Keeping your bug out vehicle ready to go is a crucial part of emergency preparedness & survival. It’s unarguable that your BOV is your ticket out of the shit when it hits the fan, but only after you decide that you’re not bugging in.

Here are some guidelines to keep you & yours set to go.

Tips for Keeping Your Bug Out Vehicle Ready to Go

Keep the Vehicle Gassed Up & Set to Move

 

Your vehicle has to have at least ¾ of its fuel tank filled at all times. Whenever it happens to drop below that, you should immediately refill. This will give you a great head start in a TEOTWAWKI situation where a lot of people are trying to bug out from urban catastrophe. This is because the lines at most gas stations will be too chaotic, that is, if the stations open in the first place.

This is not the time to be spending precious resources looking for fuel. Rather, it is the time to be putting considerable distance between your family & the disaster. 

Keep the Doors Locked Always

 

Whether you’re packed somewhere or driving, a good rule to keep to is always keeping the doors locked. This will keep unwanted visitors in the first instance & prevent anyone searching for a ride from just pulling the door open when you’re stuck in traffic. I’m not saying it’s wrong to help others, but the presence of a new party can throw a spanner in your plans. Plus, what’s the guarantee the supposed person isn’t a criminal?

Have Multiple Routes Set in Place

 

There are very low chances that the main road everyone travels by will be accessible during a disaster. There’ll surely be a lot of congestion with everyone trying to drive faster than the other person on the same road. Roadblocks are also there to consider. 

Therefore, the best thing to do is to have 2-4 alternative routes to take should one be unavailable. Come with a road atlas too. Your GPS may not have certain places on the map, plus a backup is always advisable. 

One is none; two is one. 

Prep Your Team Ahead

 

The team in reference here is your family: the kids, spouse, parents, or roommates. They must be a crucial part of your plan, no? You need to ascertain roles according to everyone’s strengths. The best driver should be behind the wheels, even if that’s not you. Passengers in the backseat should keep an eye out for potential dangers, while the other front seat occupant should keep his gun locked & loaded. 

Now, note that everyone has to be focused & avoid disturbing the driver. Shouting different instructions at once can cause a driver to drive poorly. Just call out something risky that you find according to its direction, its distance to your vehicle & the description of what it is.  

Soon as this is done, everyone should remain calm & assume pre-planned plans. 

Final Lines on Keeping Your Bug Out Vehicle Ready to Go

 

Keeping your bug out vehicle ready to go is necessary. You don’t want to be disappointed by the vehicle when it’s time to evacuate in an emergency. Another tip is to keep an emergency toolkit in the car and maintain the vehicle regularly. You never know.