Best SHTF Vehicle (consumer-grade, within reason)?

[bwframe]

Another consideration not mentioned much is a SHTF vehicle that one could literally walk away from without tears or a huge investment lost?

Not too many mentions for motorcycles. Namely, the Dual Sport styles. Not much for storage or passengers, but they have literally been ridden around the world. Heck, they will go places you can barely walk.

That's my plan.

 

[lovemachine]

My plan is a fat bike. Awesome off road, awesome in the rain and snow.
Throw on some travel packs, and you can carry all your supplies.

With the 4" wide tires, this thing is a tank. And a quiet mode of transportation, and it's still fast.

 

[natdscott]

My plan is a fat bike...and it's still fast.

Is it fast enough to transport you laterally out from in front of an incoming weather system?

-Nate

 

[rhino]

My plan is a fat bike. Awesome off road, awesome in the rain and snow.
Throw on some travel packs, and you can carry all your supplies.



With the 4" wide tires, this thing is a tank. And a quiet mode of transportation, and it's still fast.

What is the manufacturer's spec on a weight limit on that thing?

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Another consideration not mentioned much is a SHTF vehicle that one could literally walk away from without tears or a huge investment lost?




That's my plan.

OK, I admit it... it would hurt to have to leave my truck. I don't have a BOV, it's my daily driver. I love camping in the camper shell as it gives me a hard weather proof shelter. I'm just glad that if I had to use it in a SHTF deal, at least I can... up until I have to leave it. I like the fat bike idea better than my old Giant. I've often wondered how they did off the pavement.

 

[lovemachine]

What is the manufacturer's spec on a weight limit on that thing?

Dunno about that bike specifically, but they do make bikes for the plump sized person.

 

[OutdoorDad]

How about a boat? Roads are going to be clogged, how far can you really get 'froding, but water travel will likely be no more congested than it is today, plus you can travel downstream with no fuel requirements. Maybe more Huck Finn, less Mad Max?

This is an important point.
If you are planning on traveling south from Indiana, you'll hit a formidable river. And a significant population center.

Being able to transition from water mode to bicycle is going to be important for any serious traveling.


Having said that, if you do decide to brave the highways, make sure you have enough horsepower and bumpers to take care of all the zipper mergers who try to cut you off.

 

[calcot7]

My plan is a fat bike. Awesome off road, awesome in the rain and snow.
Throw on some travel packs, and you can carry all your supplies.

With the 4" wide tires, this thing is a tank. And a quiet mode of transportation, and it's still fast.

Not with me riding it.

 

[dusty88]

Is it fast enough to transport you laterally out from in front of an incoming weather system?

-Nate

I vote for the bike on a rack on the back of the SUV or truck. Then you can pick the appropriate option at any given moment. Most likely the motorized vehicle is going to get you a lot farther, faster, plus provide shelter from extreme weather. The bike is there for when the motorized vehicle is no longer a good option.

 

[6mm Shoot]

The car and truck we have could be used to get out of town with.

The truck is a 2500 HD crew cab, 4 wheel drive with the long box, it is diesel. I keep extra diesel in the back of the truck. I also have extra propane for the trailer in the back of the truck. The truck was bought to hall our 32' travel trailer. It does a great job. Last time we had it out we were going up a hill and a guy in a BMW was waving his hands for me to pull over. I did, then checked the tires. One was blown. I cold not feel that we had a problem pulling the trailer up a hill. I changed the tire and decided we needed an extra spare. Now we travel with two spares.

Yes this truck could be used to bug out. The trailer is kept stocked with food and things to put it on the road for the next trip. So the trailer would make it very comfortable.

The car is a Rogue. It is what my better half picked out. It gets very good mileage. Don't handle to bad. It will pull a little trailer that could hall our gear and food. It wouldn't be very comfortable.

As I have stated before, I have no plans to bug out. What could be safer than the place you know. You know the people around you. You know the land. Short of the place being blown up I see no reason to bug out.

 

[bwframe]

My plan is a fat bike. Awesome off road, awesome in the rain and snow.
Throw on some travel packs, and you can carry all your supplies.

With the 4" wide tires, this thing is a tank. And a quiet mode of transportation, and it's still fast.

How tough are those to pedal?

 

[dusty88]

How tough are those to pedal?

On the flat, relatively smooth ground: easy

On rough terrain and hills: very difficult

 

[bwframe]

On the flat, relatively smooth ground: easy

On rough terrain and hills: very difficult

Thank you! Compared to a run of the mill mountain bike?

 

[dusty88]

Thank you! Compared to a run of the mill mountain bike?

Looks like a run of the mill to me, so I'm not sure what your question is. If you mean opposed to a department store bike, it's going to be more reliable, more durable, more repairable, and not cost much more.

I do think the lower-cost Treks are a good choice, BTW, for all but the real serious mountain biker. That's what my family has, and I even keep an extra one at work for lunch errands (beats spending gas and I get exercise. PIcked it up used on Craigs list). We ride road bikes for long distance, but use mountain bikes for putsing around or for gravel roads.

 

[MCgrease08]

Anybody have a Nissan Xterra? They seem to be reasonable priced. The top of the line is right around $33k.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

My plan is a fat bike.

You mean a beautiful in its own way bike.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Anybody have a Nissan Xterra? They seem to be reasonable priced. The top of the line is right around $33k.

I do not, but am familiar with them. The Pro-4X comes with factory lockers and the like the Jeep Rubicon does. We came reaaaal close to buying a 2012 but I went with the Ram instead. Anyway, compared to the Jeep you obviously give up some agility and maneuverability, but you gain some onroad manners and storage space. The Xterra is a really neat vehicle, if we'd went SUV instead of truck it was our first pick.

 

[saleen4971]

i have to say 92-98 grand cherokee - the 4.0 is a damn stout motor, wouldnt stand out, and get you damn near anywhere. they may have things break or go wrong, but the VAST majority will not leave you stranded. the V8 models will do everythign the 4.0 does, but with more power - get yourself a 5.9, and with not much money you could roll 31 or 33s, and be plenty quick if you need to GTFO.

decent room inside, 23 gallon fuel tank, can tow quite a bit (want the V8 for this), offroad capable in stock form, plentiful parts (plenty of common parts with dodge trucks) and CHEAP - hell you could buy 3 or 4 of them for under 10 grand total!

 

[whiteoak]

If I was trying to get out of an Urban area and had to deal with the congestion that the roads would have in the event of an entire population trying to flee. I would really look hard at dual sport bikes. But for the criteria listed the YJ - TJ Jeeps are a good option. Tight turning radius is often overlooked in BOV's and it seems to me the jeep would work well for this. My YJ will turn around on a narrow State Road without touching either white line. It will run my ATV trails in my woods that are just a 6' bush-hog width. My Quad Cab Dakota can't manage the trails because it can't make the turns without getting into trees. And the Dakota is not that long of a pickup. JMHO

 

[lovemachine]

On the flat, relatively smooth ground: easy

On rough terrain and hills: very difficult

I have to disagree with this. Granted, on my fat bike, I am 5mph slower compared to my 29er mountain bike. But, it's not difficult at all. In fact, my fat bike WANTS to climb over everything. Climbing over logs and rock gardens is EASIER with the fat bike. And, my fat bike is lighter than my 29er mountain bike.

Thank you! Compared to a run of the mill mountain bike?

Any top end bike is going to be easier and better to ride than a "run of the mill" mountain bike.