Blindspots

SueJean

Active Member
♫♪ "Heading down that long highway........." :)


Just wondering :confused:............ when we're on the road with a destination and a schedule, we like to "overnight" at "Wally World's" or if necessary "Flying J's". We don't pop the sliders or drop our "feet" or anything like that. We generally just grab a bite to eat wherever we are and then slip into bed hoping to get some reasonable shut-eye.


At one of our recent stops at a "Wally World" in Winslow, AZ, someone came a-knocking on our door long after the point that DH had fallen asleep. I was able to get a glimpse of the man walking away from our rig as DH was stumbling about trying to get his pants on. :eek:


Then a pickup pulled up right next to us and after a quick snack the driver pulled a blanket over themselves and appeared to settle in for the night after taking a long hard look at our "Nest". :(


Needless to say, I felt a little concern as I tried to get back to sleep about our safety. The biggest concern is about the lack of visibility of what's going on outside when we have all of our sliders pulled in. I was wondering if any of you have found a practical (READ:affordable) solution to this problem.



DH is supposed to be a retired security officer, so I'm sure he wouldn't really be all that keen on doing "security walks" around our rig all night even if it did help me sleep a little better. :p


I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.......:angel:
 

Ray LeTourneau

Senior Member - Past Moderator
I guess that's one of the reasons we don't take advantage of Walmart lots or any other "free" overnight areas. I would be a little concerned about things just as you mentioned. That said though, I may feel more comfortable if I had a .357 under my pillow or within reach. I have recently applied for an Illinois FOI card and plan on purchasing protection in the near future and also a guide to determine/learn state laws and requirements.
 

jmgratz

Original Owners Club Member
I have talked to folks who have had their TV spare tire stolen while they were sleeping in their rig on Flying J parking lot. Also talked to a guy one time who's TV was broken into while he slept at a Wal-Mart in his rig. That is the reason we don't do that. Even though our rig has a security camera on the outside which monitors the DS of the rig we cannot see the TV without going outside. Call me paranoid, but if I cannot afford $25 for a nights stay I should sell the RV, but that is how I feel and I understand others are perfectly comfortable "parking lot boondocking". Stay safe and happy rving.
 

JohnDar

Prolifically Gabby Member
Just a "blue sky" thought. What about mounting a 12V motion sensor light under the front overhang? Wire an on/off switch inside the rig. You could even put them on the sides or even under the rig, with a hood so it only illuminates the immediate area and not the whole parking lot.
 

wdk450

Well-known member
Some of the motion sensor lights have an option for a remote chime to tell you inside that they have activated. This wouldn't be difficult to wire yourself across the lamp terminals, either.

Just a "blue sky" thought. What about mounting a 12V motion sensor light under the front overhang? Wire an on/off switch inside the rig. You could even put them on the sides or even under the rig, with a hood so it only illuminates the immediate area and not the whole parking lot.
 

branson4020

Icantre Member
You could just go ahead and put the slides out if that would help your visibility. Probabay more than half of the rigs I see overnighting at Wal Mart have at least one slide extended, even the motorhomes. Heck, I can't even get into the bedroom of my coach without extending the slide.
 

SilverRhino

Well-known member
I don't even like parking my truck in a WM lot while I'm in the store...let alone spend the night!!

To me it is worth spending a few dollars and staying in a more secure environement....Just my observation.

Travel Safe!
 

fhollan

Well-known member
There's nothing wrong with being paranoid. I agree with Ray. After 33 years of being in law enforcement, I wouldn't stay in a WM lot overnight either. Even with all the camera equipment they have monitoring the lot, some people will do anything and everything to get their hands on anything that does not belong to them, including breaking into vehicles. Younger kids usually do more vandalism while older teens and young adults do more serious crimes. It's ashame it is that way in today's society. You're better off in a more secure area.
 

jmgratz

Original Owners Club Member
Isn't it funny how all of us retired cops wouldn't overnight at a Wal-Mart parking lot. Could it be we know something other folks don't? Or are we overly-cautious? I think it is because we know what will eventually happen.
 

RSIG

Active Member
As a security specialist I would not consider staying in a WalMart lot. Consider the poor economy as well as thieves and people desperate for there next drug buy. We standout like a neon sign as being prosperous with the nice tow trucks and trailers. Most of us are retired or near retirement and a couple of 20 year olds could easily subdue even the most fit of us. You also have the disadvantage of having to go from the trailer to the truck if you decide to depart the area. People in a motorhome can just move to the drivers seat without going outside. We are also traveling in unfamiliar areas.
 

SueJean

Active Member
Thanks for sharing your thoughts/opinions!

I have considered the lights with the motion detectors as an option, as well as various kinds of alarm systems. DH, now retired, worked as a deputy sheriff and a security officer for many years. Security is always an important issue to him.

Unfortunately, or not, we spend a lot of time traveling long distances and there isn't always the perfect place for us to stop no matter what we would be willing to pay. Our lifestyle isn't based on traveling from RV park to RV park. :rolleyes:

Anyway, we think that we have found the better solution to this problem for us. We are seriously considering adopting a dog into our "household" and we think that we may have found the right one for us. We will be studying this out further in the coming weeks and I will keep you all posted as to our success in this venture.

Of course, this means we may have to modify our front door since it would no longer be "Just Us"......

Blessings,

SueJean and DannyLee
 

kakampers

Past Heartland Ambassador
A dog is a great option! Even though our Kate is a real wimp, she alerts us to anything happening outside, and she's a large dog that sounds really ferocious when she barks...if those outside knew her real personality we'd be in trouble...LOL! Luck for us, they don't!!
 

SueJean

Active Member
Greetings!

We believe that we have solved our blindspots/security issues. This probably wasn't the cheapest or easiest solution, but we think it's the right one for us and it works! :)

You can read the story and see the pictures at this link:

http://tsiyonbound.blogspot.com/2010/04/our-whittle-family-grows.html

On our first night, we were awakened at 4 a.m. by a low growl at the door and saw lights flash across the bedroom window. Someone had come into the park to the trailer parked a couple of spaces away from us and our new alarm system worked perfectly.

We much prefer the sound of growling to loud barking as it brings me instantly awake, but also allows me to focus on what's going on outside instead of trying to quiet the noise inside.

We feel very blessed with this improvement to our RV life! :cool:
 

truknutt

Committed Member
SueJean,

That's very cool that you were able to "save" Ariela and give her a new home. We have the same style alarm system times 2; a Chow mix and Jack Russell! We get the low growl and then the high pitch kicks in!

I just wish i could find their "OFF" buttons when we want to socialize with others!!
 
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