Photo courtesy of Four Wheel Campers
The next five chapters are dedicated to highlighting, reviewing, and evaluating a huge variety of BOV options. These will include everything from traditional vehicles, planes, boats, wheeled carts, and many options in between. While it’s impossible to include absolutely every vehicle option, I’ve been able to amass an impressive list, that will cover most any circumstance, environment, or lifestyle. I’ve done my best to outline the pros, cons, and special considerations for each type of vehicle. This chapter will deal primarily with traditional motorized passenger vehicles, starting with cars.
There are more cars on the road than any other type of vehicle. However, “cars” is a vast category and not all cars are created equal. Some cars, like the all-wheel drive Subaru, take pride in their “off the beaten path” capability. Others, like the Toyota Prius, will travel significantly farther than my gas-guzzling diesel truck on significantly less fuel. Still yet, when you need to get out of Dodge at a high rate of speed, Mustangs and Camaros will be at the head of the pack. Station wagons excel in storage room while Smart Cars and MINI Coopers can thread traffic needles. My dad’s Buick will blend into the masses, but my buddy’s Dodge Viper is a Bug Out Bull’s-eye on wheels. There are so many choices and all of them have pros and cons. In general, below are the pros and cons for the “car” category.
Jake’s Bug Out Subaru Outback (Photo courtesy of J. Kammerer)
Fuel: With a few fast-moving exceptions, cars excel in the miles traveled versus fuel consumed category. This is an obvious advantage.
Blending: My truck (and many of the BOVs featured in pictures throughout this book) will stand out in a sea of vehicles. This is a disadvantage. An average car will blend and be less of a target.
Replacement Parts: With some exceptions, replacement parts are reasonably accessible for many popular makes and models in this category.
Off-Road: Cars do not do well off-road.
Clearance: Most cars have little road clearance. In a Bug Out environment, more clearance is almost always better.
Storage: Most cars have very limited storage apace. One must plan ahead to organize and pack Bug Out Gear.
A car that blends into the crowd is a good thing
Smart Car perfect for tight traffic squeezes
This car has just a few inches of ground clearance.
I love pickup trucks. In recent years, pickups have become much more feature-rich and comfortable than they used to be. Extended cabs and quad cabs provide a surprising amount of interior space for hauling people and gear. Caps, bed covers, and campers can be added to provide an incredible amount of secure storage for all kinds of Bug Out tools, gear, supplies, and even smaller vehicles (like a Bug Out Bike or four-wheeler). Four-wheel drive trucks are excellent off-road machines. Two-wheel drive pickup trucks are cheaper, but are among the worst off-road vehicles on planet Earth. Two-wheel drive pickups are rear-wheel drive. The back end of a pickup truck is really light and with no weight on the rear wheels, they get stuck really easily. I used to have a two-wheel drive pickup and it would literally get stuck in wet grass. It was unbelievable. I will never own one again.
Other modern developments include hybrid trucks with fuel efficiency that will rival some medium-sized cars. Even my old diesel gets mileage per gallon in the high teens. Unlike my older pickup, modern trucks are incredibly comfortable to drive. My truck feels like a soapbox car with wooden wheels and is a completely different experience from trucks with modern suspensions and features designed to make bumpy rides more comfortable.
Regardless of the nearly limitless number of features available, trucks of all shapes, sizes, makes, and models make excellent BOVs options.
Storage: Trucks have a larger storage capacity than most modern vehicles. They are specifically designed to haul lots of stuff.
Hard Use: Most trucks are designed for work and excel in “off the pavement” environments (if they are four-wheel drive). They typically have higher ground clearance and beefy suspensions.
Power: While many cars boast fuel economy, trucks are best known for power. Most trucks have engines to match the brutal demands of their hardworking owners. Trucks can pull heavy loads and power through harsh off-road conditions. Whether it’s yanking a fallen tree off the road or fording a flooded road, many trucks will be up for the task.
Off-Road: Most trucks have a 4x4 option (don’t buy one that doesn’t) and will perform well off the pavement if necessary.
Access: Be sure to keep your quick access gear in the cab if possible. Access to storage in the truck bed requires you to exit the vehicle. This may not always be ideal.
Exposure: Unless protected by a bed cover, camper, or cap, all exterior storage items must be in waterproof containers to shed rain and other elements.
Fuel: Fuel efficiency is almost always lower than smaller cars.
Security: Any items kept in the bed are more susceptible to theft. Consider secure storage options.
ICON FJ45 from www.icon4x4.com (Photo courtesy of ICON 4×4)
Truck with camper from www.fourwh.com
I believe SUVs and Jeeps represent the most practical and realistic class of BOVs available on the market today. Jeeps are in a class all their own, and I don’t necessarily consider them an SUV, but for brevity have included them in this category nonetheless. Many will argue that the Jeep (Wrangler) is the best off-road vehicle available and I wouldn’t necessarily disagree, especially when comparing mid-priced vehicles.
The majority of off-road accessory websites and catalogs cater specifically to Jeep enthusiasts. This speaks to the popularity of that vehicle for adventure travel. An insane amount of off-road aftermarket accessories are available for Jeeps. Nearly all of these accessories are applicable to a Bug Out Scenario.
SUVs in general do a great job of capturing the best of both the car and truck worlds. While they don’t get the gas mileage of a smaller car, they do have more interior storage space and better ground clearance and off-road abilities (oftentimes four-wheel drive). Many SUVs are equally as capable off the pavement as any comparable pickup truck. In fact, I can’t think of a reason to purchase a truck over an SUV other than if you absolutely needed the large truck bed for hauling something that just can’t fit inside an SUV.
I traveled the entire country one summer just out of college and lived out of my compact two-door Ford Explorer Sport SUV. I sheltered in that old truck for weeks at a time in almost every condition imaginable: on the beach, in parking lots, at rest stops, in the woods, on mountainsides, in hot weather, in cold weather, and in inclement weather. Once I figured out a system, it wasn’t all that bad. It was even fairly comfortable to sleep in (diagonally), which I can’t say for any of the trucks or cars I’ve ever owned. Those have all been awful. I wish I had a picture of that Explorer to show you in this book. It was my BOV at the time.
One advantage of an SUV over trucks and cars is the size of the roof. A large roof allows for a large roof rack. I couldn’t even find a roof rack for my current truck and had to salvage one from a wrecked Explorer at the junkyard and cut it down to fit. Even then it had to be very small to fit on the compact roof above the single bench seat. SUVs allow for ample roof storage as compared to their purebred counterparts. Safari-style roof racks have come way down in price over the years and are must have for any BOV-SUV.
From H2 Hummers to Suzuki Sidekicks, your options with SUVs are only limited by your budget. I’ve seem awesome SUV-BOVs in all price ranges.
Storage: Lots of weatherproof and secure interior storage plus large roof for securing items overhead.
People: Great for families.
Off-Road: Most SUVs have a 4×4 option (don’t buy one that doesn’t).
Blending: My truck (and many of the BOVs featured in pictures throughout this book) will stand out in a sea of vehicles. This is a disadvantage. SUVs are very common and will be less of a target.
Top Heavy: More likely to roll over than lower profile cars and even trucks.
Fuel: Fuel efficiency is almost always lower than smaller cars.
Jeep Wrangler
SUV on rugged terrain
My repurposed, cut-down salvaged roof rack
Much larger roof cage on H1 Hummer (Photo courtesy of David Iem)
I’ve owned a BOV in this category. It was a big Ford E-350 XLT Superduty fifteen-passenger cargo van. The owner before me had sent it off to Quigley Motor Company, Inc. in Pennsylvania (www.quigley4x4.com) for a Quigley 4×4 conversion. It had a V10 gasoline engine and I could literally watch the fuel needle move. Miles per gallon was in the single digits and ended up being one of my motivating factors for ultimately selling the beast. Having owned a van-sized BOV, I learned a lot about what I liked and didn’t like, which will influence my input into this category.
I’ve seen several stock all-wheel drive (AWD) vans over the years that would make excellent BOVs. Chevy made the Astro Van for a while with AWD and Toyota has recently released the Sienna with AWD. There may be others. If choosing a van as a BOV, I would definitely consider an AWD model or even an aftermarket conversion by a company like Quigley. This option, in conjunction with some tready tires, can drastically improve your ability to navigate off the pavement around roadblocks or through snow and mud during inclement weather. Never buy a rear-wheel drive van. They will get stuck almost instantly in wet, muddy or snowy conditions.
Interior Space: Storage is by far the number-one reason to choose a van BOV. Whether to haul children or excess gear, a van has some clear advantages from the interior storage perspective. It also makes a suitable shelter and makeshift RV if necessary. From folding back seats to floor-board storage, ample interior space is a huge advantage.
People: Great for families.
Blending: An AWD or 4×4 van just looks like a van. There are tons of vans on the road and these won’t stick out unless you make them.
Nonthreatening: Vans are nonthreatening. Especially if law enforcement starts trying to identify potential threats, a minivan will be in the clear and sail cleanly under the radar. My truck, however, not so much.
Fuel: Many minivans get excellent gas mileage.
Off-Road: Most vans (especially the rear-wheel drive models) perform very poorly off-road. If you can’t afford or find an AWD model, try your best to choose a front-wheel drive version. Rear-wheel drive cargo vans are some of the worst off-road vehicles on the planet.
Fuel: Many eight-cylinder and ten-cylinder cargo vans get horrible gas mileage.
Sportsmobile 4×4 Custom Camper Van from www.sportsmobile.com
Another Sportsmobile 4×4 Custom Camper Van from www.sportsmobile.com (Photos courtesy of Sportsmobile.com)
Volkswagon van
Cavernous interior space in fifteen- passenger cargo van
Surplus slide-in military communication shelters can be purchased from resellers and individuals online for just a few hundred dollars. With a little bit of sweat equity, these can make very durable (and cool) truck campers. They have very secure locking doors and make an excellent storage or DIY camper solution for pickup trucks. I almost purchased one of these for my BOV but decided to rehab cost was a little much as compared to the cheaper aluminum shell.
Several surplus slide-in military communications shelters
There is a nearly infinite range of RVs BOVs. From multimillion dollar rigs to used truck cap campers, you are only limited by your budget and creativity. I’ve even seen families convert old school buses to mobile home style BOVs. The major difference between this category and all of the rest (except some boats) is that you have the option to live inside of them—at least short term. In most other vehicles, an overnight stay (and even bathroom break) would typically require exiting the vehicle. This category contains vehicles that are by definition self-contained living units.
I have several friends who have decided to go the RV BOV route. As I mentioned earlier in the book, I view a BOV as a means to an end and not the end itself, but I certainly respect and understand why some survival-minded individuals like the idea of a mobile BOL/BOV combo unit. I have to admit, there is a certain allure to traveling in a self-sustaining mobile BOL (though all RVs are only temporarily self-sustaining). Aside from a complete extended societal collapse, RVs represent a great solution to evacuate a disaster zone and live on the road until it’s safe to return. The idea of retreating in an RV has many advantages, but the idea of using that RV as a final BOL in an extended collapse has many limitations. It’s important to note there has never been an extended collapse/disaster in the United States. All disasters have been localized and fairly short term. However, there still is simply no perfect plan no matter how much time you invest or how much money you spend.
Options: A mobile home or RV gives an evacuee many options. You aren’t limited to a specific destination. The road or a good hiding spot is your home away from home.
Self-Contained: There is increased risk every time you exit a BOV. (I even keep portable potty bags in the cab of my truck to prevent having to exit in a hostile environment.) Many RVs have bathrooms, sleeping quarters, water storage, and kitchens inside. A self-contained BOV with the ability to move about inside helps with sanity on long trips as well.
Electricity: Many RVs have built-in generators that can provide electricity to charge/power batteries or electronics if possible. Often, these generators also power air conditioning and cooking appliances as well when the main engines are turned off.
Fuel: While RVs don’t typically get great fuel mileage, they almost always have massive fuel tanks. These things are designed to hit the open road, and there’s nothing more frustrating than having to stop for gas all the time. Large tanks allow for longer and farther travel. This travel range is a big plus for anyone bugging out in an RV. Whether sitting in traffic or driving far away from ground zero, large on-board fuel tanks are always a good thing.
Storage: RVs cannot only house plenty of people but tons of supplies as well. With my truck, for example, I have to get out of the cab to access almost all of my Bug Out Supplies. This is a disadvantage. The large interior spaces of RVs allow one to keep most everything within hands reach without having to leave the vehicle.
Maneuverability: Even small RVs can be difficult to maneuver, especially in congested traffic or in an off-road situation. Large RVs can be nearly impossible to navigate through crowded streets or wooded areas. Evacuating before mass exodus is imperative.
Off-Road: Besides the really expensive 4×4 adventure units and truck-mounted campers, RVs are not well suited for off-pavement travel. This can be a huge issue when navigating through medians or over embankments becomes necessary.
Blending: RVs don’t blend well. In fact, they look like they contain a lot of supplies. RVs are absolutely more of a target to looters than other less conspicuous vehicles. They are also more difficult to camouflage if security becomes an issue.
Security: Not that traditional vehicles are defensive fortresses, but many RVs are built from wood, plastic, and fiberglass. This is something to consider when evaluating vehicle security.
EarthRoamer XV-LT Adventure Vehicle from www.earthroamer.com
Survivor Truck from www.survivortruck.com
(Photo courtesy of Jim Delozier, survivortruck.com)
Check out the Survivor Truck! This custom BOV has a crazy list of cool survival features, including:
I know several people who have chosen to outfit and prepare a Bug Out Trailer versus a particular vehicle. Though this is not what I’ve chosen to do, I will admit that it does make a lot of sense.
Trailers are extremely versatile tools when it comes to containing and transporting Bug Out supplies and gear. I even know a guy who mounted a slide-in truck bed style camper onto a pontoon boat. This is not only a Bug Out Trailer but also a living quarters and a fully functional pontoon boat if necessary. It’s a pretty cool and inventive Bug Out setup that creatively incorporates several types of vehicles.
Whether you use a two-hundred-dollar wire frame trailer from Craigslist or buy a fully stocked self-contained tow behind Bug Out Camper with bathroom and kitchen, you must have a vehicle capable of pulling it. This eliminates most small cars. You must also have a properly sized and installed tow package with wiring harness. Four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs with six-cylinder or larger engines are the best trailer towing candidates.
Tow-behind adventure campers like the Campa Cub and the Xtender are becoming extremely popular within the off-roading and adventure travel communities. This style of camper/trailer also doubles as an excellent Bug Out Trailer and is typically very feature-rich. Many preppers, however, like the nondescript look of a standard covered cargo trailer with the Bug Out amenities discreetly installed inside.
One of the most enticing benefits of a Bug Out Trailer is that a trailer doesn’t age like a vehicle. It’s not uncommon for a trailer to last a lifetime with minimum maintenance. A trailer isn’t driven every day like a vehicle and doesn’t have engine parts that fail with lack of use or age. A BOV is a huge investment that may one day have to be replaced because of high miles or a worn-out engine. Bug Out Trailers are rarely used and therefore last forever. Many people don’t want to modify and outfit their everyday driver vehicle as a BOV and like the idea of just hitching up to a quick get-out-of-Dodge solution. I know one family who has had the same homemade Bug Out Trailer for fifteen years. It has seen several different tow vehicles come and go during that time frame. They only put the effort and money into their trailer once and now it just sits in the garage ready to go when they need it. Besides an occasional practice run or camping trip, they never use it. It will last forever.
Xtender off-road trailer/camper from www.vmioffroad.com (Photo courtesy of Vmi Offroad Xtender Trailers)
Tow-behind pop-up camper
Campa Cub all-terrain trailer from www.campausa.com (Photo courtesy of Campa International)
Discreet 6 × 12 covered Bug Out Trailer
Below are a few things to consider when outfitting and storing a Bug Out Trailer:
Vehicle and Hitch: First, make sure your vehicle is capable of towing your fully loaded BOT. Then, make sure your hitch is rated for the weight as well.
Wiring: Make sure all of the lights work on your trailer. Not only are malfunctioning lights illegal, they are dangerous. The last thing you need is a rear-end collision because your brake lights weren’t working.
Keep a Spare Tire: The tow vehicle spare will probably not fit the trailer. Keep a trailer spare tire or two inside the trailer. Make sure the vehicle lug wrench also fits the trailer wheel lugs.
Dry Rot: When tires sit for months without use they tend to develop dry rot, especially when exposed to sunlight. Check the trailer tires to make sure this isn’t an issue. Pull the trailer at least a couple times a month to keep everything on the up-and-up.
Practice in Reverse: It’s easy to tow a trailer. It’s not so easy to go in reverse with one. Practice this until you become an expert at backing up with a trailer. You may have to maneuver and reverse in hectic traffic one day.
Wheel Chocks: Pick up a decent set of wheel chocks to prevent your trailer from rolling should you need to disconnect on uneven ground. Improvising with rocks and logs is dangerous.
Trailer Dolly: Just in case you get in a tight bind, it never hurts to have a trailer dolly. This allows you to quickly maneuver and rotate even very heavy trailers without the use of a vehicle. I used to set up a trailer at festivals, and trailer dollies were invaluable for helping to navigate the trailer back onto my hitch from in tight corners.
Pintle Hitch: Note that a military-style pintle hitch will be harder to steal if for some reason you have to abandon, hide, or leave your trailer. Consider choosing (or modifying) your trailer tongue with a pintle hitch. A ball/pintle combo hitch on your vehicle can pull both pintle-style and traditional ball trailers. Pintle hitches are also more secure for off-road bumpy travel and especially on sideways slopes.
Pintle hitch
Trailer dolly
Vehicle Independent: With a Bug Out Trailer, you aren’t limited to just one BOV. Any vehicle that will tow the trailer will work!
Storage: Trailers offer huge storage potential. It’s also much safer to store extra fuel in a trailer than in the trunk of a vehicle.
Custom: Many trailers are highly customizable and can be modified to suit almost any need. From hauling four-wheelers to rooftop solar panels, creativity is the limit.
Cache: If necessary, the entire trailer can be hidden for retrieval at a later date.
Shelter: Many survivalists have outfitted trailers to serve double-duty as a Bug Out Location living quarters with bunks, heating stove, solar panels, and even a bathroom.
Budget: Trailers are typically cheaper than dedicated BOVs.
Maneuverability: Trailers can be very difficult to maneuver in congested traffic or tight places. Backing up in these circumstances can be nearly impossible.
Off-Road: Trailers can very difficult to tow in rugged off-road environments.
Mileage: The addition of a trailer will reduce the gas mileage for any vehicle.
Access: Gear packed inside or strapped on a trailer can be cumbersome and inconvenient to access.
I’ve learned there will always be a better BOV than the one you own. You can drive yourself crazy trying to find and purchase the perfect BOV. Trust me, a perfect one does not exist. Working with what you have and within your means will cover you for the vast majority of any threats.
Most people will choose a BOV of some type or variety from this chapter. Others may have unique circumstances that require a more specific vehicle. Let’s now explore a variety of “atypical” BOVs.