Lifepod -- evac gear trailer, stocked for two

Pretty slick-looking -- a Thule roof box on a trailer replete with someone's notion of what you need in an emergency. $2300 for the maximum setup.

Apparently this was mentioned on FOX News.


http://lifepod.org/

The next generation of emergency preparedness comes in a pod.

The Life Pod Evacuation Essentials Package is a portable solution to cover your family’s basic needs in the event of an evacuation. This complete emergency kit will keep your family safe and secure when having to quickly evacuate your home.

The Life Pod Evacuation Essentials Package is designed to meet the basic needs of 2 people for 21 days or 4 people for 10 ½ days. All this with additional space to store your own things. This mobile emergency kit replaces heavy backpacks, duffel bags and boxes of emergency supplies.

You can rest easy knowing that this all-in-one solution is ready to go in the event of an emergency. Simply hook the compact lightweight trailer to your car and you’re off. This mobile kit's unique design aides in transport and makes hauling easy.


SPECIAL FEATURES:

Lightweight Trailer – The high-strength aluminum trailer provides a solution that you can hitch to vehicle or even your motorcycle. The 1 7/8 inch ball allows you to haul this light weight vehicle with even a motorcycle or haul it by hand.

Easy Transport – Simply hook it up to your car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle and you’re ready to go.

Quick Access – Open the lid for full access to your supplies.

Durable protection for supplies – The pod is a waterproof hard shell designed to protect the contents of your Life Pod.

Contents:

For hydration and nutrition:
- (1) Water Purification Tablets- Potable Aqua (50 tablets)
- (1) Aquamira Frontier Pro Water Filter
- (1) Food for Health – 275 servings
- (1) Survival Food Tablets (180 tablets)
- (1) Datrex Food Bars (18 individual bars)
- (1) Alco-Brite Stove Kit w/5 Heat Gel Cans
- (1) 5 gallon collapsible water container


For injuries:
- (1) Lifeline Base Camp First Aid Kit
- (1) Where There is No Doctor Healthcare Book

For communication and light:
- (1) 6-in-1 Whistle/Compass/Thermometer
- (1) Compact Multi-Function Tool & Flashlight
- (1) Shake Flashlight (No batteries needed!)

For easier breathing:
- (4) N-95 Folding Respirators

For shelter and warmth:
- (4) Space All-Weather Sleeping Bags
- (1) Water Proof Matches
- (1) Fire Starter Paste
- (1) Warmers - Hand Size
- (2) Tube Tents

Tools and equipment:
- (1) 15-in-1 Multi Function Pocket Knife
- (1) Tri-Folding Shovel
- (1) Deluxe Sewing Kit
- (1) Leather Gloves
- (1) Signal/Camping Featherweight Mirror

For sanitation and hygiene:
- (2) Bio Tissue 2 pack
- (1) Sanitary Disposable Toilet Bags
- (1) Mini Toilet Tissue 3 pack
- (1) Wet Wipe Towelettes 100 pack

I tell you what there's a lot of gear I would add, and a lot of their stuff I would replace with different stuff. Not to mention if I was going to pull a trailer even that small it sure as heck would hold more gear or at least be able to!

Very cool idea I guess... but it seems like you could put it on your car and keep it with you at all times and then not have to hassle with a trailer no matter the size.

The website claims this trailer can be pulled by hand.

Don't know what the weight is.

With the hurricane season here, it could behoove someone with more money than time to go ahead and get this. It's certainly better than nothing.

I prefer my teardrop trailer which is stored near the mountains and is well-stocked with First Aid and other gear.

But I couldn't pull it by hand more than a few feet (1000 pounds).

And it's not with me right now.

I have a trailer that weighs probably 300lb unloaded and I can easily pull it by hand even in the dirt and on a slight incline. It utilizes large truck tires and a large truck axle. I could probably slim down the tires/rims and axle and move it a lot easier too. I've loaded it down with firewood for 3 nights, camping gear w/food and water for 3 nights for 4 people, etc... and that was only up to the VERY LOW edge probably 1.5' or 2' tall. Double that if I add supports, and the trailer still is reasonably light to move by hand and holds enough gear to live out of for 3+ days. That thing doesn't even come with water! Pills, and an empty container that's no good

I've moved 1500lb jetski trailers by hand w/jetskis on them the smaller tires really make it much easier, and two of us have pushed it up a rather steep driveway...

I think you could make your own setup MUCH better for the same pric and then add your own gear you mostl ikely already have

No doubt. Most of us could do a lot of things better and cheaper, if we took the time to research and do it.

Many people build their own teardrops -- much nicer than mine.

But I bought my teardrop from a manufacturer. It was a lot faster, and easier, than building one.

If everyone was a do-it-yourselfer, where would our economy be?

OK, so that's not a great analogy....


;-)

Not real impressed.

The selection of gear isn't all that great, the trailer and pod while sexy looking seem to be slightly overpriced, and the entire combo is basically a bare bones unit.

At best I would get a small trailer locally for less, pack my stuff on it in the totes that I am already using and have more gear and be more comfortable/better fed/better equipped.

Ok, I see now, it's really who can look best while surviving. I lose, oh well.

Hell, I carry that in my backpack.

Haha, I get what you are saying.

But really.. if I`m hauling a darn trailer I`m gonna have at least 10 gallons of water, propane, a real stove, etc... The gear is so minimalist its like why not just use a bag.

Well, it does include purification tablets so you can safely get some water from a puddle or the floodwaters. ;-)

Now that you mention it, what's going to kill me is hauling the water that I'll need to re-hydrate from the exertion of pulling that trailer by hand.

To be fair, it's meant to be pulled by a vehicle.

If your vehicle is going to be full with passengers (as mine will with all the carless neighbors) and your roof can't handle a heavy load (I think my Element is limited to 150 pounds, or less), then a trailer is a very good idea.

This one may not be the best deal. But I applaud the initiative. And if it's getting publicity then so is the larger subject of being equipped to survive.

Reminds me I need to put heavy-duty foil on my grocery list. One of Doug's tips provided gratis in the Mk5 box.

You've reminded me that a little Lancome wouldn't take up much room.

At least mascara and eye-liner.

Or maybe extra sunglasses.

For morale. Mine and others.

It seems too pricey for too little, but it might get some people thinking, which can only be to the good.

A Thule Sport Utility Trailer only costs $1499 and looks a hack of a lot more rugged and spacious than than the Lifepod roof-cargo-carrier-on-a-light-trailer. I guess being able to pull something by hand is a bonus, but you could probably put something similar together for a lot less than what they're offering with little skill required to build it.

I think the Lifepod contents list is weak as well.

With the exception of My Leatherman Charge TTI, I don't like the idea of having a lot of All-In-One tools and I even carry another knife and have a third fixed blade in my BOB.

That "Food For Health" 275 serving bucket has been blasted for quite some time both here (IIRC) and on other sites and forums as being less than a full days worth of calories per 3 servings and for having to be supplemented. I also recall that many of the dishes are very high in sodium.

I must admit, as was mentioned before, something is better than nothing and some people would rather purchase the lifepod package than put something together themselves.

My escape pod was $600 (craigslist) and sits in the back of my truck. 40lbs propane, 18 gallons of water, commode, sink, 9500btu furnace, refrigerator, two beds, one I divided in half for the two kids.

Here's a fuel efficient BOV.

Just need someone to pedal it.

Here's my teardrop.

Very nice setup. Whats the make/model and were there any special modifications you made?

2008 Little Guy 6'-wide Platform is the make and model. Little Guy put the hitch receiver on the teardrop to hold my hitch-mounted bike rack.

I bought it unfinished inside (no cabinets, no kitchen galley, no decor) and out (meaning no graphics).

Had it painted at an auto shop to match the Element and added the tongue box (an Owens from Summit Racing) and some interior organizing elements. That's it.

I love it. It's so much better than tent camping. Always packed, no setup, no breaking down a tent in the rain. Very comfortable sleep (king-sized bed).

I'm think most passenger cars can handle a roof storage system. If they can, my personal opinion is that you get one without the trailer. The trailer adds complexity, especially if you're not used to parking with them. Second thing, remove the damn label! Nothing like advertising what's in it! Of course, during evacuations and emergencies you'll see people with normal roof storage, but don't make yourself stand out!

Dangit you're going to make me spend more money. I don't think I want a teardrop exactly but that is a really nice looking setup you have there!

Nice looking Teardrop!

Ha. And thanks. Teardrop quicksand....cha-ching!

Most teardroppers I know built them. Some for around $1k, many for around $2k -- which seems the sweet spot for a basic teardrop with galley.

I'm not that talented nor inclined.

There are so many terrific little trailers now being manufactured. Especially "standies."

The Serro Scotty is being built again. Coachmen is building the Shasta again. The t@b "teardrops" are actually standies. If my Honda were more capable, I'd have gone with a small standie.

There's a terrific "Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers" forum that's the resource for builders and shoppers.

http://www.mikenchell.com/

Happy shopping (or building)!

:-)

www.golittleguy.com has a range of teardrops, including an off-roader.

And they'll wrap them in any Camo-skinz you want. Unfortunately, that stuff is guaranteed for only five years.

The second one below is the "sport" package designed to carry motorcycles or an ATV.

So-Cal Teardrops in southern California is one of the most highly regarded manufacturers (Camp-Inn being premier). Real craftsmanship.

And they've also recently done an off-roader.

http://www.socalteardrops.com/

More pics of mine. Teardropping really is orders of magnitude more comfortable and convenient than tenting.

We camp far more often now. Weekends are worth it because it's so easy.

Thank you. It is cozy.

The teardrops are really appealing. Unfortunately, as apartment-dwellers, we have no place to park one. I did find an interesting setup after looking around for more info on the Honda Element:



Ursa Minor does this mod to the Element, essentially giving you a tent sleeper up top. I was thinking this might be a nice set up for some weekend overnighters, and in an evacuation situation, you'd at least have a place to sleep if hotels are filled up at the end of the line.

I was thinking of Jeep-ifying an Element, putting a gas can and full sized spare on a rack in the back. I figured something that attached to the trailer hitch and swung out on a hinge would work, but can't find anything like that for an Element. If anyone knows of something that'd work, please let me know.

If money were not an option, I'd take the Quigley 4WD van that's in the background in one of those pics. That would make an awesome bugout vehicle. They make some of those things that'll go anywhere my Jeep will.