just need to move to a warmer climate (I would, but my wife couldn't leave her parents, go figure )

 

[Preacherman]

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