Not sure if I should scream or cry

[frickinducky]

So I picked up my new to me class c Friday. Not exactly what I expected, but that is a whine for another time, and only a small one at that.

Didn't really get on the road until the next day. Was exhausted from air travel and a night sleeping (sorta) on the airport floor in Phoenix. The only reason I mention this is that the fact that I am not hauling ass seems to be of interest to the cops. Even if I had not taken the night off, I would still be going slow. I have Dercum's disease and fibromyalgia. Won't go into the boring details, but they slow me down.

So to the meat of my tale of woe.

Day three, around 9ish pm, I am going through a toll booth. I pay, head on, get about 50 ft and there are the flashing blues of doom. I am trying to figure out what I did wrong, thought maybe I left the side stair out. Nothing else makes sense. Trooper gets to the window and I can't help it, I am anxious. Power inequality does that to me. So I hand him my papers and my hands are shaking, as much from my disability as nerves. I see that he sees this, explain and ask why I am being pulled over. Mr Trooper informs me he will let me know in a moment. Okay?!? he then informs me i need to exit the vehicle and take a seat in his cruiser. I know at this point I have the choice of contesting, but it is late, there are many cops, I am disabled, my record is clean. So I grab my handy dandy wonder cane (managing to drop my knife from my hip when it catches on my cane cord in the process - joy) and hobble on over and take a sit down in his incense laden front seat where I proceed to get a massive head ache and sinus issue.

He informs me that I failed to use my turn signal. I think 1) Not Bloody Likely, 2) WTF, and 3) Then Why Am I Sitting Here? He runs everything, gives me a warning and then informs that I am to stay in the cruiser, he is taking out the dog and searching my vehicle.

The back of my mind is screaming to not consent, to demand articulatable evidence that a crime is in progress, but I am alone, there a multiple cops, a cop questioning why my partner is not with me, blah, frickin patriarchal blah, blah... So like a dumb ass, I stay quiet, knowing I have nothing on me.

Stupid, stupid stupid. Evidently, the dog scented something. By the way, how long does the scent of a joint linger, not that I smoke, but curious now.

One trooper turns into three, including one with a pry bar. They found nothing. I will cut it short and just say I still need to repair my roof, replace some wood work, look at new awning hardware, am nursing injuries i got repairing my couch (read bed) legs and drawers and am really just peeved beyond belief.

But it gets better. Today in Indiana I get pulled over because my rear wheel touched the fog line three times while a half dozen semis are passing and there are high winds on a crap road. This time, I was just irritated (though civil) and informed the cop I was as all large vehicles in the right lane were doing the same and I just had my rv trashed in a search. So yet another warning with the info he planned on searching me until I showed him the fing paperwork from OK.

So is it pick on class C's driven by a youngish solo gimp female week? I got this to replace my van so this crap would not happen. My van, which I loved, kinda reeked of free candy and naps. This was suppose to give us space, both physical and from notice. What am I going to do if this crap keeps up next week when I have a cop disliking hubby, cats and dogs in here!!

I know the fact I am young looking makes me suspect as a full timer. I knew I was getting pulled over when I saw the cop today pull up next to me and take a look then drop back. I know that my Mass plates means I am from a pot smoking state in the eyes of some. So how do I avoid profiling? I am getting SD plates soon, but am not sure this will stop cops from wrecking my home.

I really do just want to scream and cry.

 

[Guest]

When I was driving semi's, I had customs tear my truck apart, when they told me to put it back together I went above their heads and they put it back the way they found it. That is the law. I would be sending these guys a bill plus they entered your home/vehicle with out your permission. I would file a complaint, just because you have a disability does not give them the right to treat you like this. There is a video on this site with your rights. Very informative.

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Wow, I'm sorry that all of this happened to you! Did they actually tear the RV apart with a pry bar? I'm wondering if there's a reason that you got pulled over twice in such a short period of time. Is the RV in good condition? Does it have any bumper stickers or other things that would make a cop suspicious? <br><br>&nbsp;Hope everything else goes smoothly and you have a safe trip home!

 

[yesican]

You know....every time you prove them wrong in the assumptions, you are teaching those police that even those who live outside the norm are decent law abiding citizens.&nbsp; Instead of feeling like a victim of their power, think of yourself as having the power of teaching--you taught them something with each stop.&nbsp; They may be less prejudicial against us abby normals next time they see us.<br><br>....Good job keeping your cool!<br><br>Rae

 

[user 423]

There's good and bad luck for sure on the road. One time I thought I would be getting hauled in because a cop was convinced that my brass T-fitting and short pipe oil pressure gauge modification (that I hadn't gotten round to installing) was a crack pipe.<br><br>Then there's the old Dodge van I bought in PHX and drove to Slab City. Didn't get stopped and I was sure glad for that. I later found 3 good sized roaches in the passenger area ashtrays...

 

[offroad]

there is no way that sueing them will get you any savings. you have to stay in that jurisduction, fille small claims for $100. take a chance it will just be tossed out by a judge before getting to a jury. some say to protest and ask if you are being arrested, or what is cause for the search? &nbsp;that you can say you do not submit to an illegal seach. then soend five years trying to sue for illegal search.&nbsp;<br><br>try some passive agressive kindness. ask for a warrent to search. ask if you are being arrested. explain you think you have the right to drive on interstate highways without being profiled for searching. ask for supervisors name, and chiefs name.&nbsp;<br><br>read up on stories of those who have been successful in contesting searches while traveling.&nbsp;

 

[ShesJustJodi]

I am so sory this happened to you!<BR><BR>Sadly, we will be seeing much more of this. In Texas and a few other states, TSA has already taken to the highways. Our North Korean state of mind is only spreading as the public is clueless. <BR><BR>I know I am going to be spending the weekend studying up on how to politely stand up for my rights if this happens to me. I am going to be living out of my car for two weeks in April/May. Its going to be a great practice run for my future wandering life. I saw some wild stuff the last time I drove from FL to IN two years ago and I am sure it is only worse now.

 

[Stargazer]

I was detained and searched at an interstate border checkpoint a few months ago. Their dog alerted to narcotics in my van. I was told to place my dogs in the kennel they had next to the office and stand aside. Two big border patrol agents guarded me (62 yrs old, female, 130#) while the dog and handler went through my van. At one point, I was told to remove my hands from my pockets. I told them that I had pain meds for my dog that may contain narcotics and would be happy to show it to them (in the original bottle). They declined my offer. They asked if I used pot. I said no. They said it was ok if I did, they didn't care and again asked if I smoke pot. I explained it just makes me sick and no. I also volunteered that there was a hand gun in the van and where it was. They asked what kind and was it loaded. They never asked if I had a permit. They never asked my name, didn't ask for ID. The dog never sniffed my person, didn't even get within 20 feet of me, nor did they search me personally.

Before I remembered my dog's pain meds, the following thought occurred to me. I had been camping with a group that I didn't really know. I had left my van unattended and unlocked more than once while attending group gatherings at the campground. What if someone had placed something in my van? Stranger things have happened. They found nothing, not even the dog medication, which I found out later does indeed contain an opiate.

The only mess they left was water splashed all over. I guess their big dog stepped on my dog's water bowl and spilled it.

The next time I drove through that same checkpoint, carrying the same meds, I had the meds out on the seat beside me, ready to show it to them. Guess what? They waved me through without a single question.

What's really interesting about this is the gun. They didn't seem to care. However, a few miles down the road, I pulled over and made sure it was still there. They could have stolen it and I had no way of proving it. The whole experience was very educational. I will never again leave my van unlocked when unattended, especially since one of the people there later admitted to stealing. You never know. And...I will write down the serial number and take a photo of my gun. It is a collector's item. Or leave it with a family member for safekeeping.

 

[frickinducky]

That's what I don't get! Decent and no stickers! I have a clean record. But even if... I just don't get it. I am afraid now. This has totally stolen my joy from having a gimp friendly home.

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp; When something like this happens for no reason it can really shake you up. I totally understand your feelings but hopefully it was just bad luck that you were stopped. We've been traveling for 40 years in various camping vehicles , VW buses, pickup with a cap, class C RVs, all over the country and have been stopped once for speeding ( 45 in a 35 zone) and another time for a bogus charge. Recently we've been in the southwest so we've been going through border control check points. We've been waved through every time after a few questions. I think that this is what you should be encountering and your experiences were just a aberration. <br><br>&nbsp;Did you make it home? Have your husband check the RV over carefully for water intrusion. Class C are notorious for having leaks especially in the cabover area. Eternabond tape is good if the roof needs to be patched. Also check the caulking around all of the marker lights.

 

[mockturtle]

That really sucks!!! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[lampliter]

Welcome to "the change".

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; Freedom is eroded every day in this country. It starts with I want something from the government and I will look the other way when they do things unconstitutional so I get what I want. Then one day they come for you and there's no one to object. This is kind of what I was after when I started another thread---Laws-- in off topic and chit chat. Government is great, folks think, when it gives them something. Remember, for everything they give you they have taken from someone else. The government has nothing, produces nothing, other than deficits.&nbsp;What some of you have experienced is just starting for the rest of us. What are you going to do about it ?&nbsp;

 

[owl]

&nbsp; One more thing. You who live this lifestyle must remember, you are different, you stand out because of it. You don't pay property taxes, you don't contribute to the status quo. Therefore you are no great loss to anyone in government. Don't think for a second that you are important on any level with them. They can and will do with us what they please. Who will object? The folks paying taxes through their nose and resenting every second your freedom. Not likely. So what is the answer? You tell me ?

 

[mockturtle]

Very well said, owl!

 

[user 423]

<span id="post_message_1277071645">

So what is the answer? You tell me ?

<br><br>Fly under the radar...<br></span>

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; These folks were flying under the radar. Just traveling. So your answer is what ? Pretend you are immune. My point is if we continue to look away and&nbsp; " fly under the radar" where does it end?

 

[user 423]

Stay focused on the fact that we all have to take the good with the bad...<br><br>"One is healthy when one can laugh at the earnestness and zeal with which one has been hypnotized by any single detail of one's life."&nbsp; --- Friedrich Nietzsche

 

[mockturtle]

Stay focused on the fact that we all have to take the good with the bad...<br><br>"One is healthy when one can laugh at the earnestness and zeal with which one has been hypnotized by any single detail of one's life."&nbsp; --- Friedrich Nietzsche

<br><br>Nietzsche may have been interesting but I would hardly call him healthy. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[user 423]

Not nowadays, no.<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="bbc_img">