An area where OPSEC is going to be difficult is having a powered vehicle in an urban area after an event. Everyone can hear and see vehicles at quite a distance and a moving vehicle always means fuel and other people. A prime target for looters.
There isn’t a lot you can do about it either. So the decision is more around do I need a vehicle for urban use or not. I’m leaning towards the not side at the moment. Sure, a vehicle is good but after an event I see it only being of use in the short term for transporting yourselves and your preps to a bug out location. Longer term use is for general transport, haulage and exploration. Vehicles though are looter magnets even now.
Because of this I was looking at simply storing my BOV until I felt it was safe to use. This meant it had to be able to store it in a way that meant it could not been seen as a working vehicle but could quickly be rebuilt without much work and would work straight away. It needs to be a diesel with the capability of being converted to a crop based fuel. I was leaning towards an old Land Rover or an ex army truck. Of course I still need my main vehicle for everyday use which I would keep street legal and use for general everyday use.
I looked around and applied to the council for a local garage but they only ever came up with a derelict garage in a rough area near the centre of town. It would be impossible to keep it there during or after an event without it being raided at some point and parts being taken.
So, I was looking at keeping it in my own garage. Up on blocks, tyres removed, no battery, no fuel with these items being stored in the shed behind the garage. With a couple of more modern cars in front of the garage in working condition but with no fuel they would be primary targets for any looting. I have my eye on my neighbour’s garage and if possible I’d move into there instead. I’m going to get a large trailer built to my specification where I can make it suit my requirements for my preps and again, I’ll keep it without tyres and out of the way.
This means that if things get hot I can quickly reassemble my BOV and GOOD. I can do the same when I think the situation is safe and/or I am ready to relocate and comfortable with making engine noise.
In the meantime though it means I won’t have a powered vehicle. I don’t see this as an issue as in the first instance as I’m keeping my head down and won’t be travelling far. My first moves will be gardening and exploring the local area so I’ll be on foot, starting at night and I’ll want to be a ghost. When I’m ready to explore further it’ll be by pedal bike to a safe location and then more walking. Again, it’ll be at night and I’ll still want to be a ghost.
So my choice of transport for staying at home is a pedal bike and several good pairs of boots. Just bought a good pair for £30 at TJHughes. They had some end of line bargains when I was there last week.
When things settle down though I would want my BOV for general transport and haulage even if I end up not relocating. I would use it to scavenge from the local area. As well as the pedal bikes I also want a couple of small motorbikes for exploration and rapid transport.
Of course we will remember that making noise attracts predators so we would be very careful and have security set up. That is another issue though.
I would be concerned about the amount of time it would take you to replace the wheels and battery.
Sometimes if you have to Get Out Of Dodge you don’t have a lot of time. Maybe you’re trying to get away before the sheeple clog the roads when every minute counts.
As a prepper you have the advantage of already knowing what you’re going to bring but the disadvantage of it being more stuff (that takes longer to load) than most other people. Add the additional delay of re-fitting wheels and you’re in danger of getting caught in the middle of the herd (behind the people who run out of petrol and block the road).
I’d also suggest you consider a bicycle trailer, they look dorky but allow you to carry a surprisingly large amount of stuff on your bicycle.
Bicycles are definitely the preferred form of medium transport after an event, silent, faster than a person on foot and requiring no fuel (and using less energy per mile than walking).
Skvez,
It is less of a risk for the scenario I am suggesting than having a vehicle ready for action that can be hijacked or stolen. With practise it should only take a team a short time to put the wheels on and connect the battery. It can be done whilst others load the vehicle and trailer.
Bike trailers are a good idea. We should make one specific for our use.
Every vehicle I have has a hidden micro switch hidden that isolated either the ignition system or the fuel injection system, Except the transit as it can be driven without the coded and chipped key, and they require a specialist copying system and a lot of money to achieve. So long as scavengers have not got my keys they cant drive the van, if they hotwire it without the key the memory core of the ignition module AND the fuel module are deleted thus leaving the vehicle totally immobile. My mate has fitted a Mul-T-Lock to his series 2 A landy, it locks the gear lever in reverse.
Well I was thinking more along the lines of there it is but its not working than them sticking bits of hot metl on my body and asking where the switch is.
People can look and see it is bits and leave. Someone needing one will see it and may decide they can justas me for the keysand switch.
btw : That switch is a good idea for all our vehicles anyway. I’d have one fitted anyway even with the battery disconnected, makes it look good when it doesn’t start.
I simply rely on the fact at the moment that my old Landy -1965 2A – is such a kerfuffle to get strted that in this day and age of get in and expect it to go without any “assistance” the villains would get frustrated and give it a miss. This doesn’t allow of course for wanton vandalism in that frustration. The up side is of course that running it for however long, as it is so simple, reliability is a major plus. It is noisy though!!
Good thoughts – you are keeping (us) busy!! Well done.
Just a thought but most folks under 35 years old would not know what to do if we just took the rotor arms out of older petrol engined motors like S2 Landies
SD they can torture you as much as they like I still wont give em my keys 🙂 🙂 🙂
Lincolnoldie, NR,
If it looks like it will go they will persevere and when they get it going or finally give up they may very well decide to take out those frustrations on someone. I wonder who that will be?
NR,
I wouldn’t blame you but they will then move on to your kids and when you give in they may just butcher all of you for causing them hassle.
SD Re Read my post the seventh one 🙂
Nr,
The seventh one? Give us a clue you have written so many.
“SD they can torture YOU as much as they like I still wont give em MY keys” 🙂
Oh. Sorry. The 7th comment.
Yes, I had already noted that. That is why my response was to accept it, not to blame you (because I’d do the same) and point out something more important to you would be next.
Quite like the idea of a bike with an optional trailer fitting – the only drawback I can see at the moment is the vast number of ‘drivers’ who would not ‘see you’. They do not even see much larger items like motorbikes with all the lights on, so it would seem.
Ah well good exercise and keep to the side roads.
Thats what pavements, cycle paths, tow paths, old railway tracks, bridle ways, farmers tracks, forestry tracks etc are for 🙂
In an earlier articleon maps we suggested you find ones for bike routes. Worth knowing.
May I also suggest that if you are planning on utilising a bicycle as a BOV or EDC transport after the collapse you consider investing in a pair of puncture proof tyre for your perambulating machine, The Green tyre company of Middlesbrough are the company I know of.
http://www.greentyre.co.uk/index.html
A puncture is an inconvenience now, but it could be disasterous when you are bugging out.
Have had some experience of puncture proof on a wheel chair – very good.
Thanks for the supplier info – wheelbarrow especially useful as mine is always flat. Getting together a spec for a bike for all reasons – hope the cost is worth it as it is climbing steadily.
I bought a working quad,(4 wheel dve, whinch,etc) for when I go out on the farms shooting, I have decided it would make a very good BOV as it can go just about anywhere as long as it can go through a gap the width of the quad. My first idea was to make a BOV survival MC, but since using the quad have changed my mind, it also has a tow hook so can pull a small trailer, only down side is 50 mph, but makes up for that with it’s go anywhere ability.
Kiddsy,
Welcome.
A quad sounds good for their all terrain capability. My only concern with it would be its noise coupled with its speed but it’s go anywhere helps there I would guess. Make sure you have afuel in the trailer and a spare wheel somewhere.
As far as noise is concerned, it still has, and will keep,it’s standard ex system which is VERY quiet, as the tyre only run at 4 psi it is capable of running on flat tyres, but I will be putting in some ‘Ultra Seal’ so puncture repairs are not required as it makes it’s own puncture repair.(I am an H D Technician) have used the stuff many times on our bikes and swear by it.
I’ll bear that in mind. The ones I’ve seen have been reasonably quiet but still noisier than my car.