Camping and travel safety

All I know is that I feel a lot better about my possessions being locked up in the Pod instead of a tent.  I had a situation in Virginia a couple of years ago.  The weekend I went tent camping there was also an off-road rally going on down the road.  Well, some of the folk there were a bit rowdy and unruly to say the least... and shady.  Well, in the middle of the night, a group of them came wandering across the field to my truck and tent and first tried my truck doors to see if I left them open (i.e. the snatch and grab) and then they proceeded to pack up my belongings outside the tent (i.e. folding chair and grill).  I woke up just in time and unzipped that tent so fast and scared the bejesus out of them so bad that they took off and ran for the hills.  Suffice to say, now, with the Pod I just bring in the folding chairs, put the Weber Q in the back of the truck and anything else they could grab.  I do believe the next thing those little bastards were going to do was sneak into my tent while I slept (that night, my pants and wallet were by the zipped up door   ).  Anyway, I love this Pod for it's added security.  No need to meet and greet wrong-doers in the middle of the night with a surefire light cupped in my left hand and uh...  yeah.  I like having a dead bolt locked door between me and the crickets.    

Originally posted by David Not a problem.....we just need to get back on to camp'in and Pod'in.    Pets...... I can't take credit for these ideas - other members actually spoke of them:   1.  Speaking of first aid supplies, don't forget our furry friends.  I am completely unqualified to advise in the matter but, you may want to speak with your veterenary doctor, during your next trip for suggestions for any additional items that might be "pet specific".  Cut paw pads, sprains, burns, ticks, ingesting something bad, etc.  It might be a long way to the nearest 24hr vet clinic.   2.  I had a collar tag made at the local pet supply store which has simply "Dixie" and below it, my cell phone number (with area code).  God forbid we get separated, hopefully someone close might see this and give me a call...maybe a fellow camper or Park Ranger.  While she is micro chipped, this will only work if/when she would end up someplace that has a chip reader.  This could be days or never.

Just to add to the situational awareness suggestion, I would like to add TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. When you feel something is not right, leave. Sometimes being rational and too civilized works against us. I am thinking of a time we started to camp in an  empty campground. Shortly after we arrived the old trucks and muscle cars started pulling into a site just across from ours and the cases of beer started appearing. We threw the tent and the kids back in the car and got out. I have never regretted leaving that night even though it was dark and we were all tired.

Our 2011 RP-172 only has 2 windows on the side toward the rear and one window on the very back, you cannot see anything out of the front where the bunks are, or on the right or left where the kitchen and head are, has any one put a peep hole in the door to see outside before opening the door, I guess most house type are maybe 1.5 or 2 inches through. It would be nice to see who is outside before opening the door.

Great story!!  I wonder if the perpetrator ever reflects on that moment in time.