Community Forums

smiller · 03-29-2014, 06:16 PM

It seems like it might be a good idea to put an 'In Case Of Emergency' phone number in an obvious place (perhaps by the door) of an RV. This could be quite valuable for any number of reasons: someone in a campground being able to warn you if they see a problem, a business owner or police able to call you if you are causing an obstruction and possibly avoiding a tow, and on and on. There are also valid security issues about making your number public of course (although there are many ways to get a number that is not linked to any personally identifiable information, such as Google Voice), but I wonder which concerns might outweigh the other? What do you do?

no3putt · 03-29-2014, 06:37 PM

A good rv park will take your number when you sign in and will get a hold of you if need be.

Mekanic · 03-29-2014, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no3putt

A good rv park will take your number when you sign in and will get a hold of you if need be.

Yea I think that is better than putting your number on it for ANYONE to see.

Before I'd post it in the open In many campgrounds I'd also give it to a another RVer next door. however In that I would choose carefully.

smiller · 03-29-2014, 06:52 PM

I understand all that but what about the many times you might not be in a campground? Or the fact that another camper who might make a phone call if the number is easily available might well not bother to go to the office... if the office is even open...

There are security concerns with a number for all to see, but if it is a number (such as Google Voice, etc.) that has no personally identifiable information or address linked to it then what exposure is there really? Isn't that tiny or maybe even nonexistent risk worth saving an expensive tow or a dead pet or destroyed awning any other number of possible disasters? In the case of a non-identifiable number as described above, can anyone think of any significant security risk? I can't, but I'm wondering if anyone else can?

Also remember that your vehicle has a big fat license plate that in many states someone can obtain your address just by requesting it... that's a much bigger risk than a non-identifiable phone number yet no one seems to worry about it. Why would a relatively secure phone number be worse?

**TonyDi** · 03-29-2014, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no3putt

A good rv park will take your number when you sign in and will get a hold of you if need be.

Agree X2. Plu I don't think I want the number floating around so that kids or partyers call me in the middle of the night.

Wayne MD · 03-29-2014, 09:59 PM

The manners of the public does not allow that to happen. Far too often you will make some jerk mad at you and barrage you with weird calls or call Police,Fire in false alarm conditions. It's been done. Yes, your license plate can be found at DMV but that requires work to get it, and most jerks won't do that. When a Person calls your unit at 0300 to ask if your refrigerator is running, you will get the drift.

Walt Bennett · 03-30-2014, 04:37 AM

I've had a small plastic sign near the door of four different RVs I've owned with my cell phone number on it for over twenty years and never had any problems such as some have described above. I'd say this is way too much worry about way to little a problem.

H. Miller · 03-30-2014, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt Bennett

I've had a small plastic sign near the door of four different RVs I've owned with my cell phone number on it for over twenty years and never had any problems such as some have described above. I'd say this is way too much worry about way to little a problem.

Ditto... Plus ours notifies others that there are 4 dogs aboard.

brobox · 03-30-2014, 05:22 AM

it is your RV and what makes you comfortable is what you bought it for. Some people pay to have roadside assistance to make them feel comfortable, others do not like the upfront fees. It's only a phone number, not a SS #. With the number of Robo calls I get daily, how did they get my phone number?

Medico · 03-30-2014, 05:31 AM

I would NEVER post ANY personal info, including phone number outside the coach. Even our ID sign we put out front only has first names.

spritz · 03-30-2014, 07:45 AM

I think the animals sign is a good idea . I think I would give out the Cell number. We will be going full time next fall and we don't have anything worth stealing anyhow and we don't answer Unidentified calls either.
JS, Tim

smiller · 03-30-2014, 08:01 AM

There is always some possibility that someone would actually bother to write down your phone number with the intention of prank calling you, but there is also the possibility the number would be used for a very beneficial purpose. Do you believe that the former is really more likely that the latter? In order to access risk you need to consider both the bad and good possible outcomes, not just the bad ones. It would seem that there is a much more likely chance the number will be used for some beneficial purpose than being misused, and I'm even sure how one would misuse a non-traceable number (other than conjuring up worries like prank calls.)

I think a sober and objective assessment would have to lead to the conclusion that while something bad could happen as a result of the number being there, it's much more likely that something good would. I mean, there are very few ways one could possibly misuse it, and very many ways it could be beneficial. The numbers (and logic I think) are on the side of posting it.

homeless · 03-30-2014, 08:05 AM

I have mine on both sides of my rig!

jdoc · 03-30-2014, 08:09 AM

We have a sign in the window next to the passengers seat. The sign says pet inside in case of emergency call. Then it lists my first name and my wife's first name and my cell number. That is all that is on it.

Jerry