6 Practical Bug Out Solutions
1) EDC Everyday Personal Carry, 2) Bug Out Backpack, 3) 2x Wheeled Carry On Bags, 4) Vehicle Trunk Tote, 5) Car Trunk/Backseat/Overhead Rack Vehicle Totes, 6) Moving Truck for Whole House Evacuation. What you need and how to properly pack and optimize this system for short- and long-term survival, 7) C130 Airlift Support 8) Ford Class Aircraft Carrier
By structuring your preparedness in these 5 levels, you ensure that no matter how much time you have, you’re always ready to grab what’s necessary for both short-term and long-term survival.
Emergency Food and Water: Methods for storing and preserving food, choosing the right types of food for long-term storage (freeze-dried, canned, dehydrated, etc.), and ensuring reliable water sources through filtration or purification systems.
Emergency Supplies: Basic supplies, medications, glasses, batteries,
Emergency Equipment: Essentials like multi-tools, flashlights, knives, fire starters, and batteries. We’ll discuss what to prioritize in an emergency kit.
Personal Protection: Equipment for self-defense and protection, including body armor and personal weapons.
Key Takeaways: What to buy, how to maintain, and how to rotate stock to ensure that supplies are always ready.
Purpose: Carry essential items you might need for immediate survival or evasion at all times. This system is for situations when you must leave immediately without grabbing any bags or gear. It’s the core of "running with what you have on you."
Items:
Personal Protection: Concealed carry handgun, pepper spray, tactical knife, and/or multi-tool.
Identification: ID cards, emergency contacts, and insurance cards (can be stored digitally as well).
Communication: Fully charged smartphone with a backup power bank (solar charger or portable charger).
Medical: Basic first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, small roll of gauze, and painkillers), any necessary medications.
Fire Starting: Lighter, waterproof matches, or fire starter.
Survival Tools: Mini whistle, small compass, signal mirror, tactical pen.
Cash: At least $100 in small bills (stored in a money clip or hidden compartment).
Food & Water: Energy bars, small water bottle, or hydration packet.
Clothing: Multi-use bandana or scarf, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate outerwear (based on the climate).
Packing & Optimization:
Minimize items to the essentials you’ll need for 24-48 hours. Utilize a tactical belt or vest that can hold a knife, flashlight, and other small items. Keep them easily accessible.
Estimating the Weight of Everyday Carry (EDC) Items in Level 1
Below is a detailed breakdown of the weights for the suggested items, focusing on compact and lightweight options for everyday carry:
1. Wallet Essentials
ID, cards, and cash: ~0.2 lbs (minimal)
Emergency card with vital info: ~0.05 lbs Subtotal: ~0.25 lbs
2. Multi-Tool and Knife
Multi-tool: ~8 oz (~0.5 lbs)
Folding knife: ~5 oz (~0.3 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.8 lbs
3. Mini Flashlight
Compact LED flashlight with batteries: ~3 oz (~0.2 lbs)
4. Lighter
Small butane lighter: ~1 oz (~0.06 lbs)
5. Keychain Items
Keys: ~4 oz (~0.25 lbs)
Micro multi-tool (on keychain): ~2 oz (~0.13 lbs)
Whistle: ~0.5 oz (~0.03 lbs)
Tiny USB drive (for emergency files): ~0.2 oz (~0.01 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.43 lbs
6. Portable Charger and Cable
Portable charger: ~6 oz (~0.4 lbs)
Cable: ~2 oz (~0.13 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.53 lbs
7. Personal Defense
Pepper spray: ~4 oz (~0.25 lbs)
Small tactical pen: ~2 oz (~0.13 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.38 lbs
8. Emergency Medical Items
Small bandage pack: ~3 oz (~0.2 lbs)
Tourniquet (compact model): ~4 oz (~0.25 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.45 lbs
9. Water Purification
Collapsible water bottle (empty): ~2 oz (~0.13 lbs)
Water purification tablets (pack): ~1 oz (~0.06 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.19 lbs
10. Small Notebook and Pen
Compact waterproof notebook: ~3 oz (~0.2 lbs)
Small pen: ~0.5 oz (~0.03 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.23 lbs
11. Personal Hygiene
Compact sanitizer bottle: ~1 oz (~0.06 lbs)
Small packet of tissues: ~1 oz (~0.06 lbs)
Lip balm or similar item: ~0.5 oz (~0.03 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.15 lbs
12. Survival Accessories
Paracord bracelet: ~1 oz (~0.06 lbs)
Mini compass: ~1 oz (~0.06 lbs) Subtotal: ~0.13 lbs
Grand Total Weight:
Adding all these together:
Total: ~5.0 lbs (approximately)
Additional Considerations:
The exact weight might vary slightly depending on specific brands and models of items chosen.
This weight assumes compact and lightweight versions of all items, suitable for comfortable everyday carry.
Purpose: When you have a few minutes to grab your bag and go. This level adds more gear to sustain you for 72 hours or more.
Items:
Personal Protection: Firearm, ammo, and extra self-defense items (such as a baton or additional knives).
Shelter: Emergency tent or tarp, sleeping bag or emergency bivy, space blanket.
Water: Collapsible water container, water filter, and water purification tablets.
Food: Freeze-dried meals, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), energy bars, and a portable stove or stove fuel.
Medical: Full first aid kit, including trauma supplies (bandages, tourniquets, clotting agents), and prescribed medications.
Clothing: Change of clothing, including socks and underwear, thermal layers for cold weather, rain gear.
Tools: Multi-tool, small axe, or hatchet for cutting firewood, a tactical flashlight, and fire-starting supplies.
Navigation: Map, compass, and a GPS device (if working).
Communication: Emergency radio (hand-crank or battery-operated), satellite phone if available.
Backup Power: Portable solar charger or power bank.
Cash & Identification: Small bills, identification cards, emergency contacts, and any crucial paperwork.
Packing & Optimization:
Light but Complete: Pack this with enough gear to sustain yourself for 3 days, but not so heavy it becomes unmanageable.
Multiple Compartments: Organize your backpack with zippered compartments or pouches for quick access.
Test Fit: Ensure you can carry it for long distances comfortably with proper weight distribution. Opt for a bag with sturdy straps and a comfortable back panel.
The size of the backpack and its weight depend on the specific items you plan to carry for each level, and the weight of those items can vary based on quality, brand, and type. Below, I’ll estimate the backpack size in liters and the weight for Level 2: Bug-Out Backpack—this is the level where you're packing for 72-hour survival, which includes most essentials like food, water, tools, medical supplies, and protection.
Backpack Size Estimate
To determine the size in liters, we need to break down the approximate volume of each item you're carrying. Here's an estimate based on the items I suggested for Level 2: Bug-Out Backpack.
1. Personal Protection:
Firearm: Small compact handgun, holster – about 2 liters
Extra Ammo: Box of ammo (e.g., 50 rounds) – about 0.5 liters
Knife: Fixed blade or multi-tool – about 0.5 liters
2. Shelter:
Emergency Tent/Tarp: Lightweight 2-person tent or tarp – about 2 liters
Sleeping Bag or Emergency Bivy: Compressible sleeping bag or emergency bivy sack – about 3 liters
Space Blanket: Folded and compact – about 0.2 liters
3. Water:
Collapsible Water Container: 2-3 liter water carrier – about 3 liters
Water Filter (e.g., Sawyer Mini): Small, compact filter – about 0.5 liters
Water Purification Tablets: Small, compact case – about 0.1 liters
4. Food:
Freeze-Dried Meals (3 meals for 3 days): About 3-4 packages – about 2 liters
Energy Bars: Several bars packed in a small box or bag – about 1 liter
Portable Stove & Fuel: Small folding stove with fuel canister – about 2 liters
5. Medical:
First Aid Kit: Compact first aid kit with trauma gear, bandages, and medications – about 2 liters
Medications: Prescription bottles, small bottles – about 0.5 liters
6. Clothing:
Extra Layer of Clothing: One change of clothes (e.g., base layer, mid-layer, socks, underwear) – about 2 liters
Rain Gear/Outerwear: Lightweight jacket or poncho – about 1 liter
Gloves/Headgear: Small items, easy to compress – about 0.5 liters
7. Tools:
Multi-tool: Compact but sturdy – about 0.5 liters
Small Axe or Hatchet: Lightweight camping axe or hatchet – about 1.5 liters
Flashlight (Tactical): Small, rechargeable – about 0.3 liters
Fire Starting Kit: Lighter, waterproof matches, fire starter – about 0.3 liters
8. Navigation:
Map: Folded and rolled up – about 0.5 liters
Compass/GPS Device: Compact, handheld – about 0.3 liters
9. Communication:
Emergency Radio: Hand-crank or small battery-operated radio – about 1.5 liters
Satellite Phone (optional): Small, emergency satellite phone – about 0.5 liters
10. Backup Power:
Portable Solar Charger: Small folding solar panel – about 1 liter
Portable Power Bank: Backup power for electronics – about 0.5 liters
11. Cash & Identification:
Cash in Small Bills: In a small pouch or ziplock bag – about 0.1 liters
Important Documents: In a waterproof pouch – about 0.3 liters
Total Volume Estimate:
After adding up the estimated volumes of each item:
Total Volume = 2 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 2 + 3 + 0.2 + 3 + 0.5 + 2 + 1 + 0.5 + 2 + 0.5 + 1.5 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.5 + 1.5 + 0.5 + 1 + 0.5 + 0.1 + 0.3
Total Volume ≈ 28.7 liters
Weight Estimate:
Now, let’s estimate the weight for these items. I'll assume average weights for each of the items:
Firearm: ~500 grams (0.5 kg)
Extra Ammo: ~200 grams (0.2 kg)
Knife: ~100 grams (0.1 kg)
Emergency Tent/Tarp: ~1.5 kg
Sleeping Bag or Bivy: ~1.5 kg
Space Blanket: ~50 grams (0.05 kg)
Collapsible Water Container: ~250 grams (0.25 kg)
Water Filter: ~100 grams (0.1 kg)
Water Purification Tablets: ~20 grams
Freeze-Dried Meals: ~800 grams (0.8 kg)
Energy Bars: ~300 grams (0.3 kg)
Portable Stove & Fuel: ~500 grams (0.5 kg)
First Aid Kit: ~500 grams (0.5 kg)
Medications: ~100 grams (0.1 kg)
Extra Layer of Clothing: ~1 kg
Rain Gear/Outerwear: ~500 grams (0.5 kg)
Gloves/Headgear: ~200 grams (0.2 kg)
Multi-tool: ~250 grams (0.25 kg)
Small Axe or Hatchet: ~1 kg
Flashlight: ~200 grams (0.2 kg)
Fire Starting Kit: ~100 grams (0.1 kg)
Map: ~50 grams (0.05 kg)
Compass/GPS: ~200 grams (0.2 kg)
Emergency Radio: ~500 grams (0.5 kg)
Satellite Phone: ~200 grams (0.2 kg)
Portable Solar Charger: ~500 grams (0.5 kg)
Power Bank: ~200 grams (0.2 kg)
Cash & Documents: ~100 grams (0.1 kg)
Total Weight Estimate:
Adding up the weights:
Total Weight ≈ 13.8 kg (30.4 lbs)
Conclusion:
Backpack Volume: Around 29 liters is required to carry all the suggested items for Level 2: Bug-Out Backpack.
Total Weight: The fully packed backpack would weigh around 13.8 kg (30.4 lbs).
This is a manageable weight for an average adult and should be comfortably wearable with a well-fitted, ergonomic backpack. Ideally, the weight should not exceed 20-25% of your body weight to ensure you can carry it effectively for long periods without fatigue. You can always adjust the contents based on personal preferences or the expected climate/terrain.
Level 3: 2x Wheeled Carry-On Bags
Purpose: When you have a bit more time and can grab your backpack along with two wheeled carry-ons for easier mobility.
Items:
Same Essentials as Level 2 (plus):
Extra Clothing: Additional clothing for multiple seasons, cold-weather gear, rain jacket, and gloves.
Food & Water: More freeze-dried meals, additional water filters, and larger water containers (such as 5-liter jugs).
Power & Electronics: Backup laptop, charging cables, solar-powered charger, and extra batteries for communications equipment.
Survival Tools: Larger machete, camp stove with extra fuel, and larger tactical flashlight.
Documents & Identification: Important documents (passports, legal papers), emergency contacts.
Hygiene: Wet wipes, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and feminine hygiene supplies.
Heavy Duty Items: A larger tarp or emergency shelter (such as a larger tent), small shovel, or entrenching tool.
Comfort Items: Camp chair, portable cot, extra blanket.
Packing & Optimization:
Organize each bag by category (clothing, food, medical, tools) for easy access.
Use one bag for essential survival needs and another for comfort, extra clothing, and non-urgent gear.
Maximize the wheels’ function to avoid carrying weight by hand.
For Level 3: Wheeled Carry-On Bags, you would be packing two standard wheeled carry-on bags (usually around 40 liters each), each with a collection of items for extended survival and comfort. Let's estimate the weight and contents for each of these bags.
Standard Wheeled Carry-On Bag Size:
A typical carry-on bag is around 40 liters in capacity, so for two bags, you would have a total capacity of 80 liters. This is significantly more room than the Bug-Out Backpack (which was around 28 liters), so you can fit a larger variety of items for a more prolonged survival situation.
Estimated Contents for Each Carry-On Bag (40 liters each)
Bag 1: Shelter, Water, and Medical Supplies
Shelter:
2-person tent or lightweight tarp: ~2.5 kg
Sleeping Bag (Compact): ~1.5 kg
Sleeping Pad (Inflatable or Foam): ~0.5 kg
Space Blanket: ~50 g
Water:
Collapsible Water Containers (2x 3L): ~1 kg
Water Filter (e.g., Sawyer Mini): ~100 g
Water Purification Tablets: ~20 g
Food:
Freeze-Dried Meals (3-5 servings): ~1.5 kg
Energy Bars (e.g., 10 bars): ~500 g
Portable Stove & Fuel: ~500 g
Medical:
Comprehensive First Aid Kit: ~1 kg
Medications (Prescription, OTC): ~200 g
Personal Hygiene Items: ~300 g
Clothing:
Extra Change of Clothes (layering system): ~2 kg
Weather-Specific Gear (Jacket, Gloves, Hat): ~800 g
Total Weight for Bag 1:
Shelter and Sleeping Gear: 4.5 kg
Water: 1.1 kg
Food: 2 kg
Medical: 1.3 kg
Clothing: 2.8 kg
Total for Bag 1: 11.7 kg (25.8 lbs)
Bag 2: Tools, Protection, Navigation, and Power
Tools:
Multi-tool: ~250 g
Small Axe or Hatchet: ~1.5 kg
Tactical Flashlight: ~200 g
Fire Starting Kit (Lighter, Matches, Ferro Rod): ~100 g
Protection:
Compact Firearm & Holster: ~1 kg (for a small pistol, including holster)
Ammunition (50 rounds): ~500 g
Pepper Spray: ~100 g
Tactical Knife: ~200 g
Navigation:
Compass: ~50 g
Maps (Folded, Waterproof): ~100 g
GPS Device: ~150 g
Communications:
Hand-Crank Emergency Radio: ~500 g
Satellite Phone: ~300 g
Power:
Portable Solar Charger: ~500 g
Portable Power Bank: ~200 g
Miscellaneous:
Cash and Important Documents: ~150 g
Duct Tape and Zip Ties: ~200 g
Total Weight for Bag 2:
Tools: 2.6 kg
Protection: 2.8 kg
Navigation: 0.3 kg
Communications: 0.8 kg
Power: 0.7 kg
Miscellaneous: 0.35 kg
Total for Bag 2: 7.75 kg (17.1 lbs)
Total Weight of Two Carry-On Bags:
Bag 1 (Shelter, Water, Food, Medical): 11.7 kg (25.8 lbs)
Bag 2 (Tools, Protection, Navigation, Power): 7.75 kg (17.1 lbs)
Total Weight for Both Bags:
19.45 kg (42.9 lbs)
Breakdown and Summary:
Total Volume: 80 liters (40 liters per bag)
Total Weight: 19.45 kg (42.9 lbs) for both bags combined.
This total weight is manageable for a person of average build, especially when you factor in the wheeled carry-ons, which will reduce the strain of carrying heavy loads on your back. The weight of the items can also be adjusted based on individual preferences, such as opting for lighter materials or removing non-essential items.
By packing essential supplies like shelter, food, water, protection, and medical items, this wheeled carry-on system will provide a balanced and sustainable setup for both short-term and extended survival scenarios.
Level 4: Car Trunk Vehicle Tote
Purpose: You’re now able to utilize a vehicle for quick escape. This tote contains your 3 previous levels of gear, plus added items for vehicle-related contingencies and longer-term survival.
Items:
Backup Supplies: Additional food (canned goods, freeze-dried, and dehydrated food), water (cases of bottled water).
Vehicle Gear: Tire repair kit, jumper cables, spare fuel, tools (screwdrivers, wrenches), duct tape, and a blanket.
Emergency Shelter: A large tent, additional sleeping bags, portable heater (propane or battery-operated), and extra tarps.
Medical: More extensive first aid kit (splints, burn gel, cold packs, extra medications).
Defense: More ammunition, extra knives, and a heavier-duty weapon like a rifle or shotgun (if legal).
Documents: Copies of insurance policies, titles, birth certificates, bank account numbers.
Communications: Hand-crank or battery-operated radio, CB radio, two-way radios.
Power: Power inverter, jumper cables, solar battery pack, backup batteries for key devices.
Personal Hygiene: Larger toiletry kit (toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc.).
Packing & Optimization:
Secure and Accessible: Keep your emergency gear in the trunk or backseat, organized in totes, so you can quickly grab the necessary items if on the move.
Consider Weather Conditions: Ensure you have cold weather gear and rain protection depending on where you live.
Regular Check: Keep everything fresh (water, food, medical) by checking every few months.
For Level 4: Car Trunk Vehicle Tote, the items you're packing into the vehicle tote will focus on ensuring you have enough resources for both short-term and long-term survival while also considering the convenience of storage in your car trunk. Since this level represents the situation where you have access to a vehicle, you can store larger, heavier items that would otherwise be impractical in a backpack or carry-on bags.
Let's estimate the weight, volume (liters), and the specific contents for the vehicle tote.
Vehicle Tote Contents:
A vehicle tote would be a large, durable container, typically around 50-60 liters in capacity. A plastic or heavy-duty canvas tote is usually used, ensuring it's sturdy enough for transportation and holding weight.
Estimated Contents for Vehicle Tote:
Shelter and Sleeping Gear:
Tarp (Large, Heavy-Duty): ~1 kg (roll-up size: 30x40 cm)
Heavy-duty Emergency Shelter (e.g., bivy sack or larger tarp): ~1 kg
Sleeping Bag (more robust, cold-weather rated): ~2.5 kg
Compact Sleeping Pad (foam or inflatable): ~1 kg
Emergency Blankets (2-3): ~300 g
Water Supply:
5L Water Jug: ~5 kg
Collapsible Water Containers (2x 5L): ~1.5 kg
Water Purification Tablets: ~50 g
Water Filter (e.g., Sawyer Squeeze): ~200 g
Food and Cooking:
MREs (6-10 meals): ~3 kg
Freeze-Dried Food: ~1.5 kg
Energy Bars (20-30 bars): ~1.5 kg
Portable Stove & Fuel: ~500 g
Cooking Pot and Utensils: ~600 g
Extra Mess Kit: ~300 g
Medical Supplies:
Comprehensive First Aid Kit: ~1.5 kg
Prescription Medications: ~200 g
Personal Hygiene Items (toothpaste, soap, etc.): ~300 g
Clothing:
Extra Cold-Weather Gear (jackets, hats, gloves): ~2.5 kg
Thermal Underwear (2 sets): ~500 g
Sturdy Boots (if not already packed in bag): ~1.5 kg
Durable Work Gloves: ~300 g
Tools and Supplies:
Shovel (compact entrenching tool): ~500 g
Hatchet or Small Axe: ~1.5 kg
Duct Tape (large roll): ~200 g
Paracord (50 ft.): ~300 g
Fire Starting Kit (matches, lighters, fire starter): ~200 g
Protection and Self Defense:
Compact Firearm (if stored in the vehicle): ~1 kg
Ammunition (2-3 boxes): ~1.5 kg
Pepper Spray: ~100 g
Tactical Knife: ~200 g
Navigation and Communication:
Maps (detailed, waterproof): ~100 g
Compass: ~50 g
Hand-crank Radio: ~500 g
Satellite Phone: ~300 g
Miscellaneous Items:
Cash & Important Documents: ~150 g
Solar Battery Charger: ~500 g
Towel (Quick-Dry): ~200 g
Sunglasses and Sunscreen: ~200 g
Weight and Volume Estimate for Vehicle Tote:
Shelter and Sleeping Gear: 5.8 kg
Water Supply: 7.7 kg
Food and Cooking: 7.4 kg
Medical Supplies: 2.0 kg
Clothing: 5.3 kg
Tools and Supplies: 4.7 kg
Protection and Self Defense: 2.8 kg
Navigation and Communication: 1.2 kg
Miscellaneous: 1.3 kg
Total Weight:
38.2 kg (84.2 lbs)
Total Volume Estimate (Liters):
Shelter and Sleeping Gear: ~12 liters
Water Supply: ~10 liters
Food and Cooking: ~12 liters
Medical Supplies: ~3 liters
Clothing: ~8 liters
Tools and Supplies: ~6 liters
Protection and Self Defense: ~3 liters
Navigation and Communication: ~2 liters
Miscellaneous: ~2 liters
Total Volume:
58 liters (for the vehicle tote)
Breakdown and Summary:
Total Weight: 38.2 kg (84.2 lbs)
Total Volume: 58 liters (for the tote)
This tote is packed with a wide range of essentials for extended survival, and while it will be heavy, it is still manageable for a single person with a vehicle to carry. The weight might be more cumbersome for longer travel on foot, but it is optimized for the trunk of a car, allowing easy access to key survival items.
You can customize the contents based on specific needs and preferences, but this list includes all-around survival gear for various situations, including shelter, water, food, medical supplies, and self-defense.
Level 5: Multiple Totes in the Backseat/Overhead Rack
Purpose: If you have more time, you can gather additional supplies from your home or garage and store them in your vehicle. This is for a more extended stay outside your home, where additional equipment and tools can make a significant difference.
Items:
Expanded Food & Water: Bulk food (rice, beans, canned goods), bulk water containers, larger water filters.
Tooling: Heavy-duty tools (saws, crowbars), large fire-starting kits, bigger stoves and fuel canisters.
Extra Clothing & Gear: Seasonal clothing, extra shoes, boots, and rain gear, layers for warmth.
Weaponry & Ammo: If allowed, firearms with more ammo, knives, and hand tools for defense.
Power: Portable solar panels for recharging larger devices or a generator.
Shelter & Comfort: Camping gear, additional sleeping bags, emergency space heaters.
Transport Preparation: Car emergency kit with chains, extra jugs of fuel, windshield washer fluid.
Packing & Optimization:
Efficient Packing: Pack your vehicle’s overhead racks and backseat area in the most efficient manner possible to avoid wasting space.
Access and Visibility: Use labeled totes to help you quickly identify and retrieve items as needed.
Plan for Space: Leave enough space to ensure that you can still safely drive and navigate in emergencies.
In Level 5: Multiple Totes for the Backseat/Overhead Rack of the Car, the idea is to maximize your vehicle's capacity by stashing additional totes in the backseat, overhead racks, and any other available space to carry extra supplies for both short-term and long-term survival.
How Many Additional Totes Can Be Carried in Level 5?
The number of additional totes you can carry in your car will depend on several factors, including:
The size of the car (compact, sedan, SUV, or truck)
Available storage space (backseat, trunk, overhead racks, etc.)
The size of the totes (usually between 40 to 80 liters)
The total weight capacity your car can handle (which varies by vehicle)
Let's break it down based on typical vehicle types.
1. Compact or Sedan Car:
Trunk space: Typically 350–500 liters (but this varies depending on the model)
Backseat and overhead racks: An additional 100–150 liters
Total usable space: ~450–650 liters (combining trunk and backseat)
Estimated Number of Totes:
A 40-liter tote takes up about 0.04 cubic meters (~40 liters), so you could fit 10–15 small totes in the available space in the backseat, trunk, and overhead area.
Trunk: Likely around 4–6 totes (depending on the size and configuration of the trunk)
Backseat and overhead: Likely around 3–4 totes
Total: 7–10 totes in total.
2. SUV or Crossover:
Trunk space: Typically 700–900 liters (with back seats up)
Backseat: Offers plenty of space for additional storage, with folding seats opening up even more space.
Overhead racks: Can fit extra storage bags or totes with proper roof racks
Estimated Number of Totes:
A 40-liter tote will still take up about 0.04 cubic meters, so with the increased space of an SUV, you can fit 16–20 small totes comfortably.
Trunk: Likely around 7–8 totes (depending on the space layout)
Backseat and overhead: Likely around 4–6 totes
Total: 11–14 totes in total.
3. Pickup Truck:
Bed space: Can vary greatly depending on the size of the truck bed (typically 1,000–1,500 liters in bed space for a mid-sized truck)
Cab: Additional space in the backseat area, although this can be more limited than in an SUV.
Estimated Number of Totes:
A 40-liter tote takes up 0.04 cubic meters, and trucks have significantly more space, so you'll be able to carry a lot more.
Truck bed: With proper organization, you could fit 20–30 totes in the truck bed, depending on their size and the use of storage bins or organizing racks.
Cab: You can still fit 3–5 totes comfortably in the backseat or the extended area of the cab.
Total: 23–35 totes in total (depending on the truck's configuration and organization).
Factors to Consider:
Weight Distribution: Be mindful of the weight distribution inside the vehicle, as overloading one area (such as the trunk or backseat) could make the car unbalanced and difficult to drive.
Ease of Access: Organize the totes in a way that allows for quick access to the most important items. For example, put the most critical supplies (like medical kits, weapons, or food) on top or in easy-to-reach places.
Packing Smart: You may also want to use smaller totes or storage bins to maximize space and stack items efficiently, especially in the trunk or on the overhead racks.
Roof Racks: If using a roof rack, you'll need to consider weatherproof or waterproof containers to protect the items from rain or dust.
In Summary:
Compact/Sedan: Can carry about 7–10 totes.
SUV/Crossover: Can carry about 11–14 totes.
Pickup Truck: Can carry about 23–35 totes.
These estimates should give you a good idea of how to maximize your vehicle's capacity in Level 5 by packing multiple totes in the backseat, trunk, and overhead racks for a comprehensive survival loadout.
Level 6: Moving Truck for Whole House Evacuation
Purpose: Full evacuation of your home to a new location, or as a long-term relocation plan. This is a comprehensive, all-encompassing evacuation of your home’s essentials and living resources.
Items:
Furniture & Appliances: Essential furniture, bedding, appliances (portable cooking equipment, water filtration systems).
Food & Water Storage: Large food storage containers (bulk canned food, rice, pasta), extra water barrels.
Medical: Extensive first aid kits, medical equipment (oxygen tanks, mobility aids, etc.).
Clothing: Seasonal clothing for all family members, extra shoes, and boots.
Defensive Gear: Heavy-duty weapons, tactical gear, and additional ammo.
Important Documents: Boxes of vital records (property deeds, wills, bank statements).
Comfort Items: Personal effects, books, and toys to maintain morale in an extended survival scenario.
Packing & Optimization:
Organize for Quick Access: Prioritize what needs to be moved quickly versus what can be left behind.
Weight Distribution: Evenly distribute weight inside the truck to avoid shifting during transport.
Label Boxes: Mark boxes clearly for quick unloading upon arrival.
Typically, moving truck capacities are:
Small (10–12 feet): Around 1,000–1,500 lbs (450–680 kg), with a volume of 1,500–2,000 liters.
Medium (15–17 feet): Around 2,000–3,000 lbs (900–1,360 kg), with a volume of 2,500–3,500 liters.
Large (20–26 feet): Around 4,000–6,000 lbs (1,800–2,700 kg), with a volume of 4,500–6,500 liters.
These numbers can vary by specific truck models and brands. Always check specific rental details for exact values.
3 Theoretical Possibilities - But Not Practical
When your entire base need to relocate.
When you and your airplane/helicopter or village of 1000s
need to bug out at the nearest sea port or out at sea.
"Mars or Bust!" - The Ultimate Human Bug Out Plan. Elon has got you covered.