We live in some very "Interesting Times" and seriously have to consider things that we have never really had to before.
There is much talk about the Best Vehicle to Bug Out with and it is arguable how to make a choice. Much of the decision falls upon what you can afford, your location and where you would be Bugging out to, when you decide to leave, whether you left bugging out too late, whether you want/need a vehicle just for a one way bugout etc.
Another consideration is what type of situation you are Bugging Out from. Economic Meltdown, EMP, War, Natural disaster, Bad weather etc.
Also, in a situation such as an EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) event, if you have one of the only vehicle that will run you can guarantee that someone will consider they deserve it more than you do and relieve you of it and hopefully leave you alive even though you just lost your vehicle and all of your supplies.
So, in a Bug Out scenario it can come down to a matter of good timing and/or stealth.
Now everyone likes to think that they would be so tuned in and well prepared that they would be able to get out with all of their family, Food, Supplies, equipment etc. that they have carefully accumulated over the years and be pretty comfortable in their new set of circumstances. They may even have a place well known to them that they would head to.
Looking at the sheer practicalities of moving all that stuff would probably require a large SUV or Pickup with possibly a trailer as well.
Now, if you are smart and well tuned in to what is going on then hopefully you are well ahead of the masses. If not, you probably won't be able to use a main highway so you need to consider how you would reach your Bug Out destination by secondary routes. Depending where you live you may have to even go across country and rough ground just to make your escape. Could your vehicle handle that?
Let's talk about vehicles.
An EMP scenario:
All modern vehicles have some kind of Computerized Engine management (with the possible exception of some Diesel engined) Typically, the older pre1980 Gas powered vehicles had no computer and the engine ran by mechanical means. Why do I mention this? Because an EMP would knock out all electronics permanently as well as the Electrical Grid and all that would imply. So, I am basically saying that a non-computerized Diesel or older Gas power vehicle would have a great advantage in such a situation.
A Non-EMP scenario:
This opens far more possibilities for the vehicle you could use provided you can still get Gasoline/Diesel and you have cash to pay for it with. Again you may have to consider that you may have to go across rough country so is your vehicle up to doing that? If not, you may have to consider buying one that is.
Just a thought, bugging out with your RV may not be a good idea for many reasons, not least its fuel consumption and how easily it could get stuck on a traffic blocked road. Also, trying to buy enough Gasoline when everyone else is trying to "Get out of Dodge" could present another issue.
ATV (Possibly with a small Trailer)- this has possibilities provided it is mad quiet and is limited by how many people you could get on it. However, they are reasonably good on gas mileage and can handle rough ground so would have some merits as a Bug-Out Vehicle.
Dual Sport Motorcycle - Similar to ATV but is limited to about 100 - 200 pounds of kit. Not too bad for one person and can handle rough terrain.
Bicycle - Properly equipped can handle maybe 100 pounds of Kit plus a rider. Advantages are that you can pick one up cheaply and equip it with racks etc.
It is quiet and discrete and requires no fuel. You can also traverse pretty rough ground. Main advantage, well it is better than walking and you can carry more and you could even put a lightweight trailer on it.
Last real option is Hiking out potentially with a 100 pound Pack on your back. This is not for the unfit, unhealthy or unprepared. Oh sure, maybe you can carry a 120 Pack for an hour but just try doing it for days on end. You probably can't. So, of necessity, you will have to consider a Pack weight of 40 - 50 pounds and pack everything you need into that. So, suddenly you realize that you can't take the TV, Barbeque and Kitchen sink with you.
I would also suggest that even if you use a Truck, SUV etc that you have a Bugout Back pack ready loaded in case you have to abandon your vehicle.
I really just put this out there to make people think about how to get to their chosen Bug Out Location and the practicalities of doing so. This is by no means complete and I would appreciate your thoughts.
Bugging out is not a soft option and not to be taken lightly.
I urge you to watch "After Armageddon" on Youtube and spot all the things they did wrong that would get you killed in a real scenario.
See how many things you can spot.
Let's all hope we never have to Bug Out for real
P.S If you don't know what an EMP is and what it would mean please do your own research to find out as it would cause a situation far worse than the Electrical Grid going down.
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