What did you do today for your bug out vehicle?

[superduder]

As of April 8th, I did a few things,
1: Learned that if your scout vehicle is capable of being picked up to cross a creek...
It can also be picked up and carried to a white full size pickup truck with Sonora plates.

2: your steering lock on a motorcycle doesn't matter, Neither does 3/8in hardened steel chain...
If they want it bad enough, and it's outdoors, they'll get it.

3: Insurance companies (geico in particular) HATE to pay out on anything,
Comp/Collision is 100% worth the money, if you can get it get a "Full Replacement Value" policy.
Prepare to be called a thief to your face.

(Cue Taps...)
Why they would choose to go after a tiny China-Bike worth less than $1500 new is beyond me,
Even though Whitey did consistently punch WAY above his weight class, They wouldn't have known that.
I just wish I had had the opportunity to take a "Real" road trip with him.
R.I.P. my Boon Companion/Road Dog...

...(cue Electric Worry...)

I collected the digital payment ($900) for the Loss of "Whitey" this week.
Putting the money into Redford (my Ford Courier)
Either finding a slide in camper that fits, or building my own.

[flybynight]

As of April 8th, I did a few things,
1: Learned that if your scout vehicle is capable of being picked up to cross a creek...
It can also be picked up and carried to a white full size pickup truck with Sonora plates.

2: your steering lock on a motorcycle doesn't matter, Neither does 3/8in hardened steel chain...
If they want it bad enough, and it's outdoors, they'll get it.

3: Insurance companies (geico in particular) HATE to pay out on anything,
Comp/Collision is 100% worth the money, if you can get it get a "Full Replacement Value" policy.
Prepare to be called a thief to your face.

(Cue Taps...)
Why they would chose to go after a tiny China-Bike worth less than $1500 new is beyond me,
Even though Whitey did consistently punch WAY above his weight class, They wouldn't have known that.
I just wish I had had the opportunity to take a "Real" road trip with him.
R.I.P. my Boon Companion/Road Dog...

...(cue Electric Worry...)

I collected the digital payment ($900) for the Loss of "Whitey" this week.
Putting the money into Redford (my Ford Courier)
Either finding a slide in camper that fits, or building my own.

Crap that sucks What will you do now? If I remember right ,the scout bike was the major feature to your  bug out plans 

[majorhavoc]

My condolences on your loss.  That seriously sucks. 

I hope to continue riding well into old age.  I may have to downsize in retirement however.  If I ever adopt the van life, I've  had my eyes on the Honda Trail 125 Super Cub.  The ruggedized version of the best selling motorized vehicle of all time.  Light enough to be caried on a trailer hitch, 100+ mpg, legendary reliability.  If EV tech for motorbikes continues to improve, I might consider an all-electric version.  But I'd need better speed and range than what is available right now.

[superduder]

As of April 8th, I did a few things,
1: Learned that if your scout vehicle is capable of being picked up to cross a creek...
It can also be picked up and carried to a white full size pickup truck with Sonora plates.

2: your steering lock on a motorcycle doesn't matter, Neither does 3/8in hardened steel chain...
If they want it bad enough, and it's outdoors, they'll get it.

3: Insurance companies (geico in particular) HATE to pay out on anything,
Comp/Collision is 100% worth the money, if you can get it get a "Full Replacement Value" policy.
Prepare to be called a thief to your face.

(Cue Taps...)
Why they would chose to go after a tiny China-Bike worth less than $1500 new is beyond me,
Even though Whitey did consistently punch WAY above his weight class, They wouldn't have known that.
I just wish I had had the opportunity to take a "Real" road trip with him.
R.I.P. my Boon Companion/Road Dog...

...(cue Electric Worry...)

I collected the digital payment ($900) for the Loss of "Whitey" this week.
Putting the money into Redford (my Ford Courier)
Either finding a slide in camper that fits, or building my own.

Crap that sucks What will you do now? If I remember right ,the scout bike was the major feature to your  bug out plans

The scout bike was a major feature due to the 80+mpg, and sheer mountain goat-ness of having something
that could be ridden at speed through a standard doorway.
I will be OTL for something similar, probably a ct90/110 (postie bike build...maybe!?)
But until I move somewhere that I can properly secure my belongings I won't be getting something that small/light again.
But first I'll be working on my camper project for the Courier, still gathering materials for that.
Thanks for the condolences, J

[NT2C]

As of April 8th, I did a few things,
1: Learned that if your scout vehicle is capable of being picked up to cross a creek...
It can also be picked up and carried to a white full size pickup truck with Sonora plates.

2: your steering lock on a motorcycle doesn't matter, Neither does 3/8in hardened steel chain...
If they want it bad enough, and it's outdoors, they'll get it.

3: Insurance companies (geico in particular) HATE to pay out on anything,
Comp/Collision is 100% worth the money, if you can get it get a "Full Replacement Value" policy.
Prepare to be called a thief to your face.

(Cue Taps...)
Why they would chose to go after a tiny China-Bike worth less than $1500 new is beyond me,
Even though Whitey did consistently punch WAY above his weight class, They wouldn't have known that.
I just wish I had had the opportunity to take a "Real" road trip with him.
R.I.P. my Boon Companion/Road Dog...

...(cue Electric Worry...)

I collected the digital payment ($900) for the Loss of "Whitey" this week.
Putting the money into Redford (my Ford Courier)
Either finding a slide in camper that fits, or building my own.

Crap that sucks What will you do now? If I remember right ,the scout bike was the major feature to your  bug out plans

The scout bike was a major feature due to the 80+mpg, and sheer mountain goat-ness of having something
that could be ridden at speed through a standard doorway.
I will be OTL for something similar, probably a ct90/110 (postie bike build...maybe!?)
But until I move somewhere that I can properly secure my belongings I won't be getting something that small/light again.
But first I'll be working on my camper project for the Courier, still gathering materials for that.
Thanks for the condolences, J

Sucks that there are folks who think it's okay to do this.

May I suggest that you set a trap for the thief?  Buy a cheap bicycle at a yard/garage sale, put it under a motorcycle cover (a good off-road brand).  Use the cut chain to make it look like it's chained (don't expose the wheels/tires, just the chain) and stick up a Ring (or similar) camera where it will have a good view of whatever vehicle is brought to steal the "new" bike, and its driver.

Oh, and a fake but very realistic-looking rubber rattlesnake attached to the hem of the cover with a length of just about invisible at night black or grey thread.   

[MacWa77ace]

Even on bikes that can't be lifted by one person, two or three people can do it.

When I wrecked my FZR1000 which weighed about 520lbs with a full tank at that time [I lowered the weight by about 40 lbs by changing the exhaust to a Supertrapp Superlight later], me and my two neighbors lifted it onto the bed of a pickup.

Also the steering column lock on most bikes is easily busted by using your legs.

Lastly, most bikes ignition can be defeated by hammering a flathead screwdriver in the keyhole and using channel locks or vice grips to just force turn the ignition.

Those last two were learned from the pro's when I worked for the Regional Juvenile Detention Center and then thru real world experience when it happened to my FZR1000. The only reason why they didn't get to steal it on the first attempt was because it had sat for a while and they couldn't get it to start. So I got it running for them, got an alternate storage location lined up and was going to take it there the next day, but they got it that night. 

So lock it indoors where prying eyes can't covet what you've got, and get the best lock you can get. There are tilt alarms that you can get for bikes also. Sort of like a car alarm, but those are pretty ineffective, in my case I might have heard them trying to steal mine.

[superduder]

Even on bikes that can't be lifted by one person, two or three people can do it.

When I wrecked my FZR1000 which weighed about 520lbs with a full tank at that time [I lowered the weight by about 40 lbs by changing the exhaust to a Supertrapp Superlight later], me and my two neighbors lifted it onto the bed of a pickup.

Also the steering column lock on most bikes is easily busted by using your legs.

Lastly, most bikes ignition can be defeated by hammering a flathead screwdriver in the keyhole and using channel locks or vice grips to just force turn the ignition.

Those last two were learned from the pro's when I worked for the Regional Juvenile Detention Center and then thru real world experience when it happened to my FZR1000. The only reason why they didn't get to steal it on the first attempt was because it had sat for a while and they couldn't get it to start. So I got it running for them, got an alternate storage location lined up and was going to take it there the next day, but they got it that night. 

So lock it indoors where prying eyes can't covet what you've got, and get the best lock you can get. There are tilt alarms that you can get for bikes also. Sort of like a car alarm, but those are pretty ineffective, in my case I might have heard them trying to steal mine.

I was only able to keep it for 2yrs because at my old apartment I was able to park it inside.
The new place expressly forbids it, as well as forbidding any "security doors for your porch area"
which is also how my sons bicycle got lifted, from our porch, ON ring camera,
we reported the guy to management and the police and were told
"We can't actually DO Anything unless WE Personally catch him in the act of the theft."
Thanks Tucson...
Anyway, Can't possibly move out of here soon enough.

Side note: A friend of mine when I lived in GA had a 1980 FLH full dress picked up from his driveway while he was at work.
WAY easier to find it though being as Cartersville had a population of 16K.
Worst part...?
Whitey was most likely stolen and dumpstered within an hour out of spite/pettiness
for me parking in my assigned covered parking, and forcing the guy and his girlfriend to have to park somewhere else.

[NT2C]

Bought a few goodies to have onboard both for my upcoming trip and for general equipment use:

• A 5 pack of 1.3 gallon water bags
• Tire deflators for trail or sand/snow use.
• A new tire repair kit
• 2023 copy of the USA Highway Exit Guide (great for when you want to know what is at nearby exits)
• Guide to Moab, UT Backroads and 4-Wheel-Drive Trails, 4 Edition
• Guide to Arizona Backroads and 4-Wheel-Drive Trails
• Pair of emergency replacement tire valves

This is in addition to gear and supplies already carried in the Jeep, like radios, blankets, food, water, maps, etc.

[NT2C]

Added a pair of traction boards to my Jeep equipment.

[Uomo Senza Nome]

I took a a trip this extended weekend that involves some off roading with my ATV. Normally I take the trailer and pulling the 1500lb trailer with 800lbs of ATV and gear drops my mileage from 17-19 to 12-13mpg. It is also kind of inconvenient to haul a trailer.

My full size truck bed however is rated for 2500lbs so I grabbed my ramp and drove it right into the bed and strapped it down. The gate won't close but that really doesn't matter. I averaged 15-16mpg which is 12-25% improvement in mileage and range. The ramp folds up and fits nicely right next to it. It handles funny with the high center of gravity of the load but haven't had any issues with it.

[NT2C]

Oil change and tire rotation last night.

[MacWa77ace]

That stuff counts? oh

I ordered a metal fitting for my POS BMW who's engineers seem to think its a great idea to make a plastic car that is just shit.

Thuh BMW is THUH third backup vehicle or vehicle of last resort. I probably won't get more than 100 miles before something else breaks if I bug out in it. Wife inherited it last year, and now she's realizing that she should probably sell [this POS] it. I told her when she got it, and she'd heard me say for years before I wouldn't ever buy a BMW. I might have even said that I wouldn't accept one if someone gave it to me.

crappy plastic connector

Aluminum fitting is only $13 part. OEM Plastic part costs $15.

I'm out about $1200 and 6 hours labor for this free car including tag/title and it would have been bout $3000 if I'd have gone to a repair shop.

Timing chain housing and tensioners are also plastic, is that next?



Probably should have put this under the rant thread.

[tirls]

Recharged my e-bike battery and checked the tyre pressure. About 12 cents?

[Rednex]

Ok so my truck has issues, like all the steel lines( fuel, brake , and the worst !@#$%^&*&* evap) are rusted and breaking. Here we have to do a  yearly/bi yearly inspection which includes brake, safety ,emissions, rust. I started back in May I think the 6th,( silly me though I was good till next year) inspection for registration renewal was due the 4th,  so I ran it to a shop for the check engine light to smoke it for evap leak. I don't have time to fool with it guessing what's wrong. They told me about a week later they want 4 grand to just replace everything, because they think its coming some place around the fuel tank. Nope wrong answer.

Went to a different shop, same day said my fuel pump had a rust hole the size of a quarter on top, 1,000 bucks total. Ok got truck back , drove to work a few days, then on Wednesday( they stay open till 7pm i got in truck to go. Check engine light on again. Ran through and failed safety (3rd brake light went out) and emissions. Got a 30 day tempo tag to hold me over.  The week after took it back to shop, a line busted so they repaired it for 50 bucks. Cool , but I got it back the day before I left for vacation. After vacation I drove it to work and once again on Wednesday went to inspection lanes, engine light comes on  . Failed again but there is a clause stating  if ya spend so much money on repairs and its at a certified shop , ya get a free pass for 2 years. Work was closed today so went to the shop to have them fill out the waiver, they checked truck and smoked it again , said no leaks but lights on for leak. Cleared codes signs paperwork, but the official stamp that has to be used is at there other shop 30 miles away. Well i know after clearing codes ya need to run it for 60 miles or more and or a day later for the odb to reset. So i ran 30 miles to get the stamp, then 35 miles back to inspection lanes. Recheck lane hooked up and said wont read yet still need more miles/time.

Started at 9:30 am finally got home 2:30 ish pm. Still don't have the truck fully tagged. Wish I didn't sell the 3rd vehicle.
 

[Uomo Senza Nome]

Timing chain housing and tensioners are also plastic, is that next?

I just looked one up. Not only are they plastic, they re $87, for a piece of shitty plastic. Hell, you could make one at home with a 3d Printer for like $2.

[MacWa77ace]

Timing chain housing and tensioners are also plastic, is that next?

I just looked one up. Not only are they plastic, they re $87, for a piece of shitty plastic. Hell, you could make one at home with a 3d Printer for like $2.

It's the labor to replace it that sucks worse

[EBuff75]

Stopped in at Discount Tire today and ordered some General Grabber A/Tx tires for the new Suburban (they have to be shipped in from California, so I won't be able to have them installed for another week or so).  Total cost: $1332  Last time when I got these same tires (3.5 years ago for the red Suburban) it was just over $700 after a $100 discount from the manufacturer.  I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around that change in cost! 

[Brekar]

I feel ya. Last year I bought 4 new tires for my wife's Escalade and it was close to $1,500 for Coopers Discoverer AT3's. Great tires but was about $300-$400 more than I remember from the last time I bought tires.

[EBuff75]

Stopped in at Discount Tire today and ordered some General Grabber A/Tx tires for the new Suburban (they have to be shipped in from California, so I won't be able to have them installed for another week or so).  Total cost: $1332  Last time when I got these same tires (3.5 years ago for the red Suburban) it was just over $700 after a $100 discount from the manufacturer.  I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around that change in cost! 

And the new tires are installed.  Huge improvement in ride quality over the worn out old tires that were on it!

[Uomo Senza Nome]

Stopped in at Discount Tire today and ordered some General Grabber A/Tx tires for the new Suburban (they have to be shipped in from California, so I won't be able to have them installed for another week or so).  Total cost: $1332  Last time when I got these same tires (3.5 years ago for the red Suburban) it was just over $700 after a $100 discount from the manufacturer.  I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around that change in cost! 

I tried to get those last month and they couldn't even order them in a reasonable amount of time. Great tire, very sticky on the pavement.