It’s important to take some time and think about how (and where) you should store and organize the supplies you’re packing into a BOV. With a small BOV or large family, getting everything on board can be a logistical challenge in and of itself. In this chapter, I will discuss several BOV storage options. These will include exterior storage ideas as well as solutions for packing and organizing gear inside your vehicle.
Packing a BOV is very unique in that making it to your destination is never a guarantee. You may have to abandon your vehicle and travel on foot. This fact must be considered during your entire BOV build. Abandoning your vehicle means one (or a combination) of the following scenarios are likely to happen:
Before I begin, this is a good time for me to describe my Four-Phase System for bugging out in a BOV. How I store and organize my gear is an important factor in this system and you may want to consider something similar if it makes sense for your situation. The concept behind this system is planning for potential setbacks.
Phase One: The Bug Out Vehicle. This phase is simple. I start any Bug Out in my BOV. All of my gear is packed inside. Ideally, I make it to my Bug Out Location in my BOV without issue and never have to worry about Phases Two, Three, or Four.
Phase Two: The Bug Out Bike. If for some reason I cannot continue a Bug Out Journey in my BOV, I resort to Phase Two. This phase consists of my Yuba Mundo Cargo pedal bike loaded with supplies. I will also bring my compact folding two-wheeled Bug Out Deer Cart (discussed later in chapter fourteen), which I can pull as a small trailer on my bike. I hate the idea of abandoning everything in my BOV except for my BOB. I know several individuals who include smaller vehicles, such as ATVs or motorcycles, in their BOV for exactly this purpose. I don’t have the space for another vehicle, but I do have the space for a bicycle and my Bug Out Cart. These two items combined can still carry an insane amount of gear and supplies if necessary.
Phase Three: The Bug Out Cart. If for some reason I cannot continue a Bug Out Journey on my Bug Out Bike with trailer, I resort to Phase Three. This phase includes continuing on foot with my Bug Out Bag and my Bug Out Deer Cart. I can comfortably pull up to 150 pounds (68 kg) of gear on this cart over rugged terrain. I’ll never have to pull that much weight, but it’s nice to know that I can. It’s designed to pull dead deer out of the woods. Others, especially those with children, may consider a stroller or wagon for this phase. Neither is ideal for rugged terrain but both are better suited for toting small children. If for some reason the distance, terrain, or other circumstances prevent me from being able to travel with a Bug Out Cart, then I resort to Phase Four.
Phase Four: Bug Out Bag and Hidden Caches. In this phase, I will abandon everything except for my Bug Out Bag and whatever I can carry with my hands. However, as I describe in the next section, I include storage containers in my BOV that I can use as hidden caches if necessary. I plan on hiding my extra supplies if I have to ditch my BOV, Bug Out Bike, and Bug Out Cart, and continue only on foot with my Bug Out Bag. An abandoned and exposed BOV, Bike, or Cart will certainly be at risk for looting and vandalizing. Hiding a secret cache of survival supplies gives you the option of retrieving them later if desired.
The following is a discussion of a variety of BOV storage solutions with this four-phase philosophy in mind.
Creek’s Yuba Mundo Cargo Bike outfitted for a Bug Out
Creek pulling Bug Out Deer Cart through overgrown field
Some terrain is Bug-Out-Bag only (Creek is holding a folding bow from goprimalnow.com)
There are countless ways to store BOV supplies. Regardless of what system you choose, BOV storage items should be:
A survival cache is a secret hidden stash of survival supplies. Caches can be buried, hidden in plain sight, or stuffed into a hollow tree. The popular activity of geocaching is based on the concept of hiding secret caches. There are no rules for hiding survival caches other than cached containers should be watertight and camouflaged.
Five-gallon bucket cache hidden in hollow tree
Thick plastic buckets are great catch-all storage containers. They are cheap, durable, and fairly easy to transport. When fitted with a gamma seal lid, five-gallon buckets are airtight and waterproof. These can be purchased from practically any hardware store.
Portability: Plastic five-gallon buckets are bulky but extremely durable. They can be difficult to strap onto a bike or cart because of the round odd shape. A quick tip is to use adhesive sandpaper or grip tape designed for slippery stairs to provide traction for the bungee cords or ratcheting straps. The handles make them fairly easy to carry but extra padding is suggested.
Pros:
Cons:
Three of Creek’s bucket containers
Change out the lids on your five-gallon buckets to reusable and resealable gamma seal lids. Gamma seal lids convert your five-gallon buckets to airtight and watertight containers that are great for outdoor caches. These can be spray-painted to blend in with surroundings or even buried with the top rim an inch or so out of the ground for quick and easy access later.
Gamma seal lid
Not all totes are created equal. Avoid the thin brittle plastic versions available at most office stores. The corners bust out of these very easily. Also avoid those with the folding, interlocking lids. These aren’t water-resistant and don’t hold up well under weight. Save these for storing old Christmas decorations under your bed.
Look for thick durable totes with sturdy lids. I bought one tote designed for keeping tools in the back of a pickup truck that even has a place for a padlock when the lid is closed. I bolted this one to the floor of my pickup and use it as a “safe box” for more valuable items, such as tools and my propane stove. Even though it’s plastic, a significant amount of effort would be required to gain entry.
I’ve also found old coolers to be incredible Bug Out storage containers. They’re lightweight, very water-resistant (not watertight), durable, insulated (from hot and cold), have a drain hole if necessary, and typically have a fairly secure clasp. I’ve found old coolers at garage sales for less than five dollars and they are far superior to any plastic tote that I’ve bought from an office supply or general merchandise store. They also don’t look like a typical storage container, which can be a positive feature. But, they do look like coolers, which can be bad if others are looking for food and water. I camo spray-paint my storage coolers (shown later).
There is also a product called the Vittles Vault that is designed to store bulk pet food. It is air- and watertight. These make great BOV storage totes. They’re crush-resistant, durable, food-grade, stackable, earth tone in color, and come in a variety of sizes. These would make excellent weatherproof cache containers for just about anything.
Portability: Square or rectangular totes are easier to strap onto backup BOVs such as carts and bikes than round five-gallon buckets. However, they are much more cumbersome to carry on foot, especially if they are heavy at all. These should not be considered as a “travel by foot” container.
Pros:
Cons:
Thick plastic black toolbox style tote with pad lock option
Old, but solid, cooler repurposed for Bug Out storage
Vittles Vault storage containers
The military is always in Bug Out mode, and most of their products are designed to withstand the worst conditions. Shopping at an Army/Navy surplus store every now and then is never a bad idea. You will occasionally find surplus storage boxes and containers designed to ship and/or store electronics, ammunition, and weapons. I’ve picked up a couple really nice Pelican brand cases this way. Metal surplus ammo cans make excellent storage containers and organizers for ammunition and other smaller tools and parts. You can, of course, find these types of products online as well, but shipping is never cheap for large bulky storage totes. I have also found several surplus containers (including fuel jerry cans) locally on Craigslist. I keep a variety of Bug Out ammunition in a surplus metal military ammo can behind the seat of my BOV.
Portability: While military surplus containers can be heavy because of their extremely durable qualities, they are designed with shipping and transport in mind. Consequently, I’ve found that surplus cases stack and pack very well. They also often have additional tie-down anchors or handles that make securing them to a cart or bike very practical. They are almost always watertight and nearly crush resistant.
Pros:
Cons:
Pack your gear in multi-environment containers. You may have to abandon your BOV, and it’s important that any gear you wish to take with you is protected from inclement weather and harsh travel environments. Durable waterproof containers that can fend off a variety of disaster-related weather conditions give you added security when transporting expensive or sensitive survival gear.
Do not use cardboard boxes or the cheap two-flap plastic office filing totes to store Bug Out Supplies. These will not hold up to the conditions that any Bug Out disaster will present.
Creek pulling Bug Out Cart through muddy stream
In the event you have to abandon your BOV, it’s important to think about protecting water-sensitive tools, clothes, and gear in case it rains or you have to make river or water crossings. This is especially true if you don’t have some solid storage totes. Dry bags are primarily used in the water sports industry and are designed to keep gear dry. The only downfall is that they will also keep water in. Wet gear stuffed into dry bags will not dry out.
Thick trash compactor bags or contractor-grade trash bags make suitable (but not nearly as durable) dry bags. Twist the top a few times, fold over in a U shape, and tie off to keep water out. I’ve used these before to line my backpack when camping and also as a waterproof lining in my Bug Out Bag.
Portability: Comparatively, drybags are probably the least durable Bug Out Container I’m suggesting and are much more susceptible to puncture, tears, or burn holes. However, they can be very easy to strap onto a cart or bike. Strapping across a bag of items is much easier than across a rigid tote or bucket and they stay very secure even over bumpy terrain.
Pros:
Cons:
Surplus metal ammo can with 12-gauge, .22, 9mm, .357 and .223 ammunition
SealLine Dry Bags from www.seallinegear.com
Locked and hardened storage boxes or cases can provide an added layer of security should you have to abandon your vehicle and leave some supplies behind. Even if your vehicle is abandoned, looters may not have the tools or time to access locked storage boxes. A variety of truck toolboxes are manufactured to store tools and supplies in the back of pickup trucks like the one I mentioned earlier that I use. These also come in metal versions that can be nearly impossible to compromise. Even though they are designed for pickup trucks, I’ve seen several people mount these inside an SUV for secure interior storage.
Smaller “car safes” can be mounted inside the back of SUVs or even the trunks of small cars. I have a small one mounted to the center floor console where I lock up extra radios and valuables when I leave the truck. These vary in size and price and are available at many hunting supply stores. Many of them are designed to store firearms. Splitting supplies among several smaller locked storage boxes requires more time and effort for looters to steal your supplies than one large container. It’s important to mount these boxes using anchors that actually screw into the metal floor, panels, and/or frame of your vehicle. A locked box provides no security if it isn’t securely attached to the vehicle from inside the box itself.
Small interior multifunctional gun safe
Fitting everything inside your BOV may not be possible. Luckily, there are many different exterior storage solutions for vehicles of all types and sizes.
Exterior storage shelf mounted to vehicle’s 2-inch (5cm) receiver
The addition of a standard tow package with 2-inch (5cm) receiver opens up several exterior storage options. Many preppers choose to pull a trailer packed with Bug Out supplies. Some companies even specialize in trailers designed specifically for harsh off-road environments. Bug Out Trailers are discussed in more detail later. A tow package gives you the option of pulling a trailer, boat, or camper if that’s something you wish to consider.
There are also a huge variety of cargo carriers that mount using a standard tow hitch. From bike racks and motorized wheelchair dollies to enclosed trunks and wire mesh baskets, there is a tow hitch storage solution to fit almost any need. These can be a great storage solution for items that don’t need to be within immediate reach during a Bug Out, such as wood, tow chains, extra fuel cans, and hand tools.
The B*O*S*S* (Bug Out Survival Shelter) from www.gearupcenter.com comes fully stocked with Bug Out Gear (Photo courtesy of Tim Ralston)
Roof racks are perfect for storing overflow Bug Out supplies that don’t require quick access. A locking rooftop carrier can protect your gear from theft, inclement weather, and accidental loss (such as falling off your vehicle as you are driving). Rooftop carriers come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit almost any storage need.
In addition to enclosed cargo carriers, roof racks are perfect for mounting tons of other Bug Out related gear, such as bicycles, canoes, kayaks, carts, wagons, shovels, axes, strollers, and off-road lights. Roof racks make it possible to bring large and bulky items that would not otherwise be possible. I’ve got a Bug Out Pack Canoe (discussed in more detail later) from www.oldtowncanoe.com strapped to the roof rack of my truck cap.
Don’t forget high-quality bungee cords and ratcheting straps to keep your gear secure. I use only LoopRope bungee cords (www.looprope.com). They are a heavy-duty bungee cord with multiple anchor points and carabiner clips that result in a multifunctional tie-down strapping solution. I’ve used LoopRopes on bikes, trucks, ATVs, canoes, and even around the campsite for clotheslines and shelter guy lines. When it comes to strapping down big bulky equipment, be sure to use ratcheting straps. These ratchet down tight and hold heavy awkward loads in place.
Two-inch (5cm) receiver mounted bike rack
SkyBox Cargo Box from www.yakima.com (Photo courtesy of Yakima.)
Bug Out Pack Canoe from www.oldtowncanoe.com
LoopRope bungees (www.looprope.com)
Ratcheting tie-down straps for securing bulky loads
Pickup trucks, like mine, are very limited on interior storage space. For single-bench seat trucks that do not have an extended cab or quad cab, a truck cap is great way to extend storage into the truck bed. I did this with a locking aluminum cap that I bought used on Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks. I spray-painted it with black grill paint to match the other black features of my truck. It has locking side access panels as well as locking back doors with windows that are backed with heavy-gauge wire mesh to prevent break-ins. I added extra reinforced padlocks on each door to further deter break-ins. Most of my personal Bug Out storage is under the truck cap including my Bug Out Bike, Bug Out Deer Cart, maintenance tools, extra water, food, and three spare tires.
Used truck caps can be found locally for very cheap and provide a protected area for bulk storage and even sleeping, if necessary. I have friends who plan on bugging out with a variety of animals including chickens and goats. A truck cap is an ideal solution for this particular scenario. It keeps the animals contained, protected, and out of the interior cargo space. I call this Noah’s Truck.
A view into Creek’s BOV truck cap
Standard truck cap on F-150
Looking for an easy and effective way to spray-paint an effective camouflage pattern on your caches, vehicle, or gear? Use Mother Nature! Start by spraying on an earth tone base like dark green, tan, or brown. Next, trace real tree leaves on paper and cut them out with a razor knife. Make several templates using leaves from different trees. Then, using other earth tone colors and your templates, spray a mixed pattern of leaves on the object. This makes a very believable break-up pattern that doesn’t break the bank. Be sure to use a good quality matte camo paint. I used the camo spray paint from Hunter’s Specialties at www.hunterspec.com to paint this garage sale cooler I bought for two dollars, which now stores survival supplies.
Cooler before paint
Cooler with base coat of earth tone color
Multiple leaf templates
Finished camo painted cooler ready to stash
In large-scale disasters where mass exodus occurs, gas stations become watering holes of complete desperation and chaos. Even during the September 11th terrorist attacks, gas stations here in rural Indiana were jammed with people panicked about fuel shortages. I can remember driving by a gas station listening to the honking horns and people screaming out their windows. It was crazy. Do yourself a favor and make preparations to avoid these potential hot-spots of human interaction and confrontation.
Ideally, you should have enough fuel in your tank and in on-board fuel cans to get you to your BOL without stopping for gas. I actually recommend having at least twice what is needed to make the trip just in case you get stuck in traffic or have to make costly detours. Both are very likely.
Never let the fuel gauge on your BOV fall under three-quarters of a tank when going about your daily routine. Having a nearly full tank of gas at all times assures you have at least that much gas when starting a Bug Out. It takes ten gallons of fuel for me to get to my BOL. I keep thirty gallons of fuel in my BOV at all times—three times what I need. This includes a twenty-gallon gas tank and two five-gallon jerry cans. You may require on-board fuel storage as well. I’ve chosen to use metal jerry cans but plastic fuel cans are available as well. I have these mounted to the side of my truck with locking hardware to prevent theft. I also found a used jerry can locally on Craigslist.com for twenty dollars that I keep secured inside the truck cap with a strap. I prefer to keep all of my fuel storage outside the vehicle interior and recommend you do the same for obvious reasons. No matter how nice your gas cans are, fuel stinks and can give you a serious headache if kept inside. Not to mention that it’s dangerous to keep fuel inside the vehicle as well. Roof racks are a great place to store a couple fuel cans. You can run inexpensive bicycle cable locks through the fuel can handle and around the roof rack frame to prevent theft. It’s not foolproof but will prevent someone from pulling off a quick grab-and-dash fuel heist.
Whenever you store fuel long term, you need to use a fuel stabilizer. The product I use is STA-BIL from www.sta-bil.com. STA-BIL extends the life of fuel to a full year. This prevents you having to worry about whether your fuel is good or bad. Just use your fuel storage once a year and you’ll be good to go at all times. One advantage of diesel fuel is that it stores for much longer than gasoline. By adding a biocide to prevent algae growth, diesel fuel will store for many years. Combine that with a product like STA-BIL and you can expect to get a shelf life of ten-plus years out of diesel.
Five-gallon fuel jerry can mounted and secured with padlock to exterior of Creek’s BOV
STA-BIL fuel stabilizer
Don’t’ forget fuel for your gasoline-powered tools, such as generators and chainsaws. I keep one gallon of unleaded gasoline for my generator and one gallon of gas/oil mix for the chainsaw securely strapped in the back of my truck at all times.
One-gallon gas can for gasoline-powered generator
Fuel storage should be at the top of your storage priorities. Without fuel, nothing else matters. Beyond that, the gear in your BOV should be compartmentalized, organized, and easy to find. Durable multi-environment containers allow you to cache or transport extra supplies should you have to abandon your vehicle en route to your BOL. Don’t cut corners on storage containers. No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on a container, but rugged containers capable of withstanding demanding environments are important and can last a lifetime.