Safety While Full timing

[cbg72273]

As I said in another thread, we are planning to go full timing in about 10-12 months. My wife asked about safety on the road. Are RVers generally more vulnerable than others travelling in cars? Can the more experienced full timers offer advice and insight on the safety issues? I know that we would have to be vigilant and very aware of our surroundings. As Texas residents with CCP can we have firearms while travelling through other states, that have no reciprocity with Texas, since the RV is really our home as we will have given up our apartment. A lot to learn.

[NJTroy]

Honestly, my experience has generally been that we are safer in a community of RVers than in the broader community. I suspect that's it's something to do with a combination of the feeling that we're all somewhat vulnerable and that most of are out having a grand time doing something we love. It's certainly an over generalization and I can think of times when it wasn't true (like the campground we stayed at with high walls where the sound of gunfire was part of the ambience), but that's been extremely rare. And even that time I didn't really feel unsafe, it was clear that my neighbors were looking out for the crazy lady traveling solo with two pre-teens. My neighbor in that campground knocked on my door to tell me that I had a tire going slowly flat and pumped enough air into it to get me to the tire store.

[soos]

On the rare occasion ( maybe twice in 6 years) that we felt uncomfortable, we made sure the bear spray was accessible.

Other than that, we have felt entirely safe on the road.

 

Sue

[rockylarson]

I save my bear spray for bear country and the wasp/hornet spray for everything else. Its cheaper, directional, sprays long and far, and is available everywhere. Best of all it even works as labeled.

 

Suggest you research these sites for your interstate travel concerns: https://www.bing.com/search?q=interstate%20ccw%20laws&pc=cosp&ptag=A0E8C88C5FC&form=CONBDF&conlogo=CT3210127

[AFchap]

I don't believe rv'ers are any less safe than other travelers ...and likely are MORE safe in rv parks than they would be in a motel. Just keep your situational awareness active. As for your Texas CHL, you meed a resource that keeps up to date on changes in each state's laws, like www.handgunlaw.us, the Legal Heat app, and/or the annual Travelers Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States. The laws vary in each state whether you have reciprocity or not, and they are continually changing. And I would completely avoid NJ and NY, no matter what.

[Yarome]

Are RVers generally more vulnerable than others travelling in cars?

 

As Texas residents with CCP can we have firearms while travelling through other states, that have no reciprocity with Texas

 

From my experience, not at all. Probably even less so since it's not often you hear of an RV being carjacked. Petty crime is probably the biggest concern, but that can be mitigated by not leaving property outside your rig unattended. Just using a bit of common sense and relying on your 'gut' (if you feel uncomfortable in a particular area.. move on).

 

There aren't many states that won't honor your TX CCP in one form or another, but be sure you "know before your go" when crossing a state line. There is a difference between "carry permit recognition" and "reciprocity". You'll also want to research what types of firearms are legal. Some states have some really wonky laws about what they consider an illegal firearm. Ie., My .45 colt is illegal in CA because it "can" hold a .410 shell.

 

To throw into the mix is that even though a particular state may recognize/honor your TX CCP, there are county and city ordinances that may have other ideas. Ie., Oregon is an open carry State, however, there are a handful of cities that have passed ordinances that make it illegal.

[HSVBamaBob]

Not meant to hijack the topic (it is germane but...

 

What do experienced FullTimers who carry or own handguns do when you go to Canada? In particular, storage if you decide not to go through the paperwork, and tips/techniques for those who are on the road to Alaska (CCW State) via the AlCan and want their handgun in AK.

 

We understand shotuns and rifles "used for hunting" are pretty easy to get across the border. Further, we have heard handguns with a barrel length under 4" are completely banned in Canada(?)

[AFchap]

When traveling in/thru Canada your handgun options are to store them before you enter Canada, OR ship them to an FFL in Alaska or CONUS, whichever way you are traveling. We had a caravan member who had a shotgun on board with all required paperwork previously completed. He had no problem at any of our several border crossings.

[cbg72273]

Not meant to hijack the topic (it is germane but...

 

What do experienced FullTimers who carry or own handguns do when you go to Canada? In particular, storage if you decide not to go through the paperwork, and tips/techniques for those who are on the road to Alaska (CCW State) via the AlCan and want their handgun in AK.

 

 

Thanks. I thought of that last night after I shut down the laptop.

[JRP]

Chris, your safety while traveling is more a factor of your location & behavior rather that the type of vehicle. There are high crime areas where your safety factor is reduced, regardless of whether you drive a car, a motorcycle or an RV.

The firearm laws differ widely state to state. In most states carrying in your vehicle is different than carrying on your person. There is also a Federal law that gives you the right to carry firearms in your vehicle across state lines, provided you're legally entitled to own a firearm. The firearm must be unloaded and stored in an area not accessible to the driver or passengers. When driving down the highway, your RV is considered a vehicle, not your home. As soon as you stop for the night, then you're subject to local laws. As soon as you step out of the RV with your firearm, then you're covered by carry on your person laws vs carry in your vehicle laws. Many western states allow open carry on your person and/or in your vehicle without any permit. A few allow concealed carry on your person or in your vehicle without a permit. No one state's concealed carry permit is accepted in every state, but having several different state permits that are reciprocal to most states you travel in, is a good option. Researching your rights & limitations in each state is required.

I travel mostly in the western states where gun laws are not as restrictive. I participate in competitive shooting events and I carry long guns and hand guns wherever I travel in my RV (I don't go to Canada or Mexico or any state that doesn't allow my firearms)

Some websites try to keep up with these ever changing state & local laws, one example is-- <http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USRVCarCarry.pdf>

The book mentioned above, Travelers Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States, is also a good resource, but not updated as often as the websites.

[nana25k]

Its really simple

1 trust your gut.If you don't feel safe in your immediate surroundings move

2 don't open your door to people you don't know, keep it locked in rest areas and watch your door when fueling

3. Go have fun and enjoy. If you worry constantly then you will be miserable

[whj469]

I don't feel more vulnerable as an Rver, but I do because I am now an old man and not able to fight

younger men if they were trying to rob me. They would be able to take me down. I have a BH to protect as well.

I do have a CHL from Texas and I do carry a handgun when I travel.

[2gypsies]

Its really simple

1 trust your gut.If you don't feel safe in your immediate surroundings move

2 don't open your door to people you don't know, keep it locked in rest areas and watch your door when fueling

3. Go have fun and enjoy. If you worry constantly then you will be miserable

 

X2...it REALLY is that simple.

 

If we had worried about all this when we first began full-timing we wouldn't have made it 16 years. We'd never want to feel that paranoid to have to constantly be looking for possible trouble. RVing is safe.

[AC7880]

App for travelers with firearms laws: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mylegalheat.legalheat&hl=en

[RV_]

I've taught the subject and did RV full time including a trip to Alaska via Canada with my shotgun rifle over under. Here is my take on it as a professional firearms trainer in and out of the military: http://home.earthlink.net/~derekgore/rvroadiervfulltimingwhatisitreallylike/id85.html

[LindaH]

In all the years we've been RVing, 12 of them fulltime, we've only left one location where we did not like the looks of the place when we drove through...and that was an RV park. Mostly we boondock, and have never felt unsafe any place we've stayed.

[bobsallyh]

2gypsies, x 2! We are in our 13th year. Personally, I'm more concerned, if even that, going from Point A to Point B with all the semi-comatose drivers on the road.

[missourijan]

I agree with bobsallyh, it seems to me we fulltimers have a better chance of an accident on the road than a carjacking or robbery. We've been fulltime for 9 1/2 years, we've stayed in Wal Mart parking lots only twice but we've stayed in some less than "luxury" parks. When we travel from place to place we don't want to pay $35 to $40 for overnight, so we use Passport America, Freecampgounds.com or the books by Don Wright Free Campgrounds. Some of them have not been too great but we have never had a problem. We have a weapon and would show it, if necessary. While there have been a few incidents over the years, escaped prisoners, break in's and the like, we are watchful and don't park in sketchy areas

[KodiakJack]

App for travelers with firearms laws: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mylegalheat.legalheat&hl=en

Here is a link to CCW my favorite. Updates often. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ryan.ccw&hl=en

Later,

J

PS Also keep Legal Heat up to date on my phone.

[Jimalberta]

Another valid question might have been " how many people here have actually had a serious incident where they felt threatened while RVing". Or " how many RVers have ever needed a gun and used it for protection?" . Then you might get a more accurate answer as to how dangerous it is. We boondock alone a lot and have never had a problem. We Wally camp while travelling and have never felt threatened. Casinos are probably quite safe as they use cameras and security people to watch their property ....once in a while we stay at one.

[reed and elaine]

Traveled through Mexico four times and never felt threatened. Safest places to spend the night out of RV parks is all night Pemex gas stations and archaeological sites.

 

You cannot take side arms to Canada unless you are a registered competitive shooter and are going to a sanctioned meet, and even then the paperwork is extreme.

 

We did transit with rifle and shotgun to Alaska and there was no problem. Had to pay both going and returning since it was longer than 60 days. The following year we went to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland/Labrador with same firearms. Showed the Border Guard the paperwork from previous year. She told us that "This is Eastern Canada and no Grizzly Bears, perhaps a cranky or asocial chipmunk and you shall have to return to US!" This is a common problem and she told us of a hardware store in Calais, Maine that had an FFL. We went there and shipped firearms to son in Colorado. Returned to border and same lovely woman then asked "do you have pepper spray?" "Uh, yes!" "Does it have the picture of a bear on it?" It did and we were good to go. So if you have a half-liter canister of industrial strength pepperspray sufficient to divert a herd of Rhinos, you are OK, but a small vial for self-defense is not.

[sushidog]

Another valid question might have been " how many people here have actually had a serious incident where they felt threatened while RVing". Or " how many RVers have ever needed a gun and used it for protection?" . Then you might get a more accurate answer as to how dangerous it is. We boondock alone a lot and have never had a problem. We Wally camp while travelling and have never felt threatened. Casinos are probably quite safe as they use cameras and security people to watch their property ....once in a while we stay at one.

About 10 years ago my DW and I were vacationing on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We were tent camping, as it was right before we purchased our Aliner. We decided to pull over in a rest area to get a few hours of sleep in the car before heading on, choosing to arrive at our campsite at day break. We found a beautiful overlook in a secluded location that we thought was safe. A couple hours later we were awakened by someone tapping on the windshield with their face pressed up against the side glass! It felt comforting to query them as to the nature of the disturbance with my hand on my dad's stainless 38 special police revolver (my DW was backing me up with her small but potent 22 magnum). It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity by some drunken teenagers. However, even after we identified ourselves, they failed to move on. Instead, two car loads of drunken juveniles started whooping and hollering, sloshing beer and circling behind the car in an intimidating, rowdy manor. My DW and I weren't worried, as we were both trained, (I was in the Army for 9 years) and ready. Had their little game gotten out of hand, we were capable of defending our lives. Discretion proved to be the better part of valor that night, as we decided to move on, turning our parking area over to the delinquents. I would have hated to end one of their young lives just because someone did something stupid. Even a drunken teenager can pull a trigger, and he may even have gotten lucky.

 

You never know though, it could have gone the other way, as it did for my uncle one night. He was a big sportsman, hunting and fishing as much as he could. He recounted the sad tale that he was forced to plead for his life and the life of his wife of 50 years. A deranged mugger put a gun in his face, and threatened to blow his head off, as he and his DW returned to his camp from a fishing trip one evening. He was unarmed and helpless, at the mercy of his assailant. The perp decided instead to rob them of their money and jewelry, and not their lives. He knocked my Aunt to the ground and pistol whipped my elderly uncle instead of murdering them. My teary eyed uncle told me he never wanted to feel helpless like that again, so he armed himself whenever he went out after that. Like a life insurance policy, you pray you never need to use it, and it's extremely unlikely that you will. But unlike insurance, which can only pay your family after you're already dead, discretely carrying a firearm, or at least having one in your RV could save your life, or the life of a loved one.

 

If you normally camp in a developed campground with other people, you are at very low risk of being assaulted, as there is safety in numbers. That's why it is popular for MHs to caravan to Mexico - safe passage through the high-risk border area. However if you're like my Uncle, who liked the peace and solitude of boondocking miles from others, the risk increases exponentially. Not because there's a greater percentage of criminals in the wilderness, just the opposite, but because you become an easy target for the few that are there. It's the same reason purse snatchers pick on little old ladies - not because old folks have more money, but because the robbers usually encounter little resistance. Joggers are never abducted and raped when they are jogging near others in well lit areas. They are attacked when they're alone on the trail, where no one can see or hear them scream, and they are oblivious of their surroundings - with their headset drowning out the stalker's attack. Remember the string of 9 or 10 Appalachian Trail murders that took place some years back? Yes, these types of killings are extremely rare and the probability of anyone being killed there is very low when compared to the city where I work, New Orleans, (which rivals Baghdad as the Murder capital of the world) where several people are murdered almost every day in this small city. Still, I wouldn't go to either place unarmed, but that's just me. Why take even a small chance if you don't have to?

[remoandiris]

Not a fulltimer, but have camped in tent or RV for the past 15 yrs. Traveled all across the US, Canada and western Europe. Felt uncomfortable only a handful of times both inside and outside campgrounds. Glad I had my dog(s) with me whenever the feeling crept up. The dogs are augmented with other tools now.

[Solo18]

I am a 72 year old woman who has been traveling throughout the U.S. for the past three-and-a-half years. I have only once or twice felt unsafe and those instances were in commercial campgrounds because I did not like the look of the neighbors. No one did anything threatening, however, it was just my feeling. I left the next morning.

 

The point is that in all the three years I have been full-timing, NO ONE has ever bothered me or been anything but friendly.

 

I do mostly stay in state and national parks, and make a point to say Hi to my neighbors. I never hide that I am traveling alone, because that is useless, since it is obvious that I am hooking up and unhooking my utilities myself. (If I were traveling with someone, THEY would be helping!) In addition, I do not stay overnight in rest areas or parking lots, nor do I boondock outside of campground, but I know that women who do that alone usually say they feel very safe doing that. However, I have several times stayed in campgrounds where there were only two or three other campers, and still never felt unsafe.

 

I traveled for business for over 10 years, and frankly, I feel much safer in campgrounds than I ever did in hotels!

[MeanderMan]

We've been full timing and traveling throughout the US for over ten years and have never felt threatened. As others have said, being conscious of your surroundings is probably the most important factor. For the first two years I carried a weapon, but frankly after 30 years of active duty I had no interest in maintaining proficiency, and a gun owner who isn't proficient is a danger to himself and those around him. So I chucked the gun, bought a can of bear spray, and live happier, if that's possible, than before. For me, enjoying the RV lifestyle means freedom from worry, including worrying about carrying permits, reciprocity, etc. And truthfully, I've never met another full timer who had an experience where a gun would have been useful. But to each their own.