In all the time you have traveled with an RV, how many times have you felt that your life was in imminent danger due to criminals or other bad guys?
We hear often about how dangerous our world has become, but how bad is it? Some people preach “danger, danger, danger,” while others say that by using common sense, there is little danger at all for those of us who travel with an RV, at least from harm caused by other people.
What do you think? Please feel free to leave a comment.
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One time. We were camping at a lake in our trailer in the late fall. We had heard on the local radio that someone was running around on the other side of the lake shooting off a gun and taking pot shots at passing cars. We heard the next morning that he made it to our side of the lake during the night and was picked up by the police less then 100 yards away from us in the bath house at the campgrounds that we were at. He had told the police that he broke into a few campers in the seasonal sites.
With all the crime in campground news reports, this is a great question. It’s also the reason why occupants of our RV are trained on how to use a handgun.
Everyone should be trained and carry a hand gun
Joe, I’m not saying you are wrong, but anyone who carries a gun needs to be prepared to actually kill someone. That is easier said than done. Knowing HOW to use a gun and actually being mentally prepared to kill someone, are two very different things.
Do not ask me where I got these numbers, 99.999% of the time all you need to do is pull your weapon and never have to pull the trigger.
Never. I try to stay at least 1000 miles from Washington DC.
and Chicago.
We stopped at an urban campground in southern Florida a couple years ago. As we were getting out of the truck to complete our registration, people started yelling at us to get back into the truck. We quickly did and then heard a gun shot. A man went running by with a police car in close pursuit, sirens blazing. We turned around and found a new campground for the night.
But, I’m always ready!
None so far but, am always alert for danger as I well know, danger can come at a moments notice regardless of the location.
One time in North Dakota we stopped at a Walmart for the night as there were no campgrounds anywhere near us. We were the only ones staying over night. About 2am a car load of people pulled up to our door and jumped out, I’m sure with something other than good intentions. Our Chow Lab mix exploded with vicious growling and barking. The people couldn’t get back into their car fast enough. Off they went into the night. We had to put Buddy down a few years ago. Cancer and old age.
Once in a rest stop in CA a van with 8 people jumped out and started throwing beer cans at our RV. I told them I had a gun to take off I stuck my badge out the window they just laughed until I showed my shotgun. It only took 30 seconds for them to clear out. ( Chuck sorry Guns)
Charles — I had same experience, stepped out side with my shotgun and they took off. Be prepared.. The 2nd amendment gives us this right, no apologies needed. Lee………
Wow, white or black choices–doesn’t seem to really fit for me. I have never felt I was imminent danger as I am prepared fo the worse. There have been a few occasions that I have had the hair on the back of my neck stand up as something did not feel right and led me to “up my preparedness state.” If it was significant enough I would pull up stakes and move if an option. Bottom line, be aware of your surroundings and practice situational awareness.
This question was once asked to C.Eastwood,he responded by saying,”I sleep safe and sound with my two good friends,Smith and Wesson.”
Some campgrounds i have stayed in were so tough that even my guard dog was scared,oh brother…
No, but that is not to say it will never happen. I am ready and will not roll over and be dead.
Several years ago we were camping in a ND State Park at the end of the season. There were only two motorhomes including ours. Our Dalmatian, normally quiet, began deep throat growling about 2:00 a.m.. (Very unusual for her!). Then bright flashlites going thru the nearby woods. The next morning I inquired at the ranger station. They advised someone had called them and had overheard a conversation (probably in a bar!), that someone was going to rob the Rv’s in the park. No one was found!
Never for me. But then again only people who have had an occurrence will bother to write ” their” story. Just wait and see!
I would be interested in knowing how many people have felt threatened when boondocking.
I’m very sensitive to issues of personal and physical security. I try to be “situationally aware” wherever I might be, at any time, and yes, I always am armed when I travel (unless I am somewhere where such is illegal). With that in mind, in my few years of RV travel, I have never had reason to fear being the victim of criminal action. I’ve been the victim of boorish and rude people, but that’s about it.
At a CG we stopped at for a quicks night’s rest, there were 5 20- 30 year olds hanging out by the office. I used my remote to lock the MH as I went in to register. One of them said, That wouldn’t stop us if we wanted to get in your RV. I should have left immediately but we were very tired and there wasn’t a another CG nearby. I will be more careful the next time I choose a CG. This was a place that lost it’s KOA franchise because it didn’t meet their standards. Many rundown trailers
One night while Boondocking about 12 Harley type Bikes ? pulled up, everyone dressed in leather, and I thought ‘oh boy’. We stayed because they kept their distance and never even looked our way. At 10pm they turned off all music and we never heard a peep after that. That’s the only anxious moment we ever had.
It sounds like you were prejudging them because they rode motorcycles. Every biker we’ve ever met are not looking for trouble and “good guys”.
My wife and I have motorcycle camped in 40 different countries in 42 years. All of N. America, all of Europe, including Morocco, and Australia. Mostly in real campgrounds of various qualities with some boondocking. The motorcycle tent trailer did not have indoor plumbing and my wife does not do well with a bucket. 🙂 Now we are one year into RV camping with more boondocking. (We now have indoor plumbing.) We have never felt endangered or in an incident that would require violence to escape.
Though we never felt we were in immediate danger, we left an RV park that we thought looked sketchy in Colorado Springs. Later, we found out it was a drug dealer hangout. Trust your instincts!
I’ll bet it was the same one we stayed in once. Extremely crowded and a dark alley like entrance to their dog area.
Only once in 50 years. In 2008 we stopped for a few days in New Orleans. Pulled into the only campground we could find {after Katrina}. Strange thing about it, about 2/3 of the trailers looked the same. Fema trailers we found out later. Off we went to the French Quarter for dinner. Came back and 2 men were standing by our RV waiting for us. One was an out of state Police officer the other was a construction worker.They told us the park had drug dealers, we were not to open our door to anyone.
Never, but I don’t boondock either.
Am well equipped to deter bad persons (gals as well as guys nowadays sometimes fall into the “bad” category).
I have never felt my life was in danger because of “bad guys” while RV’ing. I have felt like I was about to meet my maker once, when I got caught in a freak blizzard with no apparent cover anywhere near. And I have almost become a “bad guy” myself because of 2 self-absorbed park neighbors, who actually had me planning for their demise. Thankfully the mgr of the park finally took care of the situation and evicted them.
On our RV trip to Alaska we parked in an overflow space on evening near Liard Hot Springs. By the time we woke up the next morning it was so crowded we had a motorcycler’s tent tied off to our front bumper. Strange but no threat at all. He was already up and had coffee made and offered us a cup of fresh campfire coffee. We had to sit around until the lot had cleared out so we could get back on the road. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was so nice and considerate the overflow pullout was neatly cleared out within an hour and everyone on their way without issue or problem. We have found that if you meet a stranger with a smile, they aren’t stranger’s for long.
We have spent a couple of uncomfortable nights surrounded by loud, intoxicated (and, in one case, spectacularly bigoted) “fellow” campers, but *imminent* danger? No.
Maybe once. We were spending one night at a S CA fairgrounds during the drought. We didn’t know there was a rally going on before we checked in. ( we were not with the ralley). Later that evening a group was enjoying a small fire a few sites from us when several guys who I believe had a few too many joined the group. He proceeds to throw a plastic bottle filled with gasoline on the fire. The flames were about 10 feet high. I thought the tree were going to catch. I managed to convince the group that the fire was not a good idea and it was extinguished.
A long time ago we were dry camping out on Lake Mead when I heard three guys talking way to loud about checking out who was inside the RV. I slipped out with my police canine and went around behind the RV. When they got to close, I told “Toby” to “watch”. This command is pre attack so “Toby’ Comes unglued and builds to a vicious ” Let me Have Them” crescendo. Those on the other side quickly realized the danger they were in and took of running and tripping in the desert as they fled to their vehicle. I did hear one yell that the dog was coming and to hurry. (Toby was not coming, but that was the fear he gave them). When it was over I let the wife and kids out and we all had a good laugh.
I love it. But then again I had a german shepherd come after me unprovoked so in a way I know where they are coming from and going. I love the story. Thanks for sharing.
Pulled into a Walmart parking lot to pick up at a restaurant, not to stay there. 2 men decided they wanted my money. One showed his baseball bat, I showed him my .357. They left. This was during daylight. I never want to kill a human again, but will not hesitate.
Traveling through Wyoming in the 1970s: stopped at a gas station off I 80 after dark….my husband went in to pay and noticed two sketchy guys in station. Our hyperactive toddler was stretching his legs by running around aisles, husband trying to keep his body between child and sketchy men. Proprietor informed him that he would park the fiver between the semis in his lot under the light. No uncertain terms….husband hadn’t asked to stay….just YOU WILL STAY HERE TONIGHT. So we did. No problems. Always wondered what the proprietor saved us from and who those guys were.
I was kidnapped by aliens last year and never thought I would survive. I woke up with a bad hangover and don’t know how I made it back over the border. Dam cheap Mexican beer!
Love it.
I do carry a gun (okay 2 guns), and know how to use the weapon if necessary.
my air brakes quit. I was pulled off the road. No cell service. Went to a small grocery store to use their phone. the checkout person said no she put the phone under the counter. Saw a state patrolman helping a motorist change a tire. I told him what happened where my motor home was parked, what happened at the grocery store. He said you are on an Indian reservation. I will call for a service person but there has been an accident up the road. Go back to your RV lock it up keep the lights off, don’t open your door for anyone unless it’s the repairman. Look around places that people are living in have no electricity many are on drugs. I imagine you have a way to protect yourself I am not asking just be ready, we have no jurisdiction here. If someone bangs on your door don’t open up you should be ok. kids came parked/partied breaking their bottles on the ground all night. It was a night I will not forget.
I’m always armed in SOME fashion, and avoid traveling to or making extended stops in states that don’t allow it. I don’t EXPECT to be attacked, but in this day and age you can’t be too careful. Too many crazies out there, or people who think they’re entitled to take what you have just because they don’t have it – or because they think they can.
Once. And I learned a few things that I haven’t seen shared here, especially if you don’t “carry”. Of course, if you can move on, do. If you can’t move on, consider the following: 1) If you’re somewhere with hookups, don’t. If you must have electric, don’t screw the plug into the RV. That way, if you have to leave fast, you can do so with no or less damage to both your RV and the electric pedestal. 2) Sleep in your clothes. Consider sleeping in the driver’s seat, but also consider whether it is wise to be seen there. 3) Leave the keys in the ignition, just pulled out enough that they don’t beep all night. 4) If you have cell service, call the local police if known, or 911 if not known, and let them know where you are. Local police will almost always be happy to do courtesy “drive bys” during the night to help discourage any incident. This is advice given to me by local police in a town near the place where I found myself alone in a very dangerous situation.