Survival on the Road

I am heading out on the road to visit family tomorrow morning.  I'm sure many of you will also be out on the roads.  Everyone knows to drive safely and to watch for storms and ice- but, it bears repeating.  What else can you do to survive on the road this winter.  Well, here's what I did to prepare:

• Arrange for the neighbor (a hwy patrolman) to watch my house and also to collect the mail.  He also agreed to turn up our heat the day before we come home.  I have his phone number and he has mine in case of emergency.
• Prepare the truck.  I checked the tire pressure, filled the gas tank and checked the fluids (slightly low on antifreeze) and I also put in a piece of cardboard in front of half of the radiator to help the truck to stay warm.  
• Check the route (I know where I'm going, but I like to have alternates) and pack a road map and GPS.
• Pack preparedness items (this is my bugout tote)- complete with several firearms
• Pack tool set- I have several tool kits depending on the situation- this is an extended trip so I packed my big tool box including my 1/2"cordless impact wrench and volt-ohm meter.
• Check standard items (jumper cables, flashlights, flares, fire extinguisher, tire jack)
• Pack tire chains (for snow and ice) 
• Pack tow ropes/chains
• Pack extra food and water
• Remember to bring some cash in addition to credit cards
• Finally, with all that I loaded up our suit cases which have plenty of clothing

I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff (I always do) but that's it for the next two weeks.

Have a Merry Christmas.  Remember to include Christ in your holiday celebrations (it's His birthday).

New Poll: What do you fear in a collapse?

I've been thinking about possible scenarios- and there are lots of them.

Do you picture a collapse where the government is going door to door trying to confiscate guns and knives?  A world where you are being herded into a FEMA camp?  Do you see the national guard or the military roaming the streets looking for curfew violators- who will take your rights away in the name of marshal law?  Do you foresee zealous police officers that shoot first and don't ask questions?  What about the government taking over farms and food supplies?  What about them setting up check points to limit travel?

Or do you picture a collapse where riots have broken out in major cities and the fires burn uncontrolled?  Where looters are taking everything they can get their hands on.  Gangs are the only organized and armed organizations left in the cities- as police have either already been killed or have abandoned their posts to protect their own families.  Do you see gangs raping and pillaging along the suburbs after the resources of the cities are exhausted?

What about a collapse where most everyone "bugs in" -including your ill-prepared neighbors who soon turn to looting themselves?  Suburban neighbors may turn to cannibalism in order to feed their own families.  Do you foresee the herd of city-folks rushing to the suburbs and raiding homes in search of food from more prepared suburbanites?

What about escaped convicts who over-run the prisons?  Do they roam the countryside shooting and looting and killing everything in sight?

I think all of these are scenarios that may happen- or any combination there of.  Just wondering what you all think are the most likely.  I know I'm leaving some variation out- these are the top things I'd consider in the event of a total collapse.

Likely, in major cities that haven't burnt to the ground (perhaps b/c the National Guard got there first) Marshal Law would be enacted and the military would rule there.  In other parts of the US, the gangs would rule.  If prisoners escape- they could wreak havoc pretty much anywhere.  My neighbors, some good and some bad, make me the most nervous.  How soon could we organize a REAL neighborhood watch?  Would there been moochers from within who wouldn't or couldn't pull their own weight?

Assuming a slow decline into a collapse (I think this is the most likely), at what point do you get out of Dodge?  When the looting starts?  When the Humvees role into your neighborhood (too late then).  When you hear word of a prison break?  I think those are good answers.

One of my friends believes that the government will slowly take our weapons and other things away.   And make a law that says, "by this date, if you still have a weapon, you are a felon."  People still have jobs at this point- chaos has not broken out.  But do you call it then and Bug Out?  What if you are caught?  How do you provide for your family when you are in jail on a weapons charge?  Do you just go along with the system and hope for the best?  Tough questions.

I know this is a lot of rambling, but these are the thoughts in my mind over the past few days.  I've been looking to buy a truck and a travel trailer- but when I get those things- or even now, when will I know its time?  When do I quit my job and say, "hon, we're going to leave the house- pack the 72 hr kits and whatever you can and let's go."?

Finally, I don't have family or friends with any land within 1000 miles.  Assuming I don't have enough time or gas to get to them, where do I go?  I'm thinking the woods.  National and state forests.  But isn't that where everyone else will be going too?  How long could I survive out there?  I have my water filter and 1 year food supply, but farming would be ridiculous.  What are my other options?  I don't have land.  I don't have a cabin in the woods.  I don't have anywhere else really to go.  Am I better sticking it out and "bugging in" and toughing it out with the prepper friends I have here in the burbs?  Is getting a bug out vehicle a waste if I don't have any place to bug out to?  Lots of questions and hopefully I'll get some sleep tonight now that I've written them down.

Replies welcome.  Thanks.

Thinking of a Bug out Vehicle

I'm just going to ramble here for a few.  I've been spending more than a few hours looking at different trucks and trying to decide what vehicle to get.

First, I want a diesel.  They run forever- to the tune of 250-500k miles when maintained.  The fuel is more stable and stores longer (up to 10 years with treatment).  The fuel is less likely to run out compared to gas.  I can also burn vegetable oil and heating oil for fuel.  They are generally strong enough to pull a good sized trailer (more on that later).

Second, it has to be reliable.  After reading all about how crappy Ford's diesels are, I've nearly decided against them (I did find a nice 2005 F350 that otherwise meets my criteria).  Most websites put the Dodge Cummins at the top of the list, with GM's Duramax in second.  As far as reliably, that includes fixability.  From what I've read, that also puts Ford out of the running.  Fixability also includes finding parts.  My understanding is that there are way more Dodge diesels out there on the road and junkyards hands down.

That puts the Dodge Diesels out in the lead.

For me, if I'm going to have a truck, it has got to be a 4x4.  In a SHTF situation, I want it.
I also have a largish family with three kids (is that large?)  That means I need room in the back for them.  That means I want a 4 door.
Next, I want big bumpers for safely bashing other cars out of the way in a SHTF situation.  I also need a place to mount my Warn winch (it's on my Heep right now).
I also want a tool box and a bedliner.
Finally, it's got to be in my price range.  I don't want to spend any more that $14,000.

Here's a likely candidate: 2004 Dodge Ram 2500.  137k miles.  4x4, 6.0 Cummins $13,500

I'd prefer a different color, but my criteria is very specific.  This might get the job done.  (I would add off-road lights and a CB/HAM radio).

Thoughts?