Since we are still researching what it is we want to get for full time rving in the future, we were talking with an RV saleslady. As part of the discussion of Fifth Wheel or Motorhome, she brought up a point that I hadn't given any thought to.
She mentioned that if one hears a disturbance outside one's RV, if one is in a motorhome (and not hooked up to utilities), all one has to do is start up the MH and drive away. If one were sleeping in a fifth wheel, one would have to exit the fiver to get to the tow vehicle to drive away. Thus, one would be exposed to those creating the disturbance.
In reading on the forum about security, I found some interesting links about security. One poster spoke of keeping only a small amount in one's wallet. In the event that a perpetrator of a crime wants one's wallet, they will also get one's driver's license. That is also something to consider.
What do some of you do to protect important things like driver's licenses, insurance and medical cards and the like?
For the benefit of others piqued by the topic of security, below are two of the links on H&L's forums regarding that topic:
Security has not been an issue for us. We don't boondock, if there are plans for that then I think using common sense would be a good thing. I have never felt threatened at any RV park we have stayed at. I do agree that people will steal anything, especially if you make it easy for them.
I found some good ideas in the threads that I may start to use myself, ie. the fake wallet. I had already been thinking about it, wondering why I carry my wallet that's full of stuff I wouldn't want to lose. I wasn't worried about getting mugged, but losing it while hiking in the desert.
Interesting that your saleslady brought it up as a sales point...not sure how I would have handled that if I had been talking to her...
Speedhitch said
07:43 PM Jan 11, 2009
I guess you would have to leave your toad hooked up or just drive off and leave it for Whoever??? Best thing to do is set tight and not go anywhere. Motorhomes are no safety device against people who intend to do you are others harm. I think you will find that RV campgrounds are some of the safest places to stay there are. If you plan on staying out on BLM then you need to buddy up with someone or take Smith and Wesson along with you.
Have a good life
Joe and Sherri
mcw50 said
11:46 PM Jan 11, 2009
We have spent many, many nights in rest areas and Wal-Mart lots over the last 10 years......after looking around the area and talking to store managers not just for permission but asking about the neighborhood. If they sound leary about the neighborhood - we move on. If we don't like the looks of the area or campground when we stop - we move on. We always lock our doors - even in a nice and friendly RV park. We have never had a problem, and would never carry a gun. We do have a class A rig and always park in those rest areas and Wal-Mart lots so that we can make an easy exit, should the need arise, without having to go outside. Just be observant and think smart.
Happy trails! Mary
blijil said
06:20 AM Jan 12, 2009
We boondock a lot but not in total isolation. We like to have cell phone coverage so we are sure that 911 works and if few people are camping in the area we make it a point to meet someone camping in the area or better yet the ranger in the area. We keep cash, checkbooks, etc in a lock box and we lock the rig when we leave even for a few short minutes. If don't travel at night and we don't spend nights in a rest stop unless it is an emergency. We don't leave our stuff spread around to tempt the wayward but we aren't paranoid. In four years of camping on lakes, forests, deserts, mountains, parking lots, and yes even an RV park we have yet to feel threatened. Situation awareness is your best prevention.
Love our fifth wheel. Larry and Jacki
Jack Mayer said
11:00 AM Jan 12, 2009
I often read this point as a compelling reason to choose a MH over a trailer. IMO it is nonsense. As others have mentioned, if your toad is unhooked then you are leaving it behind.
We have been fulltime for almost 9 years. We boondock and we overnight in various places while moving point-to-point, including WalMart and truck stops sometimes. Never ONCE have we felt uncomfortable. But we don't stop overnight in inner city ghettos....nor do other RVers that we know of. You simply do not have many security issues if you use your head.
You need to choose a rig based on your EVERYDAY USE. NOT some exceptional once in a lifetime event. Or even occasional events that are not prime use. JMO.
Luvglass said
11:16 AM Jan 12, 2009
I agree with Jack, this is one of the safest, most comfortable lifestyles I can imagine. We've been in over 200 campgrounds so far and have NEVER been uncomfortable, not once.
I think some people would feel fearful even if they were locked in Fort Knox, so everyone has to do what makes them comfortable.
Terry and Jo said
09:16 PM Jan 13, 2009
While I am not new to camping, being that I am 62 years old and have been camping since I was a small child, I still believe in a need for certain security thoughts. Perhaps that is because I work for a law enforcement agency in Oklahoma and get to see and hear multiple reports of "chance" crimes. Meaning that one just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Just last night a man was stopped by someone impersonating a policeman by having flashing lights on their car. The victim was robbed and beaten. This on I-44 at the edge of Oklahoma City. Hardly what I would call a "boondock" situation.
As for leaving a "situation" and leaving a toad behind, which is more important...one's health and life or the toad? I'd leave a toad in a heartbeat to keep my family safe from harm.
As for boondocking, that is where Jo and I have done most of our camping since 1976. We've been lucky to have a camp host in the last few years at the campground that we have frequented. Prior to that, we were on our own. One year we even exited the campground early and rented a cabin nearer to town. Not due to security issues so much as it was we were the ONLY campers in the campground after two days. There were very serious bear problems that year and we were camping in a tent.
I'd sooner tackle a bear anyday than some human predators. There is also the thought of what is one's spouse happy with in regards to actions to take when threatened. My wife can shoot pretty darn well, but she would prefer to leave than confront, if at all possible.
I don't doubt that campers and camping is generally a safe, secure lifestyle, but sometimes one has to travel through "unfriendly" areas and a cell phone is no protection at all. By the time the police get to a caller, that caller may have already been harmed and the perpetrators gone.
As for the comment by the saleslady being a part of her "sales" dialogue, I've also spent a number of years as a salesman, and I can recognize when something is touted as a "feature or benefit" rather than just one thing to consider.
Thanks to all for your responses. There is much for all to consider and I only brought up the topic with the hope that anyone reading the forum would consider security if they are considering the RV lifestyle. That is why I added the two links in the my first entry.
Terry
Jack Mayer said
06:41 AM Jan 15, 2009
I'm not suggesting that security should be ignored in the RV lifestyle. You should always be aware of your surroundings and the people and events around you. But, statistically, the RV lifestyle is safer than the everyday sticks and bricks.
I would take normal precautions in the RV lifestyle, just as in a "normal" lifestyle. But I would not modify my rig selection based on a "what if" that has such a low probability of occuring. There are very good reasons to choose one type of rig over another. I would not put security anywhere near the top in my selection criteria. But that is just me....
Judy said
08:11 AM Jan 15, 2009
In reply to the security question I dont think it has been much of an influence when people buy they're rig. As Jack said just be aware of your surroundings around you even while if it may be eating at a McDonalds, leaving a store with your shoppiing cart and going to your car. A MH over a Fiver is no more secure. That was a "sales pitch" to me. southwestjudy
She mentioned that if one hears a disturbance outside one's RV, if one is in a motorhome (and not hooked up to utilities), all one has to do is start up the MH and drive away. If one were sleeping in a fifth wheel, one would have to exit the fiver to get to the tow vehicle to drive away. Thus, one would be exposed to those creating the disturbance.
In reading on the forum about security, I found some interesting links about security. One poster spoke of keeping only a small amount in one's wallet. In the event that a perpetrator of a crime wants one's wallet, they will also get one's driver's license. That is also something to consider.
What do some of you do to protect important things like driver's licenses, insurance and medical cards and the like?
For the benefit of others piqued by the topic of security, below are two of the links on H&L's forums regarding that topic:
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=91511&p=3&topicID=10506862
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=91511&p=3&topicID=8120316
Happy trails!
Mary
Love our fifth wheel.
Larry and Jacki
Just last night a man was stopped by someone impersonating a policeman by having flashing lights on their car. The victim was robbed and beaten. This on I-44 at the edge of Oklahoma City. Hardly what I would call a "boondock" situation.
As for leaving a "situation" and leaving a toad behind, which is more important...one's health and life or the toad? I'd leave a toad in a heartbeat to keep my family safe from harm.
As for boondocking, that is where Jo and I have done most of our camping since 1976. We've been lucky to have a camp host in the last few years at the campground that we have frequented. Prior to that, we were on our own. One year we even exited the campground early and rented a cabin nearer to town. Not due to security issues so much as it was we were the ONLY campers in the campground after two days. There were very serious bear problems that year and we were camping in a tent.
I'd sooner tackle a bear anyday than some human predators. There is also the thought of what is one's spouse happy with in regards to actions to take when threatened. My wife can shoot pretty darn well, but she would prefer to leave than confront, if at all possible.
I don't doubt that campers and camping is generally a safe, secure lifestyle, but sometimes one has to travel through "unfriendly" areas and a cell phone is no protection at all. By the time the police get to a caller, that caller may have already been harmed and the perpetrators gone.
As for the comment by the saleslady being a part of her "sales" dialogue, I've also spent a number of years as a salesman, and I can recognize when something is touted as a "feature or benefit" rather than just one thing to consider.
Thanks to all for your responses. There is much for all to consider and I only brought up the topic with the hope that anyone reading the forum would consider security if they are considering the RV lifestyle. That is why I added the two links in the my first entry.
Terry
southwestjudy