BOV (Bug Out Vehicle)
Your Bug Out Vehicle should be large enough to fit your entire family and all your gear. At the bare minimum, your BOV should be 4x4 capable, should be able to tow a trailer, and should have at lease one full size spare tire (the same size as your other tires).
You should be comfortable driving this vehicle, including some off road practice. If your not mechanically inclined, find someone who is, and get a little one on one, basic repair training specific to your vehicle. You should know how to much fuel your BOV uses when fully loaded.
Recommended upgrades for a Bug Out Vehicle
- Upgraded shocks and springs, for hauling & towing
- Lift kit or larger tires for Increased obstacle clearance
- Attached winch for getting unstuck
- Roof cargo rack for addition storage
- Additional lighting, such as fog lights
- Brush guard and reinforced bumpers for protection
- Skid plates protecting engine, transfer case, drive-line, and fuel tank
- Antenna system for 2-way radio
- Ideally, have enough space for a 4wheeler or dirt-bike
Situations you might face
- Washed out or flooded roads
- Fallen objects on the road such as rocks, trees, telephone poles, etc...
- Unlevel surfaces as a result of an earth quake
- Deep snow, snow drifts, and unplowed roads
- Barbed wire fences that may need to be broken through
- Traffic jams, blockades, and spike strips to drive around (off road)
- Large obstacles that may need to be pushed / pulled out of the way
In the event of a large scale emergency, a fancy, decked out BOV can send a message that you are prepared and have supplies like food, water, and fuel. This kind of attention can be potentially dangerous, and could attract thieves and looters acting out of desperation. Its also not unrealistic to image a situation where law enforcement or military personnel could take advantage. You may want try to make your BOV appear as normal as possible, for example, if you pack your gear in the back of a truck bed that is covered by a camper shell it won’t stand out as much as a heaping mound of gear covered by a plastic tarp. Also, if you plan on traveling off road, pulling a trailer could prove difficult, as it will limit your maneuverability and clearance height.
* A note about EMP protection: If your worried about an EMP damage, older vehicles (pre 1980’s)
are less susceptible than new ones that rely heavily on electronics. I’m not that worried about it.
BOV Packing List
- A basic mechanics tool kit (see separate sheet for details)
- Repair manuals specific to your vehicle (Chiltons/Haynes)
- Laminated maps of the city, county, and state
- Insulated Cooler (filled with bottled drinking water)
- Insulated Water Cooler (filled with bottle drinking water)
- Portable water purifier & purification tablets
- Hand Water Pump
- 4 - 5 gallon containers of fuel (20 gallons stored fuel)
- Tow chain
- 2 ton come-a-long
- Tie downs and/or cargo net
- 12 volt spot/flood light
- Heavy Duty Trash Bags
- A firearm and ammo
- Quality rain poncho
- Leather gloves
- Hydraulic bottle jack or high lift jack
- Heavy duty jumper cables
- Inverter
- Hand sanitizer
- Face masks
- Windshield scraper / brush (snow and ice)
- Squeegee
- Traction aids (carpet, sand, boards)
- Bow saw (or chain saw)
- Change of cloths, including high quality socks
- Sun glasses
- First aid kit
- leather work gloves
- Knee high rubber boots or fishing waiters
- Baby wipes
- Toilet paper
- Para-cord
- Matches
- Tire iron and lug wrench
- 2 way radio
- Duct Tape
- Plastic Tarp
- Air-compressor
- Bug out bag (has tent, clothes, tools, etc..)
- 72 food kit (throw in last minute)
BOV Replacement Parts
- Head lights, tail lights (led bulbs)
- Fuses
- Spark plugs
- Spark plug wires
- Hoses and Hose Clamps
- Quality Windshield Wiper Blades
- Starter
- Thermostat
- Alternator
- Fuel pump
- Fuel filter
- Oil filter
- Starter solenoid relay
- Ignition coil
- U-joints
- Axle seals and bearings
- Axles and drive shafts (optional?)
- Common gaskets (differentials, transfer case...)
- Tire repair kit with ‘fix a flat’ or ‘slime’
- Tire valve stems
- Complete distributor or at least cap, rotor and points (for older vehicles)
- Voltage regulator (older vehicles)
General Vehicle Consumables
- Fluids (Motor Oil, Transmission Fluid, Antifreeze, etc...)
- HEAT, Gas Dryer
- Sta-Bil, Fuel enhancer
- Octane boost, Fuel treatment
- Starter Fluid
- De-greaser
- Carburetor Cleaner
- Distilled water (for battery)
- Stop leak for radiator, oil, etc...
- WD40 or PB Blaster
- Grease
- Gasket Maker
- JB Weld
- Super Glue
