Safety issues. Cameras? Lights? What do you use?

Laara · May 10, 2015

Hello!

We are getting ready for our first trip, will do mostly boondocking and question arose about how safe it is at night for us or even in day time (if you leave motorhome for few hours). We were thinking maybe we should install security cameras that record what's going on. Or maybe motion light for the night... How do you deal with that?

Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

LindaH · May 10, 2015

We have never done anything special other than lock our doors...and we do a lot of boondocking (probably 95% or more).

nana25k · May 11, 2015

Your instincts are your best security. If that little something in your gut speaks to you about where you are then move on. Don't answer the door to anyone you don't know even in an RV park. Don't be to open to strangers about where you are parked.

Go have fun

Mark and Dale Bruss · May 11, 2015

It is one of the biggest changes moving from normal housing and living in an RV. The world is significantly different. It wll take a little while before you don't fear things like you used to.

Kirk W · May 11, 2015

Rural America is the safest part of this country. In many areas it is very common for people to leave home with doors unlocked and the majority of rural people do not lock their doors at night. Consider that many folks stay in tents that have no locks in those same areas, yet there is very little, if any crime problem at all. In more than 35 years of RV travels, the only time that our RV was ever broken into was when it was parked on a pad at the end of our Ft. Worth home and we were in the house asleep. That was in 1999.

AFchap · May 11, 2015

We don't do anything special other than pay attention. Of course we do lock the door when we are gone, and we normally lock the door when we are inside unless we want the door open with the screen door. And we have a motion activated "porch" light ...and dogs that alert us to any unusual noises like a strange sound outside or a knock on the door. We have stayed in pretty run of the mill mom & pop type locations all over the country (we tend to avoid resorts, etc), and have never felt particularly uneasy anywhere.

earlvillestu · May 11, 2015

We've lived in a small town in the rural Midwest for 18 years. I couldn't even tell you where we've put our keys.

Laara · May 11, 2015

Thank you for all the answers, it helps to know that it is pretty safe there. It is just we've never done this and it is a little uneasy for the mind to be outthere, nobody knows where:) Thanks for all the input!

Jimalberta · May 11, 2015

Laara we dont usually do anything but lock our door as well ......we have however considered installing a motion light but that would be more for our own convenience such as arriving back to the RV in the dark.

Yarome · May 11, 2015

Laara we dont usually do anything but lock our door as well ......we have however considered installing a motion light but that would be more for our own convenience such as arriving back to the RV in the dark.

Same here. I have a motion light, but it's strictly for my own convenience. I don't really lock my door unless I'm going to do a couple days away out hiking or such.. and I happen to remember. If anything.. I feel less secure in more populated areas (CG's).. but then again.. most of the places I choose to camp it's not uncommon to not see another living soul for days.

nana25k · May 11, 2015

Thank you for all the answers, it helps to know that it is pretty safe there. It is just we've never done this and it is a little uneasy for the mind to be outthere, nobody knows where:) Thanks for all the input!
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As to the "nobody's knows where.". Generally our kids and others don't give our where about much thought. However in sparse, remote areas we text one of them our location.

Laara · May 11, 2015

Good point, nana25k! Thanks!

sandsys · May 12, 2015

As to the "nobody's knows where.". Generally our kids and others don't give our where about much thought. However in sparse, remote areas we text one of them our location.

When Dave stopped traveling and I went out solo, he set up my phone and tablet with the "find my..." settings. He then always knew where I was.

Other than that all I did was not stop if a place felt unsafe and keep my doors locked if they weren't open to catch the breeze.

Linda Sand

Switchflicker · May 13, 2015

We lock our door when we leave with the car and at night when we go to sleep at night. Other than that, the only precaution we take is to turn off the water supply (not for security reasons!!) when we will be gone for a few hours. That's in Canada and the USA

markandkim · May 13, 2015

Walters PPS in .40

kathydavidb · May 13, 2015

I believe it is important to know exactly where you are at. We had an event where a stranger looking for drugs knocked on our RV door late at night. He left when we told him we had no drugs (this thru the kitchen window), but he came back again 15 min. later. This time I told him I was calling the police & he left. That's when I realized I didn't know exactly where we were at. We were boondocking near Quartzsite, Az. The next day I reported it to the ranger station & found out there are markers all around the area with numbers on them that show your location. So, know where you are so that the police can find you in the event of an emergency. Just my 2 cents. Dave.

LindaH · May 13, 2015

The next day I reported it to the ranger station & found out there are markers all around the area with numbers on them that show your location. So, know where you are so that the police can find you in the event of an emergency. Just my 2 cents. Dave.

Those markers must be in the LTVAs because I've never seen any such markers on the free BLM lands.

I usually take our GPS coordinates when we arrive in a new area because I have a note on my phone telling of our location and what to do with the dogs in case we're not able to get back to the rig.

kathydavidb · May 14, 2015

Those markers must be in the LTVAs because I've never seen any such markers on the free BLM lands.

I usually take our GPS coordinates when we arrive in a new area because I have a note on my phone telling of our location and what to do with the dogs in case we're not able to get back to the rig.

That's correct, LindaH. We were boondocking in the LTVA area just south of Quartzsite, Az. I believe the name of the area was LaPosa South. It was BLM land that had the ranger sttion at the entrance. I'm sorry I omitted this info. but I tried to be short & to the point in my original post. That point was that you need to be able to tell the police exactly where you are at, so that they can find you quickly in the event of an emergency. Dave.