Best Vehicles for Surviving the End of the World

Best Vehicles for Surviving the End of the World

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Hopefully, not in our, or our childrens’ lifetime will we be faced with a doomsday scenario, but if we were, our everyday vehicles simply wouldn’t cut it. You would be needing a stronger, more reliable, and maybe even faster vehicle than what you currently have out in your driveway or garage. Another thing to think about is that if there’s ever an EMP attack, modern vehicles would become useless. What then? If you haven’t purchased my book, please do, “Prepare You Family For Survival.” If you have purchased it, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Depending on your situation and other factors that I’ll get to in a minute, you have to determine which vehicle option would be best for you and your family during an emergency. These are some of the best vehicles that you should consider having in order to survive an “end of the world” event. 

If you ever come to Southern Utah, you will see several camouflaged large heavy-duty “Army” looking vehicles parked on properties. They are so oversized they don’t fit into a normal garage.

Please note, I have not seen them driving around town, but I look at those vehicles in the neighborhoods, and I instantly think, “wow, a prepper lives there.”

I quote Wikipedia, “Camouflage is the use of any combination of materials, coloration, or illumination for concealment, either by making animals or objects hard to see, or by disguising them as something else.”

Best Vehicles for Surviving the End of the World

Best Vehicles for Surviving the End of the World

4WD Vehicle 

Don’t just settle on any vehicle when it comes to your survival during an end-of-the-world scenario. For instance, you don’t want to find yourself being chased in a small four-door sedan across a muddy cornfield and then immediately getting stuck in the process. It would be the last “game-over” that you ever experienced, including for your family. 

That’s why I’d recommend that you go with a 4-wheel drive vehicle that can handle “heavy-duty” situations. Making special modifications to your vehicle wouldn’t be a bad idea, whether it’s adding armor to the siding of your vehicle, or installing plexiglass for your windshield and windows. That way your vehicle will be much more bulletproof when the bullets start flying.     

Jeep Wrangler 

The Jeep Wrangler is an American-made vehicle that’s built to be tough, but it’s also fairly affordable too! It’s the ideal choice of transportation when it comes to off-roading and having to get around debris and other obstacles that may get in your way. It’s versatile for almost any situation, in fact, they’re not too difficult to work on either if you have some auto repair skills.  

Read More of My Articles  7 Ways to Build a Survival Shelter

ATVs 

Another great vehicle to get around outdoors would be the ATV. They’re easy to operate and can take you to places where most vehicles simply can’t go. Like the Jeep Wrangler, they’re built to handle tough situations and can carry a large amount of weight based on their size. It’s also a good transportation method when you’re out hunting instead of having to set out on foot, or having to plow debris.   

Motorcycles and Mopeds

If you ever watched the thrilling 1998 film Deep Impact, then you probably remember how the young teenage boy actor, played by Elijah Wood, was able to escape on a moped with amazing ease. That’s because the traffic on the highway was completely stopped dead in their tracks and he was able to zip right around them. So a motorcycle or moped may not be a bad option for you.  

However, there are a few drawbacks to these transportation methods that you need to think about. For starters, these modes of transportation can only fit a maximum of 2 people safely, so you may have to buy your family two or three of them, depending on how many children you have. 

They may also be too dangerous to use if you’re trying to escape a metropolitan area. The weather can play a factor when you’re able to use them, and you will also be limited on how many essential supplies you are able to bring with you.   

EMP-Survivable Vehicle

While a man-made EMP attack has never taken place before, that doesn’t mean that it won’t eventually. An EMP is a rare and unusual weapon that most certainly exists, and if such an attack were to ever occur, a vast majority of people living in the affected area would be left without a quick mode of transportation. So what is a vehicle that could survive an EMP, you ask? Great question. 

If an EMP were to ever go off, it would disrupt and fry every electronic appliance or computer-related piece of equipment around us, including the computer system and controlling sensors that all modern vehicles come with these days. You may have read, William S. Forschten’s post-apocalyptic novel, “One Second After.” The author talked about the 1959 Edsel, a car so old that electronics were non-existent back then, therefore it was “safe” from an EMP (Electronic Magnetic Pulse).

Surviving an EMP Encounter

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Boats

Let’s face the facts, people. Being left stranded on a tropical deserted island doesn’t sound all that bad when up against zombie-like people that are waiting to hunt you down the moment you step back on the mainland. For those of you who live next to a body of water, a sailboat with a backup motor may be an ideal solution for you. Many of them come with desalting equipment for your drinking purposes, and possibly you’ll have plenty of fish swimming right underneath your boat that could become your next meal.  

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Bicycle 

Though it’s not technically a vehicle, a bicycle could wind up being your best mode of transportation in an end-of-the-world scenario. They’re always dependable (unless you get a flat), don’t require fuel, and won’t draw much attention to yourself. You can also navigate better around traffic jams without making a scene. How to Survive in an Emergency Shelter Many of my neighbors are purchasing the new e-bike models that come with an electric motor to help you climb that steep hill.

Stock Up with Plenty of Fuel

Another thing to think about, besides owning an older vehicle or purchasing another type of transportation, is that gas stations probably would no longer function, so you would need to stockpile tons of fuel to hold you over. Unfortunately, gasoline doesn’t keep for a very long period of time, so you will need to rotate your supply out regularly and/or have some fuel stabilizer available. Best Emergency Fuel to Store

Other Things to Consider

Depending on where you live and your current situation, there may be other requirements that you would need in a bug-out vehicle. Does it need to be fast? Are you going to be transporting a bunch of supplies? Will it be required to be tough and able to clear out barricades and other obstacles in your path? What type of fuel does it use? 

You may need to get off-roading tires and a whole new paint job for camouflage so that you will blend in better. Should you find yourself fleeing from a crumbling city that’s become “every man for themselves,” modifying your vehicle by adding a .50 caliber turret might not be a bad idea. Have you considered these aspects for the best vehicles for surviving?

Best Vehicles for Surviving the End of the World

Final Word

There are a whole host of different vehicles that you can use in order to survive an end of the world event, but these are a few of the best choices, in my opinion. You just have to decide what you need in a bug-out vehicle and how much you’re willing to spend. Can you think of any other vehicles that would work splendidly in a post-apocalyptic world? I’d love to hear what you all come up with. May God Bless this world, Linda. 

Copyright Images: Old 4WD Military Vehicle Deposit photos_137028754_s-2019

 

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26 Comments

  1. There are too many variables in EMP to say for certain. The last test only a portion shut down.
    It’s too hard to maintain a 82 Pickup though we’ve got a restoration place here that makes me drool every time I drive by.
    Even if you’ve got a vehicle whatya gonna do bout all them others that just stopped at choke points like bridges etc. ? You try n clear them you’ve put yourself in a compromised position to be killed.
    Your window will be very narrow.

    With the microchip shortage we might be making some changes. Dodge says they will build a low end truck without them. That might be worth looking at.

    Don’t overlook tractors n riding mowers. Beats walking and lots can be accomplished with them. If ya don’t care bout blade damage a combine harvester would be good for zombies too

    1. Hi Matt, I think any option that would work would be awesome. I live in an HOA so unless it can fit in my garage we won’t be getting anything. I’m looking at some property right now, trying to get Mark to understand the need. I agree about the choke points, that’s why we need to think about every option possible. I would like a vehicle to be ready to roll at a moment’s notice if need be. Not sure it’s going to happen but I can dream. Linda

  2. On vehicles, yes, you do need one that does not run on electronic anything. Also, you’ll want to keep extra alternators, batteries, etc., in a faraday cage because the one in the vehicle will fry in an EMP attack. I can’t remember exactly, but I think anything built before 1985 (need to check on that date to be sure, but it’s the date before they started computerizing vehicles) would be ok.

    1. Hi Pam, I agree with you on the Faraday cage. I remember the date previous to 1978 but I couldn’t find an exact year about when the car or trucks were computerized. Let’s hope we never have to deal with this. I worry more about an extensive power grid outage but people need to know about vehicles and a possible EMP. Life could change in an instant for sure. Linda

      1. Linda, I believe it’s vehicles prior to 1972 that don’t have all the electronics. But I could be wrong, I just remember my dad kvetching about it years ago. He was the “mechanic” along with my uncle ( who taught auto shop in local high school) for the family.

    2. I remember in the late 80s in the Cold War Army in Germany we regularly trained on nuclear attack we were trained to bury the vehicle batteries in 2 ft of dirt.
      Man I hated that when the ground was partially frozen. Hated that mattock lol

  3. We have adult trikes that have battery powered motors on them. We can peddle them. We use the motors for the hills we have. We also have a small trailer that can be pulled behind one. There are baskets on the back that hold the batteries, but if they can’t be charged, easily taken out and use the baskets. Plus I have a smaller basket on the front of mine. I’m past ready to ride again.

    1. Hi Deborah, adult trikes would be good exercise every day as well. Plus pulling a small trailer would be awesome. Let’s hope we won’t have to peddle the bike very far. Linda

    2. Deborah I’m looking at one for the wife. If you don’t mind me asking what do y’all have? Any thoughts on them?

  4. My thoughts are a good running car that looks awful. No one will notice it, or try to steal it. It won’t scream “come rob here”.

  5. Do not forget about a horse…might not be able to carry much but would get you thru anything…..doesn’t require gas but eats what it needs….

  6. Linda,

    D9 Caterpillar with an enclosed cab and a pair of M-60’s mounted and ready to fire. Unless someone has an RPG or a tank you’ll get by. And you could use the blade to clear traffic. Of course I’d want that cab bullet-proof. 🙂

    Or maybe a Bradley with functional armaments, you know, while we’re dreaming.

    Seriously, here in the desert it’s possible the best “vehicle” would be a houseboat on a large fresh water lake.

    If we’re hit with an EMP it’s the pre-1974 vehicles that would definitely still run. The problem, as Matt mentioned is getting parts for them. I predict a lot of folks riding horses or mules.

    1. I’ve threatened for a while about getting a horse and covered wagon. I just might need to start thinking more seriously about it the way things are looking.

    2. Hi Ray, I have thought about the parts for those vehicles as well. It’s funny Mark and I went into town yesterday and what do I see for sale?!? A camouflage Hummer with a trailer attached. It had a sign on it for $25,000.00. I would have taken a picture but Mark was driving too fast. This town has a lot of those beauties! LOL! No, I’m not buying it. LOL! Linda

  7. I suppose I am screwed! Cannot afford a different vehicle nor can I fix a vehicle! Another issue would be fuel. Of course, if many of the vehicles on the road are dead, one could syphon the gas or diesel.

    1. Hi Leanne, we will survive without one of these vehicles. You and I have everything we need where we live. I’m not leaving but I know a lot of people are planning on going up in the hills or whatever. Not me. We will be fine. Linda

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