Camper Security & Safety

[uchwear]

I just bought my camper and have never camped in a popup.  I have a question about security at campsites.

What do people typically carry for personal protection in a popup since it's virtually a tent on wheels?  Pepper spray, tazer, firearm?  

Have any of you ever had any problems in a public campground such as a state park?  

Hopefully this will never be a problem but I like to be prepared.  


Any information will be helpful
Thanks

[fritz_monroe]

We've only had our pup since last year, but we've never had any problems.  If you feel you need the protection, then pepper spray would probably do the trick.

[fourgonefishn]

I just bought my camper and have never camped in a popup.  I have a question about security at campsites.

What do people typically carry for personal protection in a popup since it's virtually a tent on wheels?  Pepper spray, tazer, firearm?  

Have any of you ever had any problems in a public campground such as a state park?  

Hopefully this will never be a problem but I like to be prepared.  


Any information will be helpful
Thanks

 In my opinion if you need to take some sort of defense with you when you go camping, your bringing too much. Sorry just saw personal protection, Have never had a problem and don't plan on it. With all the stuff Laying around at all camps the only thing I've every heard of was cooler raids! :mad:  They mess with my fridge outside and they will meet trouble! :Z  Of course there are some invasions of the critter kind, thats when I bungee the fridge door closed! You should see the claw marks. (only had that problem at state parks.

[brainpause]

We've never carried any thing like that. We have had some firewood stolen, and even a flashlight while Holly was showering (she had it in the shower stall with her). However, both steals happened on a holiday weekend when all cg's were full, and there were definitely some unprepared/unprofessional campers. We rarely camp on Holiday weekends anymore. Terrible experience.

Other than that, we have never had any problems.

Larry

[Tim5055]

I agree, if you think you need to carry a weapon you probably should be picking out a new camping location.

[jasbus]

I'll be the "over the top", "crazy" on this one.
I carry a Glock .40 everytime we camp.  Too many crazy people in the world today.  Never had to use a gun, never had to show a gun, but if the time comes, it's there...
flame...on

[GeneF]

If I have to start carrying some sort of protection while I am camping, I will put the trailer up for sale.

One of the reasons we have camped all these years is because of the great people that we have met.

If you have something of value, lock it in the tv and don't leave it in the camper.

Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more signs in parks (private, state, and national) that warn you not to leave valuables in your vehicle.

If someone wants something out of my trailer, they are welcome to it.  I can always get another.  Might be a bit peeved, but that's life.

Of course if you camp beside Larry and Holly, you had better lock everything down.  They have a new trailer to furnish.

Seriously, we have never had a problem in about 20 years of camping.

[dthurk]

The only people that truly scare me are the ones who have firearms.  I have no trust in THEIR judgement.  Many are not trained, and have never faced a use/don't use decision (Service vets and law enforcement excepted).  Those that I hear from online usually say "I've never had an opportunity to use it, but I have it just in case."  If you've not had an opportunity to use it, then you have not needed it thusfar and really won't need it in the future.  You certainly have no need to protect yourself from me or my family.  If I or anyone else in my family is shot at for any reason (which would be mistaken, BTW), the lawsuits will start.  If this action results in anyone's death, be prepared to spend a long time away somewhere.
 
 I have never had a reason to have "protection" while camping, and I don't anticipate ever having to have it.  Thus, I don't carry anything.  Common sense seems to work fine.
 
 Consider this a flame if you wish, but I think the NRA is overrated and promoting a Wild West mentality.  I won't see replies to this, as we're leaving for a camping trip in about an hour!  We're going to enjoy ourselves, not worry about security issues.  Most likely the moderators will delete this thread anyway before we get back.
 
 To actually answer the OP, we have never had a  problem in any camping situation we've been in.  We've always felt very safe.  We've never had anyone "borrow" anything of ours.  I think we feel safer camping than at home.

[Hunt4Fun]

The only people that truly scare me are the ones who have firearms.  I have no trust in THEIR judgement.  Many are not trained, and have never faced a use/don't use decision (Service vets and law enforcement excepted).  Those that I hear from online usually say "I've never had an opportunity to use it, but I have it just in case."  If you've not had an opportunity to use it, then you have not needed it thusfar and really won't need it in the future.  You certainly have no need to protect yourself from me or my family.  If I or anyone else in my family is shot at for any reason (which would be mistaken, BTW), the lawsuits will start.  If this action results in anyone's death, be prepared to spend a long time away somewhere.
 
 I have never had a reason to have "protection" while camping, and I don't anticipate ever having to have it.  Thus, I don't carry anything.  Common sense seems to work fine.
 
 Consider this a flame if you wish, but I think the NRA is overrated and promoting a Wild West mentality.  I won't see replies to this, as we're leaving for a camping trip in about an hour!  We're going to enjoy ourselves, not worry about security issues.  Most likely the moderators will delete this thread anyway before we get back.
 
 To actually answer the OP, we have never had a  problem in any camping situation we've been in.  We've always felt very safe.  We've never had anyone "borrow" anything of ours.  I think we feel safer camping than at home.

I'm guess that the law enforcement is also someone that you fear.  Armed citizens shoot the "wrong" person less than 11% of the time.  Still too high, but consider this.  For law enforcement, the percentage is 22.

I support the police and everything they do for us and they do it for next to nothing in pay.  But they are usually to a scene late and often have to make difficult decisions about shoot/don't shoot.

Like everyone here, I never expect to have a problem in a campground.  Folks are always friendly and helpful.  I have many people offer to be an extra set of eyes while parking as well sharing meals.  But that doesn't mean that everyone is guaranteed to be that way.  

Please don't take pepper spray to a campground.  In the wind, pepper spray is more dangerous to you than the perp.

Hunt4Fun

[moderator1]

The rules at PUT state "No gun topics".  These always seem to end up in a fight over the right to carry guns everywhere.

If we can stay closer to the "Have any of you ever had any problems in a public campground such as a state park?" question I'll keep the thread open.  If it continues to slide into discussion over guns it will get locked.

Thanks for understanding

[lwbfl]

Pepper spray is not a good idea.  If you spray that inside somewhere, you'll be in it from then on yourself.  It is not dangerous however unless you hurt your self after getting the effects (like a non-poisonous snake LOL).  I've been a LEO for 11 years, and quit taking my sidearm with me years ago.  If someone threatens me with a gun, I don't have time to get the weapon.  If I go for it and they see it, I'm shot for sure and all the witnesses too (ie.  family).  I choose not to take anything for this purpose except my self defense training and BJJ.  We always camped in a tent, never had any problems at all.  On this last trip, we left our PUP unattended for a day and a half, coolers outside, and the park was full when we came back.  There wasn't so much as a footprint in our site when we got to return.  Just my opinion of course.

[Hunt4Fun]

The rules at PUT state "No gun topics".  These always seem to end up in a fight over the right to carry guns everywhere.

If we can stay closer to the "Have any of you ever had any problems in a public campground such as a state park?" question I'll keep the thread open.  If it continues to slide into discussion over guns it will get locked.

Thanks for understanding

My mistake.  Where are the "rules" posted?

[moderator1]

My mistake.  Where are the "rules" posted?

It's a "Sticky" at the top of the General Board


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Please understand, we want a free and open exchange of ideas, but some topics just seem to start fights

[fshnfool76]

I've never had a problem in the 30 years I've been camping except for one time. Maybe the dog is a deturrant. We did have a bike stolen about 5 yrs ago while still tent camping. It was the first time (and last) that we didn't lock thew bikes to a tree at night. According to the Park Police there were 3 bikes taken that night and their feeling was that it was the local migrant workers stealing them to get to work.
  That was at a county park here on Long Island. The bike was leaning on a tree less than 2 feet from the tent and nobody heard it.

[ranger97]

The rules at PUT state "No gun topics".  These always seem to end up in a fight over the right to carry guns everywhere.

If we can stay closer to the "Have any of you ever had any problems in a public campground such as a state park?" question I'll keep the thread open.  If it continues to slide into discussion over guns it will get locked.

Thanks for understanding

Nothing like a good dose of censorship to stimulate open discussion!