I have been solo RV-ing for 4 years with only the rare occasional boondocking, typically somewhere gorgeous that I just wanted to see. I have a friend with property on a river, we go there and boondock for a weekend, but camping in a parking lot somewhere just isn't my cup of tea.
I was initially super concerned about my safety of being alone and being weak from illness.
I prefer state, county, city and national parks. They have surprisingly good security. Gates are locked at night and campers do have a code if they need to come and go. I've had virtually no trouble at all. I like to be off the beaten path, soaking up nature, but I like to plug in too.
The trick is to work and rework your budget so you come up with an average daily camping rate you can afford, then shoot to hit under that as much as possible. In some areas, you will shoot over it, if there is a certain place you want to be and the going rates are higher. Some places have weekly and monthly rates that are discounted, so I take advantage of that too. I am not in a big hurry, I don't need to see the highway every day. I even took up workamping part of the year, so I could save up campground funding for the rest of the year. For me personally, this suits me far better than boondocking. I just don't care to camp in parking lots.
In my sailing days overseas, I didn't have utilities for nearly 2 decades, so now I am plenty happy to be able to park and plug in. I prefer beauty in nature, I don't need or want resort type amenities. I have a dog and we like to get out and walk and see our world up close and personal. Sorry but there is just nothing I want to see in a Walmart parking lot. Matter of fact, I must be the only American that doesn't even like their shopping. I find 90% of what I need at the Dollar General stores which are often out in the country near the far flung parks I am going to. They have good parking, the store is small and the cashiers fast, and the prices better. You can't boondock there, but you can save on shopping.
When making advance reservations, I always say 2 for number in party. On the ReserveAmerica, I typically say 6 because the vast majority of public grounds allow 6 anyhow...
So why do I inflate my numbers? They say safety in numbers! LOL!
I don't know WHO is on the other end when I am making reservations, since 2 is the typical number in an RV, I tell them 2 by telephone or computer reservation. Recently I checked in and they wanted the driver license to copy of the other adult with me, I just said, oh they didn't arrive yet, it's just me for now.
Go to Goodwill or some used shop. Buy huge used men's shoes, biggest you can find, like gnarly work boots and sandals etc. Park those outside your RV door when camping. Assorted big sized shoes outside make it look like you are not alone if anyone is creeping by, but I think you will find the parks 99% safe.
I had always had big dogs, but when I moved to my RV I had no dogs. A few months later I adopted a little 6 pound mutt, he is VERY attentive to our security. It's been hard training him, dogs aren't born trained, you have to work with them in a loving manner until the get the hang of good doggy manners and you still have to keep training so you end up with a pet that is a joy to have. I wanted him not to be a yapper, that took training, but he does instinctively protect the pack. I sleep so well, because if anyone comes on our camping lot after dark, he puts out the alarm. But if campers and cars are driving down the camp road, he is quiet. He has learned!
In one campground some fool kept walking right past my door at night to take a shortcut to the restrooms. This guy was out at all hours! My dog would bark up the alarm. I thought that would teach the man to take the correct path, but no he kept doing that. I virtually never have any complaints at any campgrounds, but I asked the manager/ranger to handle this for me. Next night, all is quiet, but I woke up anyhow, and happened to see the guy taking the correct path this time. My doggy was quiet, because the guy wasn't walking past our door (where he didn't belong anyhow.)
Criminals seem too lazy to go camping... so I've found the campgrounds to be super safe. But I use common sense too. I never leave my rig unlocked. I often do leave the outside light on. I also have cheap white Christmas lights and spring clamps to string across the awning, these too can be left on all night.
I don't tow a car, but I do set up lots of patio stuff to enjoy the outdoors. I've never had any of it stolen. I've even left stuff scattered around to go grocery shopping and come back to everything still there (chairs, table, patio mat, lights etc.). Last Christmas friends gave me a bicycle, I did dash out and buy a lock for that. But mainly so that when I go somewhere, if I want to get off the bike and hike awhile, I can lock it to a tree or something. I do lock the bicycle up at my site, when I am not using it. I cover it with a jumbo table cloth to help protect it.
I am not sure what kind of rig you have, but if it's a motorhome, then it has a horn. If someone is threatening, just lay down on the horn nonstop. It will scare them off, it will wake up anybody else around too. I was workamping early in the season, all alone in a park, when we had a problem late one night, some drunk was doing donuts in the parking lot making a ruckus. Most parks are locked at night, you need a gate code, but this park I was working had a 24 hour boat ramp and no gate. I knew even if I called the rangers, it would take them precious time to get there, so I just pressed down on my horn nonstop it sounded like this huge alarm! The offender immediately left the park and I kept holding the horn down to make him think he had set off a terrible alarm. He lived near the park, but he was too afraid to ever come back again.
If some fool should knock on your door at night, do not open the shades, do not open the door, instead yell in your deepest voice as if you are terribly angry "WHO IS IT?" I had little kids do this late one night, I was about to open my window and give them a face full of pepper spray. It was 1am and their parents should not have allowed these little kids to be out roaming around sneaking around campers banging on doors and running.
I am not going to talk about gun ownership except, the laws vary widely from state to state, but they do make a mace gun with a light, that shoots about 30 feet and is legal everywhere.
See Mace Pepper Spray Gun
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E6X4OW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002E6X4OW&linkCode=as2&tag=recreationalvehicles-20I take the attitude that if you are prepared, then nothing will happen. Take reasonable precautions to ensure your safety. Also be careful about strangers asking too many questions. You can tell white lies when needed.
Once in 4 years time... I was out walking the dog. A man I had not seen before came up to me and first thing he says is "Aren't you scared to be alone? Do you have a gun?" I just thought this was WEIRD and creepy. Who was this guy? How did he know I was alone? So I said "I'm loaded for bear, shoot first, ask questions later..." He suddenly had nothing else to add to the conversation and took off speed walking in a different direction. I still wonder WHAT that was all about.
Most parks have an emergency after hours number, some simply say on the brochure to call 911. It varies. But I feel pretty darn safe.
By day all my shades and curtains are open, because I crave sunshine and daylight. But after dark or before I retire, I make sure every square inch of window is covered with shade or curtain.
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:44 am
