Choosing the right RV bugout

Choosing the right bugout location can be as inexpensive or as extravagant of a decision that a prepper can make. As a prepper, giving consideration to this topic is of the highest priorities. Decisions on bugout equipment, shelter and most importantly nourishment can mean life or death in the event of a catastrophe. RV bugout vehicles should also be considered in planning.

Bugging in versus bugging out

If you are like me, you’ve considered the option of hoarding food items and other emergency supplies for bugging in at you’re home. I myself decided that preparing storage of some necessities at home was indeed a vital part in preparing. I made this decision because we just never know what exactly will happen or how bad we will be effected by it.

I stocked some items in my home in hope that such an event will not last beyond six months. I also considered other options like storage container shelters and live aboard vessels. I have not ruled these ideas out but have prioritized my options. As for me and my current living situation, I decided to purchase an RV bugout vehicle.

Choosing the right RV

After searching for about a year and watching endless Youtube videos on the topic, I finally made a decision on the type of RV for my needs. Some things that I needed to consider was options for being able to live off grid and comfort for my family. I also wanted to have the ability to be able to leave my bugout RV just in case conditions became too dangerous to drive it or if it became inoperable due to mechanical failure.

I finally decided that a fifth wheel was my best option as it had everything that I needed and was ready to transport in a moments notice. Having options like batteries that recharge from solar and being able to run necessary appliances on minimal power was included. I also liked the idea of having the ability to run off of generator power for the higher power consuming appliances like air conditioning.

Buying you’re RV

To my surprise, I quickly learned how popular RV’s have become. Long gone are the days of the twenty or thirty foot rectangle shaped travel trailers. Nowadays we have very well constructed luxury units. I chose a model that was built by Grand Design and has five slide out rooms which expand the eight foot center into fourteen feet wide openings in several locations. I chose the Grand Design because of their high quality in manufacturing. Having all of the luxuries inside to boot is a plus.

I located the model that I wanted in Wildwood Florida at Lazydays RV on their website. I requested information on the RV that I liked and a salesman out of the Tampa location contacted me the next morning. We quickly came to an agreed sale price and next the 1,271 mile drive to their location was on.

What they didn’t tell me

After driving the whole way straight through with the exception of a quick nap at a couple rest stops, I finally arrived. I was eagerly waiting in the parking lot when the lights turned on and at 7am sharp made contact with the receptionist. I was then sent to a manager in the service building and it was explained to me that there was a inspection and repair list that needed to be completed. I was a little concerned at that point because this was the first time that anyone had mentioned anything about it. I asked if I could see the RV and did so at that time with his approval.

The fifth wheel was being cleaned at that time by a very hard working young lady. The overall appearance was even better that the web photos displayed. Being satisfied with what I had seen, I returned to the Manager and advised him that I would like to move forward with the purchase. He then escorted me to the waiting room while the work began on the RV.

To sum up this lengthy story, I wasn’t prepared for what turned out to be an eight day stay at the Lazy Days service location. I hadn’t packed for an extended stay and this could have been avoided had they just explained that the work needed to be done. The odd thing is that I was told by multiple people that this is a common procedure in this business! To end on a positive note, Lazy Days RV was kind enough to let me stay in the RV on property all week during the night.

The learning begins

I quickly learned how to use all of the gadgets and appliances on the RV while at the service location but it didn’t end there. The trip home was even more educational. Learning how to negotiate driving conditions and getting the feel of a 16000 Gross Vehicle Weight Rv was very enlightening. Having prior trailer pulling experience was useful for sure. Everything was good until the final leg of my return home.

About three hours away, I experienced what it was like to have one of the Chinese bomb tires explode on the RV. I watched in the door mirror as the tire tread flew from the tire and immediately pulled to the shoulder of the road. After stopping, I inspected the tire and noticed how the flying tread had destroyed the fender skirt on my new to me RV.

I quickly learned that having the bare essential tools that I had to change the tire would not make the job easy. Fortunately I did bring along a couple blocks of wood and bought a new four way lug wrench before leaving. The bottle jack that came with my truck proved to be useful too. With a little help from a nice young fella and a State Trooper who who both stopped to assist me, I was quickly on my way again.

Prepping doesn’t just begin or end at home

With all of the newly learned information which I had gained at no additional charge, I quickly realized that prepping skills would come in handy with my new RV. Having a plan for every possible life threatening situation is near impossible. What we can do is try and prepare as best as we can for the most likely catastrophic situations and wing the rest while using common sense. We don’t always know what questions to ask and never rely on someone to inform you ahead of time.

This article will be an ongoing upgrade RV bugout article. Be sure to follow for future posts on this topic and as always feel free to comment with any suggestions.

EndPrepper