*Bug Out Vehicles, do you need one?*
By Schtoo 

Firstly, a BOV or Bug Out Vehicle is some form of transport that will take you away from your current location in a time of crisis or distress. Almost anything that will move can be considered a potential BOV candidate. That includes motor vehicles, animals, human powered devices or anything that can carry or tow some kind of load.

The next question is "do I need one?" The simple answer is yes, it is very likely that you will need something to move you and your stuff around at one time or another. Even if you are well set up in a great location, there may come a time you will need to move. I can’t elaborate on what the circumstances may be to make you move, but I can make some suggestions that will help you decide what you may require when that time comes.

Firstly, how many, how far, how much, how often? This is where you start to question what you need to move and how far you need to move it. If it is just one person, and they have a small bag of things, then the demands are not great. However, if it is a whole tribe of folks, and everything goes with you including the kitchen sink, then you will need something more substantial.

So, how many people are included in the group that are willing and able to move from your established location? Take into consideration that if your group is large, some might not wish to go even if it is against their better judgment. Some of the group may have special requirements that will take up more space, things that cannot be left behind like medical equipment. Also consider that you may even have extra people to move around. You never know what might happen, and if you can make provision for these possibilities, within reason, more power to you.

Is your new location across the road, across the city, across the state, across the country, maybe even across the world! You will need to identify the location you wish to get to, and what might be required to get there. That includes consumables, possible repairs and any chance you might have to adjust your course. Make allowances in your plan to get there via the ‘scenic route’.

This is what you plan to take with you if you do have to move. If you are in a set location with good resources and a chance living well, then your absence may be short, until you can return. In that case, short term items are of prime consideration, with a few longer term items thrown in just in case. If you plan to bug out, and stay bugged out, then you will have to take a lot of gear with you. You must make plans to take all that gear with you safely and efficiently. You may have to leave some of it behind, or hide it until the time is right to retrieve it. You may have to hide some of your gear before hand to lessen the burden later on. This must all be considered and factored into your plan.

Do you plan to move once, a few times or be continually on the move? If it is just once, think about where that one move is going to, and will you have to move again? If the answer is yes, then your plans for the one move have already failed. Also, if you plan to continually move, will you be able to stay for an extended period in one spot if the circumstance permit? You must be willing to be flexible in these plans, even if you have no thoughts of going anywhere, is it wise to be prepared ahead of time if the unthinkable occurs and you do have to move. Different styles of travel require different modes of transport, and the transport you select must be able to follow those plans or you aren’t going anywhere!

In the end, if you plan to survive for a long time, you will very likely have to move around a little no matter how well prepared you are, as even the best-laid plans sometimes fail. In this case, consider your BOV as ‘plan B’. If your continued existence requires you to move away from your current location, then your BOV needs to be ‘plan A’. Whichever way you decide to go, a good reliable BOV should always be placed high on the list of needs, even if it is just as an emergency.

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