Cars, motorcycles, SUVs, RVs, ATVs, UTVs — and any other “Vs” you can think of — are all wonderful vehicles. But what good are they going to be when all roads are compromised and there is no gas available to purchase?
That’s the scenario that could very well exist when an emergency strikes.
Whenever possible, if you can load up and bug out in your car in advance of a pending major disaster, do it. But don’t count on cars being helpful for transportation during a crisis.
ROOFTOP CARRIERS
Even if you only drive a tiny, gas-efficient, eco-friendly, “pregnant roller skate”-sized car while living the urban life, I strongly suggest purchasing a rooftop carrier and straps. You may rarely (if ever) use such a device when vacationing, but you still want to have one handy if you must evacuate your home or city.
MOTOR HOMES, TRUCK CAMPERS, CAMP TRAILERS
When you have an RV you can live in, you are ahead of the game. That is, as long as it remains serviceable during a disaster. Even if there is no road left, you’ll still have shelter.
UTILITY OR BOX TRAILERS
When you have a small utility tow or box trailer, it can be swiftly converted to an emergency shelter. Utility trailers can also haul lots of your survival food, gear and valuables.
Warning: Keep in mind that once a major disaster strikes, the streets, roads and highways often become blocked and impassable for the average motor vehicle.
ALTERNATIVE EMERGENCY VEHICLES
When thrown into a bug-out situation and none of your vehicles survives, you’ll want to be able to transport as many of your survival supplies as possible. The question is how.
Here are some suggestions:
- FOLDING HUNTER’S GAME CART
Hunting game carts come in many different designs and sizes. You basically pull a game cart as you would a rickshaw. They can pack 300–600 pounds and fold flat for storage. They can also be hitched behind an ATV, motorcycle or bicycle. Just don’t plan on running full throttle when towing a hunting cart.We suggest you have one for every teen and adult who can walk, assuming you have a great deal of valuable supplies and resources. This would allow you to move massive amounts of food, water, gear and supplies with relative ease over long distances as you hike to a place of safety.
- BICYCLES
Many people have bikes for everyone in the family. Use mountain bikes for pleasant exercise excursions, but think of them as an optional emergency transportation. When roads are impossible for cars, trucks or RVs, your family bikes are the answer for a speedier bug-out vehicle than just plain old shoe leather.
- HEAVY-DUTY GARDEN FOUR-WHEEL UTILITY WAGONS
Most suburbanites with a yard have a garden wagon. It will haul a couple hundred pounds of necessities in a pinch.
- RIDING LAWN MOWER
A riding lawn mower is a gas-guzzler, but in a crisis it might help you haul your emergency gear. You may already have a matching trailer to go with it.
- WHEELBARROW
Some survivalists recommend grabbing the traditional one-wheel wheelbarrow leaned up against the back of the garage to transport gear. But it should be a last resort as a long-distance transportation device.
KEEP YOUR CAR PREPARED AT ALL TIMES
We are all guilty of taking our vehicles for granted. We are in and out of them every day. We get in, turn the key and go take care of whichever busy stuff is next on our list of things to do.
However, when you plan to venture off into a remote or rural area, no matter what time of year, you should make like a pilot and complete a “pre-flight inspection” of your craft.
Regardless of what kind of vehicle you use following a disaster, it needs to be capable of transporting water.
But you also want something that purifies contaminated water.
Click here to see a breakthrough water filter that will purify the nastiest, filthiest bacteria-riddled and parasite-infested water — using no chemicals, no electricity and no moving parts.
