Bug-Out And Survival In A Travel Trailer Or RV

Ever thought about a ‘mobile’ bug-out with a travel trailer or RV? Pros? Cons?

For many, purchasing another home or piece of property away from ‘the city’ or dense suburbs to have as a ‘bug-out location’ is unattainable. Given a worst-case-scenario whereby a bug-out to a safer location is or would be a matter of survival, perhaps one option would be to utilize a travel trailer or RV as one’s bug-out vehicle and mobile bug-out location…

Here are some thoughts on that:

 
Some variables come to mind, including the specifics of the travel trailer or RV itself, how it is to be equipped and prepped, as well as having a specific bug-out destination and pre-planned route and alternate routes to your destination.

I happen to have a trailer, a ‘5th-wheel’ actually, and before we travel with it, I put some thought and preps into the rig such that it will be better prepared for SHTF, just in case.

The thing is, I suppose that one could take it to the next level and consider using it as a ‘home base’ should the need ever arise to get out of Dodge…

When you begin thinking about a trailer or RV as a semi-permanent bug-out location, the wheels really start spinning as to what you might consider doing, retrofitting, and preparing the rig for such a thing.

There are two primary concerns. The rig itself (and how it’s equipped to deal with this role), and the destination location (or locations) of the bug-out.

Lets touch on the later first. Where are you going to go??

Some good first options may be if you know someone else who is already living in a location that may be more survivable than ‘the city’ or dense population regions. With their prior consent (important), your rig will serve as your ‘home’ on their property rather than integrating into their existing home. (Note: Winter RV’ing is difficult to impossible without freezing pipes, etc.., so bear that in mind or have solutions to these problems)

Note: Be sure to have a Road Atlas for each state that you may travel in…

Note: Best Large Scale Road Atlas USA

Don’t just think that you’re going to take off and live ‘on the road’. Sooner or later you will run out of fuel. You need to plan a destination that gives you a chance for survivability and functionality in this role. This will likely mean scouting it out ahead of time. And then plan for a second location in case your first option is no longer an option…

Given that the hypothetical (extreme) bug-out conditions that warrant leaving one’s area in order to stand a better chance of survival, these conditions will also create great security concerns. You may only have a relatively short time to make your decision to bug-out, to actually bug-out, and the time to arrive at your destination (days?) before the rest of the population realizes that they’re in deep $hit…

 
There are A LOT of things to think about, including…

Is a travel trailer or RV defensible? How?
Should camouflage or being out of sight at your destination be a priority?
Is there a water source there?
How will you deal with waste and disposal thereof?
Do you have enough food supplies for the long term?
Can you rig up a solar power system?
Will there be weather concerns?

 
It’s interesting to think about and consider a travel trailer or RV as a bug-out vehicle and destination shelter. Have any of you thought about this? Any ideas? Pros and Cons?