Alternative Bug Out Vehicles

[Jackalope]

I was reading an older posting regarding Bug Out Vehicles, and it seemed to be oriented towards 4 wheeled vehicles.  Four wheeled vehicles have a lot going for them, such as the ability to haul large loads of gear and equipment, the ability to tow, and improved protection from the elements.  My first choice is a four wheel drive SUV, however I like to have a plan B, plan C and perhaps a Plan D.  Using a hitch mount on my SUV, I also carry a Yamaha dual sport motorcycle with attached hard cases for gear.  I've used the Yamaha for camping in the back country, and it's capable of transporting a fair amount of gear.  It is fully off road capable, yet will still run at 60 mph on the highway.  It is somewhat EMP resistant, as it uses a carb for fuel mixing.  If it gets stuck in mud, it is easy enough to get it unstuck. The only drawback is the size of the fuel tank, but it's easy enough to carry additional fuel cells.  That's my plan B.  Plan C is to resort to good old fashioned feet and hoof it to my final destination.

My plan D entails the use of a Ural two wheel drive motorcycle with a sidecar.  Older Ural motorcycles have carbs and are very basic, so they are simple to repair.  There's not much plastic on these machines, they're constructed of steel and they're very rugged.  They're based upon a BMW design, and the Russians reverse engineered the machine and have manufactured them continuously since WW II.  They were designed for war, and mine includes a mount for a machine gun, extra fuel can, and an extra tire.  They can transport two passengers besides the driver, and they drive well in the snow and in mud. At this point parts are readily available and I've stocked up on some spares.  Dogs love the sidecars!  I've attached a photo of mine.

I'll also be adding a small aircraft for a plan E.  The problem with aircraft is they're easily effected by weather conditions, and landing areas can limit usefulness.  Used two seater fixed wing aircraft can be purchased in the $20,000 USD range.  But one needs to maintain flying skills and also ensure that regular maintenance is performed on the aircraft.

Anyways, I thought I'd offer a few transportation alternatives, and I'm sure folks can come up with many more.

[Well-Prepared Witch]

We have a bike and want to get one for Mr. WPW.  I need to train the dog to run alongside, but I'm terrified of crashing my bike.  I remember the skinned knees and banged up elbows from too many tumbles when I was a kid.

If/when we get cows or llamas I want to train them to pull a cart, too.  Or maybe train the llamas to be pack animals.  Not so good for people, but for hauling stuff it's useful and I have two working feet.

[JohnyMac]

Great discussion - Thx for starting it Jackalope 

I use to work for a company called Cycle Gear. While there I discovered that a off road motor cycle would make a great BOV. As Jackalope already mentioned, they sip gas and for the most part are easy to repair as parts are everywhere. Also to add to the vehicles attributes, they are relatively cheap when you buy used or brand new. 

Now Wellie brings up another two wheeled mode of transportation - A bike.

As some of you folks know, MrsMac and I spent a short stint in Vietnam. Based on a lot of 1:1 chats with former VC soldiers, it is apparent that the lowly bike helped them win the "American War" as they call the conflict.

 

Just some food for thought.

[Kbop]

if you have to hoof it over trails, i've seen people using these on hiking trips.  The single wheel game cart is easier to get over obstacles.  Like a bicycle, just balance your load.  i've seen pictures from WWI with them used as stretchers.  They were used in Iraq too.

[Nemo]

I am going either 10 miles across town to a relatives residence or 20 miles down the road (more likely latter) to a relatives beef cattle farm.  There I have food, water source, tillable dirt and multiple buildings. Its rather hidden but findable if you know what to look for.  Good defensive options and lots of springs, creeks and a couple of fishing ponds.

And a herd of 100 or so angus cattle make great trade goods and food source.

Doing some little leather working learning and if spring gets there will be hide tanning.  Unless I get out to get a white tail.  Another relative 1/4 miles away has a 40 bird flock of free range chickens.   That could be brought into main are and I suspect grow rather quickly.

Only thing I really need is some else's to hold a rifle should it be needed

Nemo

[Nemo]

if you have to hoof it over trails, i've seen people using these on hiking trips.  The single wheel game cart is easier to get over obstacles.  Like a bicycle, just balance your load.  i've seen pictures from WWI with them used as stretchers.  They were used in Iraq too.

I think that is a great idea for a half mile or so but beyond that is a question.  Growing up in the boy scouts on our hiking adventures it was always stressed to have noting/carry nothing in your hands.  They are the first part of the body to wear out and without them you cannot do anything.

Nemo

[Kbop]

I think that is a great idea for a half mile or so but beyond that is a question.  Growing up in the boy scouts on our hiking adventures it was always stressed to have noting/carry nothing in your hands.  They are the first part of the body to wear out and without them you cannot do anything.

Nemo

that is a good point.

[Jackalope]

Yes, Wellie brings up a very good point regarding bikes.  And as Johny points out, bikes are a primary mode of transportation in third world countries, and they can have an important strategic value too.  Actually pedal vehicles are further down my list of transportation modes, but I have included them.  I have a hybrid bike, that I use for exercise, but it could carry a limited amount of gear as it does have a small luggage rack attached.

Another useful pedal vehicle is a quadracycle, which is a 4 wheeled vehicle set up for two people sitting side by side.  I like them because it doesn't take a need for a sense of balance.  They are expensive when purchased new.  I bought one used, and my dog loves to ride in the back luggage area.  Mine only has 6 or 7 gears, I forget which, and it is relatively slow.  However, it's possible to carry 100+ pounds of gear in the luggage area.  Here's the website for the brand that I purchased: http://www.quadracyclellc.com/
The down side is that there are four tires on the vehicle, which means that you should carry a spare.  They are also heavy, because they're built sturdily. A motor could easily be attached, with some fabrication work. 

The other pedal bug out vehicle that I have available is a velomobile.  Velomobiles are 2 or 3 wheeled recumbent pedal vehicles which have an enclosure for the rider.  Velomobiles are extremely fast, but they have very little space for gear or luggage.  In many cases they have headlights, turn signals, mirrors, and horns, much like an automobile.  The enclosures are typically fabricated out of fiberglass or Kevlar, as a result they're expensive. The enclosure does provide some protection from elements, and some velomobiles have a full enclosure.  Essentially they're for made to get one person from point A to point B very quickly, without an engine.  I have heard of some folks installing electric motors in them, which would increase its versatility.  Here's a photo of mine:

[JohnyMac]

Cool Jackalope! 

[Jackalope]

Thanks Johny!  One thing I forgot to mention regarding velomobiles, they work very well in winter conditions.  I couldn't find it, but somewhere on the interwebs there's a video that I made while riding in newly fallen snow and the temperature was -8F, using a helmet mounted camera.  Try that on a traditional bicycle.  With a studded drive tire, a velomobile can handle roads with 3-4" of snow.  A trailer can be attached, so that would increase carrying capacity.

I like Wellie's idea of using a cow or other cattle to pull a cart; no need for petroleum products.  I've also seen larger dogs pull carts too.  My four legged friend and I attended a seminar this past Fall on cart pulling.  Apparently the use of dogs for hauling was quite common in Europe, especially for families that couldn't afford horses or Oxen.  It wasn't unusual for the dog to pull a cart full of hay or firewood on a farm.