I was sitting here and wondering tonight...If SHTF right now, which of our two vehicles we would throw our stuff in and head out with?

Option 1 : 2005 Silverado, 5.3 V8, 4X4

Option 2: 2002 Explorer, 4.0 V6, 4X4

I can think of pros and cons for both. Better range with the explorer, but better off-road capabilities with the silverado. I could probably throw more shit in the silverado, but it wouldn't be covered like it would be in the explorer. The silverado is a bit newer than the explorer, so I'd have to take "likelihood of breakdown" into account.

It would just be me and my better half, so no kids to worry about.

What do you all think?

I think I'll add a poll just to make this more interesting.

Edit:

As far as where we are going, I would just say "away". I think "where" depends on what all the situation included. We live a little too close to a big city for my comfort, so I would say at least far enough to get a good distance away from there.

As stated above, no rugrats, just me and Mrs. Flathead9.

Yeah, I know there isn't too much of a difference. the silverado does have quite a but more ground clearance and does a lot better off road. I've had both of the vehicles in some shitty conditions, and the truck was definitely better. My only concern there is the trade-off of range.

IBTP
The truck .Simple





More details , single , married , kids ??? Single I would say Tank , Married the Truck , Married with kids Take the truck leave the wife and kids with the exploder ...  that was a joke . If you have a bunch of kids take the exploder .

It all depends on where you are going, and how do you expect to get there.  FWIW there is not all that much difference between an Exploder and a half ton truck.

Ops

I voted esplorer. However if the truck has a shell on it, then the truck.

Ok since you have put in the veritables I would say the truck no contest .





Range can be very quickly fixed with a few jerry cans , The truck will do better offroad , has more and versatile storage . Should be a little bit heavier frame and running gear . Being a chevy truck should be just as easy to find parts for and mods if want or need be.



oh jerry can security can be remedied by a piece of metal through the handles locked or bolted with a odd bolt combo , IE round torx head ...  

Put 10 or 20 gallons of gas (or more) in the bed of the truck to make up for the range difference.



 

I'm gonna go with pie since you don't specify what sort of SHTF, who, if anybody, you're bringing along, where you think you're going, or, really, anything useful beyond the list of vehicles.

I miss the Z71 we had...

I'm rather surprised that you can see a difference in range between the Silverado and the Explorer.  Frequently the auto makers adjust the fuel tank size of vehicles so that there is 500 to 600 miles of highway range.  I anticipate that one vehicle is yours and the other is your wife's.  Do you and your wife have significantly different driving patterns that could be creating the difference?

Which is the more reliable of the two?  How far do you plan to go?  How many people in your family?  You can get a bunch of stuff on the roof of an explorer too.

If your route is through a lot of cities I'd say the Explorer.  Much better security for the snatch and grab type theft. (Driving through a mixed crowd of vehicles and foot-refugees would make it a guaranteed loss of someone grabs something.)  Plus, you can sleep in the Explorer.

If you're simply going away, then I'm voting pie. Because you, like me, don't have a set up BOV and going away is a bad bad solution to a horrible problem.

I agree

I voted 1st gen 4runner.... but thats cause I have one...

I listed just me and the mrs.......twice. I also listed information in regards to the "scenario" . Thanks though!

Reading is fundamental!

Thanks to everybody that responded with useful comments!

obviously get a tank as soon as possible
but if SHTF tomorrow, I'd go with the truck. more versatility in WHERE you can drive is worth its weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. you can control your range with extra gas cans, you cannot always control what terrain you have to cross to reach safety.

Why not take both?  You can always leave on behind if it gets damaged or something.



Some of this depends on what all you want to take with you.



Part of why I plan to load up a trailer with stuff and tow it with my jeep is because I can't drive 2 vehicles at once very well.

Silverado. If your worried about fuel economy, get some extra fuel cans and your good to go.

Look for a V8 explorer, the mpg differnce is minimal

simple answer. silverado with a cap.

just pick up an old cap for your bed size. put it out back and when u need it, put it on your truck and dont worry what it looks like. it will give you shelter for your contents and maybee let you live back there too.

I voted pie because the question you should be asking is which one will get you where you plan on going in a SHTF.  And you didn't mention that.



We (gf and I don't have kids either) have 2 one ton 4x4 duallies that can haul 5-6 people and either will go between 325-400 miles with a 4 horse trailer loaded, and when the diesel runs out,  the horses become the BOVs. They are accustomed to deep woods and steep terrain where 4x4s can't go and they can pack a lot of stuff.



That's our plan anyway.

Just you and the Mrs.  Noted and my bad.  

Away?  That's not info  Away from Chicago isn't the same as away from Springfield or Cairo.  A good distance in what direction?  Towards what?  Your statement appears to indicate that you don't have a specific destination.  In that case, add as much gas as the biggest cargo capacity vehicle will add to several pies.

What sort of SHTF are you expecting/planning for?  Another Great Chicago Fire? Tornado? Blizzard? Tanker borne nuke?  Are you in the burbs where traffic is the main issue or in the outskirts where you might have to bounce along in the woods?  Is it going to be muddy or dry?  Or slippery with three feet of snow?



Gonna stick with Pie and add a banana boat in case you're close to the lake.

Y'know what?  I'd recommend picking up a used Baja racer.  They're all about long distances over terrible terrain without outside support.  Failing that, pack up your shit as compactly as possible and keep both vehicle tanks full, then when the shit is actually on the fan, take whatever seems appropriate at that time for that situation.

I voted Silverado because the bed gives you more room and more options.  You can really stack the stuff up if build an enclosure with the stake pockets, or you could cover it up with a shell if you are worried about exposure to the elements.

Both

Truck –– if you want everything covered get a camper shell for the bed.

If you have a Cap... then truck.   If you don't have a cap... then I don't see why on earth this would even be a discussion.  Rain ?  Theft ?  All your stuff just sitting in the bed of a truck... open and exposed to the elements, and greedy hands when you're off in the woods taking a leak... no thanks.

I'd have to go wtih the better off-roadability of the truck. And bed caps don't cost a lot.

Ideally, take both.

Truck with locking stock racks. Then you get extra capacity, and you can tarp the stock racks to make more comfortable living conditions if in camp.