Safe traveling tips for RVers in uncertain times

[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 Hogan]

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.

 

[Buly]

Joe,
It is like knowing which days to use your seat belt, and which days to relay only on your air bags.
Be ready for the worst, and hope for the best. Having a firearm does not mean you have to use it. But it can change the other party's demeanor very fast. Me thinks ?

 

[Joe Hogan]

It is like knowing which days to use your seat belt, and which days to relay only on your air bags.
Be ready for the worst, and hope for the best. Having a firearm does not mean you have to use it. But it can change the other party's demeanor very fast. Me thinks ?

My training is that the only time it leaves the holster is when it will go bang. I do not believe in using a firearm for persuasion. In my opinion threatening with a firearm is a very good way to get dead.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

In my opinion threatening with a firearm is a very good way to get dead.

Or jailed.

 

[Buly]

You should tell all that to the cops. Tell them not to touch their gun unless 100% ready to kill.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You should tell all that to the cops. Tell them not to touch their gun unless 100% ready to kill.

When they upholster their gun they are ready to kill. I submit that you would be ready to deter.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I had an interesting discussion on this subject last night with my grandson, a police officer in a small Washington city. His take is that pepper spray "hurts," but doesn't stop most people. As part of his training he has been sprayed with the stuff several times and was required to continue subduing an assailant. He said that while not pleasant, every officer in his academy class (around 75) was able to do it. "And, none of them were on meth!"

As for Tasers, he said that the field failure rate is at least 40%. The connecting wires are fairly fragile and break relatively easy. Heavy clothing on the assailant can prevent proper penetration and, again, they won't work. He carries one when on duty because he is required to do so. He also said that department policy requires that he not deploy it if the assailant has a deadly weapon and is advancing unless there is at least one backup officer present and ready to use lethal force if the Taser doesn't work.

It is, apparently, the generally accepted opinion of LEOs that they would love to have an effective non-lethal force option, but nothing on the market is reliable enough...at least yet...to bet your life on!

TJ

 

[Joe Hogan]

I am going to leave with this, I am not a policeman, nor do I pursue people for whatever. If I see a problem, 911.
Nor do I take an aggressive stance in any situation, unless there is immediate danger to me or love ones.
Avoidance is First, Retreat is second. If an aggressor leaves me no choice, I will attempt at deterrence, if they persist, then and only then will I consider deadly force.
If an aggressor is within 20 to 25 feet, you cannot draw fast enough before they are on you and in my case, chances are good that I will lose. Even if your weapon is out, any delay and you are in hand to hand before you can pull the trigger.
This $hit happens fast.

I am only trying to protect me, my love ones and potentially my possessions. Let's leave it at that.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I am going to leave with this, I am not a policeman, nor do I pursue people for whatever. If I see a problem, 911.
Nor do I take an aggressive stance in any situation, unless there is immediate danger to me or love ones.
Avoidance is First, Retreat is second. If an aggressor leaves me no choice, I will attempt at deterrence, if they persist, then and only then will I consider deadly force.
If an aggressor is within 20 to 25 feet, you cannot draw fast enough before they are on you and in my case, chances are good that I will lose. Even if your weapon is out, any delay and you are in hand to hand before you can pull the trigger.
This $hit happens fast.

I am only trying to protect me, my love ones and potentially my possessions. Let's leave it at that.

Good points, @JoeHogan! We have two sayings in our family that sums up our approach. The first is "If you put yourself in a bad place, bad things are likely to happen!"

And the second is "Consequences!" You need to understand the consequences of your actions; good or bad.

Your points cover both very well.

TJ

 

["EZ"]

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

I'm not sure I want to have to carry a big can like that around with me the whole time I'm getting fuel. A smaller pocket sized option would be better. Did you notice that it is only 2% Capsacian??? (pepper) That must be some bad stuff!!

 

[Joe Hogan]

I'm not sure I want to have to carry a big can like that around with me the whole time I'm getting fuel. A smaller pocket sized option would be better. Did you notice that it is only 2% Capsacian??? (pepper) That must be some bad stuff!!

Here is what I carry. Note that it is a gel not a spray. There is pro and cons with this. However, if you are in a confined space, a gel is much better than a spray. Or if the wind is blowing in your face, with a spray you end up spraying yourself.
The gel is a stream of Pepper material. Like silly string. You can send it out 15' or so. In my case, the more distance the better. Also the cons are you need to hit a vulnerable area. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NKSPR8/?tag=rvf01-20