Roadtripping, Prepper Style

June 29, 2013 

We’ve embarked on a road trip that will be over 2500 miles. I’m driving with a kid, a dog, and 2 incredibly unhappy cats, and pulling behind us a trailer full of all our stuff. We have a cooler full of snacks, good tunes, books on CD, and a camera and journal at the ready to help us to enjoy the trip.

However, if you happen to be a prepper, I’m sure you can completely sympathize with the uncomfortable feeling of “What if something happens while we are between homes?” Think of your prepper version of a worst case scenario and then think of it happening while you’re in a vehicle in the middle of a cornfield, the mountains, or a desert. Not only would we be dealing with an event like a natural disaster, an EMP, or some other catastrophe, we’d be doing it in unfamiliar territory.

Since this isn’t just an optional vacation, but a necessary journey to reach our new home, it’s a measured risk that we are willing to take. Unlike traveling for a vacation, we will have the unique benefit of having a rolling bug-out bag behind us with tools and supplies. I took some additional preparedness measures to create the safest journey possible.

Bug-out Bags

Our fully loaded, packed to the gills, bug out backpacks are in the truck with us. Additionally, we have cash in small denominations and sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and socks easily accessible.

Food and Water

We have a cooler loaded with fruit, veggies, cheese, and a couple of days worth of chicken. Additionally we have snacks that don’t require refrigeration: crackers, nuts, bread, peanut butter, applesauce, and some homemade muffins fill a box in the truck with us. Of course, we have some longer-term supplies in the trailer should real disaster strike.

We have two cases of bottled water (something we rarely purchase), two Berkey-on-the-Go water-filter bottles, and in the trailer, we have two 5 gallon jugs of water and a big water filter.

Vehicle Emergency Kit

This always lives in the truck, but I did a quick check to be sure that none of the necessary items had been pilfered for other purposes. Our kit contains:

• Sleeping bags
• Tent
• Lighter
• Candles
• Hunting Knife
• Compass
• Pocket Survival book
• Signal flares
• Space blankets
• Warm clothes
• Atlas

First Aid Kit

This is also a constant fixture in our vehicle. It contains all of the basic items like bandages, gauze, pain relief pills, and antibiotic cream, as well as allergy medication and an Epi-pen . (My daughter has a food allergy).

Shelter

We have mapped out contacts along our route, just in case something unexpected occurs. The friends have been alerted to the approximate time we’ll be in their vicinity. Additionally, we have a tent and camping gear.

Tools

This situation is unique, in that we will have all of our tools with us, in the trailer. However, we generally have a variety of tools on hand in the vehicle: Some basic automotive repair tools, a hammer, a prybar, assorted screwdrivers, and pliers, to name a few.

Situational Awareness

The most important prep you can have is your brain. It is important to be aware of the situation around you, as well as alert to things going on in the news. It is important not only to have the means to defend yourself, but to be mentally prepared to do so if the need arises.

*****

This is the trip of a lifetime for us so we are savoring every moment. Even though we will be away from our home base, we have the advantage of skills, knowledge, and a prepper’s mindset, and I am confident we can safely meet any challenges that may arise.

I can’t wait to share pictures and stories from the journey!

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