Comments on: Bug-Out Vehicles (BOV)

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:02:45 +0000

Great comment ND… Thanks!

By: ND

ND — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:43:51 +0000

“Sticking out” is to be avoided for more reasons than just looters. Beggars, the desperate and just flat-out unprepared masses will flock to any vehicle that “looks” prepared, or in a size sufficient to store things for emergencies. Such vehicles will draw much attention to themselves. However, unless you have the time and money to pre-position your supplies at your BOL, then just drive out there in a daily driver, there are only a few ways to use a stick-out vehicle when the SHTF:

1. Don’t wait for an event to move the vehicle to where you want to be. Put it at the BOL or, if it is more than two tankfuls of fuel from home (the other tankful is in the vehicle, in cans), stash fuel along your realistic routes (at least two) buried or otherwise hidden so that you will be among the few with enough range to wait out the inevitable traffic jams that await all last-minute refugees.

2. Leave before the event, in the night. Of course this is not possible with earthquakes or nuts lighting up a dirty bomb in your nearby city. But most disasters have signs they are coming. Yes, you may feel paranoid in doing so. But which do you choose, looking paranoid to your neighbors who see you trucking it out at the first sign of trouble… or, being stuck near the city because the freeways are jammed before you even got out of your driveway?

One easy way to avoid city freeway panic is to GET OUT OF THE CITIES. Simple. I didn’t say it was easy, but you have to admit it that doing so simplifies prep planning and magnifies your chances of successful survival of the masses and evac to your BOL.

My current BOV is a Suburban 4×4 diesel, but as my family grows, I am tempted to buy a class C motorhome towing a cargo trailer. Ever tried sleeping on a truck seat for a week? I may buy the RV or just keep the Sub. Undecided. I sure as hell made the decision long ago to get away from the cities.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:38:03 +0000

“Sticking out like a sore thumb” refers to not being noticed by other less prepared people who are looking for a way out of town. While the majority of preppers would hopefully be somewhat prepared to confront a carjacker / scared desperate group of people. I would prefer that they simply ignore my modest looking vehicle rather than risk a confrontation. Excellent article sir.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:25:44 +0000

Looters or other desperate US citizens.

If the Chinese were to invade the US and out military was not there to stop them I’m not sure what kind of extreme prep would save your life. So a bit to extreme for reasonable consideration.

By: Garry

Garry — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:17:12 +0000

“Some problems might be that it would stick out like a soar thumb”. What kind of disaster are we imagining? A Chinese led invasion of USA? ‘Cause I seriously doubt a fire, tornado or earthquake can ‘see’ you and subsequently hunt you down.