This May marks one-year for our Full-Time RV Life. The first 6 months we spent doing some modifications to our new 5th wheel, and taking some 1 and 2 week jaunts around our new home base of Vancouver, Washington. This past November as the pacific north west received its first dusting of snow, my wife and I loaded up our dog, said goodbye to our son, his wife, and our granddaughter, and headed south. We had officially become snowbirds.
We stay up to date on everything related to campgrounds and RV’s in the online chat boards. This week I saw a discussion in which the posters were bringing into question how safe the RV lifestyle is. I was intrigued by this. We are experienced campers, we bought our first trailer in 2002, a Jayco Kiwi hybrid. Every summer I took my wife and son on a 3 week excursion to national and state parks across the western US and Canada, as well as other trips during the year. In all our years of camping, I can’t recall a time when we felt truly unsafe. Except the one time when a Bison wandered into our campsite to poop!
The posters in the chat rooms were referencing stories about crime from right-wing ‘news’ stations.
Outlets that use fear mongering to increase their viewership, as well as drive frightened voters to the polls in support of alleged “law and order” candidates. I was both shocked and concerned at the number of posters who made comments about carrying guns for protection. Both in their RV’s as well as on their person. I have both military and law enforcement experience and have extensive firearms training. Yet in all my years of travel and camping, I’ve never felt the need to be “strapped” to feel safe.
Our 6 month winter journey started in Washington and took us to 7 western states; Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Nevada. Dozens of National Parks and Monuments, State Parks, County Campgrounds, and a couple of private campgrounds and KOA’s. We even stopped at a few Harvest Host sites and some BLM Campgrounds. Every time we pull into a new place we check to see exactly where we are and what the address is. We find out what law enforcement agency patrols the area be it local police, sheriff’s or park police. We write down all the information and phone numbers on a white board near our door. We also look up local hospitals and veterinarian offices just in case.
I haven’t been able to find any statistics that suggest that camping, or the RV lifestyle (and yes, I know there are debates as to if living in an RV is technically ‘camping’) are any more dangerous than anyplace else. In one respect you may find yourself to be a little bit safer at a campground. Many national and state parks have their own police departments. There will often be a gate or staffed entrance station and security cameras. The other element that contributes to safety in a campground is the feeling of community. Everyone in a campground has something in common with other campers. I often feel safer at the campground than I do on some of our trips into town for groceries or to do laundry.
Your safety starts with you. It starts with simple things like locking your doors, having lights, and locking up your valuables. Don’t leave anything outside that you worry will be stolen. If you have a generator, it should be chained to something when in use, and put away when not. Put your e-bikes inside your coach when you are away from your campsite. Keep your vehicle locked and don’t leave valuables like a purse or cell phone on the seat.
When you go places in town, drive around the lot once and look around. If something feels wrong then maybe wait for a parking spot closer to the entrance. Or shop someplace else, if possible. I avoid parking lots where people are just loitering with no apparent legitimate reason. In the end the same safety rules apply on the road as they do if you were living in a house.