The Ultimate Survival Kit
Bug Out Trailer
I’m not a fan of the bug out bag survival strategy.
To many things can go wrong and probably will. Remember Murphy’s Law which states “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” no matter how hard we try or the plans we make, old man Murphy will be there.
It Ain’t Easy
Hiding and surviving in the wild can be done, but your life will be miserable at best. No matter what the “experts” tell you living off the land – under primitive conditions, isn’t easy.
Even the North American Indians often suffered from starvation and malnutrition. And they were born to the life – what makes you think you will fare better?
Heading for the hills or bugging out is at best a temporary solution. A means of getting to safety until a permanent solution can be implemented. It’s a plan of last resort – when you have no other choice but to flee or die.
The Bug Out Trailer
A better plan is the bug out trailer. This is a small trailer that can be towed by a vehicle into the back country or other location. Any trailer will work as long as the tow vehicle has enough power to pull it to where you want to go.
A small trailer is best say a 4 ft X 4 ft, the larger the trailer the more difficult it is to tow especially when the terrain gets rough. The last thing you what is to get stuck before reaching your destination.
The bug out trailer has the advantage that it can be dropped and hidden, leaving your vehicle free for other things and also the ability to carry much more than you could on your back .
Hiding The Trailer
Dark natural colors are best – green, brown, tan and black work well depending on terrain. Avoid camo patterns as this will only attract attention. You can always cover it with camo netting and natural cover found at the drop off location.
Storage
Once you have equipped the trailer with the needed supplies, you need to find a safe place to store it until needed. If you are in a rural area it’s a simple matter to hide it in a corner of your garage or under a shed. If you are in the city things can get more complicated.
In this case the only option maybe renting space at a storage facility. Most areas have these, allowing you to store the trailer and supplies at or near your intended bug out location.
This way you don’t even need to pull it behind during your escape, it’s already there, waiting to be picked up. The downside of course is the rent paid for the storage unit. If you have a friend or relative in the area (that can be trusted) you might be able to store it there, saving the cost of rent.
Theft And Other Hassles
To discourage theft, trailers with enclosed sides, roof and lockable door are best. Removing the wheels and storing them in a separate location will discourage anyone from hooking to the trailer and driving away. You can also chain it to the storage structure.
I’m not going into detail here as what you should store in the bug out trailer – that is another post in and of itself. You know you’ll need food, water, medical supplies, appropriate clothing and protection – cover these areas and you will be off to a good start.
Heading for the hills may not be the best strategy but it beats the crap out doing nothing – just keep a sharp eye for old man Murphy. Rest assured he’ll be waiting… What do you think – Bug out trailer or bug out bag? 
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February 20th, 2010 at 12:04 AM
I like the suggestion to avoid camo patterns on your trailer. My first thought whenever I see someone with a camo paint scheme on their vehicle is something along the lines of, "That's one strange/nutty personality." In a bugout situation, my thoughts would probably be, "That's one strange/nutty personality, and I wonder what supplies they've stocked up and where they're headed?"
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