Today I’ve got something really exciting to share…
A Complete Guide On Buying, Planning & Building A Survival Trailer
Because survival trailers come in all shapes and sizes.
They also come in a wide range of prices.
From the budget-friendly DIY options to the “top of the line” budget destroyers (and everything in between).
TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE… ↓(click to jump)
- Best Survival Campers $ Can Buy
- Best DIY Survival Trailer Builds
- Customizing Your Survival Camper
- Packing Your Survival Trailer
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The Patriot Campers
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line rig, look no further than the Patriot Campers.
In 2020 The Patriot Camper won Australia’s Camper Trailer of the Year Award.
And has won this award several times throughout the years!
This well-designed drag behind is made to go anywhere your bug-out vehicle can.
This is important because you never want your trailer to hold you back; that would be a shame.
The following video does a much better job of sharing this beast’s functions and features:
↓ Live In Luxury – Patriot Campers
It gives you an idea of how incredible this rig would be as your survival camper.
As you just watched, this rig is designed with all the extras you could ever want.
But all those extras come at a price and a hefty one.
↓ Patriot Campers
XOC – Extreme Overland Camper
Here’s a compact little trailer that can go damn near anywhere.
The Extreme Overland Camper was built for survival and bugging out in mind.
This rig is tough as hell, with excellent ground clearance.
Take a look at this small but mighty beast yourself:
↓ XOC – The Ultimate Bugout Trailer
Xventure Off-Road Trailer
What if you want a trailer and don’t care about a tent going with it?
What if you wanted to focus on maximum durability and storage space instead?
If this sounds like you, then check out the XVENTURE Offroad Trailer.
This setup provides maximum durability at a reasonable price point.
↓ X-Venture SV-3 Severe Duty Overland Trailer
But what if you don’t want to fork out tens of thousands for a bug-out trailer?
Or what if you would like to build your own trailer and customize it to suit your needs perfectly?
That is exactly what we’ll cover next.
Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?
Enter your email below to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary. 👇 👇Different Types of DIY Survival Trailers
Anything with survival equipment and tows behind a vehicle can be considered a survival trailer.
If you’re mechanically inclined and have the means to do so, there’s no reason you can’t build your own.
However, if you’re not mechanically inclined, this isn’t a build you’ll want to cut your teeth on.
Otherwise, you may end up with an ugly, unreliable Frankentrailer!
The most straightforward DIY build replicates the campers covered in the previous section.
The Camper Trailer
With DIY, it’s always best to do some research first.
So I want to share a few sites and videos to help with your research.
This first video is about a guy who spent 6 months building his survival trailer.
Spending a couple of hours working on it each day.
↓ DIY Homemade Off-Road Camper Trailer
As you may have noticed in the video, this guy has an entire site dedicated to showing you, step by step, how to build a badass bug out rig yourself.
The site is worth checking out.
It has all the necessary information, including schematics and Q/A, in the comment sections. The site is an absolute DIY gem.
Here’s another well-documented DIY Trailer build that’s worth watching:
↓ DIY Off Road Camper // Full Build Video
Compact Horse Trailers
A horse trailer conversion setup is more on the budget side.
But still a solid option for anyone looking for a quick getaway.
They are not originally intended for human occupancy.
As the name implies, these trailers carry horses, so don’t expect a luxury RV.
With that said, it’s impressive what this guy was able to do with his old horse trailer.
↓ Horse Trailer Conversion
This setup took time and skills, but it shows what’s possible.
Moving Trailers
Like a horse trailer, a moving trailer takes some work to make it feel like home.
Here’s a prime example of turning a simple cargo trailer into a legit bug-out trailer.
↓ Cargo Trailer Camper 5X8
The off-grid capabilities, gear storage, and bed make this setup so sweet.
Now the downside is this trailer won’t survive the harshest off-road environments.
But if you have a bug out location in mind that doesn’t include rock crawling, you may get away with this simple, budget-friendly rig.
Customizing Your Survival Trailer/Vehicle
The best part about owning your own survival camper is you can do whatever you want.
You can paint it whatever color you like and fill it with what you feel is necessary.
But before you go adding flame decals and installing external speaker systems, let’s talk about your custom options:
Color
This is the first thing anyone buying a trailer for survival should consider.
Most trailers come in cream, white, or metallic colors that don’t blend into the natural environment.
I’m not suggesting you paint it in camouflage colors and patterns as soon as you get it.
But consider a coat of something dark or earth-toned.
Forest green, black, gray, brown – anything but bright colors and patterns that stick out.
Another great option is to get some good camouflage netting.
This stuff helps your rig blend in with the surroundings in most forest settings.
Interior Design
Do not be afraid to put shelves where you want, and add bunks or cots, storage boxes, or even windows in your trailer.
However, don’t go so far that you compromise the structural integrity of your trailer; otherwise, have at it.
Make sure it’s the perfect storage/shelter facility for you.
If you have equipment that requires custom storage, plan it out and build it.
If things get bad, this trailer may become your permanent home.
Exterior Design
Color, as mentioned above, is a top priority.
But you can also add materials to the outside of your trailer to make it more durable and adaptable.
For instance, homemade frames can support a tent on top of the trailer, hold hammocks, or string up tarps for a makeshift survival shelter.
Or you can attach metal diamond plating to the exterior walls to increase durability (although the added weight will undoubtedly decrease gas mileage).
Mechanical Improvements
With research, skill, and creativity, beefing up the axle, and adding off-road tires, shocks, and even a lift kit is possible.
These additions are highly desirable when escaping a city and taking refuge in the deep wilderness.
Packing Your Survival Camper
One of the most important things about the trailer is what’s inside it.
Hopefully, you have time to plan and pack your trailer at home before a disaster strikes.
The longer you mull over what you will fill your survival trailer with, the better prepared you will be. Guaranteed.
This list is not comprehensive, but it is a good start with the supplies and equipment needed during a real bug-out.
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Always start with the supplies that you can’t survive without.
Ensure you are prepared before moving on to more superfluous items.
Water & Water Filtration System
Human beings can go a relatively long time without calories.
Water is easily the most important item on a survival packing list, above food.
Ensure you have an adequate supply of fresh water and a LifeSafer JerryCan Water System for collecting and purifying the water you find in nature.
Here’s a list of the best survival water filters to keep your water safe.
Food
FoodEveryone loves food.
But unfortunately, you will not be able to keep a fresh stock of organic veggies and farm-fresh eggs in your trailer.
The rations you want to pack in your trailer will almost all come in a can, bag, or tube form.
Non-perishable foods are your best friend when it comes to surviving a disaster.
They’re packed with protein and vitamins and kept for very, very long periods of time.
So stock up on a large variety of freeze-dried foods that don’t easily spoil, and you will thank yourself later on.
Here’s a detailed review of our highly recommended survival food supplier, Valley Food Storage.
Guns, Ammo & Weapons
It is safe to say that any serious survivalist will want guns and ammunition when ‘it hits the fan.’
And it will be way too late to stop by the local gun store on your way out of town.
Think ahead, plan, and grab extra ammo every week to add to your stockpile.
Keep at least a survival handgun and, ideally, a survival rifle inside the trailer at all times.
If you can lock them up with a gun safe, do it.
Anyone who can get their hands on your firearms will try.
Disaster situations do strange things to people; they make them desperate and savage.
Protect your weapons at all costs, or they may be used against you.
And the same goes for swords, axes, maces, flails, bayonets, chainsaws, clubs, crossbows, blowguns, and throwing stars.
You don’t need a full armory in your trailer, but I highly recommend adding a few key self-defense weapons.
Medical Kit
This is a vital piece of gear that everyone should own. You can build your own or buy a pre-made one.
Here is an awesome article on building/buying tactical medical kits.
Doctors are rarely present in emergency situations, and you will likely need medical supplies and medical attention at some point.
Owning a thorough medical kit is like having good insurance – you don’t need it until you freaking need it.
And it will likely save your life in such a case.
Extra Fuel
It is never certain what circumstances you might have to pack up and flee with your trailer.
It is safe to assume that stopping at the gas station for a quick top-off won’t always be an option.
There might be huge lines, or the stations may be completely out.
So keep some fuel stored in fuel-safe containers in your trailer so you can pull off and fill up anywhere should you need to.
Extra fuel is one of the best things to keep stored with any survival vehicle or cache.
Spare Tire
A spare tire is a must when driving your vehicle over rough terrain and carrying all of your valuable survival equipment and supplies.
You don’t want to be left for dead in the middle of nowhere just because of a mundane flat tire.
Always keep at least one and, ideally, two or three spare tires with you.
“Nice” Items to Have
Here are some “nice to have” supplies.
They can grant you peace of mind to be prepared on all fronts, and should the need arise; you may owe your life to one or more of these items.
Tools
You will not need these every day, but it seems likely that at some point or another, tools will be a very useful item to have on the go.
For mechanical reasons or otherwise, hand tools always come in handy.
Binoculars
Whether you are hunting or launching an offensive attack on an enemy, binoculars are an excellent survival asset.
Fishing | Hunting Supplies
On top of ammo and guns for hunting, keep a bit of fishing line, bait, lures, flies, and extra poles stored in the survival trailer.
Non-perishable food is great.
But when you are miles from civilization and have not eaten something fresh in a few weeks, catching and grilling a fat freshwater trout can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.
Cookware, Plates | Bowls & Silverware
Not a necessity by any means, but very nice to have.
Eating straight out of cans and bags will get old after a while.
And collapsible bowls and sporks are affordable and take up very little space.
Portable Stove
Portable stoves are affordable and come in all shapes and sizes.
You can get an old-fashion white gas stove, a jet boil, or a propane stove.
No matter what kind of fuel it burns or what shape and size it is, the ability to cook food and boil water with the twist of a switch is a fantastic amenity when you are in the wild and away from home.
Extra Clothes
Needless to say, fresh clothes won’t be in high supply should you have to ditch town and take refuge off-grid in your survival trailer.
So bring spare undies, socks, t-shirts, and pants. You’ll thank yourself, I promise.
Entertainment
Survival isn’t about keeping your physical body healthy and out of harm’s way.
It also involves keeping your mind healthy and unbroken.
A life without entertainment can drive one crazy (“All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy…”).
Store a few of the best survival books, a deck of survival playing cards, and a board game with your survival gear.
Entertainment can be as valuable as food and water in a world gone mad with chaos.
Vices
Hear me out; vices are very useful in any survival packing list.
Cigarettes, coffee, cannabis, beer, liquor, whatever!
Not just for personal use (although that is a bonus), but because in a world that has potentially lost its economy to violence and destruction.
Cash and coin may be about as useful as dirt.
Trust me; vices will be rare and highly sought after.
I promise such supplies are cheaper now than they will be after IT hits the fan, so stock up while supplies last.
Even if you don’t partake in these habits, I recommend buying some and keeping them in your survival camper.
They may become more useful than you can imagine.
↓ 10 Prepper Supplies EVERYONE Is Overlooking
Extra Cash
Maybe the economy crashes, maybe it doesn’t.
Be prepared for either circumstance and keep both non-monetary items for trade stockpiled and a little extra cash.
Just ensure it is well hidden and/or locked up in the trailer.
Seeds & Gardening Tools
Remember when I said you would get sick of non-perishable food fast?
Well, here’s your solution.
If your bug out trailer becomes your main residence, you may have the opportunity to settle down in one place long enough to put down roots.
Literally.
Planting a garden can yield a surprising amount of extra food; it costs extra elbow grease.
We recommend adding an excellent survival seed vault.
Bikes & Boats
They can be bug out bikes or even motorcycles.
They can be canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, or rafts.
No matter what type of boat or bike, you can attach it to your trailer or store it inside; having multiple modes of transportation is extremely useful.
Bikes are agile, small, and quick; boats allow you to access places that might otherwise be unreachable.
The ability to leave the trailer hidden somewhere and go out on your own in a smaller, less visible, more efficient manner is highly appealing and would undoubtedly prove useful.
Locks & Chain
Locking and securing your belongings is essential.
People will try to steal your equipment, given a chance.
So invest in tough locks and chains to keep your trailer closed uptight and your equipment secure.
You can never do too much when it comes to theft prevention.
Maps & Atlases
It is a good idea to store a library of maps and atlases to guide you on any journey in your trailer.
Store maps of your local area and places you travel to often.
But also keep maps of the rest of the US, roadmaps, and topos to help you navigate unfamiliar roads.
Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?
Enter your email below to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary. 👇 👇The Final Word
If it’s within your power to do so, I encourage every survivalist to buy and stock up on one of their own.
Building a survival trailer is no small project; as mentioned earlier, it isn’t necessarily cheap either.
But they’re not only a mobile shelter you can drive and park anywhere but also double as a mobile survival cache.
Survival campers are like a gigantic Bug Out Bag you can live in!
They streamline any survival plan and offer space to bring family and friends in the event of a true bug-out scenario.
When you and everyone are preparing to flee in a disaster, you want to be the first out of harm’s way because you own a trailer full of gear, supplies, and equipment.
With no last-minute packing, a trailer allows you to escape quickly and clearly.
If you’re looking for your next survival project/investment, make it a survival camper.
It will put you miles ahead of the game…
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