18 replies to this topic

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I try not to worry about stuff like this. Going on vacation we try to leave the house locked and a porch light on, If we worried too much we'd never leave the house. When leaving the camper we leave the curtains drawn, door locked and outside stuff consolidated. Once again, if we were always worried about it we wouldn't have any fun and we wouldn't explore beyond the camp site. Dropping and raising the top all the time once camped would be a pain in the ass. What will be will be, regardless of your efforts. Go have fun and don't worry about it would be my recommendation.

Excellent attitude. My thoughts also.
Frank

[Bosque Bill]

Thanks everyone for chipping in on the topic. I'm not going to let my worries keep me from enjoying the camper or a long hike, either. Just wanted to tap into the group to see if there was something obvious that I was missing. If I'm camped I'll probably leave the top up; if I've driven to a trail head, then it will be natural to leave it down.

Has anyone actually had bear problems in the lower 48? I know some of the campgrounds really try to throw a scare into folks about this.

Bill

[MarkBC]

ain'tToo

Excellent attitude. My thoughts also.
Frank

Me too, absolutely. I ain't gonna worry about it.

[Overland Hadley]

In the 35 years I've been building and repairing both ATC and FWC I've never seen or heard of a sideliner being cut or damaged due to vandalism

Thanks for the info.

[craig333]

I'm fairly sure a bit screwdriver or small crowbar will get someone in the door fairly easily. I never lower the top when I'm gone. I like to leave the windows open also to keep the air circulating.

The way I see it is if you don't think the area is safe you probably shouldn't be camping there. My driveway is another thing but not much I can do about that (do have a video camera watching my truck so at least I know who to curse).

[camper101]

And to beat a dead horse here: If one was going to worry... I'd think the camper is safer with the top up because there's a possibility that somebody is in there. Of course if they knock or call out an you don't answer, you're either sleeping or gone or ignoring them, but it might make them hesitate a little. And that's about all you can do (if anything) -- make it slightly less appealing to the opportunists.

If a bear wants in and it's a big enough bear, I don't think it matters either way.

[rotti]

My truck came with a factory alarm system but I haven't felt the need to add an alarm system to the camper.
Don't tell anyone......but I added a fake one. Just a flashing led for a couple of bucks for the camper.
Might cause an evil doer to move on to another target.

[pods8]

Has anyone actually had bear problems in the lower 48? I know some of the campgrounds really try to throw a scare into folks about this.

Nothing is out of the question but I would tend to think its more of an issue for slob campers. Don't leave smelly food out in bear country and then wonder why you've attracted bears...

[gbail]

Carry good insurance.

Remember that everything in your rig is replaceable.

Go out, have fun and don't be worrying about your campsite.