Security for RV Travelers?!!

[Morgan7600]

Hi guys,&nbsp; I'm still in the planning stages and would like to start my RV adventures next year.&nbsp; The one thing that scares me a bit is the unknown out there and the possibility of something really bad happening say in a remote area like BLM land.<br>I read the news locally here in San Diego and of the world and must say, in all the stories each day, I can't remember ever reading about an RVer or camper being attacked by bandits or worse.&nbsp; I therefore choose to believe that as a senior, (I'll be 65 in Oct.) it is relatively safe out there for us.&nbsp; After all, so many of us retire and go RVing right?&nbsp; Seniors in RV's are everywhere you look these days.&nbsp; Comments anyone?

 

[mockturtle]

As a solo female RVer, I have had a few instances of feeling not 100% safe [and I vacated the premises] but the risk does not outweigh the sheer exhilaration of remote camping.&nbsp; Life is [or should be] an adventure and, while I do take certain precautions, I don't dwell on the safety issues.&nbsp; I have read about more people being carjacked and killed in urban and suburban areas than have been attacked in the 'boonies'.

 

[Morgan7600]

Exactly my thoughts as well..&nbsp; After all, are we not of the earth :::?

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;In our 20 years of fulltiming we haven't had any bad experiences either in the city or out on public land. Occasionally something bad does happen. A few years ago a retired couple went missing. Their RV was found but I'm not sure if they ever were. I believe this is very rare though because every time this subject comes up on any RV forum ( and it does quite often) nobody has a first person horror story just instances like mockturtle reported where they didn't feel completely safe and did the smart thing and left.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

I have heard more stories of friends becoming enemies than any attacks. ANYWHERE<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Morgan7600]

James,&nbsp; Not sure what you mean by that?&nbsp; Can you elaborate?&nbsp; thnx

 

[Van-Tramp]

Hi Morgan,<br><br>First let me say I carry a gun on my belt at all times. I have a permit to do so an choose to exercise that right. I do carry it for self defense, specifically against other humans. It has come out of my holster TWICE in 10 years in self protection both times within major cities.<br><br>Not once have I felt the need to even un-snap the holster while traveling. I boondock on BLM land, Forest land, at all the Walmarts and Truck Stops and even stay nights at Rest Stops from time to time. Again, not once have I felt in any major danger... mainly because I can always just crank up the engine and drive off, even if there was someone banging on my door.<br><br>Statistically, you are much safer today then you were 10 years ago. Statistically, you are in much more danger in major metro areas then in rural areas. Statistically, you are many times more likely to be injured or die driving, then being attacked anywhere. <br><br>However, statistics wont help you if you are attacked. You would be wise to have plans in place to maximize your chances. Getting out of the major metro areas is a huge step. Being prepared to drive off in haste each and every night is another. Having a self defense weapon of one type or another is also another, but very much a personal choice.

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Stop watching the news, you will automatically feel better about this lifstyle. Situational awareness works wonders.

 

[Morgan7600]

Van-Tramp,&nbsp; OK then ::: I stand enlightened by your words and your image !<br>And I agree with your philosophy 110% :::<br><br>A song for you sir :::&nbsp;<br> "The Hearings" :::&nbsp; http://12gaugemusic.com/hearings-02.html (vocals coming soon!)<br><br>0101010010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101<br><br>owl ::&nbsp; I also agree with your words !&nbsp; I have disconnected most of my Directv<br>which was actually done with economics in mind but did notice an immediate<br>elation with the absence of Fox News Channel !&nbsp; The truth is a nasty thing!<br><br>A song for my friend owl :::&nbsp; "Morgan's Overture" :::&nbsp; http://12gaugemusic.com/overture-02.html

 

[Terry]

Watching Fox news and thinking it's anything more than a propaganda machine is among the worst things a person can do.

 

[wagoneer]

second that emotion Those talking heads could ruin your wonderlust.&nbsp;

 

[mockturtle]

Those talking heads could ruin your wonderlust.

<br><br>Absolutely! It's the goal of <em>all</em> of the news networks to keep you at home, fearful and glued to the tube instead of out enjoying the wonders and beauty of our planet.

 

[leftcoastadv]

<span id="post_message_1278471573" style="line-height: 20px;">Absolutely! It's the goal of&nbsp;<em>all</em>&nbsp;of the news networks to keep you at home, fearful and glued to the tube instead of out enjoying the wonders and beauty of our planet.</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">&nbsp;</span>

<br>Yup! CNN, MSNBC, FOX, Etc... they're all the same. Making money off of fear.

 

[Guest]

Morgan7600: As Owl said, stop watching the news. &nbsp;Stories like "120 million people not attacked by anyone today" don't make it. &nbsp;TV, newspapers make money by selling; giving a fearful story sells. &nbsp;But this distorts the truth - that the events they are selling aren't common. &nbsp;They are uncommon events gathered from a large area.&nbsp;<br><br>The other thing that distorts is our risk perception. &nbsp;Happy driving that motor vehicle and worried about a random attack? &nbsp;Check the stats, more people die or are injured in motor vehicle crashes.&nbsp;<br><br>eg:<br><br><a href="http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811753.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811753.pdf</a>&nbsp; "One person dies every 16 minutes" [in USA.]<br><br>also<br><br>"<span style="font-size: 13px;">In 2011, 32,367 people were killed in the estimated 5,338,000 police-reported&nbsp;</span><div>motor vehicle traffic crashes; 2,217,000 people were injured; and 3,778,000 crashes&nbsp;</div><div>resulted in property damage only" &nbsp;[in USA]<br><br>But most people don't rate driving as risky. People rate things they do daily as lower risk, than uncommon events. Why more people afraid of flying than driving.<br><br>Check out the health related deaths - that can be affected by your behaviour: low fat, healthy food, exercise, low stress, no smoking, no drugs, etc.. &nbsp;The risks there are bigger than driving.<br><br>Check out this article on risks and fear:&nbsp;<a href="http://zenhabits.net/bet/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://zenhabits.net/bet/</a>&nbsp;<br><br>Yeah, I know, all the stats in the world don't help if your the 1 in x that something happens to.&nbsp;</div><br>Sure bad stuff does happen. &nbsp;No one can deny that. &nbsp;<br><br>There are things that happen that you can't be prepared for. Its just not your day type events.<br><br>Otherwise, you can observe and prepare for anything that could be "bad". &nbsp;As others have noted, situational awareness. If you don't feel comfortable where you are - move. (I've done the same.) Would anything bad have happened if you didn't; who knows, but it sure feels better moving, and you get better sleep <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Live your life not in fear.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

I agree. Enjoy it. There is very little risk.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[josephusminimus]

Morgan:&nbsp; You're a senior citizen, right?&nbsp; Heck, you and I can kick just about anywhere, anytime without any help from anyone.&nbsp; There's no security for us.&nbsp; Sure, we can carry pistols, shotguns, get Doberman pincers, rig all manner of security devices.&nbsp; But the real issue is really how we want to spend whatever amount of life we've got left.&nbsp; Our risk is one involving dozens of possible terminal health conditions and looking the hourglass in the eye.&nbsp; If there are things we want to do and they seem high risk, believe me, they're no riskier for a 70 year-old than just getting up and starting the day.

 

[Morgan7600]

josephusminimus, Lynx &amp; ozgirl :::&nbsp; You lay it out quite eloquently!&nbsp; As I have become older and my health issues have exploded, I have become someone I do not recognize!&nbsp; <br>I want me back!&nbsp; I believe the RV lifestyle is a very free spirited thing.&nbsp; I can feel it calling to me :::&nbsp; Here's why:<br><br>A brief story about how I lost myself.&nbsp; I am single with no family in town and no wife, kids &amp; of course no grand kids.<br> I spent 20 years in construction as a Land Surveyor and worked my way up to Crew Chief.&nbsp; Being the point man &amp; running the instrument most of the time I could not move around and inhaled intense amounts of construction dust and nasty pollutants from the big 657's and Cats going by on the dirt haul roads.&nbsp; This gradually worked on me until in 2007 at the relatively young age of 59 I learned I had the Chronic Bronchitis version of COPD.&nbsp; Having no health insurance I struggled with the cost of doctors and meds.&nbsp; <br><br>I had to consume a great deal of Prednisone in those days and I think the stuff, as horrible as it is, did quite save my life.&nbsp; I was just laying in bed staring at the ceiling trying to breath.<br>Just me and my Dobie dogs!&nbsp; I eventually found a very great and inexpensive pulmonary specialist and was able to return to a simi normal existence.&nbsp; Then in 2010 I was hefting a big picture window on my own and my right bicep tendon ripped out of it's moorings on the bone.&nbsp; Doctors said "well your age.." and all that crap and I never got it fixed so now I live with a wanky right arm and yes, I am right handed!&nbsp; I learned that the Prednisone had very likely weakened my musculature contributing to the injury. <br><br>Then, on January 3rd. 2012 I survived a heart attack.<br>The 911 call, the ambulance ride to the ER, the EMT calling for "more Nitro.. more Nitro" as he squirted the drug into my mouth.&nbsp; A stent was placed in a main heart artery and I was home 3 days later.&nbsp;<br> As a healthy eater and work out guy, I was totally blind sided by the heart event and was informed by the cardiologist that the cholesterol and subsequent high blood pressure problems were hereditary.&nbsp; What a surprise!<br><br>And the conclusion :: I took care of my Dad before he died here in this house and then purchesed the property from the estate in 2004. The property is on a hill and extremely secluded and secure which is one of the reasons I've struggled with the idea of security "out there" but this is me being lost in myself!<br> I do have an emotional attachment to the property but as my work went away as work does, I have been really pressed to make the cost of staying here.&nbsp; My cardiologist informed me that the financial issues combined with the love of my family home was a huge stress contributor of the heart event. I see the RV lifestyle as stress free and the idea of watching my pensions build every month excites me.<br><br>josephusminimus :::&nbsp; You hit the nail on the head!&nbsp; I can so relate to what you have said here.<br>Yes I'm a senior and will be 65 in October this year.<br>As much as I love my home and my home recording studio, I am restless and I need to talk to people and have fun again.&nbsp; Way too much time alone on this hill.<br><br>Next chapter: Planning for my adventure and exactly how to work my way up to a diesel pusher!<br><br>

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Wow Morgan, you've been having a rough time!&nbsp; Working outside all day you should have been in a healthy environment but obviously not. I hope that you're feeling better. For most people RVing is a very relaxing lifestyle. It's a little stressful in the beginning but once everything becomes routine it's great!

 

[Morgan7600]

Hi T&amp;K,&nbsp; Thanks for writing.&nbsp; Yeah you know I think about this dam near all day every day now &amp; that's how things get started with me.&nbsp; Constant analysis and preponderance!<br><br>As for my health, I'm still getting used to the whole idea of it all.&nbsp; The health care system has been quite disgusting overall.&nbsp; I can sure see what all the "healthcare" fuss is about in the news.&nbsp; Our system sucks!<br>We need that doctor down the street with his little black bag who comes to see us when we are feeling poorly.&nbsp; Let's bring that guy back man!<br><br>Working outside is the only way for me.&nbsp; I've done it all my life.&nbsp; I am also a Licensed Contractor <span style="color: #0000ff;">http://rsdpool.com/&nbsp;</span> in the swimming pool industry here in San Diego and have always gone back and forth between the 2 as times changed and construction died away as it always will.&nbsp; We build things: things get built: on to the next one and so on but it is so very politically and economically influenced.&nbsp;&nbsp; I still have a small pool route and selling it is part of my retirement plan when I'm ready.&nbsp; <br>I have a cat in hospice here and he will have to go before I can do anything.&nbsp; He is about 17 or 18 now and in real bad shape but has been the best cat ever.&nbsp; I also have an aging black lab mix but she'll probably come with me on the first leg of my adventure if I can put it together.<br><br>The way I see it, I either keep my F-250 6L Diesel pickup and put a Lance or the like on it or sell it if I could find a good mechanically solid C Class I can afford and then just hang out here building up my savings and getting used to the idea as you mentioned.&nbsp; I do foresee that after a while, I would love seeing finances THAT WORK so very much that it could be nothing but good stuff for me.&nbsp; From that point on, I must say I really love the big diesel pushers.&nbsp; While they are expensive, I look at it like this :::&nbsp; Buying a meager home in San Diego is at least 200G and a near new pusher is under 100G.&nbsp; This looks like the way to go for me but I suppose you would need to test the waters to be sure you are in it for the duration before making that sort of investment.&nbsp; I would build the coolest mobile recording studio if I had that kind of room :: sliders etc.&nbsp; A man has got to dream!<br><br>********************<br>Follow me said the wise man but he walked behind!

 

[Morgan7600]

I just read some more on your site and Laughlin sounds like the perfect place for me to hang out if and when I begin this adventure.&nbsp; I have a buddy out in Cathedral City and have been wanting to check out the desert scene anyhow.&nbsp; RV friendly seems like glue to a rookie RVer now doesn't it???