The term “bug-out vehicle” gets thrown around a lot in emergency preparedness circles, usually referring to a truck or SUV that’s set up as a means of quickly escaping some severe disaster. I’m not a fan of this particular term. To the general public, it evokes unrealistic imagery of a Mad Max-style war rig equipped with a cowcatcher, spikes, and flamethrowers, or perhaps something spattered with zombie blood. To me, it implies a vehicle intended for a very narrow purpose: getting out of town in a hurry on the worst day of your life. But what if I want a truck that’s used primarily for more practical day-to-day needs, like running errands around town, driving to the range on the weekend, taking long road trips, or camping with the family? In that case, the term “overland vehicle” feels more fitting. It implies something rugged yet practical, and suitable for long journeys beyond the beaten path. It’s not flashy, and although it could certainly be used in a bug-out scenario, it’s just a daily driver most of the time.
I recently purchased a 2022 Toyota 4Runner with the intention of adding a few modifications to make it into a more capable overland vehicle. Communications were near the top of my list, since I often venture into parts of Arizona where cell signal is spotty or nonexistent. It’s valuable to have a quick and reliable method of staying in touch with nearby friends and family, whether we're shooting in the desert, off-roading in the mountains, or cross-country caravanning. The new 50-watt Midland MXT575 GMRS mobile radio fits the bill and can easily connect to local repeaters, other mobile radios, and the cheap Baofeng handheld radios I already own.
Before I reach for the radio, my cell phone still serves as my primary means of communication and mapping/navigation (with or without signal,
