When it comes to surviving the unexpected, having the right vehicle can make all the difference. In this article, we will explore different options to help you choose the proper survival transportation solution for your prepping needs.
Whether you’re envisioning a rugged off-road adventure, or navigating through a natural disaster, by having the proper survival vehicle at your disposal, you’ll stay a step ahead of the rest in a time of crisis.
Prepare Different Methods of Transportation
Survival isn’t just about hunkering down at home with tons of supplies. You may have to venture out at times or even leave the area completely, depending on the scenario you’re going through.
What would happen if roads were blocked or unsafe to travel through, and you were forced to use a different mode of transportation? Would you have anything else available?
Many survival preppers forget to focus on this area of navigation and safety. You want to diversify your options so that you and your loved ones never get stuck. This means you have the ability to go off-roading or even take water pathways when necessary.
You have to think of the conditions you might be forced to live in, and what means of transportation would work for you, both with short distances as well as longer travels.
Relying on only one form of getting around is risky, and even if roads are operational and you have a car, if it breaks down and there are no mechanics to repair it, you’ll be stuck in an unfortunate situation.
Knowing Your Best Transportation Option
Even though you want options, you also know that traditional automotive transportation is something you want to have fully operational in the event of an emergency.
You might already have a car for your family, but for survival purposes, you may want to upgrade to something more suitable for survival transportation.
This might mean it has the capability to handle tough terrain, which might be going off-road or it might be navigating through things like muddy roadways or higher water conditions.
Consider whether you want a truck for terrain and transporting supplies or a van you might need to bug out in. The choice you make could play a role in how well you navigate a precarious situation in the future.
Think about fuel needs, too. A sedan might require less fuel than a big truck or van, and if gas supplies are scarce, this could make a big impact on your decision.
You might go with a hybrid or electric vehicle, but keep in mind that it might be harder to get repaired or, if the grid goes down, you might not be able to use it.
With your automotive options, you want to think of how you can diversify the car, truck, or van to be a better option for survival. Some people like to install roof racks so that they can carry more with them.
Transportation Resources on Hand
You might want to convert your car so that it can run on alternative fuel sources. Check out the different modifications available to you for your vehicle and then consider which ones would be best in a survival situation if you were to go off road or need to bug out with as many supplies as possible.
Keep in mind that it’s not just the car you have to prepare but also the supplies that go with it. If you’re using a fuel based engine, then you need gas to get you to and from certain locations.
When you are in survival events, there’s not always an automotive store you can stop by to pick up replacement parts. So for those that wear and tear easily, such as belts or hoses, you want to have backup parts on hand and know how to repair them yourself.
Don’t rely on having to go online and look up a video on how to do it because you may not have access to the Internet. Instead, purchase or print out a manual so that you know how to make these repairs in a long term survival situation.
Off-Roading Options for Survival Situations
While some cars and trucks can go off road, you want to focus on other survival transportation options that have built-in off roading capabilities. These include things like mountain bikes, motorcycles or dirt bikes, and four wheelers.
These will allow you to go off the main road and into more rugged terrain such as in the wilderness or through a field if you need to had to a different location or escape something more easily.
With an off road vehicle, you’ll be able to access more locations that you may not be able to reach if you were in a large car. Some of the options, such as four wheelers or dirt bikes, are going to be motorized.
But you also want to make sure that you have survival transportation options on hand that don’t require any type of gas or electricity to operate.
Other Means of Survival Transportation
Having a mountain bike or other form of bicycle can help you get around without any kind of motorized mechanism.
Many of these options can be modified just like a car, to allow you to use more fuel or carry more cargo with you. You also want to think about animal transportation when available.
Of course, many of our ancestors used horses and pack animals like donkeys or mules to get around. These are options that you can employ to not only carry your family to safety, but also carry supplies.
If you are in a snowy location, you might think of different types of packs such as sled dogs that you can use to transport yourself and supplies from one place to another.
If you’re going to go with an animal transportation option, you have to know how to properly care for it so that it thrives in the situation.
When you’re using an option like a horse, it can even get in more locations than a four wheel vehicle is able to access, but you have to know how to safely navigate different terrains and areas so that the animal is not put at risk, which could also leave you stranded.
When you’re using animal based transportation, you don’t have to think about gas, but you do have to think about how it will fuel up for energy that is needed to transport you. That means you’ll need to be traveling in areas that have natural vegetation for it to feed on.
Make Sure You Can Travel Via Water
There may come a time when you have to leave the land and travel via water. This might be across a lake or down a river, or even into the ocean. You want to make sure that you have small water transportation options as well as larger ones.
Start by making sure your family has kayaks or canoes that they can use if they need to hop into something during a flood or cross a body of water without having to get immersed into it.
You can also purchase a boat that will allow you to put yourself, your loved ones, pets, and supplies where you can go further out into a body of water and wait out a survival situation or go to a new location.
Along with the survival transportation modes themselves, you also need to have the appropriate accessories on hand when you are traveling via water. This includes life vests for every member of your family, water GPS systems if possible, paddles and more.
You want to make sure that in case you are stuck in a water living situation, that you’re capable of fishing and providing food to your family. You’ll also need to be able to provide clean drinking water as well.
Keep Your Transportation Options Ready
Not only do you need to make sure your transportation options are operational, but you have to practice with your family so that everyone knows how to use them.
Whether it’s riding a horse, driving a car, riding a bike, or using a boat – knowledge and practice is going to make sure everyone is capable of using the transportation modes you have provided for them.
This includes maintenance issues that may arise. You want to make sure everyone knows how to properly take care of the different transportation options.
This will include checking the tires and engine of your car, fixing a chain or gear on a bike, fueling up the gadget, or making repairs when and if necessary.
You want the knowledge spread across the family and not having just one person responsible for it at all times. Don’t forget other smaller means of transportation that might come in handy in an urban survival situation.
These might include skateboards, in-line skates or scooters that are easy to carry and use whenever a survival event unfolds. The portability of transportation is something many forget to consider.
Bug Out Vehicle Ideas
Conclusion: Choosing the Ideal Vehicle
When it comes to a survival situation, choosing the right vehicle for escape is crucial. Whether you are preparing for a natural disaster or a societal collapse, having a reliable and versatile means of transportation could mean the difference between life and death.
Consider the terrain you may encounter, the distance you may need to travel, and the resources you will require along the way. Research various off-road vehicles, trucks, motorcycles or even boats that can handle rough terrain, long diatances and carry essential supplies.
Remember to also prioritize fuel efficiency and maintenance ease. So take the time to carefully evaluate your options and invest in a vehicle that will give you the best chances of survival in any emergency situation. Remember to stay prepared and stay safe!
