Safety and security

WE never stay anywhere but RV parks. Most are reasonable and several we stay for more than a day. I many time don't unhook and am most happy will a long hot shower at the end of a days (6 to 12hour) drive.

tropical36 wrote:
As for campgrounds, we've been in some pretty dark ones and do make it a practice for leaving a lot of exterior lights on, all night.

No, don't like that.

tropical36 wrote:

As for campgrounds, we've been in some pretty dark ones and do make it a practice for leaving a lot of exterior lights on, all night.
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I'm probably opening a can of worms, but we have been full-timing over 14 years, and have probably felt unsafe a couple of times max. But we are experiencing more and more folks that light up their rigs all night that make it obnoxious to anyone nearby. We seek out dark campgrounds, not brightly lit parking lots. In fact we are finding more and more parks that request all outside lights be turned off after a set time, say 10pm.

There are cameras that do not even look like cameras.. There is a phillips head screw.. only it's a camera. But it looks like a common phillips head screw. You can even paint the head (Just don't get paint into the part where the screwdriver goes) to match your RV.

Click for a picture of it

NOTE that was found with a Google search I have no info on the company.

Next time you are in a hotel.. LOOK CLOSE at screws. And such.

And I sleep just fine.. Can't sleep watching a screen for tribble

We have stayed overnight at rest areas, Flying J's, etc. but we usually prefer Super Walmarts to be honest with you. They're open all night (usually). When we arrive (usually 9pm-midnight) we go in, make sure it's OK to park there, pick up supplies we need and usually our breakfast pastries for the next morning. We usually drop a minimum of $35-$50. I've never felt "unsafe" in the locations we've selected. We usually look & plan for locations that are well outside of any major cities.

We don't deploy slides and I leave our toad in neutral so IF I had to make a quick exit, I just turn the key on the moho and leave. But that's never happened.

Oh, when we arrive, we also make sure to walk the dogs and put the "Beware of Dog" signs in the windows. They're not big dogs (40 lbs.), but I believe they make a would-be ill-doer think twice.

But I have to agree with many of those above. If you can't feel comfortable in those situations, then you should probably just avoid them.

Good Luck & Safe Travels!

~Rick

We stayed at our first Walmart 2 weeks ago, couldn't find a campground and it was getting late. After 10 pm things got pretty quiet but the wife was still a bit on edge so we'll continue finding an RV park for a good nights sleep when we travel. Cameras wouldn't have changed a thing as we have our own security inside. Just would hate to shoot a hole in my coach.

We have been on the road full-time for over 7 years and do not stay at truck stops or rest areas ( too noisy). We do however stay in Walmart parking lots occasionally, but choose to stay in smaller towns. We don't stay in the large cities where the crime rates are probably higher. We have never had an incident or felt uneasy. If we did, we would move on. No special surveillance, no special locks. Bay doors unlocked (except water and gas tank) and have never had a thing stolen, haven't even caught anyone trying to see what they might find.

Jim@HiTek wrote:

Browan72 wrote:
It’s more about people trying to break int the compartments underneath. When we are in bed with both acs running you can’t hear much at all. So they could be breaking in and I’d never hear them.

Don't really think this is much of a worry because your average public space thief isn't going to be going on a treasure hunt in a RVs basement compartments. In 14 years of full timing and reading forums, don't think I've ever heard of a basement compartment theft at a public parking lot. Especially unlikely when they're locked. He's got no idea what might be in them or how you packed them that's worth stealing even if he's a RV'er himself. It would be a long shot with little return as you'd have the best stuff inside anyway.

Really don't think it's a worry. What they might steal is a bike hanging off the back of the RV, lawn chairs, BBQ, or the toads electrical cord, stuff you left outside. Even then it would be pretty rare.

Where I have read about it happening is at storage lots.

Agree with this post. We never even thought about it and in 16 years of full-timing never had a problem. There's just so much worrying one can do. We prefer not to do it. If you want to worry about it leave the bay door unlocked and don't store anything of value in there. Then they won't damage your doors.

Several situations that a camera and alarm system would be good.
We stopped at what had been KOA when the propane tanks were on the other side of RVs somewhere in Missouri. During the night someone tampered with by doors. One was open. Did I forget to fasten it, I don't know.
There were fresh sneaker tracks right next to the RV in mud from rain that night.
A photograph is just a record. Add an alarm to waken you and scare off miscreants if bay doors or whatever is messed with.

Browan72 wrote:
Hello everyone, I am looking for info and advice. I have a class a motorhome with 2 slides. When I’m on the road and stop for the night at say truck stop, parking lot or rest area. Am I the only one that has trouble sleeping because I’m not sure what’s going on around my motorhome? I was wondering if there was a low profile or should I say a stream lines camera that blends into the motorhome like the driving cameras. That are wireless WiFi and has motion activated night vision that will alert me and film what’s going on outside. Plus also if my wife or I hear something we can view outside and around the motorhome. You hear of crazy people and crazy things happening all the time. Plus at night if I stop and stay in a parking lot I’m not sure what type of neighborhood it is..I don’t want to put those house cameras hanging off the corners. any help and info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Anything is possible and things can and do happen, but for overnight stays in rest areas and truck stops, it's never been a problem for us and don't consider it much of a risk, with so many people coming and going. Walmart's are quieter and even though they are open all night in most cases and our preference, with them staying open, in fact.
After all and especially with someone wanting to do bodily harm, they'd have to be crazy with approaching an RV and not knowing who or what's inside, for their personal protection.
We do have remotes inside, that will lock and unlock the doors, while setting off some loud bleeps and flashing the docking lights, if necessary.
As for campgrounds, we've been in some pretty dark ones and do make it a practice for leaving a lot of exterior lights on, all night.
Along these same lines, I'd think that even law enforcement would be reluctant in approaching and/or pulling over a coach, without backup and with not knowing who might be armed and hidden behind the driver.