Wandering With Bill

Too many RV’ers are unable to enjoy the wonders of boondocking because of safety concerns. Most RV’ers look for amenities and full hook-ups when camping. The reason for this seems to be their concern for safety, therefore they will opt for pay campgrounds.

If you’re the paranoid type, you probably won’t even be reading this, but if you’re seeking boondocking safety information and advice to put your mind at ease, read on.

Dismiss Your Fears

Seek out someone with personal experience in boondocking for discussions as to how they handle safety concerns while camping off grid (boondocking).

Hearing about other’s experiences and taking comfort in their recommendations can give you peace of mind.

Try going out close to home and experience boondocking in a remote location firsthand to get a feel for boondocking.

Think rationally about your fears and what is really behind them.

For me, going boondocking off grid in my RV for the first time was easy. I grew up in the country and my cousin and I were always camping out in a tent since we were pre-teens. Today, I travel and boondock in my converted van all over this great country and have never had a single incident. Having said that, I will say that there are places and reasons to be cautious. Not only from an RV and boondocking safety situation, but any situation in life. We live in uncertain times; therefore, you need to be always aware of your surroundings and follow the rules of common sense.

The Commonsense Approach to Boondocking Safety

My belief is that everything in life, even sitting on a couch watching TV and breathing involves some element of risk. We as individuals make decisions constantly throughout our day deciding what risks we are willing to take. If your risk tolerance is exceptionally low, you’re not likely to be travelling at all or even reading this article.

When it comes to calming our fears, nothing’s more effective than knowledge and experience.

From all my years of boondocking experience, here are my commonsense conclusions, insights and boondocking safety advice.

• Take robberies as an example: Statistically, I am much more likely to be a victim in my home than in my RV.
• Boondocking off a dirt road on public land makes me no more of a target for a thief than someone who builds a home or cabin on a country road in a remote area.

• My RV is much less appealing to a thief than a permanent residence in that I don’t have the same amount of valuables inside that could be converted to cash.
• I’m usually camped in a location for only a day or two, which is not enough time for a thief to canvass the place and get to know my routines.
• Although the majority of RV’ers are honest and nice, friendly people, we should still be cautious. Even if we’re camped in a “secured” campground or an LTVA area with other RV’ers around us, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a thief amongst us or that we’re safe from a break-in or robbery.
• I’ll also admit that, like many people today, I don’t know some of my closest neighbors. I have very little time or interest in seeing who comes in and out of their yards. Most RV’ers will agree that when we’re traveling, we’re much more likely to get to know and keep an eye on our neighbor’s property than when we’re at home.
• In most boondocking areas, it’s a common courtesy to give your neighbor space. A few hundred yards minimum between campers is adequate. In campgrounds, where units are closer, if someone (a stranger) is walking towards or around the immediate area of your RV, it may not be as obvious or noticeable.
• I always use common sense when selecting a place to stop. When it comes to boondocking safety I trust my gut (intuition) and drive on if the environment doesn’t “feel” safe.
• The further from civilization, the safer I feel to be camping alone.
• Remember also that there is safety in numbers. This holds true for boondocking safety. Especially when I’m closer to urban areas, I want others, RV’ers, truckers etc., within view.
• Most thieves are lazy and will take the path of least resistance. That’s why most RV break-ins occur within easy access of the cities where most thieves hang out. I avoid boondocking when I’m within a short drive of most cities.
• Thieves generally don’t want to deal with any type of struggle so the easiest time to steal our possessions is when we’re not in the RV. As with any parked vehicle, we don’t leave cash in the RV and keep valuables out of sight.
• Because we’re inside our motorhome at night, our RV is much more likely to be a target in the daytime or evening while we’re parked for shopping, dining out, etc., in any urban location than when we’re camped in an out-of-the way boondocking site.
• In parking lots, truck stops or roadside areas, don’t look for the darkest concealed corner. Instead, park in the light, and use blackout curtains that block the light while you sleep.
• No matter where you are parked, if trouble does come to find you, driving away in your vehicle can be your best defense. In this case, always ensure your keys are readily available to you.
• Always park so that you can leave by driving forward. If you need to leave in a hurry, you don’t want to have to back up, or do more maneuvering than necessary.
• We should always keep our RV in the best possible operating condition. This includes keeping your fuel tank topped off in case you must leave in a hurry.
• Burglars, believe it or not, are not the only boondocking safety concern. No matter where you’re camped, in case of a medical emergency or some other emergency, be sure you have enough fuel to make it to the nearest hospital or all-night gas station in the middle of the night.
• You don’t have to be paranoid, but it’s been said that a little bit of paranoia can be good for us. We just need to be cautious and always aware of our surroundings.
• When you’re in a community of RV’ers, even in a secure and pay campground, it’s a good idea to make a point of getting acquainted with your neighbors before you leave your RV unattended for the day.
• In small towns, if there’s no sign to the contrary, ask at the grocery store or gas station or even ask the local police about using the town park or some other parking lot to “spend the night”. If you get a positive response, you’ll have the added security of them knowing you’re there and perhaps watching out for you.
• Always be attentive to your surroundings.

“If you liked this article, please follow me. I’ll be bringing you more good quality content in the weeks to come.”

Until next time…

“Enjoy The Pleasure Of Getting Lost”