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

[lovemachine]

You mean a beautiful in its own way bike.

LOL

 

[Thor]

I'm with 6mm on bugging in. I'm getting too old to take an ass whooping or being forced to run great distances kindly; not that it can't happen just not much interest in that sort of thing.

If forced to go I'm thinking something like my Class A RV (kitchen, bath, water, generator) towing my '79 CJ7 (packed with camping gear and supplies) with my Honda XR-650R (6.5gal safari tank) on the back. I could go a long way into nowhere where I can stop and then sit there with nothing.

Living like Tarzan doesn't have the same appeal as it did when I was 10. Especially in a land with winter.

 

[Thor]

In a SHTF scenario I think the major problems with bugging out are going to be roadblocks and ambushes about two days after the food runs out at the grocery stores. If you're loaded up and moving out you'd better have a squad on the roof ready to repel boarders because waiving a pistol from the drivers seat is not going to be enough.

 

[eldirector]

I can think of quite a few scenarios where "bug out by vehicle" is absolutely appropriate:

- house/neighborhood fire
- tornado
- flood
- Blizzard/ice warning (don't travel AFTER the blizzard, unless you are really equipped for it)
- Hurricane (well, not in Indiana)
- localized unrest (as in Ferguson riots)
- Earthquake (leading to any number of the above)
- localized/regional power outage (like when the east coast went down a while back)

None of these require anything special to "bug out". Space for your passengers, space for your stuff, and enough fuel capacity to get where you are going without too many stops. The ability to "hop curbs" or "offroad" is handy, but not even required.

If it gets to the point that there are military road blocks and roads filled with zombies, you bugged out too late. At least too late to take a vehicle.

 

[firefighterjohn]

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.

I couldn't agree more 6mm. Unless you're place is compromised, why leave and get caught up in gridlock? Maybe other family members MIGHT be headed to your place for sanctuary too? Makes me wonder just where all the bug-outers expect to go?

 

[bwframe]

Then there is the idea that you might have to get home to bug in. SHTF might just happen when you are away, working, etc.

 

[dusty88]

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.

Sure some bikes are made for getting over rough terrain. I interpreted the question differently though "how hard is it to pedal"

If you are looking at energy exerted to get somewhere, it takes a lot of energy to move a mountain bike or any fat-tire bike. It's made for rougher terrain (exactly what type obviously depends on the bike) and if you were only going on pavement it's not the bike you would choose. But if over a 20 mi distance to actually GET somewhere (ie not doing it for fun) I can still move a mountain or fat tire bike over 20 mi of smooth pavement, a lot faster than I can move it over rough terrain. For someone who is not used to cycling, using any wide-tire bike to get through mud, rocks, grass, etc is going to be a ton of work.

IOW, if you are going 5 mph slower (as you said) then you've got hours more to ride per day to get the same distance.

I think for the average person a bug-out bike is to be able to get somewhere that the clogged traffic can't go: maybe like during an emergency to get to your kids' school faster than you can on vehicle or foot. Or get to the ambulance that you see 2 mi up the road to bring back bandages for your injured family member.

It also has clear use in a situation where your car isnt running or you can't get fuel. Those happen. I can think of 3 times in my life:
in the 70s fuel rationing, gas stations were closed on Sundays. Sure would be nice to have a bike to go a few miles and do as you please.
On 9/11/2001, I was glad I didn't have to wait in line for 30 min to get gasoline. And ever since then, I generally fill up at about 1/2 tank. I had toddlers in 2001 and was glad to drive by those lines and get home. If I had been single, hopping on my bike would have been another option to avoid the silliness.

2003: I wasn't there, but heard the news reports from Phoenix after the broken pipeline. People were driving across town to get fuel only finding out they were too late, and now lower on gas. Even if you keep fuel at home, in a situation like that you could potentially park your vehicle and use your bicycle.

 

[MCgrease08]

It might be handy to have one of these as part of your preparedness escape plan. Only half joking.

 

[ghuns]

Given your requirement for being virtually unnoticeable, I'd go with a Subaru... They have the best AWD in the business

Pfft. P-lease...

[video=youtube;yh6NyR49G8I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh6NyR49G8I[/video]

Try that in a Subby sometime.

Please don't take that as an endorsement of the Audi for the OPs purposes. Jess sayin.

I'd vote Tacoma TRD. I'll take that over anything with Jeep in it's name any day of the week.

 

[natdscott]

Funny you should mention that, as I have. Good video, btw.

They will throw snow fountains 10-feet high out from all four fenders at once, and excepting chassis ground clearance (which can be a problem for any vehicle), they will pull through most any amount of soft snow like the video above. Takes decent tires though.

I can't speak at all for the Audi's having better, equal, or worse AWD than Subaru's, but I DID mention that the Subaru's only been stuck once, didn't I? It's driven through mirror-deep snow and drifts more than "a few" times. The question with good AWD cars like these is usually whether the driver will do the right things. I've done them some, and the car has bailed me out some more, but only that one time was it too much for the two of us.

Let me be clear: I am decent at getting vehicles into "stuck"; some of it is lifestyle, and some of it is location.

Either way though, I'd rather have a bigger 6-cylinder Subaru that had more like 300 hp and more torque than that...but naturally aspirated and without HP injectors. That's not even a unicorn. It's never been done.

-Nate

 

[Hohn]

There are differences between AWD systems, but those differences are less significant than having the right tires. Dedicated winter or off road tires on a 2WD will outperform an AWD with smooth hwy rubber.

 

[dusty88]

Interesting on the Audi.

In my experience with AWD/4WD, I do agree it's often the driver when it comes down to marginal situations.

I'm curious what the mechanical types think of AWD vs 4WD. I had a 2001 GMC Yukon Denali 4WD. When I bought another in 2007, only AWD was available. The AWD is nicer for general driving, as when roads are just a bit wet or slippery.

But I swear that the true 4WD was better in dicey situations. I don't really understand the mechanical difference well enough to know if I'm right, or just imagining it.

 

[eldirector]

There are TONS of different AWD/4WD systems. Some work, others (IMHO) simply don't.

My wife's Saturn Vue is advertised as AWD. It is really front-wheel drive. When it senses a loss of traction, the viscous coupling directs 40% of the available torque to the rear. The differentials are still "open", so the tire that is slipping will receive all of the torque available to that axle (and continue to slip). The result? It kicks in only after you are sliding, and if it is slippery enough, will not help at all. Fuel economy is better than full-time AWD, though

I had a GMC Sierra that did the same, only as a Rear-drive that engaged the front when "needed". Also terrible, as it was unpredictable.

I believe the Subaru and Audi systems are different. They are full-time AWD, with either a 50-50 split (Subaru) or self-adjusting split (Audi). Both have electronic limited slip. The result is MUCH more predictable handling.

None of the Suby's, Audis, or Saturns have a low-range.

My Jeep is completely different. It is purely mechanical. A lever engages the front wheels, and the torque is the same front and rear. Open diffs, still, so the tires can still slip side-to-side. It also has a low range, for when more control (less speed) is needed, or more engine speed (and power) is needed to climb an obstacle.

My GMC is similar, only has a locking rear differential. Any slippage side to side engages the locker, and delivers the torque equally between the rear tires.

 

[rhino]

My new bugout vehicle:

 

[ghuns]

My new bugout vehicle:

View attachment 41704

Watch out for quicksand...

[video=youtube;4w36z7XnwOM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w36z7XnwOM[/video]

 

[rhino]

Watch out for quicksand...

I'm no good at taking myself hostage, either!

 

[ghuns]

I'm no good at taking myself hostage, either!

You can use a knife instead of a 6-gun.

 

[rhino]

You can use a knife instead of a 6-gun.

I deserve that.

 

[kickbacked]

You can get used humvees for 7500 with like 20000 miles.

 

[Zoub]

I find the tools on board are more important. Last year while trying to move some trees that fell across the road, 3 more fell behind me. I left my truck far enough back it was not hit or trapped. With the near miss and wind still cranking, I said screw it, I will do the 3 mile loop. If that way is blocked I will whip out the chainsaw and tow straps. The ability to unbolt roadside guardrails, cut locks and cables, move stuff out of your way are critical.

That same day a friend was grouse hunting deep in on a road I pass to get home. When he was done, boom he was stuck. He was on a dead end road and a big tree blocked his exit. You can not go off these roads, there is no where to go. No biggie, he had a saw. He could have walked to my house but he didn't need to.

If you bug out you are now a refugee, see Syria, don't assume the road will be open. Sometimes we may not see a snow plow for 2-3 days and the guy who works for the county and plows us only lives 2 miles down the road but he is on the last stretch of pavement. We are on a private road off a dead end dirt road, last priority. If the snow is deep AND trees are down, if we want out we have to do it. If you bug out in a vehicle you better plan for that.

A Jeep is something you toss some guns and bird dogs in to go scout. Around here SHTF means you toss a snowmobile or ATV in back before you leave home. Maybe even a kayak.