Boondocking is one of the most exciting activities you can do to explore various places comfortably. Spending the night in an unknown alone, an off-the-grid place may sound terrifying. So it’s natural if you ask about your safety when the idea of boondocking comes. It should be your top priority anyway. If you let your imagination run wild, you will think boondocking is not a very safe thing to do at all. You will think of various scenarios where things go wrong.
Staying safe when boondocking in your RV
There is always risk you need to be cautious and prepared for when it comes to travel. Boondocking alone even in a place you consider safe still has its risk. The key is to be more prepared. And sometimes, human do things naturally and automatically to keep themselves safe. Here are some tips to keep you safe and make the most of your time boondocking in your RV:
Prepare and research in advance
Instead of following where the wheels take you, it’s more recommended to be prepared by researching about your destination ahead of time. Have a plan for the day’s travel and research potential parking spots around your destination where you can spend the night safely. Read past reviews for each spot so you can make smart decision.
Always listen to your gut
Don’t underestimate the power of your intuition and gut feeling. Listen to them and steer clear from potential danger. When you travel in a group and one of you has bad feeling about a spot or concern about safety, don’t question it. Build open, effective communication with your group. Have a plan B in advance so you know already where to drive to should you have to move quickly. Don’t wait until it’s too dark, too tired, or too late to move on.
Park out of sight
It’s considered safer to hide away. Park out of sight of main roads and public areas wherever you can so you don’t attract any attention. It helps you to avoid become an easy target. Hiding away also gives more comfort since you can peer out a window to ascertain a cause of noise you may hear at night.
Avoid using large leveling blocks
Try not to level up if possible because you may need to drive away in the middle of the night in case of emergency. You can pack a cheap set of small blocks you can use as needed but won’t be too bad to leave behind for the sake of your own safety. Or, park somewhere flat so you won’t need blocks.
Park where there are other RVs
If it’s quite impossible to hide away, park your RV at the area where other RVs nearby. There is safety in numbers so you can increase your safety by joining other RV travelers. Introduce yourself to them to make sure you can look out for one another especially at night. However, stay respectful and don’t be a bother to them.
