Community Forums

nblanchard · 06-09-2012, 02:49 AM

Wanted to chime in....I've been traveling alone for 5 years now...been around the country twice as far west as the Dakotas, across the top of the country and across the bottom of the county. Luckily, not once have I had a frightening experience like a knock on the door in the middle of the night. I realize it could happen, so I now own a dog (ok, she's a 4 lb Maltese

)...but, she thinks she's a Rotweiler. I plan on getting a weapon (do golf clubs count?).....it's a great lifestyle. Wouldn't give it up for anything.

RickO · 06-09-2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsleeper

I plan on getting a weapon (do golf clubs count?).....

Welcome to the forum!

My golf clubs are very lethal weapons. They do a wonderful job of killing my scorecard.

Rick

xctraveler · 06-10-2012, 03:20 PM

sat down to dinner in the dining room of my stx& brix with company and there was a knock on the door. A hard luck story begging for money was there. Told him no and closed the door. End of story.

Never had that on my coach, but have been approached as fuel stops with similar stories.

Have never felt in danger on my coach. Key is in the ignition and the tow'd is locked and ready to roll. Hasn't happened yet.

Sightseer33 · 06-10-2012, 06:36 PM

Were parked in a Wally parking lot in Texas. Around 1 am a knock on the door. My brother in law and husband both jumped up
into alert status. My DW is retired law in enforcement so he sleeps with a weapon in the night stand Asked who there ? Both dogs barking like crazy. Turns out they were redoing the lot and need everyone (several RV and TT) to move other side if lot. Just get back to sleep Another knock. Move back need to do this side now. Move again. !! Only time I was scared being in the RV

dls461 · 06-13-2012, 02:13 PM

Have them walk toward the front of the MH and turn on your headlights or spotlight. Keep your firearm out of sight but handy just in case its a local LEO. Never open the door and keep your interior lights out.

Chuck 1935 · 06-13-2012, 03:06 PM

Let em knock. I'll see you in the morning. There is no one that I'm interested in talking to while attired in my tight whites.
I had a midnight knock only once and it was a rent a cop at a casino. I figured he wouldn't know if I was in the casino or not so I went back to sleep.
However, If I had heard a tow truck arrive I would have popped out and said "Howdy", tight whites and all !!!

max power · 06-23-2012, 05:37 AM

P P P P P P P Paranoid... relax, camp and enjoy yourselves.

ga traveler · 06-24-2012, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max power

P P P P P P P Paranoid... relax, camp and enjoy yourselves.

Does this mean I should get rid of my smoke detector, gas detector, and fire ext. ? I don't think planning ahead is a bad idea.

max power · 06-25-2012, 03:13 PM

well at least keep the fire extinguisher... you could hit someone over the head with it.

DonDee · 06-25-2012, 03:25 PM

Boondocking 'longside a road, early morning knock on the door. Through the slightly opened window I conversed with a very nice young man, obviously homeless, no shoes wearing levis and no shrt..not much place to conceal. I had an old blanket so I had him step back..way back from the door and tossed blanket to him. He thanked me and I closed the door. It was early enough for a few more zzzs so I went back to bed for a short time.
Got out of bed, slid behind the wheel to continue my trip and a mirror check revealed a pair of bare feet in front of the duals. Crap, he's taken shelter under the MH!

After some yelling and engine reving he did walk away. Good thing I did a mirror check that morning, a life saved.

Tha_Rooster · 06-26-2012, 05:37 PM

I would have my xdm40 with 16 of his little buddies ready, turn on docking lights and talked to them thru a window.

chipline · 06-29-2012, 06:07 AM

00 buckshot is my round of choice, 10 to be exact, neatly placed into a Saiga 12 magazine. S & W 44 mag just in case I should need it.

Coma · 06-29-2012, 06:39 AM

A threat is defined by three things. Means. Opportunity. Intent. You can't control means and intent. Opportunity is what you have control over. If you are not where it is happening, it is not a threat.

erkme73 · 06-29-2012, 09:33 AM

I don't know how it is in other parts of the country, but in Tampa, there is a conscious effort made by the Mayor and city counsel to decrease crime statistics. My neighbor, who is a recently retired detective, explained how it works. Basically, it has to do with how the incidents are recorded in the database. What used to be a battery call is now a domestic dispute. A robbery is reduced to something less critical - I forgot what the terms are.

But the net effect is a dramatic decrease in crime stats. In fact, the drop has been greater than 10% per year - and has attracted the attention of the FBI - who have stated that such drops are statistically improbable. Yet, the practice continues.

I can only assume that similar tactics are used nation-wide. It looks good on the politicians, and according to my neighbor, results in additional federal grants.

In other words, just as with anything else government tells us, be weary and skeptical.

On an aside, and a bit more on-topic, after reading this thread, it got me thinking. There are very small, discrete backup cameras that can be purchased from eBay for about $30.00 that can be mounted anywhere. Putting on on, or just above/beside the door, with a corresponding monitor mounted somewhere within the coach (i.e. next to night stand) would provide instant viewing access. Getting one with IR night vision, and even hooking up a small DVR (<$100) to record all the time would provide ultimate security.

Not only would you have real-time feedback on who is at the door, but if you come home to a jimmied door, you could play back the DVR to see who came/went through the door... The DVR's are about the size of a deck of cards, run on 12V, and record only when there is motion. Reading these posts, I've convinced myself that this'll be the next mod.