Bug Out Vehicles: What are some great bug out vehicles when SHTF? (In a world where chaos lurks around every corner, preparing for the worst has become crucial for those...

In a world where chaos lurks around every corner, preparing for the worst has become crucial for those who value their survival. The “SHTF” acronym, aptly for “Sh*t Hits the Fan,” guides us into societal breakdowns, economic meltdowns, and catastrophic events. In such scenarios, having a dependable and versatile vehicle can make all the difference in ensuring mobility and survival. As we delve into key factors to consider when selecting the best SHTF vehicle, we embark on a journey through reliability, off-road capabilities, fuel efficiency, durability, storage space, range, versatility, accessibility, maintenance, and preparedness accessories.

What are some great bug out vehicles when SHTF?

The best one is the one that gets you where you need to go, and can get you past minor obstacles and emergencies. In a mass evacuation, main roads tend to turn into parking lots.

That means it needs:

• The space to carry the gear you need if you’re bugging out, and any passengers you need to take with you (dependents, buddies, pathetic lifeforms you pick up, etc).
• The ability to circumvent major roads, e.g., something designed for overlanding-type offroading. This doesn’t have to be a hard-core rock crawler, but at minimum it should have: low-range 4wd, decent clearance/approach/departure/breakover angles, and a winch on the bumper.
  • You do want to think about how wide the vehicle is if you’re going to bugging out on narrow back roads or dense woodland.
• Reliability, reliability, reliability. A BOV is worse than useless if you sink a bunch of resources into it and it isn’t running when SHTF, or breaks down on you 10 miles out.
  • Repairability/parts availability. You need to think about whether the model you choose is common enough that parts will be readily available. A vehicle that’s otherwise perfect but super rare, may not do you much good if you can’t keep it running.
• At least a little bit of fuel efficiency. Doesn’t do you much good if the mileage is so bad your range is only 100 miles or so.

Some of the most popular overlanding vehicles are:

• The late-90s Jeep Cherokee XJ (super-reliable engine, decent space, good approach/departure angles, not too hard to mod/increase clearance).

• Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma. Built on the legendarily reliable Toyota light truck platform (Hilux is great, and deserves a mention, but you can’t get them in the U.S.). Very common, so great communities pre-SHTF, and great parts availability. Most of the newer stuff in the TRD line has decent offroad characteristics out of the box, so if you can afford to buy new and don’t want to mess around with after-market customization…

• Landcruiser is good, but more expensive, uncommon and can be expensive to repair/hard to find parts.
• Oldschool Landrovers are legendary for being easy to repair, but they’re rare and expensive in the U.S. and parts are rare as hens’ teeth. Good luck special-ordering that stuff post-SHTF

Two other thing to consider:

• Vehicles newer than 1980 might or might not be affected if SHTF involves a lot of EMP or a major CME. Some tests indicate most in-vehicle electronics might not be affected… if you’re worried about that, 1979 was about the last year they made most vehicles without electronic ignition. A late-70s Chevy K20 might be a good option.
• Opsec. If this is your daily driver, and especially if you live in an area where off-roading isn’t a common/popular pastime, then you need to build your BOV so it isn’t obviously a BOV. Probably should take a pass on features like:
  • Snorkels and huge custom upright exhaust pipes like a lot of custom diesels. A snorkel doesn’t necessarily let you drive through a river with impunity like in Dante’s Peak. It moves the air intake out of the wheel well to reduce particulate intake in dusty environments (like the desert) and save your air filters.
  • Extreme lifts and massive mud tires.
  • Obvious plate/tube bumper setups. Yeah you want a winch, but if you want a plate bumper, match the paint and keep it low-profile.
  • Exterior-mounted storage, like extra fuel cans (unless you can slap them on at the last minute).
  • NRA bumper stickers and shit like that. Like, are you stupid? Don’t advertise your preps!

Conclusion:

In a world that often seems on the brink of chaos, being prepared for the unknown becomes paramount. The journey towards selecting the ultimate SHTF vehicle intertwines reliability, off-road capabilities, fuel efficiency, durability, storage space, range, versatility, accessibility, maintenance, and preparedness accessories. These crucial aspects come together to showcase a carefully crafted collection of vehicles that embody the spirit of survival. As you embark on this adventure, dare to be different, and let your SHTF vehicle guide you toward a future where resilience reigns supreme.