Like most of my peers, I don’t plan on sticking around if SHTF. As much as I love my home, I plan on getting out of dodge as quickly as possible. To make this happen, I have:
- Bug Out Bags packed and ready to go (see my BOB checklist)
- An emergency communication plan so I can quickly get my family together.
- Practiced a step-by-step bugging out plan with my family.
- A reliable bug out vehicle (here’s how I chose my BOV)
But let’s take things a step further. Once you’ve chosen your Bug Out Vehicle, it is time to get it ready for bugging out.
Why Prepare Your Bug Out Vehicle?
Honestly, prepping your vehicle for bugging out doesn’t take much time. Many of the items on this Bug Out Vehicle Checklist should be in your vehicle anyway.
Doomsday may never happen, but breakdowns inevitably will!
But in the event that something terrible does occur, you want to make sure your vehicle is ready to go.
As numerous disasters have taught us, the key to survival is fleeing early.
Each minute you save beating the crowds, road blocks, and looters drastically increases your chances of actually getting out unscathed.
Here’s some more tips on bugging out by vehicle.
Guidelines for Packing Your Bug Out Vehicle
Guideline 1. You Need More than Your Bug Out Bag
It is highly recommended that you keep one Bug Out Bag at home and keep another in your vehicle. The reasoning for this is that disaster could strike while you aren’t at home.
A lot of people also keep BOBs at work too.
But just because you’ve got a BOB in your vehicle, it doesn’t mean your vehicle is “ready.”
The whole benefit of bugging out by vehicle is that you get to carry tons more gear with you. Why the heck would you limit yourself to what’s in your BOB when you can load more?
So pack as much survival gear in your vehicle as is reasonable!
Guideline 2. Don’t Touch Your Bug Out Bag Items
Consider your Bug Out Bag items completely separate from your Bug Out Vehicle items. The only time you should use your BOB items is if you abandon your vehicle and have to set off on foot.
Why? Consider this scenario:
A major terrorist attack has just occurred and you flee by car. Your BOB is on the seat next to you. You’ve got 50 gallons of water in the car, but it is all the way in the trunk and in large jugs. So, you decide to drink the bottled water from your BOB. “I’ll refill them later,” you tell yourself.
But then you notice an overturned car on the road in front of you. You are forced to stop. Seconds later, it becomes apparent that the road block was put there by a gang of masked hoodlums who are quickly approaching your vehicle…
You grab your BOB, abandon the vehicle, and set off on foot through your Route B.
The problem is that your Bug Out Bag is now lacking water. If only you’d drunk the water in your trunk instead of depleting your limited BOB supplies!
Guideline 3. You’ll Have Some Duplicate Items
Because you are treating your BOB items as separate from your vehicle items, you will end up with some duplicates.
For example, I’ve got a survival knife in my glove box and one in my Bug Out Bag. I’ve also got duplicates of survival food and water – there’s just tons more of it in my trunk than in my BOB.
I get that not everyone will be able to afford duplicates to keep in their BOV and BOB. Since you should keep a BOB at home and in your car, and you need additional items for your vehicle, you can end up with triple of some items.
When budget is an issue, then you can remove items from your BOB to use – just put them back right away.
Or, better yet, focus on everyday carry survival items so you always have survival gear on you.
Bug Out Vehicle Checklist
This Bug Out Vehicle checklist is made for people who plan on fleeing in a car, truck, SUV, or other “traditional” vehicle. At the end, you’ll see some items for alternative Bug Out Vehicles too.
You might not need everything on the checklist but do start thinking about Worst Case Scenarios, such as if your BOV got a flat tire or you ran out of gas.
These types of thought processes are what help us get prepared!
Vehicle Emergency Items
- Mechanic tool kit
- Basic spare parts
- Fuses
- Spare bulbs
- Spare windshield wipers
- Spark plug and socket
- Spare tire
- Fuel canister
- Siphon and pump
- Tire chains
- Tire repair kit
- Jack
- Tire gauge
- Air compressor
- Jump starter
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Transmission fluid
- Washer fluid
- Oil
- Coolant
- Antifreeze
- Shovel
- Salt or kitty litter
- Spare keys
- Rope and bungee cord
- Tow straps
- Small broom and dustpan (for cleaning up broken glass)
- Fire extinguisher
- Duct tape
- RTV sealant
- Heavy gloves
- Roof rack
- Vehicle cover (preferably camouflaged)
*If you are going to transport extra fuel, the safest way is on your roof rack or a rack on the back of your vehicle. Never leave extra fuel inside your vehicle.
Signaling and Communication Gear
- Phone charger (solar or one that can be charged through your vehicle)
- Flares
- Reflective vest
- Emergency warning triangles
- Emergency radio
Shelter, Warmth, and Clothing Items
- Lighter and matches
- Dry tinder
- Tarp or tent
- Rain gear
- Winter clothing
- Change of clothes and extra socks
- Boots
- Blankets and/or sleeping bags
Navigation Items
Documents
- License
- Registration
- Vehicle repair manual
- Contact list with phone numbers
- Firearm CWP permit
Water and Food
- Bottled water – the more the better!
- Water treatment system
- Non-perishable food
- Mess kit
- Cooking pot
- Emergency stove
Survival and Personal Protection Items
- Knife – Guide to choosing a survival knife here
- Firearm
- Pepper spray
- Flashlight
- Headlamp
- Bolt cutters (really useful when trying to get your vehicle through chain blockades)
- Crow bar
- 12 volt emergency power supply
- Seatbelt cutter + glass breaker
- Your Bug Out Bag
Personal Hygiene Items
- Toilet paper
- Insect repellent
- Sun block
- Soap
- Baby wipes
- Face mask
- Medications
- Diapers (if applicable)
- First aid kit
Items for Alternative Vehicles
- Bike or motorcycle helmet
- Life jackets
- Paddles
- Life raft
- Dry sacks
Bug Out Vehicle To-Do Checklist
Yes, there is more! You will need to make sure your Bug Out Vehicle is always ready to go.
- Keep tank at least half full at all times
- Service your vehicle regularly
- Learn how to do vehicle maintenance
- Rotate the food in your vehicle
- Rotate the water too. Water bottles leak after about 6-12 months, especially when in a hot car trunk.
Is there anything I missed on the BOV checklist? Let me know!
Image credit:
“HA1-000523” (CC BY 2.0) by We have moved! Please visit /highwaysengland
I'm Jacob Hunter, founder of Primal Survivor.
I believe in empowering people with the knowledge to prepare and survive in the modern world.
More about Jacob here.
A good list of all the stuff you “should” have. “BUT”—-how about a minimum list of what is absolutely necessary. Have you calculated the weight/volume of you ideal list? Would definitely not fit in a Rav4 SUV ( and have room for passengers) —-unless you pull a cargo trailer!
As always you must prepare for your own individual situation. This is a general list – not everything is required – decide what you need for your own needs and priorities and go from there.
I have a for wheel drive pickup and a all wheel drive toyota highlander and a 7 X 14 motorcycle trailer. Which vehicle would be best and should I pull the trailer to put supplies in, and should I bring the motorcycle (Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic limited) or leave it behind.
Hi Gary – totally depends on the situation. If you have the time and can plan ahead\travel back roads etc then bring as much as you can. If you need to get out of dodge quick then the Harley and a BOB might be your best option.
Think about the most likely scenarios in your area and plan the best response.
I recommend to add a chainsaw (to cut fallen trees