Bug Out Vehicle Project

[AZ Prepper]

Bug Out Vehicle Project

http://www.utahpreppers.com/2009/09/...hicle-project/
28 Sep 2009

The Bug Out Vehicle (BOV) is an essential part of every preppers inventory. It is the means by which, should we find ourselves in a SHTF scenario, you will get you and your family to safety. It should be able to not only provide reliable transportation for the family, but to haul all the gear you plan to take with you. Alternatively it can also provide shelter, depending on your needs and how you see yourself bugging out.

Other considerations include fuel, water, comfort, heat, etc. For me personally, I’ve wanted to have an RV as my bugout vehicle for a long time. Until now my plan has included my 15 passenger van pulling a trailer as transport and someone else in my family driving my truck pulling a trailer as needed. Our shelter plan was to sleep in one of our large tents and use our potty tent and a bucket toilet. We have several stoves that we planned to use for food prep and several coolers for food storage. Many know I have 8 kids – this plan would have worked but it was never optimal to me. What I wanted was to have an RV that would provide transportation, shelter, food prep, etc all in one.

I’ve been looking for my RV solution for a long time. As most of you probably know, they’re ridiculously expensive! Since I refuse to go in debt for it (for anything really) I’ve been hunting for the right deal. One of my buddies is a mechanic and I let him and several others know I was looking. Months later, that finally came through for me when the buddy I mentioned found me an older RV that was in cherry mechanical condition that would sleep my whole family. It’s old and the inside needs to be almost completely re-done, but it’s totally serviceable. The great part is, I got it for $900.00!

My plan is to be able to park the RV, position the back of the box truck by the passenger door so supplies are readily available and pitch a large wall tent about 8 feet past the door to the RV with a pavilion pitched towards the rear of the RV. That will allow us a comfortable, open air if we want it, setup where we can live pretty easily. Now that I have the RV I’m several steps closer to having my bugout plan in place!

So, this fall I’m hoping to make several posts showing the projects we’re doing with it. I plan to outfit it as a total BOV that we will keep stocked and ready to go. I’m also still looking for a box truck (like a Ryder moving truck) to complete my bug out plan (to take that instead of my truck). I already have trailers to pull behind each vehicle so we’re able to take everything with us that we need to.

I’m going to pretty much gut the inside of the RV, replace the beds, carpeting, etc. Redo the shower, re-upholster all the cushions, install new batteries, replace all the catches on the cupboards, replace the propane fridge with one that works, install a small flatscreen tv, install a HAM and CB radio, install a computer station, figure out a satellite internet solution, fully stock it with non-perishable food, dishes, cooking gear, camping gear, clothes, guns, etc. I basically plan to redo the entire inside and fully stock it to bug out, should be a fun project!

Here are some pictures of what it looks like right now:



She ain’t all that pretty, but I like it that way! It’s a 1978 Ford Econoline.



Looking to the front from the kitchen area, sleeping area up top, couch and dining area that convert to beds, fridge barely on the right and the sink on the left.



Looking towards the back from the kitchen – Master Bedroom, bathroom with sink, toilet and shower. Stove and cooking area on the right.

[DMGNUT]

That's a great way to go for keeping everyone in the same vehicle, and I honestly like the idea of doing that. But I had to go with the 2 vehicle plan. In pretty much everything I do, I subscribe to the old military saying that, "Two is one, and one is none". If one of my vehicles goes down... I move the most important stuff to the other, and keep on going. Also in regards to the above Bug Out Vehicle Project... with a tank like that, if you have to leave the pavement, you're pretty much done before you even get started.

The wife and I both drive Ford crew cab 4x4s, with shells on the back (mostly for protecting our more important gear from the elements). One of the trucks is an F-250 with V10 engine and the other is an F-150 with the large block V8. We have a small (half sides/open top) utility trailer (rated to carry 1 ton) and will shortly be getting a small camping travel trailer (we have an assortment of large tents in the meantime). I figure with 2 4x4s, and pulling only small trailers, I can go pretty much where ever I need to without too much difficulty. If one truck gets stuck, the other can pull it out. We have 2 teenage sons, so we have someone riding "shot-gun" in each vehicle too, and would most likely be traveling in a group with others anyway. We're currently working toward equipping both trucks with a HAM radio.

[BackBlast]

I like the two vehicle plan. I have that in mind for us, when we can get a 2nd suitable vehicle.

At present, I have a 4runner and an enclosed trailer. The 4 runner fits the family and a bit of the most vital gear, and the trailer can take the rest of the gear. As the family grows, another vehicle will enter the works, and perhaps another trailer..

[Kelly Alwood]

my BOV...steel back...110 AC wired throughout..multi fuel engine....but i am still in the two vehicle croud too..i have an extented cab gmc 4x4 truck as well..still trying to figure everything out on the bov end...

[AZ Prepper]

my BOV...steel back...110 AC wired throughout..multi fuel engine....but i am still in the two vehicle croud too..i have an extented cab gmc 4x4 truck as well..still trying to figure everything out on the bov end...

Sweet! Pick me up on your way out of town!

[Kelly Alwood]

With this great storm covering 21 states, and almost 1/3 of the population of this country being effected with very heavy snow, we must think about getting around in tough situations. We recently taught a "Bug Out" class in Indiana. It was a great ipifini for all of the students. We made extensive use of horses, as they proved to be the ultimate ATV.