Paranoia

[bullfrog]

Probably the safest thing to do is travel with others if security is a concern. The more people the more options you have. Tough to do if you are a hermit like me! lol!!!

 

[NctryBen]

I like being alone... when I did backcountry canoeing I might be 40 days out there... alone. I did have a dog and she was fun to have. But the invaluable asset of having her is she knew when danger may be present. One night she woke me up sorta growling. In the morning there was a big bear turd fifty feet from the tent. The bear left everything alone. Didn’t even take my TP to wipe his... Anyways, very protective is my current dog and I can usually tell if someone is there. But I still do everything to avoid confrontation. The other thing is to travel with someone. Or camp in a group... not always are places shut down because people are trashing it... sometimes there are drug issues, investigations and what not. Your right as far as the country isn’t as safe as it was. But the cities aren’t as safe either... it’s good to have a place with familiar surroundings. But it seems your maybe more remote than many of us get. Do you carry a personal locator beacon?
Just don’t give in to fear... ya take the steps you need to feel a bit safer... Good thread though... making a lot of people think.

 

[bebewanna]

Where I am in NM, they say, has a higher crime rate per capita than 99% of America.

A neighbor told me 3 people were shot, 2 were murdered here 10 years ago.. Meth idiots trying to take over the area, trying to scare away land owners living here.

My advice... Get a barking pit bull and a 9mm and relax... Because maybe just my opinion but if someone is looking to cause you harm and you are in the middle of nowhere. All the cameras and security stuff is not going to save you....

The dog and the gun might... I am 25 years in backwoods areas.

 

[Morgana]

For what it's worth (approximately 0 I'm sure), the movie "War Inc" (available on Freevee, highly recommend) has some hysterical exchanges between the John Cusack character and an OnStar-like service (his problems included questioning his vocation as an assassin and getting blown up in a Central Asian war zone).

Hey, is OnStar available in the wilderness? I mean, if you have money to spend ...

 

[Conundrum]

Camera security systems are relatively inexpensive in the overall picture. The power needs may be less than expected, you would have to check with the info specs on a given system, one main factor would be disregard the 110v power use, some use a transformer to step down to lower voltage to actually operate the system. It makes no sense to power up an inverter off 12v to make 110v to power the transformer thats going to make 12volts or less. The thing to find out is what their power source makes on output. If it works on 12v or less, inexpensive charge controllers are available that use far less power than stepping up and down from 12v to 110v to 12 or whatever volt. I think i paid about $14 for mine.

I dont know if they make them specifically for campers, they may, but a home system may work fine, at least for a while, the vibration of travel may shorten their lifespan, but that may just be the cost of doing business so to speak. There are some quite small, discrete cameras, and most have basic night vision capability. You can also set both the sensitivity and area to alert on as desired, which may vary with different locations. Its not hard to modify in the settings.

I wouldnt worry as much about making flood lights come on with motion, every bunny that comes around or blowing tree will trigger it. Id suggest an alert to you inside like a small LED light blink and beep sound if it triggers and nobody outside need know you are aware, and if it is a bunny or deer, no need to attract more attention to yourself. Having a manual switch to activate lights or noise maker would be fine to use as needed, but I think would get tiresome fast it it happened automatically at every possible motion alert.

I had a driveway alarm that was motion activated, it alerted to blowing sagebrush and deer and bunnies ALL the time. I eventually gave up trying to check it all the time when it alerted in the middle of the night (waking me up scads of times), then shut it off at night or unless expecting someone, then shut if off altogether and went with a simple camera with portable monitor I could carry around if out in the back.

Thank you for the recommendations.

 

[Conundrum]

I used to follow the Homeless Firefighter on YT. He talks about safety at about 4:42. He ended up using Simply Safe. You may want to check it out.

Homeless Firefighter:

Simply Safe: https://simplisafe.com/

Thank you for the tip, I will check it out.

 

[Conundrum]

In addition to your security camera and motion detection options, I would suggest you buy and use a simple (preferably a darker color) cam-lock cargo strap and use it to secure your driver door and passenger door by looping the strap thru the interior door handles. This will slow down any attempt by a violent intruder who has smashed your window and is looking to unlock the door and gain access in a few seconds.

The strap should slow them down enough so that you can start the engine and make your escape (or resort to plan B if you have a plan B, I do.)

If the strap is in YOUR way you may be able to use two straps end to end in a longer loop and threaded under the seats.

There are no guarantees in life, but some of us in the wide world of trucking have done this when we have to get some sleep in a sketchy area...and that happens a LOT in cross country trucking.

This might increase your confidence level and make it easier to sleep.

Thank you for this tip. Might be a good idea to make impossible to open the doors.

 

[Conundrum]

I don't know how handy you are, but this guy built a security system that allows you to see four vantage points around your RV on one screen.

Thank you for sharing this. I am not handy at all but I can find someone to duplicate it.

 

[Conundrum]

Having fear and conquering fear are both good things. Having confidence in your ability to deal with situations is also a good thing. Being in a better position to avoid those situations is even better.

The video posted above is good for people trying to be stealthy with their camera setup. I think that having smaller cameras makes sense, but not at the expense a of quality picture from a decent range.

I would consider something like these for your cameras. They are small, but have larger infrared lights per camera, which let's you see clearer and farther at night. And reviews say they have some of the best pictures out of any number of cameras in this class.


Interwebz (TVI CVI AHD Analog) Mini Dome Camera 1080p Security Camera Weatherproof MicroDome 2MP 4 in 1 Hybrid 3.6mm Infrared Night Vision CCTV Video Surveillance HD Over Coax https://a.co/d/isfIwxI

Combine those with a DVR that can record, and a monitor, and you're set. I have a 4 camera kit that would be perfect for your application, but the cameras are too bulky. Something like this would work well, as it incorporates the ability to use the smaller cameras, record, and has a built in monitor. It can do motion sensing as well. I have a WiFi camera version of this and they work well. But for your RV I think having the wired cameras would be best.

True All-in-One Home Security Camera System with Built-in 10.1" LCD Monitor,SANNCE 4CH 1080P Surveillance DVR Recorder with 4Pcs 100ft Night Vision Cameras, Easy Remote Access,1TB HDD Included https://a.co/d/dAXysph

You can play back video from previous days, and both the cameras and main unit can run off of 12v. Simple to set up and relatively cheap pace of mind on the camera front.

Get some cool side lights for the RV that are individually switched. There are tons of led flood lights made just for lighting up a side of an RV at night.

If you feel it's worth the bother, get a horn type speaker that can do alarm noises or other things you might want to play loudly to startle someone out drive them away. I would have a few noises for various animals they you might be worried about. If it's coyotes then maybe a roadrunner beep beep, and so on. Also maybe a mic option so you can talk to people if you have unwanted visitors and talk from inside.

All of this combined would probably cost under $500. More if you have a stereo shop install it. Just remember to seal up any holes you might make properly.

Now if your install all of this and all you do is stare at the monitor or check the tape, you might want to read that book mentioned above. But if this helps give you peace of mind knowing you've covered the bases you can, go for it.

Good luck, and have fun. That's the point.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will look into all of them.

 

[Conundrum]

I like being alone... when I did backcountry canoeing I might be 40 days out there... alone. I did have a dog and she was fun to have. But the invaluable asset of having her is she knew when danger may be present. One night she woke me up sorta growling. In the morning there was a big bear turd fifty feet from the tent. The bear left everything alone. Didn’t even take my TP to wipe his... Anyways, very protective is my current dog and I can usually tell if someone is there. But I still do everything to avoid confrontation. The other thing is to travel with someone. Or camp in a group... not always are places shut down because people are trashing it... sometimes there are drug issues, investigations and what not. Your right as far as the country isn’t as safe as it was. But the cities aren’t as safe either... it’s good to have a place with familiar surroundings. But it seems your maybe more remote than many of us get. Do you carry a personal locator beacon?
Just don’t give in to fear... ya take the steps you need to feel a bit safer... Good thread though... making a lot of people think.

A dog would be a high maintenance solution that I am unable to handle. No beacon. Starlink and a sat phone.

 

[Conundrum]

Where I am in NM, they say, has a higher crime rate per capita than 99% of America.

A neighbor told me 3 people were shot, 2 were murdered here 10 years ago.. Meth idiots trying to take over the area, trying to scare away land owners living here.

My advice... Get a barking pit bull and a 9mm and relax... Because maybe just my opinion but if someone is looking to cause you harm and you are in the middle of nowhere. All the cameras and security stuff is not going to save you....

The dog and the gun might... I am 25 years in backwoods areas.

A dog is not for me. A gun might help when push comes to shove but I am looking for ways to avoid getting to the point of conflict.

 

[Conundrum]

For what it's worth (approximately 0 I'm sure), the movie "War Inc" (available on Freevee, highly recommend) has some hysterical exchanges between the John Cusack character and an OnStar-like service (his problems included questioning his vocation as an assassin and getting blown up in a Central Asian war zone).

Hey, is OnStar available in the wilderness? I mean, if you have money to spend ...

OnStar is only available for some General Motors vehicles. My van is not GM. It also probably requires a cell connection.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Thank you for this tip. Might be a good idea to make impossible to open the doors.

Not impossible but it will slow them down hopefully.

 

[Happy Camper]

With a star link setup, you can also access your cameras remotely if you have cell access. Or you can also give someone else access to check on you remotely if you choose.

The straps look like a good idea. Or maybe get an interior deadbolt type setup for when you're inside. So many options, but whatever you decide, ask questions regarding your setup. I looked up your van, and those are very nice class B vans. It's good to know what it's capable of, and what it isn't. 4x4 sprinter is a very good start though.

 

[mbrasseau]

^Good for you and I hope you convince more nomads to stay away from the wilderness.

I would not attempt any such thing. But I do advise some sort of buddy system.

The wilderness is simply too beautiful to stay away from.

 

[Trailhop]

You could put a Marines (or similar) bumper sticker on your rig, maybe with some other Marines
paraphernalia in sight on your dash.
It might make someone think twice about messing with you.

 

[Happy Camper]

Just mount a turret. That'll make people think twice. It might crowd your interior a little. But why not? Lol

 

[Conundrum]

With a star link setup, you can also access your cameras remotely if you have cell access. Or you can also give someone else access to check on you remotely if you choose.

The straps look like a good idea. Or maybe get an interior deadbolt type setup for when you're inside. So many options, but whatever you decide, ask questions regarding your setup. I looked up your van, and those are very nice class B vans. It's good to know what it's capable of, and what it isn't. 4x4 sprinter is a very good start though.

"With a star link setup, you can also access your cameras remotely if you have cell access. Or you can also give someone else access to check on you remotely if you choose."

I will check how this works. I only have a Starlinks connection when I set up the dish and turn the PC on. I don't have a connection when I am not working, such as when I want to sleep.

 

[Happy Camper]

Ah ok. I thought you had it on continually. Remote access will only work via an Internet connection. Not sure what the power draw is on the star link, but I know one of the regulars has a very informative thread on them in the cell section that would give that info.

 

[LargeMarge]

a)
re -- establish camp in the afternoon
.
We watch innumerable camping (and the trendy 'over-landing' [snorts derisively]...) videos.
Occasionally, somebody is searching for camp at...
...Mad-Slasher Midnight.
No good can come of that.
.
If you are wandering around at night:
Can you imagine parking on a night-dormant ant-hill.
Can you imagine parking next to railroad tracks.
Can you imagine parking near the driveway of a school... and at 07:45am, all the drop-off parents are squawking.
.
Our System:
Between camps, we time our vehicular strolls-n-moseys so we arrive during the afternoon.
This gives us time to settle into 'camp-mode' and out of 'travel-mode', fuss with supper, shower, sight-see, and share after-care including swapping tales of the day and folks along the way.
.
This amount of settling time also gives a margin in case of break-downs... or 'taking TheScenicRoute©'.
.
.
b)
re -- self-ignited fears
.
I notice significantly less stress traveling with our caravan chums.
This revolving bunch of Permanent Travelers has centuries of aggregate wisdom.
And we make a dandy Mutual Assistance Group in case of rabid skunks or crippled starving bears.
.
You might infer my disdain for lights and whistles.
Although those tertiary tools can be useful in a secondary sense, they pale in comparison to the primary effective tools:
* a motivated assertive trained group acting as one to protect the Tribe!.