Bugging out with a quad/ATV

RVTECH · May 11, 2011

This may not apply to everyone but I have given this some thought lately. From where I live I can be in the NF in minutes on my Polaris 500 and it's trailer can haul a lot and with great fuel range. I have camped on the Deschutes River and have made treks back to my house via the woods on it. Like I said the advantage may only apply to those of us who have the ability to access the woods/desert areas from home but given the ability and the versatility of the quad I see no disadvantage - other than a mechanical breakdown. Any thoughts on this?

Silver Fox · May 11, 2011

Why would you want to leave your house and sleep on the pine needles? Defend what you got and stay put.

SF-

RVTECH · May 11, 2011

Ultimately you are right. I would be much better off staying put - but temporary forays into the woods or desert might be necessary.

simpleguy · May 11, 2011

Though we both agree with SF on this, as a contingency I think it's a great idea for where you live. Where I live, with bridges/rivers everywhere, that's not so much as easy a solution. I would make sure you have a winch and a way to cut wood/eliminate obstacles, but beyond that, I see nothing but great things, quads are the new improved VW Baja as far as I am concerned.

java · May 12, 2011

can be great urban vehicles when roads are clogged and cars abandoned. my dirt bike will easily go over most terrain, including sidewalks etc when nessecary.

Nwcid · May 12, 2011

Do some ATV camping and see how it works out for you. I have threatened to just for fun many times. Think we are really going to this year.

kls97038 · May 13, 2011

I think the Polaris will change owners several times a day.

RVTECH · May 13, 2011

Do some ATV camping and see how it works out for you.

Do so often. This summer we will be doing a three day Finley Butte to Fort Rock run.

I think the Polaris will change owners several times a day.

The original owner will probably disagree with the potential second owner......

kls97038 · May 13, 2011

how so? guy on quad headed down the trail with a trailer load of stuff the A-hole sniper needs for his family. Really who will win?

Artilleryman · May 13, 2011

kls97038 said:
how so? guy on quad headed down the trail with a trailer load of stuff the A-hole sniper needs for his family. Really who will win?

The same could be said for anything though. No matter what you're doing or what your mode of travel is, a hidden sniper could still ruin your day. Why not just say it's a bad idea because an airplane could crash into him while he's going down the trail, or a 16 ton weight could fall out of nowhere and smash him flat.

Thebastidge · May 14, 2011

While an ATV has decent fuel consumption, it also has a fairly small fuel tank. You can put more jerry cans of gas in the back, but it takes up storage for other things too. It may be a little better about negotiating terrain than a 4WD truck, but it lacks heat, AC, 12v power point, enough room to sleep inside the canopy, door locks, etc. It's typically louder, too. Tow capacity is miniscule.

Count me in (ideal world, don't have it all yet) for a 4WD pickup, with crew cab and canopy as primary bugout vehicle. Custom built overhead rack that extends over the cab and allows the canopy to be installed or removed independently of the rack. Custom push-bar grill with winch, and custom rear bumper with receiver hitch. Rear bumper should be big enough to use as a small work space, perhaps even mount a vice and/or crane based on a come-along.

Nwcid · May 15, 2011

Thebastidge said:
While an ATV has decent fuel consumption, it also has a fairly small fuel tank. You can put more jerry cans of gas in the back, but it takes up storage for other things too. It may be a little better about negotiating terrain than a 4WD truck, but it lacks heat, AC, 12v power point, enough room to sleep inside the canopy, door locks, etc. It's typically louder, too. Tow capacity is miniscule.

Count me in (ideal world, don't have it all yet) for a 4WD pickup, with crew cab and canopy as primary bugout vehicle. Custom built overhead rack that extends over the cab and allows the canopy to be installed or removed independently of the rack. Custom push-bar grill with winch, and custom rear bumper with receiver hitch. Rear bumper should be big enough to use as a small work space, perhaps even mount a vice and/or crane based on a come-along.

You can get to lots of places on an ATV that you cant in a truck, but you can get lots of places in a truck that you cant on an ATV. The need for a particular type of vehicle or equipment is going to be dictated by your location and what your planning for. I disagree about 12v as both of mine have power points. Noise and tow capacity is going to be dictated by the machine. Both of mine are reasonably quite (no louder then a truck) with stock exhaust. The tow rating on mine is 1500 lbs while not as much as a truck is pretty reasonable. I have lots of storage space, 3000lb winch (not installed yet in pic), and basically run flat tires. These things are amazing, I like my old one '02 but my new '10 is way better.

Thebastidge · May 15, 2011

I stand corrected about the 12v power point. I'll concede that in some circumstances an ATV might be better than a truck, but I honestly can't picture such a scenario. I'll stand by my comments about towing and hauling capacity.

The other factor is cost: I've had incredible sticker shock when I looked at ATVs. Especially the larger Polaris or Gator ATVs. $12k-$15k is not unusual. You can buy a very dependable used truck for that, and get real value for it. I'm talking about a daily work vehicle, with highway capability. No offense, but ATVs still fall into the realm of overly expensive toys, to me. I would go extreme minimalist and get a dual-sport motorcycle long before an ATV.