Safe traveling tips for RVers in uncertain times

[AbdRahim]

I've been OK at truck stops as well. But occasionally at night at a gas station I'm not familiar with you always get that guy that walks up outta nowhere looking for a hand out. I agree, it freaks me out too.

I travel for my job and normally spend 3 nights a week in a hotel. I travel all over the Southeast. I don't always know when I'm going to stop for gas or food and I don't always know which neighborhood I'll be in when I get off an exit in a city while I'm out of town. That's why I keep one gun in my suitcase and one in my car at all times. But I really don't want to have to shoot anyone unless it becomes absolutely necessary. But I will if I have to. I just think that the tasers would be a way to protect yourself without having to get the police involved in a shooting incident.

With tasers you have to know the local laws. In NYS, for instance, almost everything that is legal in most of the country is illegal here- including tasers, slingshots and sticks. Go figure.

 

[Gizmo]

Be careful at rest stops outside big cities. A lot of the protestors are coming from out of town and stop at the rest stops. We saw some just outside Houston this summer looking for trouble and they were dressed in all black.

 

[ManlyMan]

That's some sage advice you offered Neal.

 

[cpeterso87]

For what it's worth, I would never fire a taser next to a fuel pump - just exactly the last thing you want is a small vapor explosion right next to your rig.

Neal said it at the beginning, pepper spray is a good option. I had occasion to experience the effects of pepper spray in a self-defense class once - and I can tell you there are few people who are going to remember what they were about to do after getting a dose of that in the face.

 

[Gizmo]

Maybe one of these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQP1JH1/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[cpeterso87]

Well that looks fun.

 

[AbdRahim]

Maybe one of these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQP1JH1/?tag=rvf01-20

Not allowed in NY. This place stinks!!!!

 

[NGC 613]

How about a real show stopper. BEAR spray like the park Rangers use. Can fire it up 40 feet away and if it can stop a bear just think what it can do to a human.
Stuff will drop anyone and is much stronger than normal pepper spray.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Not allowed in NY. This place stinks!!!!

I'm not "allowed in NY" either!

TJ

 

[NGC 613]

I'm not "allowed in NY" either!

TJ

I don't want to be allowed in NY. ??

 

[Buly]

Florida's DeSantis moves to allow citizens to shoot looters, rioters targeting businesses.
The draft legislation also includes measures that would make protesting which disrupts the public by blocking traffic, a third degree felony. The law would also reportedly grant immunity to drivers who unintentionally kill or injure protesters who were blocking traffic.

 

["EZ"]

How about a real show stopper. BEAR spray like the park Rangers use. Can fire it up 40 feet away and if it can stop a bear just think what it can do to a human.
Stuff will drop anyone and is much stronger than normal pepper spray.

Where can you buy bear spray???

 

[Gizmo]

Where can you buy bear spray???

Here is where I got mine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BMOJXE/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[FL-JOE]

Let's share some safe traveling thoughts, revisited as this was sort of discussed some time ago. No need to get political here, I certainly could but must refrain, the moral is after the upcoming election we could see more instability in our nation. I believe the "peaceful protests" (pp) occur in high visibility locations, high value targets (businesses, high end auto-dealers, i.e. the opposite lifestyle of those protesting). In my opinion the safest place to be and still be able to enjoy yourself is at a campground enjoying your RV. However, some thoughts come to mind as vulnerable situations and items of concern to raise awareness for all of us.

• Lock your basement doors and of course your entry door if it doesn't auto-lock
• If your toad is like mine where the battery has to be disconnected hence leaving my toad unlocked while being towed, consider using your 2nd set of keys for your toad to lock your doors. You don't want people getting in your toad while stopped in a pp situation.
• Be aware of your route and consider alternate routes and do not suffer from "get home'itis" or "get'to-campground'fastest'itis".
• Consider staying longer at campgrounds and minimize time on the road in unknown locations
• Have non lethal self protection on you as much as possible as well as stored in various locations of your RV. There is a lot of gun talk on the forum but chances are you won't use that nor should you. Good to have, but you are going to get into a world of a mess if you used one at someone or even presenting it. Stock up on non lethal solutions first and foremost. Pepper spray is a good start.
• Don't plan to dine out. You're camping, eat like a camper. Get firewood and stay put. Stock up on marshmallows! Stock your foods of choice and enjoy.
• Don't be confrontational if confronted. Whether at Walmart, a grocery store, or highway situation. Keep your mouth shut! People want to antagonize you and trigger you. Keep your mouth shut and keep a low profile. I remember a situation discussed on this site long ago in AZ involving a grocery cart and not moved out of the way of a car which ended up in a fight resulting in physical injury.
• Don't call attention to yourself. Clothing, hats, etc.
• If your plans can wait, stay home but I think this is extreme. No need to live a locked down life, just be smart
• Be aware of the news in your current area and the area you're traveling to. Use your phone, ask the campground staff of where you're going if there are any concerns to be aware of or route suggestions.
• Use your head and be smart

I can agree with about everything Neal except what I highlighted. The problem with most of these spoiled "peaceful" little demonstrators is that no one is standing up to them. I will always try to ignore first but if confronted then all bets are off.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Unfortunately I feel it necessary to carry Pepper spray everyday. It is at the ready, always. Even Though I have a carry permit and have trained with this option I choose not to carry everyday. At night, when camping or on the road, I'll carry but just going about my day I choose not to carry.
To get into the philosophy a bit, if you do not have a weapon, you will think twice about a sketchy situation and choose not to go there. With a weapon you might have more "confidence" a sketchy situation is OK to proceed.
At a gas pump, pepper spray or equivalent is a much better choice, in my opinion. Too many innocents around, and volatile substances.
Those that know me understand my physical limitations regarding retreating, but that is always the second option, the first option is not to put myself in that position. Using deadly force is way, way down on the list of options for me. But deadly force is on the list, like the "nuclear" option.