Choosing Your Survival Transportation

Cars, motorcycles, SUV’s, RV’s, ATV’s, UTV’s – and any other V’s 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.

Roof-top 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 roof-top 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.

Motorhomes, 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 survive, you’ll want to be able to transport as much 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 between 300 and 600 pounds and they 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 RV’s, 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.

To your survival,

Frank Bates

P.S. Much of America’s tap water is already contaminated. Think about what it will be like during a crisis. You need to be able to purify water… at home and out in the wild.