A couple weeks ago we were traveling some back roads here in Oregon when we stopped at a small open area and deer camp for the night. This was about 3 miles south of Granite, Oregon. We felt very safe. Ate dinner, played cards till after dark, went to bed and read. For some reason I pulled in the slide? don't know why as we have never done this before. Shortly after I fell asleep my wife woke me up, she had heard some scratching noises on the left side of the Motor Home. Our dog was alert, starring forward but not barking. I thought it was just weeds, so back asleep I go. Shortly I wake-up to the dog barking and the wife yelling "let's get out of here". I just up heart pounding, slip on my pants, jump in drivers' seat and off we go, wife still in bed. My wife had heard someone pull on the man-door handle (later I went out and pulled on the handle and it was the same sound). We drove to Sumpter and stayed on a side street and getting a very good nights sleep. After breakfast we drove back to the deer camp to check it out. There was not any vegetation tall enough to touch the MH. The ground was so rocky and it had rained during the night that we could not find any tracks. This place is along the paved road and several vehicles had drove by before dark and as far as we know there are not any homes closer than in town at Granite. My thought it was kids looking for beer, but why try to get inside? Just a scary night - we boon-dock a lot, hope this doesn't stop us. I wish I would have taken a flashlight to bed as it is easy to open my window and screen, then I could have shinned a light on the man door, maybe next time. Happy RV travels - Dale

This is the kind of thing you need a noisy loud alarm for. Something like the panic button on a car key fob, or an air horn. The dog is a good deterrent, too.Likely was someone looking for an easy pilfer.

The sound of a REAL shotgun racking a shell is a huge deterrent. I carry a 12 gauge shotgun and a box of shells for two reasons. This is the first of those reasons.The psychological impact of you racking a shotgun will drive most perps away. If it does not, then the shotgun will be useful for the second reason.I have never felt the need to do this, but I have it just in case something like you describe happens. It is far better to have it and not need it, then it is to not have it and need it.Good luck!

At least there wasn't a hook hanging on your door. :)I'm glad there were no problems, other than the scare.

Scared -first time for everything | Good Sam Community

coolmom42
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2014
This is the kind of thing you need a noisy loud alarm for. Something like the panic button on a car key fob, or an air horn. The dog is a good deterrent, too.

Likely was someone looking for an easy pilfer.
darsben
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2014
Where was your shotgun?
SkiingSixPack
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
The sound of a REAL shotgun racking a shell is a huge deterrent. I carry a 12 gauge shotgun and a box of shells for two reasons. This is the first of those reasons.

The psychological impact of you racking a shotgun will drive most perps away. If it does not, then the shotgun will be useful for the second reason.

I have never felt the need to do this, but I have it just in case something like you describe happens. It is far better to have it and not need it, then it is to not have it and need it.

Good luck!
1mtnman
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2014
BigFoot strikes again!!
gbopp
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
At least there wasn't a hook hanging on your door. :)

I'm glad there were no problems, other than the scare.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2014
most likely a young bear,
korbe
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
I would guess as soon as your dog started barking, the guest figured someone was home and took off. Quite the fool to try and enter your rig knowing you were home.

People on here are always comparing MH with 5ers. Your experience is a new one for that list. :)
BTPO1
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
coolmom42 wrote:
This is the kind of thing you need a noisy loud alarm for. Something like the panic button on a car key fob, or an air horn. The dog is a good deterrent, too.

Likely was someone looking for an easy pilfer.

X2, My DW does not like to boondock for this very reason. It does not bother me to be out in the sticks though. A dog is a very good deterrent even at home. JMO
nomad297
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
SkiingSixPack wrote:
The sound of a REAL shotgun racking a shell is a huge deterrent.

The psychological impact of you racking a shotgun will drive most perps away.

Yeah, keep thinking this way and see how far it gets you. This is nothing but a myth brought about by people who watch too many Bruce Willis movies.

And, just so you know, you don't rack a shell. You rack the forearm to chamber a shell. That is, if your shells are in the magazine and not in that box you mention.

Bruce
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2014
Wow. That really is a benefit of being in a motor home. We are in a trailer and even if hitched up, couldn't take off like you did.

Possibly with the slide in and the lights off, they thought it was empty. Where we camp people will drop off their rig to save a spot. I've often wondered what the risk is besides being against the rules and the wrong thing to do.

I also think about our safety out there in the middle of no where or even in a campground. There is no one to hear the panic alarm in the boonies and I loath the thought of using the shotgun to protect us be it critter or not. We are usually pretty remote and the rough trails remove any thought of a quick get away.