Bad things that happen on the road?

[Foodsman]

Greetings one and all,

I have read a large number of RV stories about the Motorhome Lifestyle with great enjoyment and interest. One thing that has surprised me is there is almost no mentions of bad things that happen on the road.

We know there are people out there who’s a taco short of a Fiesta platter. Those who think “gas guzzler, polluter, money bags, Richy-Rich and general Bozo”! They drive by this big beautiful 40’+ motorhome and some people think “wow how great is that, I’d sure love to have one of those”! While others are thinking “wow who do they think they are lets run em off the road and steal their stuff” !:)

• When you’re on the open road do people ever mess with you?
• When your parked getting groceries or at a stop light or fast food place. Are you ever bothered or find your coach being messed with?

I’m just curious because “stuff happens” and wonder if it happens very often to RVers?

Harry

[Donna_and_Rob]

rk911 wrote:

Donna and Rob wrote:
Traveling thru New Mexico and stopped at a Pilot to get fuel.
Donna went in while I fueled up. As soon as I got the nozzle in I looked up and a man appeared out of nowhere asking me if I wanted a free big screen TV. So I ask him why he wanted to give away a TV and he said he was a truck driver for Best Buy and pointed at a bunch of trucks and said "That's my truck over there". I didn't see a Best Buy truck.
Anyway He says "I had one TV left over, so, do you want it, I'll give it to you free". I told him no I didn't need another TV.
He disappeared as fast as he appeared.
I think he was trying to get me in the motorhome to rob me, what do ya'll think? Maybe I passed up a free TV, huh. :S Rob

I think you've answered your own question...he was up to no good. I might've pulled the nozzle out of the tank and casually pointed it at him while speaking but you did the right thing. did you report the encounter to the manager or police?

No, I guess I didn't put 2 and 2 together at the time.

[rgatijnet1]

It is important to never break down in an unsavory location. Try to plan all of your mechanical emergencies for only the best neighborhoods. :B

[rk911]

mowermech wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Foodsman wrote:
Thank you one and all for your responses. Does anyone know if the gun laws that pertain to your home also apply to your motorhome? If someone is in my coach who is uninvited and seems unwilling to leave I've seen enough Dirty Harry movies to know a Smith & Wesson may help things along.

But do you have the same protections as a private home?

In some states yes, in some no. It is called a Castle Doctrine and not all states treat your RV as a home. Some states treat it as a home when hooked up and parked, but most all states consider it a vehicle when it is on the road.
They have a good book that covers what you can and cannot do as you travle to different states. This book is updated yearly. Traveler's Guide

For information purposes only, the Montana "castle doctrine" law states "occupied structure". It does not say anything about "home" or "RV", or anything else, just "occupied structure". See MCA 45-3-103

sooooo...how is "structure" defined in their law?

[rk911]

Donna and Rob wrote:
Traveling thru New Mexico and stopped at a Pilot to get fuel.
Donna went in while I fueled up. As soon as I got the nozzle in I looked up and a man appeared out of nowhere asking me if I wanted a free big screen TV. So I ask him why he wanted to give away a TV and he said he was a truck driver for Best Buy and pointed at a bunch of trucks and said "That's my truck over there". I didn't see a Best Buy truck.
Anyway He says "I had one TV left over, so, do you want it, I'll give it to you free". I told him no I didn't need another TV.
He disappeared as fast as he appeared.
I think he was trying to get me in the motorhome to rob me, what do ya'll think? Maybe I passed up a free TV, huh. :S Rob

I think you've answered your own question...he was up to no good. I might've pulled the nozzle out of the tank and casually pointed it at him while speaking but you did the right thing. did you report the encounter to the manager or police?

[hipower]

We've traveled a lot at night and in some less than savory places while chasing a racing circuit over the years. While I can say we have parked or been in some places where the comfort level is not what we would have liked, we did our business and moved on when we could

We all travel for the enjoyment of it and have a personal comfort level. The best advice anyone can get is to be aware of your surroundings, be aware of your equipment condition and check it over before moving on and try not to exceed your personal comfort level. If that means not traveling at night, or not using rest areas, etc., then that is what you should do.

[dadd]

gbopp wrote:
I'm sure it happens. But, we have never had any problems.
Just paying attention to your surroundings can make a difference.

X2!!!!!!!!!!!

[mowermech]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Foodsman wrote:
Thank you one and all for your responses. Does anyone know if the gun laws that pertain to your home also apply to your motorhome? If someone is in my coach who is uninvited and seems unwilling to leave I've seen enough Dirty Harry movies to know a Smith & Wesson may help things along.

But do you have the same protections as a private home?

In some states yes, in some no. It is called a Castle Doctrine and not all states treat your RV as a home. Some states treat it as a home when hooked up and parked, but most all states consider it a vehicle when it is on the road.
They have a good book that covers what you can and cannot do as you travle to different states. This book is updated yearly. Traveler's Guide

For information purposes only, the Montana "castle doctrine" law states "occupied structure". It does not say anything about "home" or "RV", or anything else, just "occupied structure". See MCA 45-3-103

[rgatijnet1]

I do have an on dash camera that records continuously what is going on out in front of our rig. There have been many instances when other drivers have cut it close to the front of the coach but so far no contact has been made. At least with the camera I have a record of what goes on.
When our rig is parked on our property, the camera still records what is going on, since it is always connected to shore power. Possibly it may record someone that decides to do something to the coach when parked. Never had a problem but that has zero bearing on what may happen tomorrow.

[Mr_Mark1]

We have not had any problems in the 7 yrs. and 65,000 miles we've been traveling. Once near San Francisco, we were traveling the 55 mph required when towing on a 4 lane wide (each side) freeway. We are in the far right lane staying out of everybody's way and this guy in a small pick-up passes and pulls in front of us. He starts to slow down so I put on my turning signal to pass (traffic was not that heavy) and then he pulls in front of me.

I realized quickly that he was wanting to play games. So, I just backed off and we got down to 40-45 miles and hour then he just veered off on an exit. Sometimes it just makes you wonder why people do crazy stuff. Maybe I wasn't going fast enough? I didn't even blow my air horns as not to make the crazy guy even crazier.

MM.

[Donna_and_Rob]

Traveling thru New Mexico and stopped at a Pilot to get fuel.
Donna went in while I fueled up. As soon as I got the nozzle in I looked up and a man appeared out of nowhere asking me if I wanted a free big screen TV. So I ask him why he wanted to give away a TV and he said he was a truck driver for Best Buy and pointed at a bunch of trucks and said "That's my truck over there". I didn't see a Best Buy truck.
Anyway He says "I had one TV left over, so, do you want it, I'll give it to you free". I told him no I didn't need another TV.
He disappeared as fast as he appeared.
I think he was trying to get me in the motorhome to rob me, what do ya'll think? Maybe I passed up a free TV, huh. :S Rob

[Two_Jayhawks]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Foodsman wrote:
Thank you one and all for your responses. Does anyone know if the gun laws that pertain to your home also apply to your motorhome? If someone is in my coach who is uninvited and seems unwilling to leave I've seen enough Dirty Harry movies to know a Smith & Wesson may help things along.

But do you have the same protections as a private home?

In some states yes, in some no. It is called a Castle Doctrine and not all states treat your RV as a home. Some states treat it as a home when hooked up and parked, but most all states consider it a vehicle when it is on the road.
They have a good book that covers what you can and cannot do as you travle to different states. This book is updated yearly. Traveler's Guide

Also if you plan to travel with a gun why not go ahead and take the CC class? My KS permit allows me to carry in most states. Having completed the course you'll have all your questions answered from the source instead of a "guesser". Lastly, be done with the gun talk on this forum it is not allowed.

[rk911]

nope...we've been at this RV thing since 1986 and haven't had any such problems.

[ferndaleflyer]

Pan handlers!!!! This didn't happen in the RV but I once gave a couple of $ to a guy that was sitting with his hood up at a stop light for gas. I swear the next day he was the same place telling the same story!!!!

[rgatijnet1]

Foodsman wrote:
Thank you one and all for your responses. Does anyone know if the gun laws that pertain to your home also apply to your motorhome? If someone is in my coach who is uninvited and seems unwilling to leave I've seen enough Dirty Harry movies to know a Smith & Wesson may help things along.

But do you have the same protections as a private home?

In some states yes, in some no. It is called a Castle Doctrine and not all states treat your RV as a home. Some states treat it as a home when hooked up and parked, but most all states consider it a vehicle when it is on the road.
They have a good book that covers what you can and cannot do as you travle to different states. This book is updated yearly. Traveler's Guide

[Foodsman]

Thank you one and all for your responses. Does anyone know if the gun laws that pertain to your home also apply to your motorhome? If someone is in my coach who is uninvited and seems unwilling to leave I've seen enough Dirty Harry movies to know a Smith & Wesson may help things along.

But do you have the same protections as a private home?