Have you seen the movie World War Z? Hordes of zombies stream through city streets, bringing down one victim after another when the character played by Brad Pitt sees an abandoned RV and rushes his family inside. Racing away from the danger and chaos, the family has its own little cocoon, at least for a while.
A short time later, Brad Pitt makes the statement, “Movement is life.”
So when preppers plan for bugging out in the event of our own version of a zombie apocalypse or if everything hits the fan, some talk of using an RV.
It sounds like the perfect solution and in some ways, it is. I would rather have an RV as a bug-out or emergency shelter than nothing. However, sometimes we romanticize things we’ve never done, so in this article, we’ll examine the reality of RV Life as a prepper and as a viable option for other types of emergencies.
This article updated with current data and new strategies and tips, March 2026.
In This Article
- What Is the Prepper RV Lifestyle?
- Major Advantages of Using an RV in an Emergency
- The Hidden Risks of an RV Bug-Out Plan
- When an RV Makes Sense for Preparedness
- RV vs Other Bug-Out Options
- How to Prepare an RV for Emergencies
- Essential Supplies Most RV Owners Overlook
- Is there a way to add more storage to an RV?
- Realistic RV Evacuation Scenarios
- Common Mistakes RV Preppers Make
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases without any increase in price to you.
What Is the Prepper RV Lifestyle?
They say no two snowflakes are exactly alike, and I would apply that same rule to RVers. Many of them drive their beloved RVs thousands of miles from coast to coast. They enjoy not being tied down to a house and all its responsibilities and give little thought to being prepared for emergencies. They take each day, each crisis at it comes, are in all age and income groups, but generally, would not define themselves as preppers.
However, a number of people want to have a plan for bugging out or evacuating from a disaster scenario, and they look to the RV as an option. There are many preppers-on-wheels right now living this lifestyle every day — combining their love for their home on wheels with an awareness of needing to be prepared for the unexpected. These folks are living the prepper RV lifestyle. Their moving vehicle is not only their home, but it’s their bug out vehicle and their bug out location, all in one.
It’s stocked with a few weeks worth of extra food (shelf-stable and much of it lightweight freeze-dried meals), a top-of-the-line water filter with a few extra Water Bricks stored out of sight, a back-up solar generator, and supplies and gear to see them through just about any crisis. Of course, the trick as with all RVers is finding ways to store those additional supplies in tight quarters.
In short, the RV can act as a bug-out vehicle, backup housing, a mobile homestead, and an evacuation shelter. While other preppers may be longing for that rural bug out cabin, an RV provides that and much more. Your bug out location is wherever you decide to park.
By the way, if you’re looking for a first-person report of living this lifestyle, The Simple Life: Guide to RV Living is a good choice.
Major Advantages of Using an RV in an Emergency
There are many reasons bugging out in an RV and even living in one full-time are solid options for preppers. The main advantage is that this huge vehicle combines mobility and shelter.
- Mobility — You can leave a danger zone quickly.
- Room for preps — You won’t have as much room as a house or even an apartment, but you should be able to store a few weeks’ worth of food, along with essential survival supplies, like a water filter.
- Built in shelter — Beds, kitchen, bathroom, and seating all while you travel the highways.
- Storage space — You may need to be creative, but an RV offers lots of nooks and crannies as well as the option to add storage
- Off-Grid power — Your RV generator will keep everything running, and if you add a backup solar generator with solar panels, you could have a power source indefinitely.
- Comforts of home — An RV is comforting in its familiarity along with comfy beds, seating, entertainment, and the ability to cook a hot meal at any time.
- Easier evacuations — If you need to evacuate due to a flood, tornado damage, or similar emergencies, your RV is already packed and ready to go without the panic that goes into the typical evacuation. You won’t be scrambling to find hotels or rely on a crowded emergency shelter with an RV.
You Won’t Be Alone: Bringing Loved Ones and Finding Community on the Road
In an emergency when you have friends and family in need of evacuating, an RV has the advantage of providing transportation and shelter to additional people. If you pack a tent or two and additional bedding, your prepper RV can become a type of Noah’s Ark, getting more family and friends out of harm’s way. And speaking of loved ones, it’s so much easier to bring your pets along with you without the hassle of finding a pet-sitter, a pet-friendly hotel, or a boarding kennel.
There are thousands of campgrounds around the country that provide an immediate safe place to stay for a short or extended period of time. This can also help with anonymity as your vehicle will be parked in the same vicinity as dozens of similar-looking RVs. A nice bonus is the supportive and helpful RV community you’ll meet in person as you travel as well as in online forums and in-person meet-up groups.
With an RV, you might not ever feel isolated, knowing you’ll have RV-friends wherever you stop.
The Hidden Risks of an RV Bug-Out Plan
At first glance, an RV seems like the perfect solution in an emergency. You load up your supplies, get your family on board, and drive away from danger. But real-life evacuations rarely go that smoothly. Roads become congested, fuel can be hard to find, and not every destination is best for a large vehicle.
RVs also come with their own vulnerabilities, from weather exposure (hot in the summer, cold in the winter) to mechanical issues at the worst possible moment. Before relying on an RV as your primary plan, it’s important to understand where this strategy can fall short.
In some cases, you can make plans and prep to work around these potential shortcomings, but in some cases, you can’t. That’s just the reality of RV life.
- An RV relies completely on fuel for its mobility. Without gasoline or diesel, you won’t get very far. In fact, you find yourself stranded somewhere very unsafe and unable to leave. Yes, you can store fuel canisters, but at some point, you’ll need a way to refuel. An Easy Siphon hose will come in handy if there are abandoned vehicles in the vicinity.
- The RV generator also requires fuel. Again, you can stock up and store it, but eventually, it, too, will run out.
- Fuel is expensive, whether it’s gas, diesel, or generator fuel.
- RVs are large and easy to see. If you were hoping to disappear in the aftermath of a worst-case scenario, a bigger rig makes it tougher to do.
- It won’t take long before sanitation becomes an issue. If you begin dumping the RV holding tank onto the ground, you’ll have your own contaminated breeding ground of dangerous bacteria, not to mention the smell and the flies.
- You always have to be near a source of water. Of course, this is true for everyone else.
- It’s highly likely the electrical system of your RV will be fried in the case of an EMP. You can check out this book for some definitive information about how to prepare for an EMP and how it might affect vehicles. Or, if you don’t already have it, request my free EMP Survival e-Book.
- In a crisis, it will be very difficult if not impossible to find mechanical help and parts if your RV breaks down.
- Should you run out of gas and are stranded somewhere, you’re a sitting duck for every nefarious person who wants what you have.
- As long as the rule of law is in place, carrying firearms through different states may or may not be legal. A multi-state concealed carry license is desirable, but still, there are many states that don’t recognize that license.
- Living in an RV could become deadly in severe winter cold and extreme heat. Although some are better insulated than others, the assumption is that you’ll have the power to run heating and cooling systems. Without power, you’ll be living in a very cold metal box or baking in a mobile oven on wheels.
- Although an RV does give you great mobility, the size of the vehicle makes it difficult to maneuver through small streets, busy traffic, and roadblocks.
- RV parking in campgrounds can be expensive.
When an RV Makes Sense for Preparedness
An RV isn’t the right solution for every family or every emergency, but in the right situations, it can be an enormous advantage. The key is understanding when an RV gives you a real advantage and when it might actually complicate your plans. Instead of thinking of an RV as a one-size-fits-all answer, it’s better to see it as one option in your overall preparedness strategy. One that works especially well under certain conditions.
We think of a prepper RV as an evacuation vehicle, but in my town, some victims of Hurricane Harvey parked their RVs in their driveways and lived in them until their flooded home was fully repaired. . They didn’t need to stay in hotels long-term or farm the kids out to various relatives. The RV allowed the family to stay together, they could be watchful over their home while so many others had been abandoned and vulnerable to looting.
One aspect of an RV as a combo bug-out vehicle and bug-out location is that once you get past the initial purchase of the vehicle, you can live a very frugal life in an RV. If you find a free or very inexpensive place to stay, your only expenses will be food and everyday supplies and an occasional refill of fuel for your generator.
If you find a location you love and stay there long-term, it’s possible to create your own mini-homestead right there in an RV park (if allowed) or wherever you land. A small garden or even a couple of chickens might be an option. If the climate is to your liking, the location is safe, you’re near friendly people or family — why not put down some roots?
RV vs Other Bug-Out Options
When you really, really need to bug out and get away from a dangerous scenario like a natural disaster, you have numerous transportation options from a motorcycle to the family SUV.
Each mode has its own advantages and disadvantages, and with all survival and preparedness plans, the answer to the question of, “Is a prepper RV a good choice for emergencies?” the answer is, “It depends.”
Think about these variables as you make your own decision:
- You live in an area prone to evacuations (hurricanes, wildfires, floods)
- You already own an RV and know how to use it
- You have a clear destination or safe place to go
- Your family needs more comfort than a car or shelter can provide
- You’ve practiced traveling and staying in your RV
- You can reliably access fuel or have backup power options
- You want a backup housing option if your home becomes unlivable
- You’re certain your evacuation route and destination can accommodate an RV
If an RV makes sense for your preparedness plans, the next step is making sure it’s properly equipped in the areas that matter most.
How to Prepare an RV for Emergencies
Power
Power is what turns an RV from simple transportation like anything else into a livable space. Without it, you lose lighting, refrigeration, and communication. In an emergency, having reliable power, especially off-grid, can make all the difference.
As part of your power preps, you can add off-grid options, like a solar oven, large power station, battery-powered fans, and a small rocket stove for outdoor cooking.
Common power sources in your RV
- Shore power (plugging into a campsite or home outlet)
- Generator (portable or built-in)
- Battery banks (typically 12V systems)
- Solar panels (increasingly popular for long-term use)
What to plan for
- How long can you run your essentials without plugging in?
- Do you have enough battery capacity for overnight use?
- What happens if fuel is unavailable for your generator?
- Can you recharge during cloudy weather or extended outages?
Knowing what your RV is capable of when it comes to power, is a major reason for putting your RV through its paces, aka taking it on trips. Until you actually have to use solar panels to charge a backup power station or ensure your AC can run through the night, you’ll never know how it will perform in an emergency as your prepper RV.
Whether or not your RV can truly function as a home on wheels depends almost entirely on power.
Water
Water is one of the most important and most limiting resources in an RV. Unlike a house, where water flows freely from the tap, your RV water supply is finite. In an emergency, understanding how much water you have and how quickly you use it becomes critical.
How Water Works in an RV
Most RVs have three main water components:
- Fresh water tank (clean water for drinking, cooking, washing)
- Gray water tank (wastewater from sinks and showers)
- Black water tank (toilet waste)
Once your fresh water runs out, or your waste tanks fill up, your ability to stay in place is limited. If rain is in the future, it’s possible to set up a simple catchment system, even if it’s just a kiddie pool.
What to Plan For
As with power, pay attention to your water usage every time you take your RV on a trip. Keep track of this usage:
- How many gallons your fresh water tank holds
- How long that supply will last for your family
- How quickly your gray and black tanks fill up
- Where you can safely refill or dump tanks
- Whether you have a backup water source
Practical Water Tips
- Carry extra water in jugs or containers. Water Bricks are heavy duty and can be stacked and stored like actual bricks.
- Use water-saving habits (quick rinses, minimal dishwashing, two-minute showers)
- Keep a water filter or purifier for refilling from unknown sources
- Use paper plates and disposable utensils to reduce washing
- Know how to locate nearby dump stations ahead of time
KEY POINT: You can store extra water in your RV, but the real limitation is how quickly your gray and black water tanks fill up. That can happen long before your fresh water runs out.
Food
Food storage in an RV requires a different mindset than stocking a pantry at home. Space is limited, weight of the food matters, refrigeration depends on power, and cooking options may be restricted. In an emergency, the goal isn’t just having enough food. It’s having food that’s easy and quick to prepare, and doesn’t depend heavily on electricity.
How Food Storage Works in an RV
Most RVs rely on:
- A small refrigerator/freezer (often propane or electric)
- Limited cabinet and pantry space
- Compact cooking appliances (stove, microwave, or portable cooktop
This means every food item you pack into your RV needs to be carefully considered.
What To Plan For
- How long your food supply will last without restocking
- Whether your food depends on refrigeration. Freeze-dried meals are perfect.
- How you’ll cook if power or propane is limited
- How much water your meals require
- How to store food safely in heat or cold
Practical Food Tips
- Focus on shelf-stable foods that don’t require refrigeration. Dehydrated and freeze-dried meals and individual foods (ground beef, green beans, and so on) allow you to stock a lot without worrying about excess weight, and then you only cook what you need for a particular meal.
- Include ready-to-eat options (no cooking needed). Meals in a jar are another great option — just pack them in lightweight Mylar bags instead of canning jars.
- Store a mix of canned goods, dry staples, spices and seasonings.
KEY POINT: Meals that work well at home may not be practical in a small, mobile environment.
Sanitation
Sanitation is one of the most overlooked aspects of RV preparedness and one of the quickest ways a situation can go from “everything’s fine” to “we live in a toxic dump!” In a small, enclosed space, especially with multiple people, managing waste, hygiene, and cleanliness has to be a priority.
How Sanitation Works In An RV
Most RVs include:
- Toilet connected to a black water tank
- Gray water tank for sinks and showers
- Limited space for storing hygiene supplies
These systems are designed to work together, and they work well, until tanks fill up or you’re unable to empty them.
What To Plan For
- How long your black and gray tanks will last
- Where you can safely dump waste
- What you’ll do if dump stations are unavailable
- How to maintain hygiene with limited water
- Backup sanitation options if systems fail
Again, the key is to use your RV frequently enough so you aren’t guessing when it comes to knowing these answers.
Practical Sanitation Tips
- Use RV-safe toilet paper to avoid clogs
- Keep disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer on hand for quick clean-ups that won’t use stored water
- Take “navy showers” (quick rinse, turn off water, rinse again)
- Have a backup option like a portable toilet or waste bags
- Store extra trash bags and odor control products
Wherever your evacuation or survival trip takes you, always look and plan ahead to locations where you can refill your water tanks and empty the gray and black water tanks. Also, empty those tanks even when they aren’t full, since you may not know when or where your next stop will be with those facilities.
Communications
In an emergency, staying informed and being able to communicate with others can be just as important as having food or water. When you’re traveling or parked in an unfamiliar area, communication tools help you make smart decisions, avoid danger, and stay connected with family.
Common Communication Options
- Cell phones (with apps and alerts)
- Weather radios (NOAA alerts)
- Two-way radios (for short-range communication)
- Offline maps and GPS systems
- Smartphone apps like Zello, WhatsApp, and Slack
You always want to have the ability to both get up-to-date and reliable information AND outgoing communication where you can let others know where you are and any help you might need.
What To Plan For
- What happens if cell service is down or overloaded
- How you’ll receive emergency alerts
- How to charge your phones when the power is down
- How you’ll navigate without internet access (always have paper maps)
- How family members will stay in contact if separated
Practical Communication Tips
- Download offline maps before traveling
- Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
- Use emergency alert apps on your phone — Numerous options are listed here.
- Carry paper maps as a backup
- Establish a simple family communication plan
Very often in an emergency, cellphone towers are down. Your internet connection may be down as well, so think through the Communications aspect of your prepper RV plans.
Essential Supplies Most RV Owners Overlook
When it comes to stocking an RV, it’s easy to find long checklists of gear. But in a real emergency, it’s not about having more—it’s about having the right items for a small, mobile space. These are the supplies that solve real problems RV owners run into when they’re off-grid or on the move.
- Multi-purpose anything — Multi-purpose soap, multi-purpose cleaners (this one is bio-degradable and we use it for household cleaning and laundry), multi-tools…anything that serves double or triple duty has earned its place in your limited storage space.
- Collapsible water containers — for extending your water storage without taking up space
- Portable waste solution (bags or backup toilet) — in case you can’t reach a dump station
- Paper maps and written directions — when GPS fails or signal disappears
- Basic tool kit + repair items — duct tape, sealant, spare fuses
- Cooling and heating backups — fans, extra blankets, or a small propane heater
- Extension rods — Set up between any doorway, this allows you to add a small private area, along with a bedsheet or tarp, if you have additional people in your group.
Is there a way to add more storage to an RV?
By now you may be wondering if once you add your food and water storage and other supplies, will you have room for passengers! It’s true that RV storage is at a premium, but there are ways you can add a bit of storage here and there.
Inside The RV
- Use stackable bins and collapsible containers
- Add hanging organizers to doors and closets
- Install tension rods to create extra shelving
- Use vacuum-sealed bags for seasonal clothing and bedding
- Collapsible water containers for more inside water storage
- Switch to collapsible kitchenware — bowls, measuring cups, colanders — that fold flat when not in use.
- Install a magnetic knife strip on the wall or backsplash to free up drawer space and keep knives secure and easy to reach.
Outside The RV
- Add a lockable storage box to the rear bumper for hoses, tools, and dirty gear you don’t want inside.
- Roof storage pods (if weight allows)
- Rear ladder storage racks
- Under-RV storage compartments (if available)
- Over-the-toilet cabinets/shelves
Hidden Storage Nooks and Crannies
- Under seating (dinette benches often have unused space)
- Inside ottomans or benches
- Behind false panels or unused cabinetry space
- Group gear by category: fresh water accessories, wastewater equipment, campfire gear, power supplies — and repack in labeled bins or totes.
KEY POINT: Every RV has weight limits. Overloading your RV can damage the vehicle and create serious safety risks, so always check your cargo capacity before adding storage.
Realistic RV Evacuation Scenarios
Your prepper RV is a top choice when it comes to emergency evacuations, but as with any high-stress scenario, you can count on things not always going according to plan. Thinking through realistic scenarios, what might go wrong, unexpected twists and turns will help you to plan the very best possible
Scenario 1: Hurricane Evacuation
You leave early, but so does everyone else. Highways become congested, fuel stations run low, and finding a safe place to park overnight isn’t as simple as it sounds. Campgrounds may be full, and parking lots may not allow overnight stays.
What to consider:
- Leaving earlier than the general population
- Having multiple evacuation routes planned
- Having several destination options, not just one
- Thinking creatively for alternative destinations
Scenario 2: Wildfire Evacuation
This type of evacuation can happen quickly, with little warning as wildfires can stall, race, jump over roads, and make sudden changes in direction. Roads may close unexpectedly, and conditions can change by the hour. Maneuvering a large RV through narrow or unfamiliar roads can become difficult.
What to consider:
- Keeping your RV ready to go at all times
- Practicing quick departure routines
- Practice getting pets loaded up
- Have a plan for your large animals and livestock
- Have your RV facing outwards from your driveway so there’s no need to waste time maneurvering it into position
- Knowing alternate routes that can handle larger vehicles
Scenario 3: Long-Term Power Outage
Your home becomes uncomfortable or unlivable, and your RV becomes a temporary shelter. At first, it works well — but over time, power, water, and waste limitations start to add up.
What to consider:
- How long you can realistically stay off-grid
- Managing water and waste carefully
- Conserving power from the start
- How to use solar power, long-term
- Driving to a location with a temperate climate so there’s less need for heat and cooling
Scenario 4: Home Becomes Unlivable
A fire, flood, or severe damage from a severe storm or tornado forces you out of your home unexpectedly. Your RV provides immediate shelter, but you may be parked in a driveway, parking lot, or unfamiliar area for days or weeks.
What to consider:
- Where you can legally and safely park long-term
- Access to supplies and support
- Maintaining routines and comfort for your family
- Access to schools, work, and medical facilities
- Set up an outdoor kitchen to keep heat outside the RV
- Long-term power supplies, like a large power station as a backup
After you’ve done every smart thing you can to pack your RV with essential supplies, pay attention to the five biggest survival categories (food, water, sanitation, communication, and shelter), you may find yourself facing the biggest challenge of all — surviving the aftermath of a disaster.
Think ahead to the most likely disaster you’ll encounter. Doing a risk assessment can help determine what to prepare for first, and then imagine your prepper RV evacuation — what can go wrong, what can go right, and how you can plan now for the unexpected.
Common Mistakes RV Preppers Make
assuming fuel will always be available
never practicing with the RV
forgetting weight limits
not planning dump stations
ignoring winter conditions
going for long periods of time without taking the RV on trips — you forget things, tires and belts dry out and need to be replaced, generator issues
Final Thoughts
An RV is a solid choice that provides the mobility you need to escape a dire situation. It gives you the ability to quickly move away from a dangerous part of town, the outbreak of a riot or pandemic, escape a natural disaster, or just become a shelter in an everyday emergency situation.
Do your homework ahead of time to understand the realities of RV life. Then you’ll have an easier time if you do ever need to survive in an RV.
Frequently Asked Questions
An RV can be a very effective bug-out option, but only under the right conditions. It has a lot of major advantages, including built-in shelter, storage for supplies, and comfort for your family. In situations where you have time to evacuate early and a clear destination, an RV can make the process far less stressful than relying on a car or public shelters.
However, RVs also come with limitations. They depend on fuel, can be difficult to maneuver in heavy traffic or damaged roads, and require careful management of water, power, and waste. In a fast-moving emergency or in areas with limited escape routes, an RV may actually slow you down.
The best approach is to view the RV as one option for an emergency evacuation, not your only plan.
The honest answer is: it depends on your resources and how carefully you manage them. For most RVs, off-grid living typically lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days without resupply. The biggest limiting factors are usually water capacity and waste tank space, not food.
How long you can remain off-grid depends on: fresh water supply, how many people, gray and black water tank sizes, power sources, and weather conditions.
The most important supplies are those that help you stay self-sufficient and flexible when you’re away from home and hook-ups.
Instead of trying to pack everything, focus on things that cover the most important needs: extra water storage containers, easy to prepare food, backup power, sanitation backups, first aid/med kit, basic tools that let you take care of simple repairs, communication gear, and appropriate clothing for any type of weather you encounter.
The goal is to be prepared for the most common RV challenges like running low on water, not being able to empty black water tank, losing power, and staying safe and comfortable regardless of conditions.
In most cases, an RV isn’t designed to withstand severe storms, including tornadoes. They’re particularly vulnerable to high winds, flying debris, flooding, and extreme temperatures.
The best role an RV can play in these scenarios is to help you evacuate beforehand in a sturdy vehicle equipped with most everything you’ll need for the duration of a disaster.
The amount of water an RV can hold varies, but most have a fresh water tank that holds between 20 and 100 gallons.
In practical terms, a family will use approximately 2-3 gallons of water per person per day (with careful conservation), so your RV water supply would last anywhere from a few days to a week or so.
MN winters are nice and toasty with a Me. Heater Bug Buddy. Sanitation can be as simple as a bucket with small plastic bags (triple bag) for solids, and a milk jug with funnel for liquids. If you can be parked somewhere long term, things packed in lidded plastic totes can be scooted right under the rv for extra storage.
We have often discussed using our RV for a bug out. Unfortunately, the cons outweigh the pros. While it is true that there are many advantages of the RV, the aspects of limited or no fuel, sanitation, HVAC, repairs and such, really pose a serious problem. In my opinion the best use of an RV is setting it up on a place where you can provide gas, electricity, water and septic. Being more or less static the ability of construction decks, porches and storage are a real plus,
The link to the Easy Siphon Hose is the same as the EMP book. Not that it’s a big deal, but I love links! 🙂
Thanks for letting me know! A lot of people don’t know about this hose.
Well if you believe Collins all I can say is start over find the facts. We have lived a rv, 15 years!!! This one 5 th. wheel. We have read his books and giggle heartily. We have lived all over the usa, are, and wintered 3 years in Ohio snow belt. I keep saying I should teach classes. This is a grand easy style life. Whether a house or apt. Or rv every place has its ups and downs. Cooking on a open fire is the joy of food. Sooooooo many people miss understand rv living. I will never own a house again. Lisa love your info and blog your very right in many survival ways. I have and could explain more. Collins is a part timer. thanks take care!!
I’m so glad it’s working out well for you, Carol!
LISA thank you. On your topic, people need to think out what is the disaster and what is my situation. If its a emp everyone is left immediately to survival mode. If its a disaster what kind. Is it like NC people right now forced out of there homes, is it tornadoes, floods, fire, or www3. Be calm think it out do I bug out or stay put. Me. Im staying put. Panic will kill many. And Im not getting caught in traffic, that’s just stupid. Yes you may need or have a time evacuation that’s different. But in today’s world, if you feel something is coming what who knows, be in that place you feel is right. Truth city people are going to be the panic and death of many. There not prepared nor do many think anything is coming or will happen. I will never live by any huge city like LV, Houston, Chicago, etc. Those are the people coming to take from you because they were not prepared. Again depending on what disaster. Happens everyone should be prepared and these weather disasters are huge anymore. Im ready yes in my rv, Im by a lake, so I have water. Im hooked to a huge septic system. I need only bucket water to flush. If something happens most these people will never show up here. They come camp to get away. Emp happens they won’t show. Something else ?? We use very. Little elec. And we are very comfortable. Now anyone who looses elec is immediately in a situation because they depend on it. Your in a house example you can’t use anything, no water no toilet, etc. We can cook, we have 200 gals of water in a holding tank ready, and a lake right out side. Of course you do things in daylight, at night, campfire, candles, oil lamp, or off to bed. Well I could go on and on, but people need to be were they are ready if they feel some major disaster is coming, not weather events, major issues. Yes our truck is always on full and cans ready if I were ever to be forced to go from here. And Im prepared in many ways. Would love to chat with about more, but I realize your a busy lady. Keep up the great job I do feel what your trying to do and prepare people is right. But they too need to step up and do right. Sooooooo many think people like us are crazy, time will tell. But I’d rather be prepared than left empty. Take care god bless. Thank for your reply.
My biggest concern is the obvious perception of affluence and potential security that an RV represents. People in dire straits will see RV’s as a resource for everything they lack. especially visible as the RV goes traveling by. It’s conceivable one might flee to a really secure location and at that point be fairly comfortable and have a reduced likelihood that anyone will find you. It’s the getting there that makes you a target.
The other comments about fuel and sanitation are far less an issue, in my estimation, so long as you have sufficient fuel and traction to endure jammed up roads, detours, and other such serious impediments. (My first vehicle was a 1941 GMC pickup. It was a conversation piece. People mocked it. But I assured them that it would go anywhere the trees grew wide enough, and I carried a chain saw to help the trees grow wide enough. That might be a useful inclusion in bugging out.)
We will all have to figure out reasonable recourse to dispose of waste, and with enough fuel to get where you need to be despite all the unavoidable delays, worst case is that you’ll have to dress really warmly in winter, and sleep outside in the summer. Again, it’s the getting there that presents the greatest risk, both from the point of view of physical obstacles to travel and from the greedy, jealous folks who perceive your RV as their road to freedom.
Not to rain on the parade, but we need to be aware of our ‘recency bias’ that things will always be the way they are now.
When it hits the fan, will we still have intact bridges and gas stations? Will there be roads clogged with debris and broken and abandoned vehicles, checkpoints manned with armed marauders or locals trying to keep the hordes out, and snowdrifts after winter storms? These are just a few of the things we may need to contend with.
An RV may be a good way to get to a bug-out location before it hits the fan, but once there it may be permanent.
I agree that we cannot count on having safe or usable roads or gas stations, depending on what the disaster is. If bugging out is your safest bet, it’s important to get out of dodge as soon as you can- perhaps while most people are still frozen in shock, or at the first warning of a hurricane or wildfire headed your way.
You are absolutely right, you may very well end up stuck in your bug out location. A truck will a full tank of gas can take your RV pretty far, giving you more options as to where you want your final location to be. And once you’re at that location, you have a solid shelter.
Bugging out in an RV is not the best option for every situation. It is, however, a great option for certain situations. Since we can’t predict what sort of SHTF event we’ll be faced with, I try to be prepared for all sorts of different situations.
All the best to you!
We live in the Cascadia earthquake zone, so we are preparing for something a bit different than collapse. I really hope our house is habitable after the Big One. But knowing I have a place for my family to lay their heads, stay clean, and be dry if it isn’t is almost as great as the vacations we take in our camp trailer!
We evacuated from coastal Carolina for Florence in our 32’ MH. It was truly a blessing to have it. We were comfortable, safe and had everything we needed. I keep it ready to leave all the time, it has enough food and water for three days with a range of 450 miles. I never let it get below 1/2 tank of gas while traveling. The best investment we’ve made.
Most calamities are regional. I’d be glad to have an RV if I had to flee my area, whether it be temporarily (i.e. hurricane) or permanently (nuke plant accident). For those who intend to bug out, it’s a place to store a lot of the stuff you’ll bug with.
We live in an area where we already stay alert for straight line winds, intense lightning, large hail, and tornadoes. we feel we are better off where we can be sheltered from those!
I think the right RV can be a great option for a bug-out vehicle. Many natural disasters happen in specific regions at specific times. If a wildfire or a hurricane is predicted to come to my town, having an RV ready to go gives me fresh water, solar-powered electricity, a generator, and shelter-on-wheels.
I agree that RVs will be targets for desperate people, but honestly, all homes will be. Depending on the size of the RV and how cozy you’re willing to get, you can sleep quite a number of people in the RV. Having your mutual assistance group with you allows you to take shifts guarding the RV. Additionally, RVs designed for camping off-grid can be parked in remote areas for increased safety.
Yes, you will eventually need more water and fuel. Everyone will. If bugging out is my best option, I like the ability to relocate my MAG to a safer location and to bring along a lot more supplies than I could using just cars.
If the emergency is temporary and you can find space in a campground, you can hook up the RV to water, electricity, and a sewer drain. If the RV spaces in a campground are full, you can still use a dump station at an RV park, national forest, rest area, or truck stop to dump your waste and refill your water tank.
In a TEOTWAWKI situation, if I need to bug out, I’d much rather be in a well-insulated RV than in a tent or at a FEMA camp.
I’m definitely considering bugging out in an RV as a more viable option for preparedness. The video was informative and really showcased the pros and cons of this approach. One thing that stood out to me was the convenience of having all your gear and supplies in one place, making it easier to mobility and adapt to changing situations. However, I’m also concerned about the potential costs and logistics of owning and maintaining an RV, especially if you need to use it for long-term survival situations. I’m looking forward to hearing more from the Survival Mom community on this topic!
I loved this post! The pros and cons of bugging out in an RV were really insightful. I’m especially interested in the section about storage solutions. I never considered how much planning it takes to make an RV livable for an extended period. The video was a great touch, too—really helped visualize the ideas you presented. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I live ft in a stationary rv.
Heating and cooling are a major issue. This is not brick and mortar. You best have plans if the rv may become a long term home.
Storage is a big issue. Yes, there are ways to optimize. But at best you might have a months worth you can fit.
Water. If you cant fill your tanks, and have limited storage already…
Sanitation. Welp, without water, toilet wont work, so have options.
Not trying to be negative nancy. If you choose this option, you need to use it under varying conditions during good times first. I camped for many years before choosing this lifestyle. I was ready for the challenges.
I am moving back into bricks and sticks soon, and looking forward to it. I will keep my rv, ‘just in case’.