Tethered to your rig?

[JasonMcD]

I've always been a bit cautious, if not paranoid about leaving my rig for any amount of time more than a few hours.

 I saw a post on Reddit that someone had their van torched to the ground while it was parked at a residence in Portland. There is talk of a serial arsonist in that area (though they seem to be targeting high end vehicles, and this van apparently). I'm hesitant to even name the city, to avoid politics, but its no secret that Portland has been a bit turbulent recently, and its information that i feel should be known. I know these kinds of incidents are rare, but nonetheless it really kind of instilled that caution in me again, if not a bit of fear.

 Do you feel tethered to your rig? Part of the lifestyle is the feeling of freedom it provides, yet it does feel a bit limiting in this sense. Your rig is your vehicle, your home, your everything you've got. Does anyone else feel this way? What steps do you take when you want/need to get away for awhile?

 

[maki2]

No I don't feel tethered to it. But I use common sense about where I stay and where I park when in town. Of course it is nice to camp with friends who help do security guarding. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't camp with friends.

If you constantly feel afraid then full time nomadic life is a very poor choice of lifestyle. You will be better off living in a gated community with security guards. Of course that is not an affordable lifestyle for someone on a limited income. But there are RV parks like that.

 

[nature lover]

I guess I never thought I’m tethered to my rig but in a sense I am. Everything I own is in it. I have my refrigerator mainly for my medication’s. I have a well stocked pantry. I have my clothes closet with everything I own that way. And I have my place to sleep. So I don’t go far from the Van. But rather than seeing myself tied to it I see myself as being supported by it. Is the glass half full or half empty?

 

[bullfrog]

Again a good reason to minimise and have a good emergency fund as well as a plan B. No vehicle will go forever without break downs and eventually wearing out and accidents do sometimes total vehicles. For me they are just tools that allow me to live cheaply on the road.

 

[WanderingRose]

But rather than seeing myself tied to it I see myself as being supported by it. Is the glass half full or half empty?

Excellent!!!

These are our traveling homes.

You lock them up, leave to do what you need and want to do, but otherwise live in and around them.

Most people mean us no harm, and getting past that for many is a big first step.

Remember that we are also the others that others may fear, so smile and say hello, be aware but unafraid.

 

[cyndi]

tethered? No. But, for the most part I don't leave it for long periods or go far. After I've traveled to a destination I enjoy relaxing around the van. I've done my exploring, eating out, and chores en route

 

[hugemoth]

The secret is to park near rigs that are nicer than yours so the thief goes there instead

My rig sets alone and unoccupied nearly every day as I go exploring on my quad. It's usually in a remote location with no other rigs nearby. I've never had an issue. My philosophy is Don't worry, be happy.

I did see a bear near my rig a couple days ago but no scratches on the door.

 

[JasonMcD]

No I don't feel tethered to it. But I use common sense about where I stay and where I park when in town. Of course it is nice to camp with friends who help do security guarding. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't  camp with friends.

If you constantly feel afraid then full time nomadic life is a very poor choice of lifestyle. You will be better off living in a gated community with security guards. Of course that is not an affordable lifestyle for someone on a limited income. But there are RV parks like that.

I didn't say i was "constantly afraid". I voiced legitimate concerns. No need for your condescending criticism. I'm glad you're so fearless though.

 

[StarkRavingNomad]

I'm it bit different in that I have a cargo trailer conversion. It costs a lot less than most vans, but I do leave it behind a fair amount. I use a boot, wrap the chains around the crank and lock it, and if it's in an area that feels risky I've even taken the nuts off one of the wheels.

A home on wheels might not have the security of sticks and bricks, but I'm thinking about what everybody's mentor Bob Wells says about it. We're trading off security to gain freedom.

I'm guessing I'm not alone here, I feel far more tethered by my dog. I can't do a lot of leaving her in my vehicle when it's at all warm outside, so things like dining-in, museums, tours, etc are not doable for a good part of the year.

(I know what you mean about the tone of some posters. I hope this old guy's 2 cents worth didn't come off as condescending. )

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I've always been a bit cautious, if not paranoid about leaving my rig for any amount of time more than a few hours . . .
Do you feel tethered to your rig? . . . What steps do you take when you want/need to get away for awhile?

My general rules of thumb:
 - If I cannot afford to lose it - it is insured.
 - If it is irreplaceable/difficult to replace - it is stored in multiple locations.
 - If a place doesn't feel safe - I go somewhere else.

I've left my rig for up to 2 weeks at a time.  I just don't worry about it.  If someone steals/destroys, it is a hassle but it is not devastating.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I sometime feel that way when leaving my vehicle at trailheads, because these are ideal places for thieves.I Usually feel ok in busy places. I make sure everything is tucked away no packs or gear hanging out in the open, sunglasses cameras etc. I try to have everything out of sight no temptations, blanket over stuff if I can’t store away.

 

[NctryBen]

Yeah, don’t live in fear... I like the thought of this post. Something anyone on the road has to be concerned about. Insurance whether in a stick n bricks or on the road is key. I feel as secure on the road as I do back home. By fall my “home” will be officially my kids cabin. I’m breaking my ties even though it’s a place I can come back to. I have a job here I hope to reduce to just summer employment. On the road I’m concerned as anyone about the concerns stated. I guess that’s why I will keep an eye out for other people living on the road and such. My biggest fault is maybe being a little trusting. But the minimalists we are I’d like to think their are far bigger targets. A lot of thought does go into this concern. I do what I can... but I doubt when I go I can take anything with me. So I just don’t see stuff as being all that important. Having older vehicles is a gamble with similar consequences. Good luck getting what it’s worth to you should something happen. And it very well might happen. Like mentioned this lifestyle is a lot about freedom. But there could be a cost!

 

[LERCA]

I keep extra meds in my safe deposit box ($102. a year and pretty big) some I keep in my backpack/purse but if they have to be refrigerated then I guess you take your chance and I doubt anyone would bother it especially if you put a note as to what it is.
Go to the shelter and get a big Pit Bull. I’m on my third. Total sweethearts but great guard dogs. I don’t feel safe without my girl.

 

[Scott3569]

The same exact things could happen if you had a house or an apartment... most people are do not leave their homes for a very long period of time. Sure they go on vacation for 2 maybe 3 weeks.. But outside of that.. if they are not at home they are at work.. so really what is the difference?

the difference is in this lifestyle, you are traveling with your home.. Maybe connecting with more people might help you with this feeling..

I would like to connect with a few people when I actually get on the road.. I don't think a nomad life style is defined as being a hermit.. isolation is NOT an absolute just depends on how you want to live the life style

 

[eDJ_]

We used to speak a lot more about minimalism as associated with the Van Nomad way of life in the past.   But it still comes back to the discussion from time to time.  But the idea of getting several uses from any one item you carry helps with minimizing the possessions you need to have with you.

Are you traveling with minimum possessions or are you going homesteading ?  The more you have, the more you have to guard and be vigilant over.  And, are you living in your rig or living out of it ?  Meaning are you only sleeping in the rig & perhaps cooking in it from time to time and traveling some in it ?

If you are working online from your rig you may need up to 17 additional  computer/office items which could make your rig a higher value target for thieves.  (and there are "crazies" out there who just want to hate.....rebels without a clue more often than not)

I think the answer falls between what Bullfrog & Scott is saying. 

Your Cell with apps can do a lot of things for you.  

If you aren't traveling or camping for long periods of time, do you need a big Solar/battery system, or would a deep cycle 12 vdc battery with a switching solenoid be adequate ?  Would having a membership to a national syndicated Gym so you could stay over night at rough camps that are free
or staying on Walmart/Lowe's/Cracker Barrel where you can get free WIFI be better than paying to stay in improved campgrounds at state parks ?  

And what would you like to accomplish while out on the road ?   You will have freedom,  and with that need to learn how to use it.   I used to make list of about 10 things to accomplish each day.  Without that I would have felt lost, floundering, and confused.  But with it I had a sense of purpose and felt like I was traveling towards something instead of just drifting.