Bugging Out in a Caravan

~~Bugging Out in a Caravan,
One of the things I get asked about is: What do you think about having a caravan for Bugging Out? Answer: It’s a great idea, however it has to be done correctly and not in a rag-tag way. Here is an example: I know of a group of people that use VW Beatles (Baja Style) as Bug Out Vehicles (BOVs) (I know the jokes just seem to write themselves on this one-but please follow along). They have Like for Like vehicles (most if not all parts are interchangeable between each vehicle) and each car in the lineup carries a different set of spare parts in case of a breakdown, there are seven (7) cars in this set up, they can move 14 people, supplies, fuel, water, and spare parts, the VWs are simple cars and most of the people in this caravan can perform repairs/ maintenance, they do have firearms for protection and they practice “getting out” 3 times a year. This group of people is a good example of people working together for a common goal of survival and getting out to a specified location if the need arises. So what can you do with your group to get to this level of Bug Out preparedness?

1. Determine (a consensus) what vehicle type you want to have (try to have like for like), some vehicles will have significant changes if separated by 1 model year (1995 vs 1996 as an example) and stick to it! (if you decide for a Ford platform and 1 person gets a Dodge, that ruins the like for like thing)
2. Figure out what spare parts that you (what spares and how many of each) should carry and which member should carry them. What about tires and rims (wheels) does each member vehicle have the same bolt pattern/ number of lugs (example 5 vs 6 vs 8 lugs)?
3. Does each member vehicle have a driver that can drive off road competently? Being a member of a local 4WD club can help with getting good at off road driving.
4. How many people will each vehicle carry? How much food/ water/ fuel?
5. Can the vehicles handle the burden?
6. Can each member drive in a caravan?
7. What size (how many vehicles) is your caravan going to be?
8. Protection (how are you going to deal with bad people).
9. Practice! Go to your predetermined Bug Out location once in a while with everyone in your group (maybe 2 to 3 times a year?).
10. Practice loading your vehicle even when not Bugging Out, going camping is a great Bug Out practice, and loading your vehicle to the maximum (and in our case driving through mountain roads, with tight turns and steep inclines/declines and our vehicle was heavily loaded-great practice!).

And in closing keep a positive mental attitude, don’t get overwhelmed, take things one at a time when you can afford to do so/ don’t panic buy.