H1 Hummer

[RossA]

Well, as long as I have posted a question about the K5 Blazer, I might as well post this one, too. The older H1 Hummer seems like it would be a good BOV. If I understand correctly, they were built on the actual military frame and chassis rather than on the Tahoe frame and chassis like H2 and H3's were built on. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but it's what I've heard. Seems like it would be pretty rugged if you had to go cross country.
Of course, being a more modern vehicle, it will have a lot of electronics which will be vulnerable to EMP, so that's a downside.
What do you think?

[Gatesvilleguy]

Rossa you are correct the H1 Hummer is essentially a dressed up version of the military model. I would caution you that the H1 is no longer in production and parts could be a challenge. The military verisions are still being made but quite a few changes have in them.

[brammer]

The H1 will use the same parts as the military hummer. I was a machanic for 11 years in the military and even had the chance to go to the factory and see them being built.

[Centurion]

Roosa,
The H1 or HumV is a vehicle and if I can use the analogy of vehicles to animals. No two animals are similar. The concept behind the H1 was to combine the Jeep and the half ton into one vehicle suitable to meet many missions. The result was a large vehicle, but not large enough to carry more then few soliders and to small to haul adequate amounts of supplies. In short the vehicle is over rated but alot of fun. Buy a truck, invest in an off road package and you should be fine. Just my thoughts...

[avking]

I own a 1995 H1 HMCS (the wagon version). First, to correct some mistakes in this thread. Not all parts will swap with the HMMWV, some do and many do not. But, parts are not a problem to obtain, readily available, but sometimes a little expensive. It is no more at risk to EMP than any other modern vehicle and at less risk than any new truck sold today.

I love my H1 and it is plenty large enough to be a BOV and under certain circumstances, it is the one I would choose. But, it attracts attention, and that is not what you want if civil unrest is in full effect. I think the ideal BOV is an older model diesel Suburban. Gets great mileage, will not attract attention and has multiple fuel options. Plus, diesel will store a lot longer than gasoline. They are cheap to buy, easy to maintain and modify, have lots of room and are capable to cover most terrain you are likely to need to navigate.

[Legionnaire]

Maybe it's where I live but I feel BOV is an oxymoron. You just about can not bug out in a vehicle. When TSHTF the roads will become impassable. Traffic, wrecks, road blocks, ad nauseam. In my very humble and honest opinion most of us have the best chance making it out alive humping it. Maybe I'm wrong or maybe I'm not thinking of the situations you will be in. Personally I know my roads will be clear because the population density in my county is LOW for California, I'm in the 5th largest county by area and the 14th smallest by population. I still plan on walking out. Set up caches if your BOL is too far to reach on your BOB supplies. At the very least get a fuel efficient BOV cause are you really gonna be able to stop for gas that often?

[avking]

Maybe it's where I live but I feel BOV is an oxymoron. You just about can not bug out in a vehicle. When TSHTF the roads will become impassable. Traffic, wrecks, road blocks, ad nauseam. In my very humble and honest opinion most of us have the best chance making it out alive humping it. Maybe I'm wrong or maybe I'm not thinking of the situations you will be in. Personally I know my roads will be clear because the population density in my county is LOW for California, I'm in the 5th largest county by area and the 14th smallest by population. I still plan on walking out. Set up caches if your BOL is too far to reach on your BOB supplies. At the very least get a fuel efficient BOV cause are you really gonna be able to stop for gas that often?

Walking out is not going to be an option for some. I have about 1,000 miles to travel.

I think the key is to leave early. I don't think anything that will cause the roads to be clogged with dead cars, will happen over night. There will be time to see it coming. You just have to know when to cut bait and run. Probably not going to be an easy decision, to walk away from all you have built, before the hammer drops, but it is probably the safest way to handle the situation.

[cbprice797]

Also staying away from the larger roads will cut donw of traffic issues, though by no means completely. AV is right in that if you wait until the very last minute you will in all likelyhood be screwed when it comes to rods travel. Get out as soon as you think the end is near, before the rush.