Hello again all, as I have said in earlier posts I am more of an avid forum reader, not poster, but something has occurred to me recently that I thought I would bring up for a discussion.
I have a keen interest in survival situations and consider myself fairly well read. I therefore keep a close eye on the section of G&G, and I am surprised there is all this talk about bobs, but I have seen very little on bovs, or Bug-out-Vehicles! Now I in no way am discrediting a bob, but personally find a bov way more efficient. If you really think about it, you are almost always close to your car, and having it loaded with everything you would need seems very convenient.
Now I am sure that many of you already carry almost everything you would need in your car, but I would like to hear what you all think is a good idea or bad, and some ideas of your own. I personally am a large man, and therefore have many changes of cloths, as in three get-ups all together with socks underwear, undershirts and all. I also carry some winter gear, and here is why, my thoughts are that if a shtf scenario happens, sure it is summer now, but it wont be in a few months, and if I am at work, I head directly for my shtf safe place in hopes to avoid gridlock as much as possible, no time to look back. Now I realize that I do not have the responsibility that some of you may (i.e. family) BUT if both you and your spouses cars are equipped, all you need to do is get the kids and get outa dodge!
I also (due to some circumstances I do not wish to divulge...anti-gun mother...) do not have a handgun, I do however have a Remington 870 tac desert recon that I keep in the back of my car with plenty of ammo (say a few hundred rounds). I also keep a very small and light .22 (cricket...yeah I know) with a couple hundred rounds. I figure that should get me where I need to go, and have some stocked supplies at my safe house.
So here is where I could use some input, I also carry most of my camp gear (ultra portable stove/pans/pots, tons of gas for the stove, towel, cold weather sleeping bag, lighter..that kinda stuff). And just to be safe a 209 piece mechanics tool set that I could take appart most of my car with. Now some might scream overkill (i know it is a little...) but what else would I need for a good bov?
So how many of your cars are equipped for a shtf situation, or do you mostly rely on you bob to get you through? I am very interested to hear your input!
__________________
Got and PC problems? Send me a Message!
I see that you say "car". Unless you are using car as a synonym for "auto" I'd suggest you acquire a four-wheel drive pick-up or SUV. In any kind of SHTF scenario, alternate routes would be taken (or created) which would damage a car, or would be impassable with a car.
__________________ I'm here for a good time, to h*ll with the red wine, pour me some moonshine!
Sorry, bad term, buy car I mean a jeep Cherokee, all time 4x4 with possible lift in the future, good call out though, I often forget to call it a truck!
__________________
Got and PC problems? Send me a Message!
see we do disscuss the possibility of BOV's the only problem is if in a shtf situation and are trying to get out of "dodge" is that everyone else is trying to get out too. the freeways and side roads will get congested and even with a 4x4 there are some places you cant cross without specialized equipment. so they do have limited capabilities... but they are good to have if used ahead of the mass exodus... that is if its not a EMP blast that knocks all the newer cars off the road...
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
see we do disscuss the possibility of BOV's the only problem is if in a shtf situation and are trying to get out of "dodge" is that everyone else is trying to get out too. the freeways and side roads will get congested and even with a 4x4 there are some places you cant cross without specialized equipment. so they do have limited capabilities... but they are good to have if used ahead of the mass exodus... that is if its not a EMP blast that knocks all the newer cars off the road...
You bring up a great point with the EMP, now here is a question for you, if I purchased some of that anti-emp material and put it on the underside of my hood, would that protect it from an emp?
__________________
Got and PC problems? Send me a Message!
BigJ no, because you cant fully contain the engine, the only way to really secure items from an EMP is to completely surround the item in what is called a faraday cage (others will be able to explain it better then I). The cage is usually grounded as well and it will dissrupt the emp wave and dissipate it into the ground... so the only way to truely keep your vehicle from being fried is...
1.)line the inside of your garage including doors with the material and then ground it... or...
2.) get a new computer and ignition system, silinoids and so on, all the electrical stuff to make your vehicle run. and store them into a faraday cage that is grounded...
thats what i would do... jmo. but i also have pre-computer cars so if something does happen like that they are easily ready to run, but then you get into a new set of problems if you have a running vehicle and others dont...
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
Hello again all, as I have said in earlier posts I am more of an avid forum reader, not poster, but something has occurred to me recently that I thought I would bring up for a discussion.
I have a keen interest in survival situations and consider myself fairly well read. I therefore keep a close eye on the section of G&G, and I am surprised there is all this talk about bobs, but I have seen very little on bovs, or Bug-out-Vehicles! Now I in no way am discrediting a bob, but personally find a bov way more efficient. If you really think about it, you are almost always close to your car, and having it loaded with everything you would need seems very convenient.
Now I am sure that many of you already carry almost everything you would need in your car, but I would like to hear what you all think is a good idea or bad, and some ideas of your own. I personally am a large man, and therefore have many changes of cloths, as in three get-ups all together with socks underwear, undershirts and all. I also carry some winter gear, and here is why, my thoughts are that if a shtf scenario happens, sure it is summer now, but it wont be in a few months, and if I am at work, I head directly for my shtf safe place in hopes to avoid gridlock as much as possible, no time to look back. Now I realize that I do not have the responsibility that some of you may (i.e. family) BUT if both you and your spouses cars are equipped, all you need to do is get the kids and get outa dodge!
I also (due to some circumstances I do not wish to divulge...anti-gun mother...) do not have a handgun, I do however have a Remington 870 tac desert recon that I keep in the back of my car with plenty of ammo (say a few hundred rounds). I also keep a very small and light .22 (cricket...yeah I know) with a couple hundred rounds. I figure that should get me where I need to go, and have some stocked supplies at my safe house.
So here is where I could use some input, I also carry most of my camp gear (ultra portable stove/pans/pots, tons of gas for the stove, towel, cold weather sleeping bag, lighter..that kinda stuff). And just to be safe a 209 piece mechanics tool set that I could take appart most of my car with. Now some might scream overkill (i know it is a little...) but what else would I need for a good bov?
So how many of your cars are equipped for a shtf situation, or do you mostly rely on you bob to get you through? I am very interested to hear your input!
sorry i can't be of help, but you express yourself well, i would like to see u post more.
While there are obvious merits to the vehicle you'd use keep in mind that vehicles can be rendered inoperable. my B.O.B is a ranger bag I got from CHeaper Than Dirt, I can carry a large amount of gear in it ( over a weeks worth of clothes, extra batteries for flashlites, MRE's, med kit, addt'l ammo and so on) I can carry it like a back pack as well leaving my hands free to carry a weapon. So in the event my vehicle is damamged I just pick up my bag and continue on foot. Beats having everything I need layin around loose in the vehicle.
__________________
" This house is protected by the good Lord, and a gun......."
My BOV is only there to get me from where I am (work, store, etc.) to home. I don't have any thoughts of trying to get out of this area if something actually happens. Getting home and hunkering down is my only option considering where I live.
My BOV: 2005 Jeep Liberty, 2.8l Diesel engine, 4" lift, engine/tranny/t-case/belly/fuel skids, rocker-rails (Carolina Rock Shop RULES), TJM aftermarket steel front bumper, and mud-terrain tires to get me over all the junk that will try to get in my way. My next upgrade is ARB air lockers for front and read diffs, winch, and maybe a steel rear bumper too.
My BOV is always stocked with a minimum tool set, tow straps, Hi-Lift jack (this is the make-shift winch until I get a real one), air compressor, multi-tool, 3D MagLite, and Life Hammer. I'm looking into different under-seat safe options so I can keep ammo and a gun in there too (I do not encourage keeping unlocked firearms in unattended vehicles). There is also a bag for repairs that includes tire-patching kit, radiator patch-kit, duct-tape, spare belts, spare bulbs, etc., etc.
Then there is the "get me home" kit (backpack), which is there for when I can't get there in the Jeep and is always in the Jeep. It holds: boots, 2 pair padded hiking socks, cargo pants, belt, pair of skivvies, 2 t-shirts, long-sleeve button up shirt, pair of work gloves, hat, rainjacket, first-aid kit, fire-stick, 2 flashlights (AAA headlamp, AAA pocket flash light), spare AAA and D batteries, compass, zip-locked TP, beef-jerky, energy bars, full canteen, water purification tabs, trash bag, cup/bowl, folding shovel [combine the last three to purifying water], KaBar knife, a box of ammo for my EDC pistol, camp soap, and a good towel. When it's colder, I swap out me jungle boots for winter boots, swap out summer socks for winter socks, add thicker gloves, warmer hat, liner for my rainjacket, and long-underwear (top & bottom).
BOV's will be a great supply resource for the Have-nots nothing like a roveing supermarket on wheels that one can simply disable with a .22 shot to the radiator
If you're looking for something that a survival vehicle, you'd want to go with something as simple as possible. (i.e.: common 60/70's era technology) EMP can't fry a dizzy and carb. I doubt you'd have a situation that you'd have to worry about EMP, but the KISS method still applies if you're looking for something that will last. Hell with quadrajet you can get pretty good gas mileage compared to a carter, while leaving higher order electronics out of the equation. I mean if you're looking for something that is supposed to be as rugged as possible, you want to have as few parts that might need replacing as possible. Most modern vehicles have a wealth of electronics beyond just he ECU and if any one of those fail, that can leave you dead in the water.
If all you need is transport to a good BOL (Bug Out Location) where you have your major stash of arms and supplies, a good dual sport motorcycle is the way to go. I have my bike configured for increased load capability, a selection of compact weapons, and can go totally off-road as needed. I can easily make my way (slowly and carfully) through the pinewoods here. I can get through places a 4X4 truck cannot. I can't carry as much, but I can get there. And, if you are looking to make a BO run off the highways, do it NOW! Map out and drive your routes. Make sure you know the route, any difficult places or choke points, any fences or streams that must be dealt with. Bridges are a major obstacle - too easy for a road-block to be setup there! Find an alternate crossing if possible.
My BO plans are essentially for a short term, just to avoid a Cat Five hurricane, or to avoid temporary social upheaval. For the former, a quick run inland for a couple days. For the latter, I'd scoot into the deep woods and wait out the MZB's. With my condition and health, a back-packing trek to a BOL, or even worse becoming a refugee, is NOT gonna happen. Simple fact of life. Know your limitations, so you don't wind up in a Murder Dome sans weapons and gear.
Make sure your vehicle will carry your essential supplies.
Some folks post-Katrina loaded cars with huge amounts of stuff, they hardly had space for themselves! Pets need air and light and can't just be crammed into odd corners.
If you must carry a lot of supplies for a large family, invest in a small luggage or travel trailer with space for your goods. If you have more than one driver consider two small BOVs, equipped with Ham or GMRS radio for comms, instead of one large one.
Everybody should have a "grab & go" ruck and a bike. So if the primary vehicle breaks down or runs out of gas, you still have basic transportation and essential supplies on your back.
A big bug-out vehicle can be a handicap. Pick-ups or SUV's, towing travel trailers can't negotiate some evacuation routes, turn sharp corners and/or are so difficult to turn that they hit things (including other vehicles, which were NOT about to make way in the stress of an evacuation!). Which post Katrina led to harsh words, and at least one fist-fight.
I prefer a smaller, more maneuverable vehicle, which is easier on gas, combined with a small luggage carrier or pop-up travel trailer which can be man-handled around tight corners, if needed, to "squeeze through" tight situations. A big SUV or pickup burns a lot of fuel, which is simply bad news when there's no fuel available!
My BOVs since Isabel have been smaller SUVs. I've owned Jeeps, Subarus and currently a Toyota 4-Runner and carry a mountain bike on the rack. If needed I can grab my ruck and go~!
F250 SuperDuty 4x4 7.3 turbo diesel. off road and trailer tow package with a fiberglass cap (my toy box). she has better off road tires on her now. (mud boots)
EMP's have no effect on diesels if they are running at the time. (will knock a battery flat otherwise) but thats what solar chargers are for
seachicken that is a nice lookin blazer and with it being a 77' no worries about that engine, i would paint it another color other than "hey, come steal all my crap"-white though... lol!
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
