Tag Archives: evacuation

(Survival manual/4. Shelter issues/Utility trailer)

1.   The Bug Out Trailer
5 Aug 2009, TheSurvivalistBlog.net, by M.D. Creekmore
Part 1 pasted from <http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/beyond-bug-out-bag-ultimate-grad-and-go/ >
“I’m not a fan of the bug out bag survival strategy. Too 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.

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.
[At right: Haulmark exterior color palate]

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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2.  Long term, high volume mobile kits
Food supplies in a bug-out utility trailer may include a hundred of pounds of wheat, rice, and beans; enough honey, powdered milk, canned goods, bottled fruit, vitamins, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, salt, pepper, spices, and oil for several months. Several cartons of freeze-dried entrees.
In addition, such kits often contain high-calorie energy bars, a cooking kit, utensils, liquid soap, towels, items to handle your laundry. The water supplies may include bottled water, filtering kit, bottles, collapsible water containers, and chlorine bleach for water purification. Food preparation and washing equipment may include items such as a grain grinder, a bread mixer, a strainer, a manual can opener, a steam canner with canning jars and O-rings, cutlery, knives, an electric 12-volt cooler icebox, kerosene or Coleman lamps and heaters, kerosene or propane stoves, extra fuel, a clothes wringer, and an electric hot plate (which would require an inverter to operate off a car battery).
Medical supplies may include: scissors, tweezers, forceps, disposable scalpels, two thermometers (oral and rectal), inflatable splints, bandages, sutures, adhesive tape, gauze, burn ointment, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, rubbing alcohol, ipecac syrup, sterile water, cotton rags, soap, cotton swabs, a blood pressure gauge and stethoscope.
Transportation items may include bicycles with off-road tires and suspension, emergency tools and spare auto parts (e.g., fuses, fan belts, light bulbs, head light, tire pump, etc.), and an inflatable raft with paddles.

[Image at left: 6 x 12 foot enclosed Utility/Cargo Trailer. Typical storage capacity is about 1830 cu ft, with 700 lbs gross weight. and 1800-2200 lb payload capacity.]

In addition, the kits may contain typical individual “survival kit” items, such as nylon tarps, extra clothes and coats, blankets, sleeping bags, matches (and/or other fire starting equipment), a compass and maps, rechargeable flashlights, toilet paper, soap, a pocket knife and bowie-knife, a fishing kit, a portable camping stove, a power inverter, backpack, paper and pencil, a signaling mirror, flashlight, whistle, cable saw, bleach, insect repellent, magnifying glass, rope and nylon cord, pulleys, and a pistol and ammunition.
Communications equipment may include a multi-band receiver/scanner, a citizens band (CB) radio, portable “walkie-talkies” with rechargeable batteries, and a portable battery-powered television. The power supplies may include a diesel or gasoline generator with a one month fuel supply, an auto battery and charger, extension cord, flashlights, rechargeable batteries (with recharger), an electric multi meter, and a test light.
Defense items include a semi-automatic pistol, rifle, shotgun, ammunition, mace or pepper spray, and a large knife such as a KA-BAR or a bowie-knife.
Tools may include cutting tools such as saws, axes and hatchets; mechanical advantage aids such as a pry bar or FuBar wrecking bar, ropes, pulleys, or a ‘come-a-long” hand-operated winch; construction tools such as pliers, chisels, a hammer, screwdrivers, a hand-operated twist drill, vise grip pliers, glue, boxes of nails, miscellaneous nuts & bolts, screws, wrench set, a nut driver, a tap and die set, a socket set, and a fire extinguisher.
If this is going to be a long-term event, bring Barterable items such as fishing line, liquid soap, insect repellent, light bulbs, can openers, distilled spirits, extra fuels, motor oil, and common ammunition in .22LR and 12 gauge.

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 3.  Example units [the sales information was  copied from their website]
_A.  United U-Series – Cargo Trailers
United U-Series Cargo Trailers like all United Trailers come with five-year limited warranty backed by three generations of manufacturing experience, superior materials and durable designs. Unique features include the rear corner posts and header which are made of 12 gauge steel to provide the ramp door with a solid framework. You can also customize your United U-Series Cargo Trailer in many ways and choose from different floor plans, nose shapes, and colors. 6′ x 12′ United Wedge Nose double doors, side door, stone guard, roof vent, dome lights. Regular Price…$3,399.

_B.  Wells Cargo Road Force Cargo Trailers
Road Force Cargo Trailers are the mid-range trailer in the Wells Cargo arsenal. Road Force Cargo Trailers offer both rugged durability and exceptional value in there line of 5′, 6′, 7′ and 8′ wide cargo trailers. Road force even offers you ten reasons why it is the clear leader of its trailer class. The Road Force 5′ Wide Travel Trailer for instance it easy to maneuver, load, and safely tow behind almost any vehicle and offers an optional V-Front which provides an additional 28″ of room not to mention a more aerodynamic design. Pick from ten colors and a wide variety of options and packages for a total customized look. Wells Cargo.