Ever get pulled over in your motorhome?

[RVThere]

Originally Posted by 69Stang

I completely support Leo's, except the overzealous type like this one. No reason to pull you out of your vehicle and search you. You showed no attempt deceive him and he was on a power trip. Sad!

Originally Posted by 04fxsts

I also support law enforcement but this cop was totally out of line. No reason to get you out of MH to sit in his car. Anything past a warning about the plate and quick check of license, registration and insurance was over the top. Jim.

After speaking to both my LEO sons and watching way too many episodes of COPS and LivePD, all the officer's actions were totally professional and totally understandable. He NEEDS to control the situation and ELIMINATE any possibility of any escalation.

Did he know if I had the motorhome filled with guns or have others in the motorhome who could do him harm? No, but by asking me to exit through the side door he could get a better view into the coach.

Do you want an old guy just standing on the side of the road with tractor trailers wizzing by? No, I was much safer in his car.

This officer was NOT on any power trip. He was doing his job. Sometimes you get inconvenienced in life for a safer world. I'm OK with that.

Frankly, my appearance on the road is, by design, somewhat disheveled, unkempt, and seedy. When you overnight at truck stops and rest areas, you don't want to look like too easy a target in a designer polo, khakis and loafers. I'd rather get profiled by a cop than profiled by a felon!

[TXTiger]

Never been pulled over in my motorhome but if your bike was blocking your plates it was probable cause for a stop. Asking you to get out is standard operating procedure but asking you to sit in the patrol vehicle was uncalled for.

I was riding my Harley once between Omaha And Lincoln on I80 heading west in a terrible rain storm. My son lives in Omaha and I was returning to San Diego. I saw a patrol vehicle coming down the on ramp I was passing and he immediately pulled me over. Said I was speeding. I was actually going slow due to the rain, you don’t speed on a motorcycle in the rain. I said I saw you coming down the ramp, you couldn’t possibly know how fast I was going. He said the air plane in the sky clocked me. It was horribly overcast and raining cats and dogs and there could not possible be a plane above. He asked for my docs and said I could sit in his car to get out of the rain while he ran me. I replied “I am already soaking wet”. After about 15 min he came back, I was sitting on my bike in the rain, gave me a warning ticket and left. This was definitely an illegal stop. He just didn’t like guys riding on Harley’s.

[RRR]

Got stopped in my old well worn C in Fort Stephens State Park in about 1986 or so.

We were staying in the park and used the MH to go to the beach, and see some of the rest of the park. Our twins were about 5 years or so.

Heading back to the site in early evening I needed to take a leak. Pulled off to the side of road and did my thing. When I pulled back on the road there was a car that was still a week away from me. I putting along and he lit me up. Stopped and asked me to get out. Wanted to know why I stopped and I told him. I swear his partner was ready to start checking the sand for wet spots. Told him I got a restroom in there. You could see the light dawn.

Was told I had a brake light out, get it repaired and yadda-yadda. I'm sure it was a ruse for booze sniff test.

Some how the brake light majestically repaired its self and never gave me problems again.

Now if you want to visit with cops that have a god complex, get stopped in a commercial vehicle. But I have also had some of the best conversations with them.

[Cousin Ed]

Just think how much "stuff" you could carry in a motor home. If I was a drug dealer I'd use old people in a motor home to transport. Think how rare it is to get stopped in an RV.

If a cop wants to stop you he doesn't have to do it illegally. If your license plate isn't blocked or a light bulb isn't out, how long can you drive without crossing a lane marker?

But come to think of it in over 25 years I never stopped an RV!

[vseasport]

In July I was clocked by a radar cop and stopped for speeding in Baja California Mexico. Yes, I was speeding. The cop came to the passenger door, told me I was speeding and asked for my license. Now understand, Mexican Highway Patrol officers are notorious for extorting money from Gringos.

I acted a little confused, told him I had never had a citation in 50 years and didn't think I was going over the posted speed limit. He was very courteous and explained the posted limit was for cars and my diesel pusher fell under semi truck laws. I acted surpised, thank him for explaining and said he would never catch me going to fast again. He said that is good and well but I was getting a ticket. We talked some more, I wanted to know where to pay for the infraction and the procedure. In our conversation he explained I fell under the semi category because to takes longer to stop the weight of a big rig and also my toad.

I stepped out of our rig and took him back to my tow bar and showed him the brake cable to my toad explaining how it worked and that we always followed the law and were as careful as possible. When I returned to our rig with license in hand and no ticket my wife couldn't believe it. For that matter niether could I. Kindness and respect can pay off.

[SomeDay]

Alas there are those LEOs that leave an awesome nice taste in your mouth and more than ever today those that don't. Sadly we've met more that don't, and by the way I've never "yet" had a ticket personally in my life but been present often with others that have.

The nicest one, was when our trailer lights connection failed after wasn't room for us in our MH towing a Seadoo, and our 5er towing friends at Lake Powell, moving on we ended up in the dark at Page. Our friends were behind us and we kept our flashers on driving quite slow. Someone must have reported us and we got pulled over, and he was lovely and offered us an escort and wanted to check we were other than that OK. Awesome caring experience, and how I remember policing from my early years.

The following aren't specifically RV related but auto nonetheless, so ignore or enjoy if you chose:

Trying to set the scene here: This one had to be a best described as a Cagney and Lacey pull over after midnight one night driving supposedly 15kms over the 80kms speed limit thinking it had increased from 80kms to 100kms outside city, a fraction too soon (me being passenger eye always on speedo, knows it was maybe 82/83 and for sure under 85kms). Got pulled over by blonde very young just out of school looking, and her heavy set auburn counter part. Lacey was on my side and blondie was on driving hubby's side. Twenty minutes in got told we were such good law abiding citizens after running checks etc, brunette said if it were up to her she wouldn't give hubby a ticket, but blondie looking like only 5 days out of diapers never mind police academy, issued hubby with ticket.

When I asked to see the photo they cited and the radar they cited, was told been erased and gone already!! How convenient! Was told by officer friends to contest it as would likely get off if couldn't prove calibration of unit and odds both officers turning up unlikely as well.

So went down to big city building - spent over 5 hours with countless others to be seen, cost almost as much as the ticket for parking to have it reduced to 2kms over and still pay reduced fine there and then or wait for a court date, which would have been again countless hours and more extortionate parking charges. It's a crazy system, so left very bad taste in mouth for a system our taxes are paying for that doesn't work at all!

Another time heading west at 4pm in afternoon to join main highway about 200kms south of where we typically live, sun was blinding so crawling up to the junction to join main highway to turn right for home. We were almost at a full stop but assumed as I as passenger could make out feeder lane it was like further up on the highway with many non-stop feeder lanes to the highway. We hadn't even gone 20ft into the feeder lane and there's flashing lights and sirens behind us. The officer was rude, ignorant, couldn't see him properly on west side due to sun blinding big time, and he was screaming from the outset, that we didn't stop at the stop sign and it's people like us that kills people and blah, blah, blah. We checked back a later date, when daughter went back to Uni down there, and it's hardly readable in paint on the tarmac - that's it no other signage! We were crawling so slow, a tortoise wouldn't have been killed. Should have contested that one for sure but living too far away for court etc so paid it.

Another time daughter (now 36) at 16, borrowed my minivan to go bring her stuff home from end of year school. Was turning left with friend in passenger seat that confirmed was a definite green arrow, when old jalopy and older woman driver t-boned her meaning she'd jumped the lights. Young officer came after 45 minutes and gave daughter a "reckless driving ticket". Based on officers number and info a police officer friend went with daughter to the courts and again after wasted time, it got chucked out, and as that officer came out of the room he scowled very nastily at daughter "you got off".

Other younger daughter 10 years later, similar thing, but was hit so hard all airbags deployed and her new vehicle was never the same after repairs. She called us, and we made it to incident, it was near Christmas time. We asked the LEO's to test both drivers for drink driving and check their cell phones for texting = they wouldn't! Then we asked for proof from the lights camera she wasn't on a green arrow - only if a fatality. This time there were witnesses, but you know what the interesting thing is not one of the witnesses could state the lights situation, as when there's a crash, your eyes are naturally drawn to the hit not the lights. Ho hum, out of pocket again big time.

There's been a few other times, that we just shake our head at, and consequently from when a child having the total utmost respect for all our british bobbies growing up, my levels in recent years have waned due to the bad ones out there. My heart aches for young kids getting records on their whole lives today, when all they needed was a scare on a first offence or a bent ear so to speak.

It's as though policing nowadays has very very little compassion from most of them for even first offences. Then there's those on a huge "power trip cos I've got a badge" to deal with. Quotas on tickets they are expected to get for increased revenue driven streams is ridiculous to boot. Everything in this day and age seems driven by getting more and more tickets issued to get more and more monies. As cited above 98 out of 100 pull overs get tickets = so sad.

To those, sadly getting fewer and fewer officers, that genuinely do this job to "serve, protect", and show compassion/help to the general public and a guiding hand/ear to youngsters that could become great contributors to society due to crossing your paths = THANK YOU for your service. Sadly you are getting to be the minority as time has gone on in our experience. 10+ years ago, I can't tell you the number of truck drivers emigrating into Canada that joined the police force purely because it was a secure job with a "great pension" they cited. Now with changes to their pension plans, they are complaining everything bad about the job. What happened to a vocation not a "great benefits" job?

[dbircky]

Originally Posted by Alpine36

Our toad blocks the coach license plate from view.
Is this something to be concerned with?
Never had an issue whatsoever.

Nope, your toad is considered a trailer

[BYoshida]

I've gotten stopped in my car for having a headlight out. We've been stopped for speeding in the car ( I say we because that was my husband). We've never been stopped in the motorhome. We do have a bike rack but we also have a front plate. I don't know if that counts for the visibility factor or not. But I have never been asked to get out of my car, been patted down and sat in the police car for a vehicle infraction. Why do we think that is acceptable behaviour from our police? And don't get me wrong, I'm all for good law and order and am always respectful, but I'm not getting out of my car and letting a police officer pat me down for a vehicle infraction (no matter what I'm driving). I will wind up on someone's video as one of those crazy white women.

[Krbjmpr]

Yep, you were profiled. Nosy Cop.


One Trip with 2000# trailer from Cabool MO got me pulled over just outside of Dallas Tx about 4am. No license plate. Was also speeding (70 in 45).


Didn't realize tarp covered plate on trailer. Whipped out my razor knife, cop jumped back several feet, and watched me cut tarp around where license plate was (on ramp). Then cop made a big deal out of no LP light. Grabbed a zip tie off trailer (hauling tool boxes) and tied my mini-mag lite above plate shining down. Asked me how fast I was going, told him exactly 69mph. He asked how was so sure, and told him I have been on cruise control since leaving Big Cabin, OK. He was surprised at that, told me I busted through a number of 55 limits and I was a mile inside a 45 limit. He asked me where I thought I was at, and I told him just passed through Denison OK on way to Fort Worth. Then he told me I was on south east side of Dallas. I was dumbfounded. But, he was right (yes, I did check after he left!) and let me go with my promise to goto truckstop up the road and get a cup of coffee and take a break. Divine Intervention there. No ticket, no warning, just my word that I would take a break at truckstop.


Different trip (obviously) that had me passing through Cheyenne Wy. Was in the Prevost, and Deputy Fife pulled me over told me I was speeding. 86 in 75. My bus wouldn't run that fast - I have tried. Immediately knew what was going to happen. Asked him that I think his radar wasn't working right and did he use his tuning fork before he went on duty.
Way Way Way wrong response.
K9 is on scene after I adamantly refused search. They threatened warrant, I told them to get one as this is my residence (key word there). Yes, I have firearms. No you can't see them. Yes, I have prescription drugs, no you can't see them either and you are not allowed to record that information due to HIPAA (BS but it worked). Dog is about to go around the coach, and I made the comment that I will charge for all damage done by dog. Was told I couldn't prove it, and cut him off and pointed to turn signal cameras and said yes, we are all on camera. 4 on both sides, 1 in back, 1 in front. I saw you scratching / rearranging yourself as you walked up. Very shortly after, they left me alone with a have a good rest of the night and drive safe and thanks for my cooperation (!!!). If the cameras were not there, I am firmly convinced my bus would have been next EOC acquisition at insider auction.


1 more, and I will stop. I promise.
Couple decades ago, I was driving down a country road leaving Pearland and going to Alvin. Had to pass through Manvel, whose police department is a small portable building / mobile home. Known speed traps. I am driving my 69 GTO Judge, its a bit foggy and as I started go into a turn, I downshifted into 2nd causing engine rpms to kick up around 4K. Detector went off, then silent, goes off again, then silent, goes off again and keeps going off. Cop was able to hear me coming, through I was flying due to engine noise, couldn't believe I wasn't so kept on hitting me. OF COURSE I get pulled over. Asked why I was making so much noise and my response was it is because engine is turning fast and factory exhaust is tuned. Asked why engine was turning so fast and replied I might need extra braking power. Why would I need extra braking power? Because this part of the road has numerous side roads, a few bars nearby, and there have been several collisions. I needed braking power to stop or higher engine speed to maneuver. He wrote me a ticket for excessive noise that I beat in court after producing an exhaust inspection indicating that my exhaust is in satisfactory shape and is as close to factory as I can get it. This was 1993, car was already 24 years old.


We should start a topic, LEO Encounters - Justified

and LEO Encounters - Bogus.

[Ivylog]

NC is noted for writing speeding tickets and only state I’ve been stopped in a RV was NC. Got off the Jake Brake before the bottom of a pretty good hill and was 10 over when the opposite direction NC trooper clocked me...saw him turn around so went ahead and pulled over. Was sitting on the steps with paperwork when he walked up...in a hurry?, no just got off the Jake Brake to soon. I’ll be back with your paperwork in a couple minutes...I have a clean record.

Where you going? home, Blairsville, GA (30 miles away). Where you coming from? D.C. yesterday (a lie, it was that morning). Do you think you can keep your speed down until you get to GA? Yes sir, it’s only 10 miles. I’m not going to even write you a warning...thank you sir! My lucky day.

PS : you cannot see either of my tags...MH and toad when hooked up.

[rk911]

the repeated references to law enforcement officers as "barney", "barney fife", "fife" is, IMO, very demeaning and very disrespectful. these men and women are out there, every day risking their lives protecting us. in today's anti-cop, defund-the-police culture being espoused by people who should know better (all to score political points) make their job more difficult, stressful and dangerous. i've been honored to have worked and been associated with hundreds and hundreds of officers during my 37-yr career. the overwhelming majority...99% or more...of them are honest, honorable people anyone would...should...be proud to know.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by rk911

the repeated references to law enforcement officers as "barney", "barney fife", "fife" is, IMO, very demeaning and very disrespectful. these men and women are out there, every day risking their lives protecting us. in today's anti-cop, defund-the-police culture being espoused by people who should know better (all to score political points) make their job more difficult, stressful and dangerous. i've been honored to have worked and been associated with hundreds and hundreds of officers during my 37-yr career. the overwhelming majority...99% or more...of them are honest, honorable people anyone would...should...be proud to know.

YEP^^^^

And if folks would READ a thread instead of just chiming in to pontificate that would have read OPs follow-up post #29 fully in agreement with officers actions.

Reading, comprehension is lacking a lot anymore

[Ray,IN]

In 2005 we were in ND with our new 5er. I stopped for fuel at Ray ND, small station with diesel pumps on the blind side of the building. A harvesting company pickup stopped on the outside pump I was on inside of pump island.
I paid with CC and left, the cashier was on the phone with I assumed her boyfriend. She called the sheriff and reported me as a drive-off.
About 10 miles West of Ray an oncoming deputy turned on his red lights. Since he and I were the only vehicles within sight, I pulled onto the shoulder of US 2(divided highway) and waited on him.
He asked the usual questions then told why he stopped me. Before opening the console to retrieve my ins and registration I told him I had a handgun there. He never acted concerned, just thanked me for telling him first.
He apologized for stopping me when he saw the fuel receipt, then said wait here. When he returned he said nearly everyone in ND listens to the sheriff's radio and he told the dispatcher about the cashier being on the phone with her boyfriend, now everyone in the county knows how she screwed up.
I suspect I put him at ease when he approached my truck, I had the window down, both hands on the top of the steering wheel, making sure I could see him in the rear view mirror so he could see my face as he approached.
These fine people risk their life just leaving home each day, give them the respect they so well deserve.

[GypsyR]

I figure with a toad they're OK because they can see at least A license plate.

A local cop proudly showed off his new tag reader equipment to me a few months ago. A number of cameras mounted on his car could read tags coming, going, and off to the sides. An onboard computer would pick the tags out of the background, read them, and then ding him if one came back stolen, expired, or insurance expired. Pretty amazing. He also got some action out of a tag coming on screen as belonging to a pickup truck when he could see it was on a Civic. (Happens surprisingly often around here)