While RVing, for the most part, is a relatively safe lifestyle, it never hurts to take a few precautions because you never know where an adventure in RVing may take you.
The following are six tips to help keep you safe while enjoying your RV.
While it’s tempting to post pictures on social media of your cool campsite, either in a campground or in the middle of nowhere, it lets people know (possibly criminals too) your current location and more importantly that your home is vacant.
Watch what you post on social media
2. Know your emergency exit windows
Do you know where the emergency exit windows are located in your RV (emergency vents in some truck campers)? Do you know how to use them in the event of an emergency?
Emergency exit windows—know how to use them! Photo via iRV2
Gather the family and take the time to practice removing the window screen (if so equipped) and opening the window. Are you and your loved ones physically able to climb out through the window if needed? If not, think about what other items you might carry to make this possible.
3. Be careful if you have a second entry door
Does your RV have more than one entry door? Many RVs have a secondary entry door that is seldom used, if ever, by the owners. To save time when setting up camp, the owners will often leave the steps in. Two potential safety issues can arise due to failing to extend the steps.
- In the event of an emergency (say a fire blocking the primary entrance door) and you have to use the second door, are you going to remember the steps aren’t deployed, potentially risking falling out of the RV?
- Do you ever have guests (say grandchildren) traveling with you? Are they going to remember the steps aren’t deployed on the second door?
Keep a powerful flashlight handy
4. Keep a flashlight on hand
Keep a flashlight handy by your bed stand or door. You never know when your electrical system might fail or you need to light up someone outside your RV’s door when a knock comes after hours.
5. Secure the windows
Just like at home, it is a good idea to secure sliding windows with a dowel rod in the track or install a screw limiting how far the window can open to discourage intruders.
Screw track to limit how far the window will open
6. Keep others guessing
Do you carry a firearm for personal protection when you travel? Surveys indicate more than half of RVers do. Whether you do or not, it’s best to keep it to yourself and not share with others. If you keep others guessing it will statistically be assumed that you do.
Employing these tips will help keep your next adventure in RVing a safer one.
See also: 10 Ways To Keep Your RV Safe From Theft
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
Good suggestions. Glad you mentioned the firearms issue. That is the reality of it. Your RV is an extension of your home. By Law. You have a legal right to protect it and those inside with lethal force if necessary.
Many State and Federal Parks may tell you otherwise.
Sorry. Better to be tried by 12 for defending your or someone else’s life than be carried by 6 for not doing so
So if you put a screw in the exit window, that pretty much would render the escape impossible. And if you rely on screws for security in the windows, but don’t put one in the exit window,, thieves will only go to the exit windows to gain access.
Actually, at least with our exit windows, the entire window pushes out when the red handles are pulled
Generally, exit windows open out with release levers. It isn’t a sliding window so the ‘screw in the track’ suggestion has nothing to do with exit windows.
Unless your house is a particular target for burglary (you live in a dangerous area or you have very valuable possessions), it very unlikely that thieves would get your location from Facebook or other social media. And if they did, how would they know you don’t have a housesitter, or someone stayed home while you travel? This suggestion and the “screw in the window” suggestion are a bit paranoid. I have no comment on carrying a firearm – the stats are out there. and I don’t want to get flamed.
Some people put ALL of their info on the web and if you look you can find where people live fairly easily. This is the same thing that happens when there is a wedding or a funeral and it is announced online or, in the old days especially, in the newspaper. Thieves knew when to target the house. They ring the door bell and if a sitter answers say they are looking for “Joe”. “No Joe here”. or ask for the owner and the sitters says they aren’t there but will be back on ????. Watch “Home Alone” that is how they work.
Having your secondary door stairs deployed is a good idea but more importantly make sure that the hand rail is deployed also or you can’t escape out that door.
so screw or not screwed that is the 6 million dollar window question…
i would just go to a hard wair store get 3/16 dowl & lay it in the window track..
i have never been broken in to but it’s never out of my sight…..
to pack or not to pack…
i am never a show & tell type but, i think its better to be safe than sorry…
we cable our gen in the bed of our truck..lock it up….
close all the window’s some times leave our doberman pincher and his buddy’s be hind..
i have set up game cameras in the tree’s an what not ..
some times the camper next to you will watch it
strength in numbers…
Gunsmoke:
I also use the hardware store dowel method. To make removal easier, I pre-drill and place a small screw into the flank of the dowel rod. Generally about an inch or two from the end. This gives you a handle to easily remove the rod. When I deploy the dowel, I put the screw end towards the wall for added security.
re: #1. Just stay away from social media. Problem solved.
What would be the problem of putting an NRA sticker on your door?
Suzanne, perps looking for firearms can then be somewhat assured there may be some in your RV. Also, with today’s overzealous and misdirected anti gun atmosphere, vehicles have been defaced for sporting pro gun decals and stickers such as NRA emblems, firearms maker decals, etc. It’s been happening in California, especially to those with NRA stickers.
Try going into Canada with a NRA sticker on your rig expect a search,
Exit window is usually not a “sliding” window.
Go ahead and put a screw in the exit window because you open the entire window on a hinge released by a exit latch.You do not slide the window open to escape.
good things to think about,but every example has their own exceptions, be realistic about your own situations.
Good tips! We’re new RVers so soaking everything in. Good response on not putting the screw in the exit window. Maybe a rod instead?
We have RV’D since 1975, both in England, Canada, Mexico and the US and never had a single problem, yes we take precausions, but have never found the need to carry guns, being street smart is far better than killing someone. Oh yse we have owned 23 RV’S, camped in rest areas (where allowed) truck stops, Walmarts, resturant parking lots, all with the permission of the person in charge.
Camping is to be enjoyed not sitting there frigtened to move or venture out.
We have watched in amazement, people locking everything, then pulling down the blinds, even locking their door evey time they enter or exit their RV, MUST BE TERRIBLE TO LIVE IN SUCH FEAR. But we believe its the fact they carry guns that bribgs on the fear of every stranger in a campground, very sad.
Yes we are devout christians.
Exit windows open frame and all…on many rigs they fall off (and break) so you have to know how it operates when you do an escape drill so you don’t have to replace it for no reason.
One does not have to always depend on a firearm in most cases. One option is a flare gun which will not kill someone but scare the daylights out of them and possibly burn them also. Another option is to just buy a bee bomb for around two dollars……it will shoot up to 20 feet and render them helpless.
While point true, over 50-yrs, I had camera stolen from locker while in shower by
someone I trusted, drive shaft stolen from car in driveway, tools stolen from locked shed, cars rifled thru in driveway, lawn mower parts stolen from back yard, house broken into where they stole wife’s best dresses, deodorant and razor, and box of used headlights stolen from beside car at curb when we stepped in for coffee. I believe in LOCKS
If fired in the RV be assured it will burn to the ground very quickly! And you shouldn’t be shooting anyone outside your rig unless they are shooting at you.
Terry Hennessy old Harley riding buddy was a professional locksmith. One of his
favorite sayings, “Locks keep out the honest and the terminally stupid.” 🙂 🙂
The first comment is entirely correct…Keep your travel plans private until after the trip. Not only do local criminals browse neighborhoods (and find our who lives where), but they also browse social media of the people they have identified in their neighborhood recon.
I am not paranoid, but I am realistic and cautious.
What’s a Bee Bomb…..could not find anything other than products related to the insect and flower seeds?
Wow, am I sorry I ever commented on this. I have learned that folks see the world entirely differently. Some RV people see threats around every corner, burglars waiting and watching to break into their home or RV, steal their stuff and cook their cat for dinner. Others, more like me, think that people are basically decent, break-ins are very rare, have never had a problem, and that owning a gun would be a bigger threat to me, friends and relatives and other campers that it would provide protection. Besides, I’ve nothing worth stealing.
He is taking about a hornet/wasp spray that shoots out 20 feet to reach their nest without getting close. Use only if the intruder is inside your “house” or you will be charged with assault…unless they are shooting at you, running at you with a knife and you feel you are in mortal danger. Just being in your area, space, vicinity isn’t a reason to deploy any force.
Byron, I’m with you. I’m 75 and about to embark on a 6-8 wk. road trip across the US from Canada, where I Iive. I will be trailing my little Trillium Egg. I wasn’t at all nervous until I read the gun comments!! It’s daunting to think that anyone I meet down there might very well be packing heat. and harboring dark suspicions besides. How horrible! I grew up in the Midwest but have lived in Ontario for 40 years. For the life of me, I can’t understand Americans’ current resistance to sensible gun legislation. Having all those things around in so many fearful, untrained hands makes life MORE dangerous, not less.
So called “sensible gun legislation” already exists. They have proven NOT to work . Bad guys don’t pay any attention to the laws.
A flare gun? Oh, please!!!
Don’t have a gun if it scares YOU, but please do not suggest others should be so denied. House fires are rare too, but most sensible people have fire insurance. Better to have a gun and not need it, than to need one and not have one. Getting training is a very good thing to do.
Great that some have traveled and never had a problem. Most people are good and decent, that is true. However, it only takes ONE bad person to ruin lives. In remote areas, law enforcement can not protect you. Wolves only chose the weak sheep. I hope and PRAY, your luck holds out Mr. Abbott.
You make some very good points.
More guns! More guns! That’s the solution to the country’s problems (and RV safety). At least according to the NRA.
Don’t want to own a gun for protection, fine, don’t. No one is forcing you to own one. It is probably safer for the rest of us you if you don’t!
However, you have no business telling those of us who do want to protect ourselves (and possibly you as well) not to exercise that right.
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you are exactly right….in our area, an older couple were hijacked of their rv and murdered in it…. ppl need to be aware and not be so trusting….
Remember when seconds count, the police are only minutes away……
For those people who choose to travel w/a firearm make sure you know what each individual state’s laws are regarding what is allowed. New York & Mass are 2 states which have very strict laws about firearms. Pepper Spray is a good option for those who do not want to use a firearm. Always be aware of your surroundings & listen to your instincts. If something doesn’t look right or feel right pay closer attention to your envirorment or better yet remove yourself from the area you are in and re-evaluate as needed.
States with strict gun laws, how’s that working out? Read up on the gun laws and murder rate in the very strict gun control in Chicago. Ok you don’t want me to be prepared to defend my family against a violent criminal but is it ok with you if I carry to defend my family against a bear or mountain lion while out for a walk in the woods, oh wait the 2A said I could. In fact I am prepared to come to your aid if you are attacked.
I put a “Smith and Wesson” sticker on one of the windows. Nuff said.
On tow vehicle, I install a gun rack in rear window…..makes observer wonder where the gun is….
Might to have some BEAR SPRAY around depending on where you camp–might want to learn how to use it before you need it.
Americans defend themselves with guns 2,000,000 times a year often without firing a shot. Probably only half the population have guns and less than that are readily available. So many more than 2,000,000 are victimized with out the option of defending themselves with a gun. I am glad that I have the constitutional right to defend myself with a gun if I choose.
Just the sound of a shell racking is enough to deter a lot of scumbags!
And then there was the guy out my way who shot THRU the old houses wooden door when a drunk neighbor was knocking. Not going to take a position on should YOU carry, but do know if you show up in NY or Mass with an unlicensed IN THOSE STATES firearm and you display or use it or threaten TO use it, you are the one going to jail. And if you are close enough to a bear or a mountain lion, a hand gun is probably not going to save you. And I live in bear & lion country.
Can always tell grizzly scat. Smells like pepper and has little tinkle bells in it. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Street smarts include the ability to defend ones self and others in unforeseen circumstances. “Killing someone” shows the wrong intention and ignorance of the subject matter. Ignore the statement about how Bee spray will protect you. It is internet myth, thanks to the Consumer Protection Agency although carcinogens might get them decades later. (I doubt it, hasn’t gotten me yet). A better option would be pepper FOAM, for those sheep who will not defend themselves with more dependable force as it is not as likely to be affected by a breeze. A shotgun and a rifle can be taken into Canada, as long as it is declared and the fees paid.
I went to school in both NY & Mass. I also served w/the 10th Mountain Div in NY. You could not pay me enough money to live in either state today. People who are responsible citizens should ALWAYS be allowed to protect themselves.
CARRYING A GUN IS A GOOD IDEA. KEEP ‘EM GUESSING. I CARRY MORE THAN 1
You didn’t mention an escape ladder for the bedroom of a fifth wheel. Do you have any recommendations?