I just was putting together an emergency bag for myself if I get stranded this winter and another bag of tools etc. I have the fix a flat although Ive never used it. I also have a tire repair kit that has a punch with rubber plugs.

gonna pull the back seats out of the rav4 when I get it and fabricate some groovy storage compartments.

Yeah, I said groovy

I LOVE tire chains....if your vehical cant use them for lack of clearence try tire cables. You can also clip along pretty fast with the cables vs. chains. Keep in mind the chains/cable work wonders in snow OR mud. Also, try Gempler's for a tire "Slime" that can self seal holes in tires

http://www.gemplers.com/product/G65511/GEMPLERS-Ultraseal-Tire-Sealant-1-gal-Bulletproof-Grade

. Also keep in mind that you will need AIR to fill the tires, think CO2 or the like container with 3000 psi of gas (non combusable)and retro fit a regulator and air hose to it. Many local fire depts have old tanks they dispose of. Re-cert them and if needed put a new valve on them for your gas(es) of choice. Wool blankets are great for smothering vehical fires and anything else engulfed. No so user friendly for "soft" in keeping you warm, but certainly multi purpose.

My BOV, for family of 5 and food/water, fuel for 3000 mi. un-aided is a Ford diesel 4 door dually. BIG ineffiecent, but if I am bugging it will be to "outrun" a cloud of something NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical)and I know about bottle necks, bridges, main routes, etc... but I dont want to HAVE to stop if all is clear. You cant really stockpile gasoline today with the ethynol, so diesel for me. Generally I am hardening here for Bug-In. But just in case.......


Ironwood

One more note on tire chains, if you can get the ones with "welded half link" they are far superior and also there are many styles of tighteners. they all work with varying degrees of difficulty. I like more modern "camming" style chains although nearly all of mine are flea market finds and have whatever tighteners I could find but the "half link" is the most important performance feature. I cut/weld and modify as needed. you can shorten/lengthen an retro as needed.

Ironwood

GG,how you liking the Rav4?

I only read the first page of this thread.

Could we learn some lessons from the (long Range Desert Group ) vehicles ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Range_Desert_Patrol

I have noticed they used TWO wheel drive trucks becuase they were lighter and easier on fuel then the 4x4 counterparts.

Many many farm trucks in the midwest are two wheel drive and with tire chains you can go many place a 4x4 can, and even some they cant..... worth mentioning as they are usually ALOT cheaper and for use, just as good. My only exception would be on snow at higher speeds where chains/cable would be inapproriate/unacceptable.

There is also an option on "bud wheeled" one tons where you can throw a "quickie" chain thru three of the four holes in the outer rear rim (no brake clearence needed). You cannot put one thru the hole with the valve stem as it will rip it out and give you a flat. If you have ever seen a UPS driver get stuck, it is the first option to get unstuck before they call a tow truck and spend $$$ to get out. They go in in just minutes instead of 30-60 minutes to put on real tire chains. I have used this technique sucessfully several times. This article shos them on a standard wheel circa 1985, so steel. This could work on todays cast alum rims you just have to watch clearences on back side. I have seen some wit hheavy nylon webbing for the tight clearence spots, then thru a buckle then the chain. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1984-09-01/Instant-Installation-Tire-Chains.aspx

here is the idea, mine was WAY heavier and homemade as my diesel F-550 2wd posi can really put some torque down (I spit off several) in the process of "unsticking" myself in the mud one time hauling a load of logs on a trailer. I got myself out though.

http://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Glac...CFUWo4AodvEwAAQ


Or this one, which I have used to buy pieces parts to retrofit my chains, they are just over the ridge from me and seem to be "the" ones for chains http://www.tirechain.com/?gclid=CI32hrTru7MCFYZM4AodSjYAww

Ironwood

having owned lots and lots of 4x4 over the last 40 years, i'm most impressed with the Toyota FJ Crusier. its even better than our 1973 FJ-40 Land Cruiser was, much better!

we bought a new FJ a couple years ago. where it can go is simply amazing. handles ice, snow and mud better than any other 4 wheel drive vehicle we've had. good ground clearance. getting over 20mpg average (worse was 18.5, best on hiway 24). uses real light-truck tires. they run around $30K new.

only negs are plastic bumpers (we replaced front with heavy duty ARB grill), not a lot of wheel-well room for heavy-duty snow chains, lousy visiblity in traffic, and not so great rear seat access for passengers.

can a bug out vehicle have AWD?

is it good enough for bug out situation?

I think it comes down to risk assessment & mitigation planning. What situations would cause me to bug out? Where would I be bugging out to? What weather conditions do I need to plan for? What possible routes will take me from my starting point(s) to my bug out location(s)?

When you can answer these things, the question then is do any of these potential bug out scenarios require a 4x4 vehicle? I'd also add in there, do I have the skills & knowledge to take advantage of 4x4 capabilities.

When I ask myself these questions, I don't see the need for a full-on 4x4 vehicle. It might be nice to have more capability than I think I need, but I don't think its really required.

why don't we seen Toyota land cruiser on sale in North America like in Australia? Land cruiser is a proven off road 4X4 compare to landrover or Jeep.