How Safe do you feel RV-ing?

[Princess]

I was curious whether anyone has ever run into any problems while RV-ing in the way of other campers? As I mentioned before, my travel is a police officer, so I feel pretty secure, but was wondering if there is much problems with theft or break-ins in the RV community? She says that they get a LOT of theft in RV storage facilities. They are always getting calls from people breaking into RV's parked at RV storage lots. Of course, these criminals aren't RV-ers..they are street thugs. Has anyone had any sort of problems or felt threatened while staying in parks? Ever had things stolen from your autos or trailer? Break-ins? We just had a few rapes in a nearby state park...but it wasn't in the RV park, it was on the hiking trails.

Oh and I have learned that RVs seem to use the same locks and keys. Has anyone replaced their lock-system with those combination locks?

[Acadianmom]

I had someone try to break into my motorhome at the Galeria Mall in Birmingham, AL at noon on a Sunday. We just happened to walk out and scared them off. This was probably 15 years ago. I don't remember loosing anything in a campground but I have heard of bicycles and ice chests left out being stolen.

Being in South Louisiana there is a lot of partying going on in campgrounds on the weekends. A number of families and friends camp together and spend the weekend cooking and drinking. My main complaint has been the ones that turn their kids loose and don't watch what they are up to. I have been in campgrounds where I was afraid to walk on the road for the kids on golf carts and bicycles. Most campgrounds try to control things but not all. One of the things I have had happen a few times is a kid will run through and jump on my step and run off.

I think I would be nervous if I was in a campground almost alone but that hasn't happened yet. I never have tried to spend the night at Walmart. Years ago when we hauled horses we would stop for a few hours at a truck stop. I couldn't sleep for the noise and smells.

Martha

[Bethers]

If I feel uncomfortable I leave. In 8+ years fulltime I've only done that once.

One cg I workamped at had things come up missing occasionally at tent sites. Unfortunately we could almost always figure out who took the things. Fortunately that meant getting them back and ejecting the offenders.

Follow your gut. I love boondocking and don't mind staying places alone or nearly alone, but you always have to be aware.

Only break in I've experienced was in a supposedly very secure condo building in a great neighborhood.

[JudyJB]

I have almost never felt unsafe. No one has ever bothered me or peeked in my windows or stolen anything from around my RV. Frankly, my biggest fear is locking myself out!

I did freak out one very dark night in November when I think I was the only camper in Mammoth Cave national park. It was really, really dark and there was no camp host or ranger or anyone, so I did get nervous, but in reality, there was really no one around waiting in the shadows to accost me and steal my stuff. Since then I have been in several campgrounds that were maybe only 5% filled and have been fine with it.

I lock my doors at night, and use a Velcro strap to tie my door shut, but I don't think I really have to. Most campers look out for others. And most campers have tons of stuff sitting around their campsites that never gets stolen. A lot of parks even have regular ranger/police patrols at night.

I did stay in a state park once in Virginia Beach and a police officer knocked on my door to remind me not to leave stuff unattended outside because they were in an urban area. That surprised me and was the first time I had gotten a safety warning in a year of full-timing alone.

I do worry a bit at shopping centers and grocery stores and make sure I have all my storage compartments locked then. (I don't always lock them in campgrounds.)

[SoCalGalcas]

I was a fulltimer for 16 years. Camped in camp grounds, private and st and federal parks, Wal-Mart, rest stops, boon-docked in out of the way places. I was alone until the last five years when I got Casey. I never had any problems. Of course, after I got Casey, No one came near as she barked.
I believe camping is a very safe way to travel. I've gone to seminars for women and I've never heard of any horrible stories. It is best to just leave if one does not "feel" safe.
Be aware of strangers roaming around the rest stops. Use the bathroom in the camper or trailer. Not the rest stop restrooms. Never fall for a "sob" story in a rest stop. Keep the doors locked.
Many years ago some ice chests were stolen during the night in a campground. I've never had anything stolen. I pushed the ladder and chairs under the rig when I went to bed.
OverAll it is a very safe way to travel. lyn

[Liz]

Only twice had things missing. First 3 leveling blocks were missing when I came back from sightseeing. Found them a few sites away next to the road....guessing kids picked them up and parents left them out for me to find, not knowing which site they came from.

Second, Carolinagal's. neighbor's dog stole my step stool from outside my rig, lol. Neighbor returned it after Carol called them.

So no, have really found other campers are friendly and most have the same interests I do.

[mitch5252]

...neighbor's dog stole my step stool from outside my rig, lol. Neighbor returned it after Carol called them.

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Just how big was the dog?
..

[Liz]

...neighbor's dog stole my step stool from outside my rig, lol. Neighbor returned it after Carol called them.

..
Just how big was the dog?
..

Lab with a big mouth.

[retiredhappy]

Never felt unsafe and I boondock at reststops while traveling. Same advise as for non-RVers --- listen to your "gut" and leave if you feel uncomfortable. Need to be more careful if you're camping in an urban area than out of the way parks.

[Acadianmom]

We had a half lab/half gray hound dog that could go a long way and bring things back. His favorite haunt was the neighbors across the pasture. It was kind of embarrassing the week I had to return 3 dolls, 2 door mats and a pair of waders.

When I stop for gas I make sure the passenger door and side door are locked so no one can get in when I'm pumping gas. I try to get gas when I'm down to half so I can pick a gas station I like and not be desperate. I have had people asking for money at rest areas and gas stations near the interstates. If I'm alone I won't even get out at a rest area.

Martha

[linann]

I camp with my sister and have had no problems. We usually stay in state or private parks in areas that at least feel safe. We often meet up with friends, which makes camping safer.

I would not be comfortable at Walmart, but that is because we have a travel trailer. I have camped alone a few times in the travel trailer and in a camper van. I like having a campground host or manager nearby, if needed.

[judi]

I camp with my dog and no other humans. I feel pretty safe but you have to listen to your gut feelings and leave if you're not comfortable. Last fall on my way down to Tahoe from Portland I stayed at a small Oregon state park along the 5 fwy. There was a group of very drunk men who were having a heated conversation about turning one in the group in for dealing meth. After hooking up I listened for about 10 minutes, unhooked and left. That is the only time I have left a campground because I felt it wasn't the safest place to stay. Generally, I feel very safe. There are a few tricks for women camping alone but I must confess that I haven't done any of them yet - put an old man's hat on the dash board. Get an old pair of men's hiking boots and put them outside by the door. Never put out only one chair - put out two chairs and put some sort of men's jacket or something on one chair. All great ideas but somehow it pisses me off that I should need an "aura of male I'm not a fearful person. I like men very much, but I don't need one to feel safe. My husband would have been the first one under the bed anyway if someone threatened us. Just be smart but enjoy the outdoors and camping!

[judi]

Typos - too much wine tonight! I meant that I don't need the "aura of a man" to feel safe. And the "old man's hat" should be the an old hat of a man, and not an hat of an old man. Did I just make it worse???

[VickieP]

Typos - too much wine tonight! I meant that I don't need the "aura of a man" to feel safe. And the "old man's hat" should be the an old hat of a man, and not an hat of an old man. Did I just make it worse???

Give up while you're ahead!

[judi]

Give up the wine or posting...maybe it's time for sleep.