Many RVers cite safety concerns as to why they don’t camp in the boondocks.
Statistically speaking, you are much more likely to be a victim in your house than in your RV. A RV is much less appealing to a thief than a permanent residence, it is less likely to have the same amount of removable appliances, jewelry or fixtures that can easily be converted to cash. Setting up camp down a dirt road on public land makes you no more of a target for a bandit than anyone who lives in a home or cabin on a remote country road.
Now if the above information does not alleviate your safety concerns about boondocking let’s look at some methods to make it even safer:
– Place a sticker on your RV to indicate a guard dog or alarm system is contained in your rig.
– When boondocking alone, put two chairs, an extra pair of large men’s shoes, or a large dog dish outside your door. I quite often leave our dog’s large traveling kennel under the awning right next to the entry door.
– Park where there is cell phone service if possible.
– Know your exact location before you need help. Capture the coordinates on your GPS, note the name of the road and where you are parked on it.
– Park out of view or in view depending on the circumstances
– If you RV in a towable RV, keep the keys handy. The panic button on the wireless remote entry system would scare away most any criminal. The honking horn and flashing lights can be seen / heard for miles.
– Carry a Spot Messenger. It allows you to summon 911 services from most anywhere.
Many RVers choose to carry a personal weapon. The choice is totally your choice.
Some things to consider:
1) Some RVers believe that by carrying a weapon, you’re providing one for the intruder to use against you or in their next burglary. If you do carry a weapon, are you prepared for the consequences of actually having to use it?
2) The Castle Doctrine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Doctrine in the United States gives you the right to protect your place of residence.
However, if your choice of RV is a motorhome, please be aware there are some laws that can work against you:
(A) No person shall knowingly discharge a firearm while in or on a motor vehicle (insert motorhome for motor vehicle).
(B) No person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (insert motorhome for motor vehicle) in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the operator or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.
Finally, no matter where you RV, if trouble is going to find you, it can find you anywhere.
dstenberg says
The vehicle law & castle doctrine mentioned above is not the law of the land everywhere you travel. It changes from state to state & sometimes from one local jurisdiction to another within the same state. I would suggest, from my experience as an NRA certified instructor, that you know the law in whatever jusrisdiction you travel. Ultimately you are responsible for your own choices in regards to your safety (whether you choose to carry or not) & you are always responsible under the law, in whatever jurisdiction you find yourself, for the choices you make in that regard. Both the NRA & USCCA can assist you in making wise choices. I wish everyone here safe & enjoyable rv travels.