New to RV,when traveling how do you know what areas to avoid

[Jackutah]

Let's face it .. Taking a wrong exit in some cities will place you in areas that you may not want to boondock or drive through being older or with the grandkids in RV.

when you are traveling through states that you have never been in before how do you know what areas to not stop to fill up.. Etc... .

I am a retired LE from California and now live in Utah... I travel in car all over the western states .. And know that the wrong exit in Bay Area .. Phoenix ... So cal .. Sacramento ... Vegas .. Etc places you in areas that are not safest..

I know this may be misunderstood but anyone who doesn't admit that parking in the wrong area is less safe than others is only fooling them-self..

How do you plan a trip all around the US and Canada with safety for grandkids etc as a factor..any apps.. Web pages etc that help?

[rockhillmanor]

When planning my destination whether for just the nights stay or to sight see in unfamiliar territory I use this:

http://www.spotcrime.com/

It gives you info based on 'actual' police reports.

Just plug in the address and/or city. I actually found some CG's I had planned on staying at certainly NOT the place I ever wanted to be even near to after using this link!

In just one glance you can make wise decisions whether you want to RV there or not! :B

In addition to using that link I am ALWAYS in a 'be aware of your surroundings' mode when RV'ing.

[Bobbo]

Someone once asked for campground recommendations for Memphis, TN. A visitor to our fair city stated that he recommended the campground at Graceland. Since I live in Memphis, I know that area. I strongly advised against that area. The visitor actually came back and said the campground was perfectly safe, get this, because they had armed guards at the gate! My response was that I didn't want to camp where they HAD to have armed guards at the gate.

[BTPO1]

is it friday yet? wrote:
Being retired LE, I am also, you should have that feeling when something doesn't seem right. Just get back on the freeway and go somewhere else. You do still carry don't you?

X2, my thoughts also. I also sense when things are not right and move on. JMO

[Homer1]

Look for RV activity in the area you are considering. If others are using it, you are probably alright. It should be well lighted at night. Don't get too far off the main thoroughfare. I in 40 years of Rv'g have never had a single problem, (save one). That individual was drunk and would have been a problem in church. He was dispatched post haste.

[04fxsts]

When pulling off interstate into an unfamilar urban area for gas or supplies whatever if you start seeing vacant or run-down buildings, that is a clue. Graffiti and stores and private residence with bars on their windows and doors is an even bigger clue that you don't want to be there. I also don't let my gas tank get too low where I have to get gas NOW. while you are looking for easy access and departure from the pumps look for people loitering around station. I pass on these also because I have gas to go a bit furthur down the road.

[Jay_Pat]

Try asking the rv park host when around a large city.
I have traveled around a lot of the states and haven't noticed anything that I thought could be a problem.
Pat

[beemerphile1]

I try to avoid neighborhoods with lots of black walnuts trees, they can cause stains. I have also found that neighborhoods with lots of acorn bearing oak trees means there will be lots of squirrels as your neighbors. Squirrels can be destructive and acorns on the roof can be loud. Also watch out for any dead trees, they can kill you. Pine tree neighborhoods can also be problematic when the sap gets on things.

Some neighborhoods are really wild. They have things like bears, bison, mountain lions and other dangerous inhabitants. These neighborhoods present a special challenge in providing safety for you and your family, I suggest vigilance at all times.

As to cities, I don't know, I usually don't camp in cities.

[Hondavalk]

2gypsies wrote:
In 16 years of full-timing and traveling constantly we've never felt unsafe - even boondocking in the wilds of national forests and remote BLM lands.

However, before full-timing many years ago, we were heading toward St. Louis on the interstate and passing through East St. Louis when the truck was acting up. We got off the closest exit and found ourselves in a worn down residential area. If you've ever read anything about East St. Louis it has a history of being 'rough'.

So, we drove a short distance and the truck stopped running. There were folks sitting on their porches or chatting on the sidewalk. Soon, about six guys came over and asked if we needed help - were we lost? We explained the truck just died and being Sunday, could they recommend a service repair with a tow that would be open. (This was years before cell phones by the way).

They asked us to pop the hood and they quickly took charge of finding the problems. They went into their cars and yards and scrounged for needed tools and parts to get us going. They were extremely polite, humorous and helpful.

...and get this - they would not accept our offering of payment.

Bottom line - it's needless to worry constantly about things happening.

Nice story and a good lesson for all of us.

[Dutch_12078]

Traveling in an RV is no different than traveling in a car or even on foot. If your situational awareness says you're in an area that makes you uncomfortable, move on.

[Chuck_thehammer]

the care and wellbeing of the building... is a good clue..

lots of business's are a good clue.

nighttime.. the number of Working street lights... and business signs lit.

[is_it_friday_ye]

Being retired LE, I am also, you should have that feeling when something doesn't seem right. Just get back on the freeway and go somewhere else. You do still carry don't you?

[Tvov]

Jackutah wrote:
...

when you are traveling through states that you have never been in before how do you know what areas to not stop to fill up.. Etc... .

I am a retired LE from California and now live in Utah... I travel in car all over the western states .. And know that the wrong exit in Bay Area .. Phoenix ... So cal .. Sacramento ... Vegas .. Etc places you in areas that are not safest..
...

You are retired LE and seem to have some travel experience. Just use that experience when trip planning.

Most of the time when on the highway if I see gasoline station signs combined with food signs, it means an area with a relatively safe commercial district that will be busy and (hopefully) have room for me and my trailer. But... all of my travels so far have been east coast, mostly New England.

[pitch]

First thing is that we stay well away from major urban areas. Worst comes to worst, remember that most violent crime is baddy on baddy. Most opportunists know full well that all heck will break loose on them for messing with a tourist!

We never let the truck get low enough on fuel that we would need to stop in a shady area. Even if on a freeway, most time you can see the general condition of an area before you edit.

If we do get into a bad area,we just keep rolling. It is only a matter of a few miles and a couple of minutes before we are out of the area.

I think the areas you need to worry about are the rest areas on the interstates.

[2gypsies1]

In 16 years of full-timing and traveling constantly we've never felt unsafe - even boondocking in the wilds of national forests and remote BLM lands.

However, before full-timing many years ago, we were heading toward St. Louis on the interstate and passing through East St. Louis when the truck was acting up. We got off the closest exit and found ourselves in a worn down residential area. If you've ever read anything about East St. Louis it has a history of being 'rough'.

So, we drove a short distance and the truck stopped running. There were folks sitting on their porches or chatting on the sidewalk. Soon, about six guys came over and asked if we needed help - were we lost? We explained the truck just died and being Sunday, could they recommend a service repair with a tow that would be open. (This was years before cell phones by the way).

They asked us to pop the hood and they quickly took charge of finding the problems. They went into their cars and yards and scrounged for needed tools and parts to get us going. They were extremely polite, humorous and helpful.

...and get this - they would not accept our offering of payment.

Bottom line - it's needless to worry constantly about things happening.

[rdmike]

kknowlton wrote:
We generally don't RV in/near major cities. That helps solve the problem. We also know a lot of people in a lot of different places, and can often ask them for advice. If you're in sales, perhaps you do too?

X2 never stayed in a RvPark that I felt it was not safe. All good.