Truck or Jeep for a BOV?

[Guest]

I'm thinking about trading my 4x4 truck for a Jeep. I have an extended cab Dodge Dakota and I kinda dig CJs. Which would you choose for a bug out vehicle?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Dunno your situation but then again it really doesnt matter if you wanna take enough with you to stay alive for any length of time. Load a few real size folks and drive a good distance in the CJ with no leg room. Just a BOBs and some firearms and ammo for 2 fill a jeep and they aren't known for their trailor pulling ability either. Think about something real like the the ongoing Colorado wildfires right now and you taking what will survive because nothing will be left, then ask jeep or truck. Yes Jeeps are cool but unless your single and bugging by yourself I can't see it and even then thats short term because buckets of food dont fit. My 2 cents worth 1 gazillionth of a health care bill

[thedreamers]

I got to go truck on this one. They can carry far more stuff if you needed to bug out. Plus they can carry far more weight in towing.

[WILL]

Dunno your situation but then again it really doesnt matter if you wanna take enough with you to stay alive for any length of time. Load a few real size folks and drive a good distance in the CJ with no leg room. Just a BOBs and some firearms and ammo for 2 fill a jeep and they aren't known for their trailor pulling ability either. Think about something real like the the ongoing Colorado wildfires right now and you taking what will survive because nothing will be left, then ask jeep or truck. Yes Jeeps are cool but unless your single and bugging by yourself I can't see it and even then thats short term because buckets of food dont fit. My 2 cents worth 1 gazillionth of a health care bill

Thanks, that makes alot of sense.

[Daelith]

Hubby and I have been discussing another vehicle now that mine is paid for. We were debating between a SUV (Tahoe or Suburban) or a Jeep. We're leaning toward the SUV because of the dogs mainly. I think we would get more use out of it.

[wildcat]

I vote truck also. And not 1/2 or 3/4 ton, but 1 ton. Here is why:

My plan A is bug in, which means I have allot of equipment/supplies, some of which I am going to be very hesitant in parting with.
Having a plan B bugout will cause you at some point to start thinking of all the equipment and supplies you will be leaving behind- money wasted to help someone else, or be destroyed?
BOTH vehicles work for a plan C, which is jump in and GET OUT!

I've owned Jeeps since 1988 or so. They are FUN vehicles to go 4 wheeling, hunting, camping in for a few days. As you begin to stress the drivetrain with bigger tires or overloading with occupants and equipment, the off road capabilities diminish rapidly, often something will break, leaving you to be prepared to fix it. While recreationally, I am willing to do this, planning for a bugout, I will make choices to AVOID this.

In my opinion,and for my use, the 1 ton truck is ideal, so that's what I went with for my platform. I have made several modifications to it (Some for fun, but mostly they are practical)

Much larger than 1 ton, I got into the "Diminished return" for my personal requirements.

[jimmycthemd]

I have to echo the truck. I've been without one at times and totally missed it. I've had a pickup for most of my adult life. I use it for other things than just a BOV. I tow a camper, I haul dirt, stone, etc...the list goes on. It's a 1-ton crew cab dually. The dually's are optional, but I do like the 1-ton capacity.

Now for the 3/4 or 1 ton. The main difference between most 3/4 and 1-ton trucks is the suspension. The basic drive train usually doesn't change. I guess it all depends on how much you're planning on hauling when you bug out and how fast you can get it loaded. I got the crew cab because, at the time, I had a son that lived with me. For vacations and travelling I wanted the extra passenger room. I also opted to put a bed cover on it. If I'm bugging out, I don't want anyone seeing what I have in the truck bed. I also went for a diesel for the added torque and long-term fuel storage.

My two cents.

[JUSTIFIED]

I agree with the others. We had a sweet 1983 CJ7 when we lived in CO and we had a lot of fun with it but I wouldn't want it for a BOV.

I would either go with a 4x4 pickup or SUV. I loved the suburbans we had over the years. Something about the weight distribution made them an incredibly solid vehicle in the CO mountain snows. You can pull a trailer with either one. We've got a Mercury Mountaineer that's been a good SUV. I'm debating what to do when we move into our home next week. I'm either going to keep this SUV or sell it and buy a 6X6. Either way I'll also pick up a tandemn trailer to carry extra gear. If you have the bucks, enclosed trailers are nice but then you're limited as to how much you can put on it, heighth wise. Around here I could pick up a 16' tandemn flat trailer in good condition for about $700-$800. I'd make sure it's a tandem so if you have a flat you're not completely out of commission until you're where you can change the tire. I would also have two spares for it and make sure the pulling vehicle has two spares as well. If, and when, the shtf there won't be a tire repair station around. Make sure you have plenty of rope and straps as well as good heavy duty tarps.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

I have been looking into getting another mode of transport for almost a year. After lots of reading and some thinking (hard for someone like me) I have decided to look for truck:

#1. Diesel - longer engine life, easier fuel resupply/creation, longer fuel shelf life
#2. 4x4 - Lower gearing, more off-road ability
#3. Double Cab - carry 4-5 adults, no one wants to be alone

[SeldomSeenSlim]

I'd say it depends on where you plan on traveling. Big diesel pickups aren't very good off-road. Not like a small wheelbase vehicle like a Jeep or Bronco.

If you do go with the Jeep, you might look into something called "Expedition Trailers". I ran into a club of Jeep people that had these things. Really neat little single axle trailers set up specifically for off-road use. All different kinds from m101 .mil trailers to old 3/4ton truck beds to some full custom jobs ($$$$). A lot of them had popup tents built in, fold out tables and other tricks to maximize the space available. They said they get together every so often and run expedition trips all over the place. A couple of them had run a trip all the way down to Oaxaca on backroads and beaches. Which is a damn long way.

[JUSTIFIED]

Like you said Seldom, it depends on need, people, geography etc...as to what will work best. One important thing is to make sure your vehicle has a reputation for being tough as boot leather and I would do my best to have plenty of basic spare parts(engine parts, tires, winshield wipers, extra oil, trans.fluid, fuel, power steering fluid, brake fluid, filters, etc...). Not a bad idea to have some tools on board like a chainsaw, axe, shovel, etc....in case you're driving where you need to clear a path.

[tech]

Trucks and Jeeps are ok in many areas, where "off-road" means cutting through a cow pasture and a small creek. Such is not the case in most places here (SE Louisiana) so I have gone with a Samurai (tougher and smaller than a Jeep) combined with a small trailer. Trailer is narrow enough to follow the Zuke, and has been upgraded to give more ground clearance and load capacity. Samurai doesn't complain about 3 ft deep water.

It certainly is not for everyone, but like most prepping it is ALL an individual choice to meet your needs.

BTW, Will...A Dakota is a breakdown waiting to happen. An S10/S15/Sonoma would be a much better choice, although a bit smaller.

[JUSTIFIED]

Trucks and Jeeps are ok in many areas, where "off-road" means cutting through a cow pasture and a small creek. Such is not the case in most places here (SE Louisiana) so I have gone with a Samurai (tougher and smaller than a Jeep) combined with a small trailer. Trailer is narrow enough to follow the Zuke, and has been upgraded to give more ground clearance and load capacity. Samurai doesn't complain about 3 ft deep water.

It certainly is not for everyone, but like most prepping it is ALL an individual choice to meet your needs.

BTW, Will...A Dakota is a breakdown waiting to happen. An S10/S15/Sonoma would be a much better choice, although a bit smaller.

I'd never seen a Zuke so youtubed a video of one. I watched this guy transform one. Pretty neat vehicle!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTa7m1mQAJQ

[WiseOwl]

Just a lil tidbit from my experience today moving my preps to my new house. I have a 98 Trooper and it was filled to the brim. Water is the biggest space taker upper.
If you cant take water, dont have anything to purify or find, or you dont have any at your BOL, you are screwed.
I had everything I own minus a couple of items and 20 Gallons and my truck was super packed. Plus, the wife and kids would have to all ride in the front seat in a BO situation.
First off, a trailer is a flat tire/ ambush/ murphy waiting to happen.
Secondly, a jeep is good for one man with what he can fit......but you are zombie bait. Not good for a couple unless you are some serious ultralight backpackers with a BOL and some caches along the route. Good to get off the road but so is .......
A truck is good because you can stack above the cab if need be. You can go off road and if its a 4 door quad cab, you can fit some goodies in the cab.


My perfect ideal BOV is a Suburban....anything pre new body style. I prefer the mid to late 90's and that 6.0 like my brothers.
And I like the 4x4 E-350's.....the Extended cargo. You can really mad dog these up.
Roof racks are a must



And ( I am throwing my pitch out there) if any of you guys need anything for your trucks, jeeps, vans, SUV's, let me know. I run an accessories store. I can get just about anything you can imagine and can have it drop shipped to wherever the hell you want it.

[JUSTIFIED]

Just a lil tidbit from my experience today moving my preps to my new house. I have a 98 Trooper and it was filled to the brim. Water is the biggest space taker upper.
If you cant take water, dont have anything to purify or find, or you dont have any at your BOL, you are screwed.
I had everything I own minus a couple of items and 20 Gallons and my truck was super packed. Plus, the wife and kids would have to all ride in the front seat in a BO situation.
First off, a trailer is a flat tire/ ambush/ murphy waiting to happen.
Secondly, a jeep is good for one man with what he can fit......but you are zombie bait. Not good for a couple unless you are some serious ultralight backpackers with a BOL and some caches along the route. Good to get off the road but so is .......
A truck is good because you can stack above the cab if need be. You can go off road and if its a 4 door quad cab, you can fit some goodies in the cab.


My perfect ideal BOV is a Suburban....anything pre new body style. I prefer the mid to late 90's and that 6.0 like my brothers.
And I like the 4x4 E-350's.....the Extended cargo. You can really mad dog these up.
Roof racks are a must



And ( I am throwing my pitch out there) if any of you guys need anything for your trucks, jeeps, vans, SUV's, let me know. I run an accessories store. I can get just about anything you can imagine and can have it drop shipped to wherever the hell you want it.

That's good to know WiseOwl. Being a survivalist, you could probably steer someone in a good direction on what they would need for their BOV. We've had a few suburbans over the years and loved them. It's the best handling vehicle I ever drove in snow in the mountains. Something about the weight distribution. As soon as we're moved, one of my focus's will be on buying a pre-electronic module BOV. I'm keeping my eyes open for a suburban, pickup, and have entertained the thought of buying a 6x6. We have a guy who deals in army surplus about 40 minutes from our home who has a lot full of every kind of refurbished army vehicles you can think of.