Just wondered if anyone here uses any kind of a camper or travel trailer as a bugout shelter? If so I'd like to hear some more details about it.

Here's a few thoughts I had on using a teardrop trailer as a bugout shelter...
http://www.mikenchell.com/weekender/bugout.html

Mike...

I love tear drops they are so cool. I want one so bad. It is on my wish list. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have my 19' Nomad travel trailer set up as what you could call a bugout shelter. I think of it more as a shelter in place. If my house is destroyed/damaged then I have an insulated shelter with propane furnace, stove, fridge, and sanitation facilities. It's parked about 50' from my house and stocked with 2 weeks worth of food, water, and assorted camping supplies. If I need to move it takes about 10 minutes to hook up behind the truck.

Regards, Vince

In a word, the teardrop trailer is AWESOME! Now I know what I want for Christmas! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ive been toying with building something similar for a while.
Something to have as a permanent "hide" somewhere, that I could evac to in a SHTF situation, and somewhere to store some kit.
The "pod" would probably be at least partially buried, but obviously I'll need to address factors like air, water, power.
Have considered a rather nifty solar panel but then of course it WOULD be fairly visible to the "undesirables".
Anyone else out there have any ideas for small, emergency shelters? Pics & design ideas would be very welcome.

StuToffee.....Do a search for Building a survival shelter here on the forums. Look in the past 6 months. I put a post there (by CJK) regarding a book. It is titled The Ultimate Do It Yourself Survival Shelter Construction Manual. The ISBN is 1-886774-02-1

You can still find it on Amazon if you enter the ISBN in the search area.

I have one and it has VERY detailed info regarding building the things. Down to supply lists.

Similar, but different:

http://www.autohomeus.com/

I hate trailers. I have too much experience with them.

Thanks for the tip, CJK. I'll 'ave a look round!
All the best.

Stu,

Why wouldn't you just keep the teardrop at home, and tow it with you when you are ready to bug out?

In the meantime, use it for camping. It's good practice for bugging out. Well, okay, it's not really roughing it, but it's still fun to use it!

Mike...

P.S. I am thinking about doing another teardrop with coleman accessories rather than make it look like an RV. You know, the coleman stove, coleman cooler, coleman lamp!!! Heck, maybe I should paint it hunter green, something like this...

Or is something like this more like what you had in mind?



Mike...

I had many plan on building one. Liked the idea of it being a bit more solid/waterproof than a tent while still being small and able to be pulled by a smaller truck (s10,ranger). Howerev my wife decided it would feel too clostraphobic so my plans have changed to a full size truck and a truck camper or regular trailer. Even though she is fine in the small space of a tent with the soft sides, the though of the small space combined with solid structure of a teardrop just seemed to scare her away. If it were just me I'd be fine sleeping in the back of an SUV so its soemthing to think about if our bugging out with family.

I like them and have been considering building one.

I've built two already, and I am thinking about building another one, especially for bugout purposes...

Mike...

Here are a couple of teardrop construction plans.
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/4x10teardrop/4x10teardropindex.html
http://www.outbackteardrop.com/
http://members.1stconnect.com/anozira/SiteTops/travel/trailers.htm

And here are a few ideas that I have had on upgrading any trailer.

You now have a trailer. Be it the back half of a truck, a commercial unit, or something home built. Here are some suggestions on adding some improvements. These are to increase the versatility and reliability of a Bug Out System. [Not just a BOV because of the trailer.]

If you construct your trailer with the same size tires, wheels, and same type hub as your BOV you then have at least 2 extra wheels and assorted parts for replacement on your Primary vehicle. Admittedly this would require abandoning the trailer and most of its gear but it will do you no good if neither can move. This is a site that shows some of the concepts discussed.

http://www.gojeep.rockcrawler.com/Trailers.htm

Having an auxiliary fuel tank to extend your range is an excellent idea. How do you get the fuel to where it’s needed? I would recommend a dual system. Start with an electric fuel pump [ Scavenged from the junk yard.] {As we all Know this is a good means of getting what we need cheaper} The other is a manual back up.

The connection between the truck/car and the trailer is critical. Always rig safety chains. [The old belt and suspenders routine.] The best hook up is the pintle style. A ring that slips over a post with a top latch. Of the 2 on the page the bottom one is best. It has a standard ball type hitch as the post allowing the ability to tow non pintle rigged trailers at need.

http://www.reesehitch.com/pintle_hooks.html

Your pintle should be easily exchange with a standard trailer hitch. [ Store it on board the rig.] This would give the ability to pull your trailer with another vehicle. You may lose your BOV and have to catch as catch can. The pintle was developed for the military as a positive locking connection for rough travel.

There are some rotating/flexible assemblies developed that allow independent movement between the tow vehicle and the trailer. This lets you operate in very rough terrain minimizing dangers of one flipping the other. Flexibility in the connection will improve maneuverability in tight situations. You can see 2 different types at:

http://www.icc-comm.com/motorcycles/black_tie/black_tie.html

http://www.etrailer.com.au/pages/finalparts/couplings.html

For your electrical system use a standard trailer connection. Now here’s a plus. Build a weather proof box on the tongue. Install a battery and charging set up in it. The charging consists of a 3 to 5 hp lawn mower engine and an auto alternator/generator. [Try your best to use one that is compatible with you BOV. Installed spare.] Plans can be found at:

http://theepicenter.com/tow082099.html

This will give you a way to jump your BOV when its battery is dead. [Your BOV system can be up graded to a dual battery set up. This would give you a third battery and charging system back up.]

Jumpstarting your or someone else’s BOV. Cables [The heavier the better.] can be attached to the battery in your vehicle then run to the front and rear [more options] of the vehicle. These are terminated in a plug attached in a convenient location. A mating plug is hooked to half a set of jumper cables. To use plug the connectors together attach the jumper clamps to the other vehicle. This plugging system can also be used to hook up a portable winch. If you have the trailer charging system you use it jump you BOV or recharge its batteries. The charging system is more gas economical that running the main engine for charging the batteries. The connectors can be found by going to the following site. Once there click on accessories then on electrical.

http://www.warn.com/InternetHome/

Along with giving you a way to improve your Bug Out System’s options it can also be the basis for a 12V power system at your retreat.