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10 Survival Items to Scavenge from Abandoned Vehicles




Stripping Abandoned or Disabled Vehicles for Survival Gear and Materials
Only on a survival reality show would you expect to find an abandoned vehicle sitting along a wilderness path or crouched in the middle of the desert. However, if you had to bug-out from an urban area because of a crisis you would find a multitude of abandoned vehicles along the way to your safe haven.
In addition, your vehicle may break down leaving you stranded while traveling across a desert region, while in the mountains, or in any remote area, so it can be used to help you survive. Of course, people would be reluctant to start tearing their vehicle apart and logic dictates you stay with the vehicle if you expect to survive, but if your vehicle were on roadway in areas that may have avalanches, for example, then you would have to get away quickly leaving the vehicle behind.
In some cases, the only way to survive is to make your way out on your own, but before setting off you need to consider what your vehicle can offer you in the way of survival material.
A vehicle is shelter primarily if you become stranded but if traveling on foot and you come upon one, and you cannot remain in one place then the vehicle can be salvaged for survival items.
1.) Seat Covers
Seat covers can be used as shelter material, covering for the body, ground insulation or even made into a pack for carrying items. Leather seats can be harvested to make shoes, clothing, leggings/chaps for traveling though thorny, heavy brush or used as a poncho.
The padding in the seats can be used for ground cover or for insulating the inside of your shelter. The springs inside the seats could be used, but they are under pressure and unless you can identify several uses for them, it may be better to leave them alone, because they can cause an injury. The wire cutters on a multi-tool would not likely be sufficient to cut through the springs.
2.) Wiring
Wiring of course can be used as cordage and it has multiple survival uses from snares to shelter building. Stripped copper wiring can also be used with the vehicle’s battery to start a fire.
3.) Headlights
The glass can be used as a cutting tool if the shard is long enough to wrap in duct tape to create a handle. The headlight case and lamp can also be used as a parabolic reflector/lens to create a fire. The lens reflector is well polished so it can be used as a signal mirror as well.
The reflector that houses the bulb can be used to start a fire by placing tinder in the center and placing the reflector in direct sunlight. The reflective sides will direct sunlight to the tinder and it will magnify the sun’s rays enough to create an ember in the tinder. Use the glass from the headlights as you would eyeglasses or a magnifying glass to create a fire.
4.) Junk in the Trunk
Junk in the trunk can be useful stuff, such as a tire iron which would be a valuable tool for digging, prying or for self-defense against animal and human. You may find siphon hoses which can be used to make a field expedient slingshot, used as a tourniquet and can be used to lash items to your pack or to tie items into bundles.
The carpeting can be used for shelter building or ground cover. The scissors jack or other types of jacks could be used for some things, but once again, unless there is a clear purpose for items you should leave them behind, because remember you will have to carry everything.


The plastic lenses over the backlights/brake lights can be removed and used as cups for drinking or eating from or used as containers to gather water and food in.
Battery cables would have a specific use if the battery had any charge in it. The clamps could be used for clamping insulation to shelter walls, or securing items to a pack or for hanging lightweight items off the ground or for securing illumination overhead in your shelter.
5.) Under the Hood
The battery would be useful if it had a charge, because you could start a fire by attaching the battery clamps to their respective posts and tapping the ends together to create a spark away from the battery. Another way to start a fire is by clamping a thin bare piece of copper wiring to one clamp and before attaching the other clamp to the opposite end place the bare wire in some dry tinder. Once you attach the remaining cable to the wire, the current will cause the thin wire to heat up enough to ignite the tinder bundle.
6.) The Hood or Trunk Lid
It is not likely you would have the tools available to remove the hood or trunk lid but it may already be done for you in some cases, and if you could, get them removed they could be makeshift shelters. It would be rather easy to create a lean to using a vehicles’ hood, providing the vehicle itself could not be used for shelter, for example, because the glass is smashed out and/or four legged tenants have moved in.
Leave the insulation attached under the hood to help reflect heat from the sun and to retain heat if building a fire underneath in cold weather. Using them as makeshift sleds/travois however, would be difficult because of the weight and design.
7.) Door Panels
You can us the door panels as sleds however. The panels are light enough to drag over sand, grass, gravel or snow. Some panels are attached only by clips, some will have both screws, and clips holding them in place, and the screws are usually under vanity panels at the handles. This is where having a multi-tool on you comes in very handy.
8.) Tires
Tires today have steel cable running through them making them very difficult to cut up for shoes or for other uses. They can be burned however, to make a signal fire but the smoke is toxic and in most areas, it would be illegal to burn tires, but in a survival situation, you get out alive first. Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6 is the old adage.
9.) Inner Tubes
In older cars, you may find old inner tubes, which can be cut up to make essentially large rubber bands. The bands can be used for lashing items to your pack or body, used for tourniquets and can be used in shelter making. There are literally dozens of uses for rubber bands in a survival situation.
10.) Window Glass in Doors
The top of the glass is not polished and that unpolished portion can be used as a knife sharpener. Duct tape the sharp edges leaving the rough surface exposed to carry as a knife sharpener. Make several sharpeners this way so you have extras. Glass today is layered with plastics and resins so the surface may wear somewhat with use, so having extras means you have a fresh sharpening surface when needed.
Final Thoughts
Of course, there are many more parts and materials in a vehicle that can be used for any number of things, but remember you will have to carry everything on your back. Any item you carry should have more than one use. Otherwise, it is just extra weight.
Survival reality shows have shown the experts collecting gasoline to make fire. While gasoline can be used, it is however, very dangerous to use it for fire making.
Gas tanks can be dangerous if you try to puncture one to gather fuel for fire making. One spark can cause the entire tank to explode even if no fuel is present in the tank. Vapors in the tank can cause it to explode, and the vapors can remain long after the vehicle has been abandoned in some cases. Use caution when working around any vehicle and only take what you need.

10 Survival Items to Scavenge from Abandoned Vehicles - Preparing for shtf

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Your SHTF guide to bugging out in an RV

09/14/2018 // Edsel Cook // 12.6K Views

Tags: bug out, bug out vehicle, chaos, disaster, off grid, Off-the-grid living, preparedness, prepper, prepping, recreational vehicle, RV, SHTF, survival, survivalist



Many preppers will have the time and resources to prepare a retreat or hideout in the proverbial hills. You, on the other hand, might only be able to afford a recreational vehicle (RV). In that case, an article in The Survivalist Blog has tips on how to bug out in a motorhome, trailer, or pop-up camper when SHTF.The right RV for the bug-out job

The first step is picking the right RV for your needs. Each type of recreational vehicle has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Class A motorhomes are the largest ones. They are self-contained vehicles with a generator and full-sized kitchen and bathroom. However, they are difficult to maneuver and easily spotted. If you plan to use one, bug out very early before the roads get blocked.
Class C motorhomes are smaller than Class A units. They have galley kitchens, smaller bathrooms, and a bed. They are considered decent options.
Class B motorhomes are even smaller with proportionally less resources. However, they are also the least noticeable and the most agile motorhome. Take steps to prevent them from breaking down at the worst possible time.
Pull-behind trailers are towed behind another vehicle. They are not good bug-out vehicles because they are separate from their towing vehicle. You cannot get to your supplies if you are on the move; you have to stop.
A pop-up camper is worse because it has to be folded down before it can be towed. You may end up abandoning the camper to looters in order to escape.
Truck campers turn the bed of a pickup truck into living quarters. It blends well with other vehicles, but it may be too small for large groups of people. (Related: SHTF Prepping video library uploaded to Brighteon.com: Learn how to grow food, bug out, disarm attackers and build bulletproof armor.)


Planning routes and modifying your RV for when SHTF

The most important part is mapping your bug-out route ahead of time. Avoid choke points like bridges, which can get clogged up by traffic. Look for alternate routes in case your primary route becomes impassable.
Plan around the capabilities and limitations of your RV. It can carry more resources, but it is less maneuverable than a car or truck.
Equip your RV with the supplies and equipment you will need. Bear in mind the recommended weight limitations so that you avoid overloading the vehicle.
Some helpful modifications include replacing the lights with LED equivalents, installing solar panels or a wind turbine, increasing the insulation, and replacing the standard tires with heavy duty or run flat versions. Stock up on bearing grease, fluids, fuel, and spare parts that keep the RV running.
For yourself and your companions, stockpile sanitation and personal hygiene items, food, water, storage and space items, and power needs. The last includes cooking, cooling, heating, and lighting items.
Make sure to keep your recreational vehicle in good working condition. It must run the moment you have to bug out.
Priorities for bugging out in an RV

You main goal is to keep your RV moving. Do not stop until you are clear of looters and thieves, or until you have reached your bug-out shelter.
Do not forget to perform regular maintenance on your vehicle throughout the trip. RVs are very sturdy and built for long trips. However, any vehicle will break down if you do not take care of it.
Learn how your RV operates. You must know what part is malfunctioning and what you can do to repair or replace it – like getting substitute parts from broken-down cars that you pass by.
You can pick up more tips for surviving a SHTF world at BugOut.news.
Sources include:
TheSurvivalistBlog.net
CampingWorld.com

Your SHTF guide to bugging out in an RV – NaturalNews.com

How To Use Duct Tape For Survival & Emergencies

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How to Make Pointe Shoes Out of Duct Tape

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Sometimes, the S can HTF in some really odd ways. Though they aren’t always a ‘disaster,’ they can cause some frustration, anger, inconvenience, and sometimes injury.
Duct tape uses are almost infinite. And while most of us have read at least one list of what you can do with it, today we’ll look at how to use duct tape for survival and emergencies.

Duct Tape Uses

Miles Straume from Lost said, “I don’t believe in a lot of things, but I do believe in duct tape.”. And I see his point: our family has used it to deal with so many situations that we always have a roll tucked somewhere in the car.

Used extensively by crafters, this handy product is definitely not just for the DIY’ers out there!
The tape can be used to repair just about anything, from mending a broken fishing pole to patching up a tent. And you never know when you might just need it in an emergency situation!
The list below is for practical uses around the house:

• repairs
• making things last longer
• and just general good use for this wonderful invention.
  

Most people know about using this tape to make a splint for an injury. But not many know that duct tape will get rid of warts, too!
Other uses include:

• holding broken windows together
• making some welding gloves
• and, of course, the typical boat repair to keep yourself from sinking (while in the water!)

Whether you use traditional duct tape or go for Gorilla tape, both will serve you well!
Each one has strong adhesive and fibers woven throughout the material to avoid unwanted ripping and fraying and, of course, to give the tape more strength!
Do a quick search, and you’ll see just how many things people use duct tape for—successfully!
How To Use Duct Tape For Survival & Emergencies

Once you take a look at my list here, you'll never be found without a roll of duct tape.
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PHOTO CREDIT: www.backdoorsurvival.com

78 Ways to Use Duct Tape for Survival

I stumbled across this post and I had to share it with you all today. This miracle stuff was created during World War II when the US military needed a flexible, durable, waterproof tape to use making repairs in the field.
That is something I never knew. I have a roll of duct tape wrapped around my metal water bottle for emergencies but after reading this article I think I may have to add a few more rolls to it and other items like my lighter.

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PHOTO CREDIT: www.instructables.com

PVC & Duct Tape Kayak

I have seen some impressive things done with duct tape. THIS has to be one of the most incredible things I have ever seen put together using duct tape.

The idea that we could combine these two items and make a buoyant watercraft is mind boggling!
Traversing water is going to be one of the most efficient ways to travel following a collapse. When gasoline is gone and cars are all rusted out the water will still be running. If you can take advantage of that waterway it will change the ways that you can get around.
This article is the how to create this thing. You will be able to create one on your own if you simply follow the directions. I think this is a very interesting little project.

Do not underestimate a serious waterway and its ability to get you from point A to B during a collapse.

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PHOTO CREDIT: www.instructables.com

The Great Outdoors Duct Tape Contest, Presented by 3M's Scotch Tough Duct Tape

Duct tape is the first aid kit of the gear world! See how it can change your life in so many ways today! I found a collection of over 30 projects that you can make out of duct tape.

Some are just for fun or to keep the kids quiet for a while but lots can be used in emergency situations and maybe even save your life. My favorite one is a duct tape water bottle, genius. I also like the above picture project, make a canoe out of duct tape and wood.

Make the most of this cold weather and create something spectacular, have fun and remember, duct tape is awesome, cheap and can be used in so many different ways. Hey, maybe be a scrooge and make some Christmas gifts with it ?

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PHOTO CREDIT: www.askaprepper.com

How To Preserve Food With Duct Tape And Bentonite Clay

Preppers are a crazy bunch. There is no getting around this fact. We get into some silly stuff on our way down the preparedness river. You know what? Experiments and new techniques are very important to all that we do.
This is a very interesting little experiment that you are going to either love or hate. To some, it might feel like a waste of time and to others, it might be something you can use. The more you know the better off you are going to be. That is just the way it goes in prepping.

In this article, you are going to watch a step by step process of how to bury food in the ground with duct tape and clay to protect it. There are some benefits here. Namely, outfitting a bugout location underground rather than carrying everything on your back.

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PHOTO CREDIT: www.partselect.com

Sticky Stuff: 15 Ways Duct Tape Can Save The Day

We all know the struggle, packing enough gear for your wilderness expedition without making your backpack too heavy.
Pro tip: lighten the load by packing duct tape, as a replacement for other items that offer limited use. Duct tape has undeniably earned its reputation for its ability to fix just about anything. Its sticky interior and waterproof exterior make duct tape one of the handiest tools you can carry!

A growing concern for backcountry hikers are ticks. Using duct tape to seal your socks to the opening of your pants can prevent ticks from making their way to your bare skin. This is just one of the many uses of the miracle tape that includes fixing yourself, repairing your gear, and protecting your belongings.
Not convinced? Check out this ’"sticky stuff" guide by PartSelect blog that details 15 ways duct tape can help out in a pinch, along with how to effectively pack it. It just might convince you to pack a roll on your next outdoor adventure.

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PHOTO CREDIT: www.instructables.com

Duct Tape Dispenser

Is there anything more prepper than a duct tape dispenser? While this is a design that will not fit into the bugout bag, it may be one of the best things for your workshop or your prepping creations and repairs.

There isn’t a checklist or a bugout bag on this planet that doesn’t have some lengths of duct tape in it. You have to be honest about the importance of this stuff. It can adhere almost anything and it can even be made into a number of things outright.
This is a fun little build that will be something you will get a lot of use out of if you are a tinkerer or a prepper. It brings to bear the idea of paracord on a roll as well. Instead of getting ahead of ourselves we should focus on this great little build. No prepper can do it all without a little duct tape.

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PHOTO CREDIT: www.prepperssurvive.com

Duct Tape EDC

What are the most important parts of the prepper’s toolkit? There are many but it’s hard to ignore the multi-use functionality of duct tape.

Some preppers wrap it around their Nalgene bottle. Others put a few wraps around a Bic lighter.
You could also put a tremendous amount of duct tape around the handle of a survival knife. It's all a way of dealing with the need for things like duct tape. A full roll takes a lot of room in a bag and it might even be a bit too much weight to add to your pack.
All that said, it’s important you understand how many survival and EDC uses there are for simple duct tape.

What is EDC?We all have some sort of EDC. Right now it might only be a cellphone, wallet, keys, and laptop. Some people take it a little further. For starters, the CCW crowd takes a holster and a firearm out the door each day.
Women are exceptional when it comes to EDC. They have the things they carry every day and it doesn’t change. Some even have little spots for pistols in their purse.
At the end of the day, the EDC is about having what you need to deal with the day. It might be a little more extreme than that but we wanna be prepared, right?
Duct Tape Fixes Everything When it comes to EDC duct tape is one of those items that really fixes everything. There are few things that turn up broken that cannot be at least temporarily fixed using duct tape. Not to mention that construct completely new items out of only duct tape.
You would be wise to include this in your duct tape. If only just a few wraps. It’s sure better to have it than to need it!

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Conclusion

The uses for duct tape seem to be endless and can be applied, literally, across all types of people, jobs, and cultures.

It would take volumes of space to put all of the ideas and uses for this incredibly versatile product together! When it comes to using it around the house or for preparedness and survival situations, the possibilities are mind-blowing!
Say you are out camping and one of your tent poles snaps. Grab a stick and splint the pole with it and some duct tape!
Speaking of splints, you can use this tape and a good branch to make a splint for someone who is injured over their clothing, too. It may not be pretty, but any help in immobilizing the injured area is a good thing.

What about repairing a rip in a tarp? Need a spear? Duct tape your knife to the end of a sturdy branch. The list is huge and can easily grow to be in the thousands for just preparedness and survival situations alone!



How To Use Duct Tape For Survival & Emergencies - SHTFPreparedness