Many years and over 200,000 miles and never had a problem. Only RV'd in USA and Canada though. We're not trying Mexico no matter how safe some say it is.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
Never had a problem
I once saw a group looking for "repair" funds at a rest area, east bound
A week later I saw them at the same rest area, west bound...
2008 F350SD V10 with an 2012 Arctic Fox 29-5E When someone tells you to buy the same rig they own, listen, they might be right. When they tell you to buy a different rig then they own, really pay attention, they probably know something you don't.
Couple years ago had a guy come up to me while pumping fuel (it was way after dark and wife was inside the store). He started haggling me for some money for fuel. He wanted cash. But he also acted very aggressive. I have a personal "thing" about giving "cash" to any stranger, but I had a very, very bad feeling about this guy. I finally offered to put $5.00 in his gas tank. I swipped my card, took my own receipt, and he finally left in his car. I went inside and talked to the cashier, he said they'd been having problems with people getting held up for drug money. Not at gun point or anything, but with verbal threats until they got money. He said I did a pretty smart thing by pumping gas for him and he split. Still, it was completely unnerving and something I never forgot.
That was the only incident in all my years of travel and camping (and I've traveled far). Only other time was downtown Indianapolis when a guy approached me. I was with my wife and kids (they were still pretty young). He insisted on Money. I went bizzark on him (I mean bizzark)... yelled at him to get his own job, and started screaming for the police. I mean bizzark. He fled! (My wife and kids had never seen me act that way, before or after ... I think they were shocked ... but also glad I temporarily went insane! We did finally get a policeman and reported the incident.)
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
I have pulled into a few rest stops, only to keep going because I did not like the crowd! It's not difficult to pick out the meth crowd or the group looking to cause problems.
It's about using common sense and being aware of your surroundings.
While I do not pack heat, I am armed with some knowledge of self protection. I have spent the evening at rest stops, walmart parking lots and casino lots without issue. Most people I have come across are friendly and just enjoying their travels too.
Now I have had things taken from our campsite, in a full camp ground in the middle of the day, no less. This is the reason I usually put the good stuff up when we take off on our adventures.
And if it helps you to relax, I am a single mom traveling with a couple of young kids....and we go everywhere!
You are wise to be cautious for sure...after all "THEY" are out there amongst us!
However, in the 30 years I've been camping, 20 of those with kids...we never felt in danger or had anything stolen. I'm a 30 year veteran retired Police Officer and have a good sence of when something is "hinkey"...but my "hinkey" alarm rarely sounds when camping!
Be alert, be aware of your surroundings and be cautious...when the bad guys see that in a person...they go find someone else to pick on!
I'd rather get a 911 call from a scared person in a RV than do an investigation later when something bad happens...less paperwork you know!
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
I've had 'scum of the earth' show up at my front door......they weren't as fast a runner as my Border Collie
I've had 'scum of the earth' approach me while fueling up truck......they back off when I tell them the dog in the truck doesn't take kindly to strangers and you're 'strange.
I've had 'scum of the earth' approach me in shopping center parking lots....DOG
But in all the years camping....pickup truck bed, camper shell, tents, trailer etc.have never had any 'scum of the earth' approach.
Have had few 'strange' camp site neighbors.......naked man, a midnight knocker and an alcoholic....but they were easily dealt with.
And never have had anything stolen while camping. Majority of camping folks are by and large good people that help out when needed.
BUT....Situational Awareness.........any time....all the time. There ARE some crazy 'scum of the earth' out there. Yes Sir.there are!
Only at a Nascar race. Cooler of beer. But was in the workers parks, not in the regular RVers lot. Don't know if that made a difference or not.
Oh, and as a retired truck driver, I know better than hanging out in rest areas or truck stop parking lots. I've seen it all in those kind of places. Even saw a high flea bag hauler (Moving company tractor trailer) put on a driving skills exhibition. He was upset because he had to wait to long in line to get fuel. He drove around that parking lot and fuel pumps for well over a hour before he finally hit a pole head on. Cops could not get him stopped and he smashed a couple of their cars. He was higher than a kite. No one dared to venture out into the parking lot during his show. That was at the old Union 76 east of Tampa, Fl on Rt 301 many many years ago. But I would not be surprised to see it happen today. Can't tell you the number of times my son has had his rig hit in a truckstop parking lot. And no one ever owns up to it, they just book...
Since you have not even left your driveway yet, you don't really know that your RV stands out and/or will attract scum bags. I suggest that before you start out, fill up with fuel at a place you know to be safe, make a plan for the route you will take. Look on line for fuel stops in the area where you will think you will buy fuel, have had good luck with Flying J and Pilot, Travel during daylight, and if stopping at rest stops, use your own facilities instead of the community ones. At the camp ground, secure or put out of sight small items that can mysterly walk away. I have never lost or had anything stolen while in a campground. Have fun
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS 8.1 Workhorse chassis
2002 CRV Toad
U. S. Gear Unified brake system
Retired Fire Captain, SFD
Tazymae wrote: I don't know of any other way to describe the scum of the earth. People that are out there trying to steal everything we all have worked so hard to have. Has anyone ever been harassed or held up while traveling???? Any rest area problems?
This day and time we all have to watch out for each other on the road. I am not really paranoid but we do stand out when we are driving or pulling an RV.
Just thought I would bring this subject up under beginning RV since we are newbies that haven't even left the driveway yet....Soon though.
Thankfully, we haven't been encountered something like that whenever we go camping. It's all a matter about choosing the rest area where you stop over.
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