Camper Security & Safety

[flyfisherman]

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

The vast majority of my camping is in the National Forests; first their regular campgrounds and then some backoff into the boonies with no amenities or facilities. Second to the national forests would be the state forests and that would be about the same - their regular C/G's and then some back into the boonies. Next I'd have to say the national & state park C/G's. There are also a couple of private tracks of land that I have permission to access. All of these places are primarily used for my pursuit of fly fishing and not only have enjoyed the fellowship of fellow campers but also the fly fishing fraternity, where we look out for one another.  I have stayed overnight, while enroute to somewhere or coming back again, at a private C/G, like maybe a K.O.A. - but remember, this is stricly a layover for the night to rest my weary bones.

I've been camping for a lot of years and campground incidents have been far and few between. What has topped the list is excess noise caused by some rowdy drunks; but most places will not put up that kind of behavior. There was one incident that happened at a C/G we were staying at, maybe half dozen years ago, where a couple got into a domestic donny-brook (alcohol was involved) - I was down at the river fishing so I really don't know the details - but when I came back up to the C/G the sheriff was just taking them BOTH off. A little later the national forest crew showed up to take their tent down and a wrecker hauled their car off. Bottom line here is that a national forest C/G is not the place to have a quarrel with your significant other - believe me, the national forest folks have a close working relationship with the local sheriff - there's no alcohol allowed in NFS C/G's so if an incident occurs and whoever is drinking is subject to come under those rules and regs.

The only thievery in a campground that I've been aware of has been coolers; and I don't believe this was so much for the coolers themselves as it was for the contents ... BEER! (why does that not surprise me?) - I think someone once posted they lost a couple of lawn chairs and a towel off the line. When I set-up camp and plan to be there for a few days, besides the popup, I also pitch a 9' X 9' dome tent which serves as my "storage shed" - I try and keep temptation down to a minimum - I stow everything out of sight when I leave the area. And I take care of what items I leave on the truck seat - I have a secure place to valuables.

Let me say something about firearms. Pulling a gun out to use on someone or something is very serious business, with a lot of legal entaglements to follow  afterward. To say this requires some real deep thought is an understatement.



Fly

[moderator1]

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

While you may consider it censorship, we look at it as keeping the board on topic.  If someone wants to debate guns, gun ownership, carrying guns or any such topic there are plents of places to do it; LIKE HERE

Now, before this gets too far off topic please direct any more comments about how we moderate the board to me via PM.

[mach8274]

My wife and I have been camping in our PUP for 3 years now, before that, 2 years in a tent. Before I went out on my own, my parents, my 3 brothers and I camped for as long as I can remember. I can't remember anything that would have required such actions as to have to use pepper spray or a firearm of some kind.
    I do own a pistol, I have a concealed carry permit and I have been trained on how to use it including when and where to use it. I don't bring it camping with us. It stays home locked up in my floorsafe. The main reason I don't bring it is because most campgrounds do not allow you to possess such weapons on their property, and if I'm not mistaken, by law you aren't allowed to have them in any state or national park. The other reason I don't carry it camping is because of reasons already stated elsewhere in this thread-take too long to get it and the possibility of my family also getting hurt. It's just way too risky.
    I have met many wonderful poeple on our camping trips. There are always "eyes" around watching everything. I know that when I'm at my campsite, I'm always looking around, something catches my attention or a car driving by.
    Just my 2 cents!
Dave

[wavery]

While you may consider it censorship, we look at it as keeping the board on topic.  If someone wants to debate guns, gun ownership, carrying guns or any such topic there are plents of places to do it; LIKE HERE

Now, before this gets too far off topic please direct any more comments about how we moderate the board to me via PM.

Can we disuss hand grenades??? :sombraro:
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Just trying to ease off of the other topic slowly......kinda like methadone.

[Popupper]

I have a pistol that travels with me on long trips. Not so much for campground protection but more incase of a vehicle break-down in bad areas. It's more psychological than pratical since it's always locked and packed deep in the middle of my stuff and the ammo is at an oposite end of the vehicle that I'd have a better chance out of out running any danger.

So if you're going to mess with me, give me about 10 minutes notice so I find my my piece, unlock it, load it and then think about what I'm about to do.


Bruce

[wavery]

:eyecrazy:

I'm amazed. Sure glad I'm not a moderator :banghead:

[GeneF]

Mr. Moderator

thanks.  I remember when.

[moderator1]

:eyecrazy:

I'm amazed. Sure glad I'm not a moderator

The pay is great!

Mr. Moderator

thanks.  I remember when.

So do I, that's why I don't want things to get out of hand again.

[chasd60]

For protection against mosquito's and ticks I usually carry "Ticks-Off" which has a very high DEET concentration.
 
For protection against the sun, we use anything with an SPF of 15 or better.
 
Never had a problem with people form tent camping, popup camping and now hybrid camping.

[mjdfarm]

As a law enforcement officer I find it amusing when people who have never had  to do my job cite statistics to make a ridiculous point.  Saying you "support law enforcement" does not hide the true nature of the statement.  There are many reasons for the tragedy of shooting an innocent person but this is not the forum to go into that.

To answer the question I always have my glock with me.  I dont carry it around the campground but I keep it close by while in the camper at night.  Many people live their lives in oblivion and sometimes I envy that.  Most campgrounds dont require id to check in.  Because of the gates and limited access most police officers dont go in campgrounds to patrol.  Many wanted criminals know this and many have been found staying in campgrounds for these reasons.  

I know this and I still camp with my family.  Overall it is a very safe activity  I just know what is out there and try to be prepared.  

By the way criminals love gun control because then they would be the only ones with guns.....And yes I am a "deer hunting NRA gun nut".

[uchwear]

Wow!!  when I posted this topic I didn't realize all the input I'd get and I didn't realize that it was against the rules.  I think I'm probably going to leave my side arm at home and carry a big stick.

[Jeremy]

Every place we've camped at had specifically listed in their site rules that posession of a firearm = instant removal from the CG.  Certain things should be left at home.  Now if you're out in the middle of nowhere and are using your camper to hunt with.. then a firearm is pretty handy.  Beats having to try and take down a deer with mosquito spray or a weenie roasting stick!
 
 We've never felt in danger enough where we felt we needed to have protection.  If things get out of hand, I use a cell phone for protection.  I pay taxes for law enforcement.  Let them keep the peace.
 
 Do us all a favor and leave the weapons at home for the weekend.

[Camping Coxes]

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

You are more than welcome to move on to a board you find more to your liking.  If you want to stay here, them's the rules!

[Toby]

I pack only a smile and it's always worked for me.  I have met the best people ever while camping, we have had a few problems with some inconsiderate loud campers but when it's out of control there is always a ranger or sheriff around.  Next time you go camping try talking to a few campers in your camp ground, you just might make a few more friends.


Toby.

[Old Goat]

In over sixty years of camping I have never had a problem with theft or intruders. Some campers carry a spray can of oven cleaner. A squirt in the puss  from a can of this will convince any unwanted human or animal not to enter your quarters...