Hive mind game: mad max survival situation.

How the game works: I give you a scenario, you post how you would get out of it. If anyone calls you on the method and its probability you have to work it out logically (in a second post.) Ultimately I award the "you live" or "you died". Others can sway my judgement.

Scenario: the lights just went out. No power, no internet no cell signal, and people have died. You must make a vehicle using what is available Where you currently live. Gas stations are down, but fuel is there. Hardly anyone survived so no helpers. You are starting from home, by yourself. You can only use vehicles available to you today. No laws apply. It is today's date, so consider the weather where you live. you've received transmission via text message that you must make it to the nearest coast line to be rescued by boat in six days, just after that all cell signal goes dark. Go.

(I have one, but will wait until others get going.)

Nearest coast line as in ocean, or what? Because there is a tiny lake 10 minutes from my house and a larger lake about 20 minutes away. But to make it slightly more difficult, I'll say the ocean, because that's a good 5-6 hour drive. I'd go fire up my ZJ Grand Cherokee, toss in the 2 5 gallon cans of gas in the garage (Although at ~320 miles and 20mpg highway, I likely wouldn't need it) hop in and arrive there in time with a fairly leisurely pace, even taking into account the weather here in CNY.

Easy, I get in my car in drive to the coast. I live near the coast, so I need less than a tank of gas to get there. I have about 20 gallons of gas(car holds 14 gal, and range of 400ish) for the various stuff I own in various containers, so even if the car was on empty, I'm ok. I pack a few sandwiches. Anyone need a ride?

I would grab guns, grab ammo and drive the Lexus. If its bad enough, just plate the windows shut and make a rear "sunroof" touret.

Since we are only 60 miles from the coast, I can even do that on half a tank :P

Even Las Vegas is less than 5 hours from the Port of Los Angeles. I can do that on 1 tank in my Acura. I'm sure I-15 will be a mess, though - but I wouldn't give a rat's butt about destroying the car by off-roading it on the shoulder.

Fire up the motorhome and drain every gas tank in the driveway to fill it. It has been off the road for a few years, still runs but has no brakes. Perfect! 50 gallon tank gives me the best range. Invite every neighbor that owns a gun for protection.

I'd take the Jeep (ZJ). It's sitting close at hand right now and has enough cruising range to make it from upstate NY to coastal CT where I can join up with some family members (if they're still alive) before heading the last few miles to the coast with only a single fuel stop needed, assuming highways are usable (and if I go slow enough and can get it filled before departure, I might be able to skip the fuel stop). It also has a good bit of cargo capacity, especially if I don't need to carry back seat passengers, plus the option of pulling a trailer if I find one and have a reason to bring more stuff along (at the expense of shorter range before needing to refuel).

Worst case, if usable roads are limited (due to abandoned cars blocking them or whatever), it'll handle sub-optimal terrain well enough, it's pretty durable, and I know its abilities very well. Plus, I've spent enough blood, sweat and tears on it that if something breaks, I can very likely fix it and still arrive within the time window.

If all goes well, I'd be able to pack a subset of my stuff, get some food together, collect any other supplies I can that might be useful (such as a way to draw gas up from the tanks at a station) and still arrive in well under 24 hours (assuming highways are usable, travel time would be approx 7 hours, including stopping once to refuel and an inevitable bathroom break or 2). That leaves me 5 extra days to account for any problems, detours, etc. that come up along the way.

Trackmouse wrote: How the game works: I give you a scenario, you post how you would get out of it. If anyone calls you on the method and its probability you have to work it out logically (in a second post.) Ultimately I award the "you live" or "you died". Others can sway my judgement. Scenario: the lights just went out. No power, no internet no cell signal, and people have died. You must make a vehicle using what is available Where you currently live. Gas stations are down, but fuel is there. Hardly anyone survived so no helpers. You are starting from home, by yourself. You can only use vehicles available to you today. No laws apply. It is today's date, so consider the weather where you live. you've received transmission via text message that you must make it to the nearest coast line to be rescued by boat in six days, just after that all cell signal goes dark. Go. (I have one, but will wait until others get going.)

Im an hour and a half from port canaveral, and the tank in the corolla is full. I grab some E36 M3 and roll out.

Dang. Forgot you guys live coastal. So let's say the destination for rendezvous is six days worth of travel across America and into Canada or Mexico. Your choice.

Trackmouse wrote: Dang. Forgot you guys live coastal. So let's say the destination for rendezvous is six days worth of travel across America and into Canada or Mexico. Your choice.

Other than needing to either carry fuel with me or find more places to obtain fuel, I don't think this would change my plan much. I'd probably just end up bringing more stuff with me and I'd have less time to resolve any problems that come up (and I'd definitely be bringing every random spare Jeep part I have on hand or can find quickly and have space for).

Since i work at Cummins here in Colubmus, IN i would probably get into work, get the keys for a 2016 Dodge test truck, use the fork lift to load one of those 275 gallon containers of diesel into the bed for fill ups and drive where ever I want since my range with the container would be north of 4000 miles.

Its a long way to the ocean for me.(Detroit area) I can't fly a plane, so stealing one from the airport won't help me. I lets assume roads are difficult, but not impossible. Pack cold weather gear (it's winter), some tools, and whatever food I have into the car and head for the railhead thats about 15 miles away. Ransack offices for maps and keys. Steal a diesel truck with running gear and use the tracks to get to the coast. Can get more fuel from locomotives along the way. Should be able to get off tracks to get around any stalled trains.

Trackmouse wrote: Dang. Forgot you guys live coastal. So let's say the destination for rendezvous is six days worth of travel across America and into Canada or Mexico. Your choice.

Sorry, I didn't get the message, the internet and phone systems are out. I'm still headed to the east coast. You promised me a boat damn it.

Hmm. Hop in the F250 then head to the nearest tractor supply store. Raid the stock for and hand crank fuel transfer pump, about 10feet of hose, and an in-bed fuel storage tank. That way I could stop at any station with diesel and pump it up to the truck even if power was down, and could carry enough to go a LONG way. Next break in the windows of the Academy sports down the street and haul out a couple cases of 12ga ammo. Maybe some starter logs and and 0 rated sleeping bags and a decent larger tent if I didn't already have them. Some of those green propane cylinders for my camp stove and a tote full of dehydrated backpack meals. Then get on the highway, crank the tunes, and set the cruise control to ramming speed.

For myself, neither of my current vehicles would make it, so steal an old jeep. A Carb'd one. A four cylinder or straight six. Lifted a bit, but running narrower street tires. Winch, lights, etc. but then line the roof with solar panels. Bring batteries and electric heaters. A spare starter and alternator and oil. A rifle and handgun with three boxes of ammo for each and a big flare gun. Finally, a kayak to potentially get to whatever boat is trying to extract me. I would Loot convenience stores until I get to Mexico (ain't risking Canadian winters) when I get near SoCal, load up on more convenience store junk foods before heading into Mexico (never know what's going down there) Keep in mind this is supposed to be a "dream build" so you can use your current car, OR you can find one better. Also keep in mind, the things you would do to the vehicle take time, and you are by yourself. So welding those guns to the Lexus turret would take some of your time up (hilarious idea nonetheless.)

edizzle89 wrote: Since i work at Cummins here in Colubmus, IN i would probably get into work, get the keys for a 2016 Dodge test truck, use the fork lift to load one of those 275 gallon containers of diesel into the bed for fill ups and drive where ever I want since my range with the container would be north of 4000 miles.

"You Live"!

Why are people dead? Am I still in danger (i.e. zombie apocalypse) or is the threat past (i.e. asteroid or something)?

ultraclyde wrote: Hmm. Hop in the F250 then head to the nearest tractor supply store. Raid the stock for and hand crank fuel transfer pump, about 10feet of hose, and an in-bed fuel storage tank. That way I could stop at any station with diesel and pump it up to the truck even if power was down, and could carry enough to go a LONG way. Next break in the windows of the Academy sports down the street and haul out a couple cases of 12ga ammo. Maybe some starter logs and and 0 rated sleeping bags and a decent larger tent if I didn't already have them. Some of those green propane cylinders for my camp stove and a tote full of dehydrated backpack meals. Then get on the highway, crank the tunes, and set the cruise control to ramming speed.

"You live"!

gearheadmb wrote: Why are people dead? Am I still in danger (i.e. zombie apocalypse) or is the threat past (i.e. asteroid or something)?

Threat has passed, let's say asteroid. So there is a big ass crater in your most direct route. And air quality sucks.

Trackmouse wrote:

gearheadmb wrote: Why are people dead? Am I still in danger (i.e. zombie apocalypse) or is the threat past (i.e. asteroid or something)?

Threat has passed, let's say asteroid. So there is a big ass crater in your most direct route. And air quality sucks.

Pfft. Just drive the Lexus to the coast. I would make sure the we grabbed the movies though. In case we beat the boat and needed to have entertainment on the center console.

Take my daily beater. Drive to nearest airport. Hijack Apache helicopter. Proceed 12.6 miles before violently crashing into the earth due to complete lack of knowledge related to piloting an aircraft.

Ok I'm thinking two important factors then, fuel efficiency, and somewhat capable off road, because some are probably gonna be blocked. My brain immediately goes to a old Toyota pickup with a 22re. But I can't lock up the stuff in the back, or haul many survivors if I find any, so I think I'm gonna say diesel 4x4 suburban or excursion. Scavenge a couple cans of fuel, grab a gun and some ammo, couple sammiches and blankets and im ready to roll. Then your mother and I will get to work on repopulating the earth.

I'm taking a fire engine. Empty and dry the water tank to fill with diesel and be on my way. Human nature is to assume a fire engine is headed somewhere to help so you shouldn't be hassled much, and if you are you have a heavy truck that can push obstacles out of the way.

Hmm OK ill play.

Jump in my 4x4 RV, has heat fridge beds etc, can do some decently crappy terrain, has a 50 gallon gas tank, that's 400 ish miles, has solar and generator. Grab all gas cans out of my garage, 4-5 full 5 gallons, grab roll of vinyl tubing from garage and super siphon. Hook up the boat, also with a full 30 gallon tank (can be dropped, gas siphoned or used for when we reach the ocean). Load fridge wiht beer, and head to water up north in Canada, because im only 10 ish miles from the ocean....

Grab the guns. Steal a Cessna. Plan route accordingly to stop at nessesary airports. Should be less then 5 stops depending on the winds on a southerly route. Reach the east coast from Chicago in 2 days or less. Not a fantasy, I'm a licenced pilot.