How Will You Get to Your Bug-Out Location?
Assuming you have already made your decision regarding where you would go if you had to bug out in a hurry, the next issue is determining how to get there. This will be dependent on how far away it is, of course, but let’s assume it would take at least an hour to drive there.
You might be able to make it to your bug-out location in a car, especially if you are able to hit the road before a vast majority of others do. But, if a disaster strikes, the main roads will probably fill up very quickly and soon turn into parking lots with many frustrated, scared and angry drivers.
An Army tank or other armored vehicle would be ideal, but I’m guessing most of us don’t have one of them sitting in our driveways. It’s very possible that the only way you’re going to be able to get out of Dodge in a reasonable amount of time will be in a 4 x 4 pickup truck with excellent shock absorbers and a couple spare tires.
Not only would this type of vehicle be able to drive around cars stuck on roads, but it will be able to handle the rural hill country where you may be headed. A 4 x 4 would also allow you to haul more of your stuff away from your permanent home than a regular car would, including everyone’s bug-out bags, emergency food and water, and other supplies you may not have at your bug-out location. Not to mention other family members and pets.
Your bug-out vehicle should also have a hitch and a winch for towing or pulling. Make sure the vehicle stays in good working condition and keep it filled with gas. You’ll also want a strong CB antenna, gas tank protection and a rooftop cargo rack.
Among the vehicles you might want to consider are a Jeep, a 4-wheel drive SUV and a Humvee. Of course, a lot of us can’t afford a vehicle such as those. Another option, especially if your bug-out location is already well stocked and you only need a few items in a backpack, is a motorcycle or bicycle, which will make maneuvering through traffic a lot easier.
Regardless what you have, make a plan for traveling to your bug-out location. And remember, the sooner you hit the road during a crisis, the better the odds will be of reaching your destination.
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I have a 1972 trailer special pick up. It is skookum. I don’t believe there are any electronics in the vehicle that would prevent it from operating. Obviously, the lights and radio electric elements would fry. I don’t know that much about vehicles, but I believe all the newer ones can be remotely disabled. Just a thought, besides, I love the classic vehicles.
I drive a non descript older model Subaru Outback. 4 WD, luggage rack, hitch. It was bought so we could drive over rough terrain, crossing creeks and such in the North Georgia mountains. Very reliable and has the benefit of not drawing much attention to itself. Its dark blue. My fishing vehicle. Will hold me, my son and granddaughter, my big Wolfhound/Lab mix, food, supplies, and my six cats if necessary. We are prepared with all equipment needed in two plastic boxes. Plus our bug out bags.
Good onfo, with some limitations, as addressed by Cynthia. Could you also address the EMP thing. I read different and often conflicting, information. Eg, do if you are trying to protect electronics, solar panels, etc at home, do you ground the protective material or not? If not, it seems that an automobile, if it has a metal body, would protect itself.(??)
EMP, Electronic Magnetic Pulse, effects the electronics by over loading these electronics with a magnetic pulse forcing these electronic to burn out. It is like blowing a fuse. There was a surge in the system which the system could not handle therefore it burned out.
Most of todays items have some form of chip in them to regulate time, rate, flow or performance. Every thing from your coffee maker to your car, cell phone and computer. In short anything that requires a computer chip is susceptible to potential damage due to an EMP burst be it man-made or occurring naturally (nuclear weapon detonation or solar flare.)
The only way to protect your items is to keep them in a Faraday box. You can make your own Faraday box out of chain-link-fence or other wire (anything that will conduct electricity) or a metal box or cabinet. You can outfit your garage with a Faraday box. The only requirement is to have your vehicle or standby vehicle inside the Faraday cage when something goes wrong. You can park your car in there at night; but, that is only 9 plus hours of protection. By having a spare car in the cage at all times is more than likely be safe. You can also keep your spare electronics in the cage as well as spare parts. They too will be safe. For smaller items you can make a special Faraday cage and keep them in there when not in use. But it is like telling someone to keep the light turned off. You know they will forget or find it inconvenient to follow through. That is why I suggest that you keep your extra spares in there. Then there is this new product that you can purchase for about $20.00 -http://blackoutbag.com. This item keeps your small electronic nice and safe plus it keeps the electronics from accessing the outside world (giving your location away.)
You asked about a car with a metal body, would it be safe? The answer is no. It needs to be shielded by a metal cage or metal box, much like an umbrella.
Just consider what is important to you that has a computer chip or brain and keep it in a Faraday Cage for safe keeping or be prepare to do things the old fashion way, by hand or foot.
I hate to sound like a spoiler, but something to consider before it happens. Any newer vehicle is going to be full of electronics that will potentially render them useless after an EMP. Can you address this?
Newer vehicles are completely computerized. The newer the car the more electronics it has in it. Keeping an older car on the road can be a lot of work but they are more likely to come out unscathed by an EMP. I drive a 2002 Subaru and I keep spare electronic components wrapped in tinfoil in an old ammunition box. I also keep an old Ford truck on the road that is carbureted. It is also nice that the old truck doesn’t have to pass emissions anymore. That truck w/a v8 and manual trans can get over 20 MPG. The Suby gets 23 so it really isn’t horrible on fuel. And it’s cheap to insure.
Thanks for all the info available on your website
You’re welcome, Brenda. Hope that some of it is helpful to you.