How to Choose the Perfect Bug Out Vehicle

Mk2-Dual Remote Weapon System

Most modern preppers spend their waking hours in anticipation for the next catastrophic event, waiting anxiously for the moment to execute their years of planning and preparedness. Their efforts are showcased in the bug out vehicle that they drive; fully-equipped, fiercely intimidating machines designed specifically for a life of roaming the afterworld wastelands.

You may recognize these road monsters by their oversized tires, protective armor, and fully reinforced bumpers. In addition, there’s usually a roof rack full of spare tires, gas tanks, and other utility items to tackle even the most strenuous scenarios. When the going gets tough, these asphalt eaters will be ready to seize control from the common passenger vehicles that currently rule the roadways.

As a savvy survivalist, it is your responsibility to select a vehicle that will be best suited to your particular needs given the environment in which you need to traverse.  Of course, individual needs may vary widely, so addressing the following questions can help guide you to the most optimal form of transportation:

Car on fire

  • Is it safe to operate? Worldwide, 1.35 million people die as a result of road traffic accidents, with another 20-50 million suffering an accident-related injury.  We can assume this trend will sustain, if not get worse, after a global catastrophic event.  Safety should be the first and foremost consideration when choosing a survival vehicle.  This doesn’t mean a Volvo is necessary, but driving a death trap is not in your best survival interest.

 

Monster truck bug out vehicle

  • Is it practical and realistic for your needs? Procuring a tank to drive through an ex-girlfriend’s house may seem like the ideal use of a lawless landscape.  Pilfering the Porsche dealer for a new 911 may sound like fun too.  It’s easy to indulge in frivolous automobiles that serve no practical purpose, but as stated earlier,  a good survivalist knows that functionality always supersedes vanity.

bug out vehicle with track tires

  • Is it suitable for what conditions/terrain/environment you will encounter? Just as a jet-ski is useless in the desert and a snowmobile won’t go far in the swamp, choosing the right vehicle for the job means knowing what conditions you’ll be up against.  Having four-wheel-drive and studded tires would serve you well in Missoula, but carry little value in downtown Los Angeles.

RV

  • Can it carry and/or tow what you need?  If you’re a minimalist flying solo this may not apply to you.  Most people will have families and essential belongings that can’t all be tied to the roof (unless you’re the Beverly Hillbillies).  This will require a bug out vehicle that has enough space for such valuables, and/or the towing capacity to haul a trailer along.  RVs and travel trailers provide ample space for humans and their belongings, and possibly room to sleep if not overloaded. As discussed below though, hauling everything PLUS the kitchen sink presents its own inherent challenges.`

Muddy Nissan Terrano Off Roading

  • Can it withstand the torture of post-apocalyptic operation? Crater-sized potholes and washed out roads will wreak havoc on vehicles unequipped to handle such hazards, and durability will be an essential characteristic of a quality survival vehicle. Rock sliders and steel-plated bumpers will reign supreme when convertibles and plastic-trimmed cars slowly accumulate on the sides of the road.  For ruggedness, consider things like skid plates, heavy-duty shocks, solid axles and oversized brakes.  Pickup trucks are typically tougher than passenger cars, but don’t let that fact dissuade you from newer “crossover” style cars with more ground clearance and beefier suspension components.

Crossover Bug-Out Vehicle

  • Does it have specific needs or demand a lot of maintenance? Certain vehicles have particular requirements for operation that may not always be convenient or available.  Unconventional fuels (natural gas, propane, ethanol/E85, etc.), rare components, or any other unique nuances of a vehicle should be avoided.  Finding parts for the millions of Ford F-150 pickups on the road will be much easier than a rare 1976 International Scout (especially the “Spirit of 76” special edition model, in which a mere 384 were made). You should also choose a vehicle that is easy to repair.

R400S Mk2 Dual Remote Weapon System Army Truck

  • Does it provide a defensive or offensive element of security?  In the case of social disorder, civil unrest, or regional warfare, being protected from those who might do us harm will be critical.  For defensive purposes, armored body panels and bulletproof glass on your bug out vehicle will provide simple security measures in hostile situations.  Even automatic weapons can be mounted to vehicles, providing effective attack potential (As noted below, machine gun-mounted Toyota trucks have infamously dominated third-world battlefields for decades now)

Turning Key in Ignition

  • Can it be a dependable and reliable vehicle?  Simply put: can you count on your bug out vehicle to get you where you need to go? Notice the question wasn’t “IS” it a dependable and reliable vehicle because there are simple modifications that can be made to ANY vehicle to increase its dependability and reliability (to an extent, of course).  For example, transmission coolers and block heaters are simple additions that can decrease the chances of roadside assistance.  Carrying a spare tire and jumper cables are other indirect ways to assure your way down the road.

 

 
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