SHTF Vehicle to have ???

[subman]

:rolleyes:Those of us who have our BO vehicle all fueled and ready might be spending a lot of money on something that will probally get us out of the S>#% if it goes down but then what it will eventually run out of fuel even if you have a stash at your hideout or if there is an EMP device set off then your are really screwed??? See what you think about this everyone, if you are lucky enough to have a place in the mountains or in a rural area to bug out to consider a mule or horse it can eat grass or what ever is growing My wife and i have several horses and I have adopted one of those Mustangs they round up once a year when there is not enough food out on the high desert that thing can live on cactus and twigs. Now I know keeping horses is not for all but if your Bug out plan takes to your cabin in the woods or you already live at your hideout it may be something to consider. These animals are not terribly expensive especicially these days you can pick up a dead broke horse for 800 bucks easy. Again not for all but just a thought if all the diesels gone and you got a little grass around you site it will work as quite transport and it can be a fun way to prepare our kids love the horses. Let me know what you think everyone!:p

[hubste5]

Subman, great point. A work/pack animal could be very valuable in certain post shtf scenarios. I get a little dizzy thinking of all the possible scenarios, and how any of us will know what the correct preps are without a crystal ball. I know the food/water/shelter/medical is the baseline we all start from, but from there, geez it really gets confusing, especially when most of us have a limited amount $/month that we can spend on the future and still survive in the present. Personally I could not afford a mule/horse right now unless I could use it to produce food or offset some other cost of living. But I agree totally on the lack of petroleum... it would be almost impossible to stock pile enough to last a significant amount of time (for me, anyway), I mean if things really never got back to "normal", it's gonna run out eventually, but I guess the mule will lay down eventually, too... Now breeding them could be quite lucrative... hmmm...

[OneBadPig]

Awhile back there was an article in Mother Earth News about horses for plowing/logging that got me thinking. I have a horse but training to the harness is beyond me.

[hubste5]

Awhile back there was an article in Mother Earth News about horses for plowing/logging that got me thinking. I have a horse but training to the harness is beyond me.

I don't have horse or a mule, but close relatives are abounding in hayburners! I think I would lean more toward a mule, it was good enough for Festus!

[kenno]

Big mules for pulling and gaited mules for riding! gaited mules are the snizzel!

[MooseCreek]

The ideal vehicle would be a lightweight 4WD straight 6cylinder with 3 batteries and a high amp alternator and have a vertex magneto type ignition to keep from nuclear or any other type of energy from being able to kill the electrical system.

[waitnc]

Sorry, please explain the Vertex Magneto Type ignition? Are the Batteries linked? What is considered a AMP alternator? I have room for more batteries and have the highest Alternator for my truck not clue as to the Vertex thing. My current ignition is the old standard key and tumblers. A couple of wires to cross to start if need be?

[Big_Saw]

By ignition, he means the engine ignition system...not the key tumbler....electronic ignitions are, in theory, highly succeptible to electrical and magnetic interference, whereas the old points/distributor/naturally aspirated ignitions are less likely to be affected...

[Big_Saw]

# Kenno:

+ 1........Mules are the sh*t...and smarter than horses.....proven time and time again....

[kenno]

If I had my perfect riding/pack string it would be all gaited mules about 14.3-15 hands tall short enough to pack/mount easy and faster than greased lightning. I have a friend with 2 gaited mules he can do 30 miles a day in the big mountains! That's traveling!

[denvernative321]

the best thing to do is not have just one thing to rely on. you need options have at least three vehicles to chose from even if one of them is a skateboard. when it comes to shtf dont ever rely on one thing to get you by. especially when it comes to clean water and lighting a fire etc.

[TacSKS]

I would recommend seriously considering a mountain bike. Particularly for those in urban/suburban areas who couldn't keep pack animals. It may seem kinda silly; but a bike is cheap, silent, never needs fuel or food, and can cover considerable distance per day.

A good mountian bike can traverse most terrain and simply carried over the really rough spots. It would also be invaluable for escaping areas where your big 4x4 can't get through the congested streets packed with panicked refugees. A bike is also not spooked by gunshots, explosions, wild animals, or crazy people. For $200, a bike with plenty of spare tires/parts would be a worthy investment.

[MooseCreek]

Sorry, please explain the Vertex Magneto Type ignition? Are the Batteries linked? What is considered a AMP alternator? I have room for more batteries and have the highest Alternator for my truck not clue as to the Vertex thing. My current ignition is the old standard key and tumblers. A couple of wires to cross to start if need be?

I apologize for not getting to this sooner. A Magneto is an ignition that is 100% self contained, it is really a generator because it requires nothing to assist it. The only way to kill the spark it provides is to ground it out, there are absolutely no electronic components inside it. By hi amp alternator I mean one that is capable of charging 3 batteries as well as running a winch, lights etc. I will be happy to provide information about where to get these items if anyone needs it. BTW, what you are referring to as an ignition with key and tumblers is a key switch in automotive terminology.

[rsanders]

I apologize for not getting to this sooner. A Magneto is an ignition that is 100% self contained, it is really a generator because it requires nothing to assist it. The only way to kill the spark it provides is to ground it out, there are absolutely no electronic components inside it. By hi amp alternator I mean one that is capable of charging 3 batteries as well as running a winch, lights etc. I will be happy to provide information about where to get these items if anyone needs it. BTW, what you are referring to as an ignition with key and tumblers is a key switch in automotive terminology.

Welcome to the forum MooseCreek.
The Vertex is a great idea for a SHTF vehicle But for anyone who is not familiar with them use caution when using one. My first experience with a magneto was not a pleasant one, I unknowingly turned the shaft while holding it in my other hand ,it was a lesson learned for me no real damage except my ego , but it was a real crowd pleas-er for the rest of the guys standing around the shop that day. A friend wasn't so lucky, his left arm was permanently scared from burns he received from a loose plug wire on a running Funny car.

[MooseCreek]

Nothing like starting the day off with a jolt from an MSD ProMag lol. I have a background in blown alcohol as well. I think the more primitive types that were designed for farm tractors and then converted over would be suitable here. Just make sure to use a ford starter solenoid activated by a toggle switch for ground. I can draw a diagram for anyone who may not know how to do this already. Switching your vehicle over to this would be really really simple.