The next echelon up from my bug out bag would be my bug out vehicle. Bugging out in a vehicle has obvious advantages. It allows you to cover ground faster, is its own form of cover, and provides increased carrying capacity. Some notable disadvantages could be the availability of fuel, condition of the roads, or becoming a target. Plan A for me will always be to use a vehicle for bugging out before attempting to go out on foot. For this part I’ll include what my ideal prepping rig looks like in terms of capability and capacity plus some edc considerations such as emergency roadside gear and my thoughts on vehicle preps.
The best place to start is something that’s reliable and off road worthy. To me that’s a truck or suv with 4wd, all terrain tires, and good ground clearance but I also like to try and consider fuel economy. My number one pick is a toyota 4runner but there’s plenty of good options out there.
To go a step further here are some additions with respect to the vehicle;
- Protective measures: rock sliders, skid plate, window tint, lights.
- Emergency roadside kit: portable jumper/battery bank, jumper cables, cones or reflective triangles, road flares, chains, fix-a-flat/tire plugs, tire pump.
- Safety precautions: glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, fire extinguisher, shootable flares, chem lights.
- Recovery gear: a good winch, tow straps, traction devices.
- Tools: tire iron, hi-jack or airbag type jack, a shovel, mini halligan, fencing tool, siphon hose.
- Storage: internal and external for gear, can carry extra water and fuel
- Utilities: potable water storage, battery bank/small generator, onboard air, extra fuel.
- Comms/nav: CB radio, backup maps and map gear, garmin GPS.
As far as preps go, I expand on the bugout bag and the car kit to travel farther and longer or travel with more people. I also add the gear I want to have long term or after I get to my bug in location.
- MED kit: IFAK resupply x4, opa, cric kit, pain killers, splints, neck brace, IV kit x4, suture kit, tear agent neutralizer.
- Water: 7 gallons of drinking water per adult, electrolyte replacement
- Cover: sleeping pads, wool blankets, sleeping bags, portable buddy w/ fuel, change of clothes, CBRN gear, kit (rifle, battle belt, plate carrier), oc spray, civilian smokes.
- Calories/Carbs: roughly 60k calories or about two weeks for two people, plenty of snacks.
- Other: hygiene gear, charging cables, reading materials (knowledge).