Camping Safety when overnighting on the highways

[worane]

I was wondering what everyone does about overnight safety when pulling over for the night when doing transits eg. Melb/ Bris.
We are a newly retired couple who are traveling on our own.... Any ideas.
( We have a Mars hard floor CT.)

[DiscoMick]

Use the official rest stops, park under a light near the toilets and relax. We've never had any trouble, apart from noisy neighbours. There's often a bit of group feeling going on and people park together and even have a good chat.

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[Homestar]

The safest thing for anyone up to no good would be to leave me alone when I'm having a nap...:D

But seriously, as unattractive as it may be, if you're worried about that sort of thing then stop in a well lit area of a busy truck stop. If there are vehicles coming and going regularly, then no one will try anything. I've had some good chats to Truckies in the evening at such places.:).

Or if you want something a bit quieter, behind piles of road screening you see piled up will give you plenty of cover, or a couple of hundred metres off the road.

[bee utey]

Free rest areas

Rest areas for grey nomads in Australia | The Grey Nomads | Travel & Holiday Information Australia : Road Trips, Caravans & Motorhomes (http://thegreynomads.com.au/planning/where-to-camp/rest-areas/)

[Kevin B]

Ive spent many years travelling around this country alone in my vehicle and when it was time for a Kip I always chose a truck stop with lots of trucks be it a roadhouse or just a remote one it didnt matter as long as there were truckers there, never ever had a problem

[goingbush]

Your safer on the road than you are at home, can't say as much about your house while your away.

Caravaners Forum • View topic - Personal protection on the road (http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=51433)

Personally I avoid designated overnight stops and try to find a discreet site well away from the road and at least 30k from the nearest town. Any closer than 30k and I stay in a caravan park. As far as a locals perspective there is nothing worse than campers that cheapskate by staying on the fringes of town

I tried a few truck stops but its hard to sleep when a refrigerated pantech or a cattle truck pulls up alongside you.

[austastar]

Hi,
a bit of map reading helps. We look for side roads that go to properties that have a track marked some where off to one side and use that.
If the weather is cold, wet and windy, we can be a bit more casual and use lookouts or parks, boat ramps etc. Never on warm nights or weekends or full moon though.
On a recent 4 month trip we only used 2 paid camps, Wombian Caves and Nymboida Canoe Center for a national meet.
We just like the quiet and solitude of 'stealth camping' rather than commercial venues.
cheers

[Bearman]

If you are going to camp in the scrub always make sure you are far enough of the road that passing vehicles cannot see you lights or campfire.

[justinc]

Product: Protected by Smith & Wesson Tin Sign (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_771506_-1_757876_757837_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N)

One of these will help, affixed to the caravan or tent

JC

[101RRS]

Product: Protected by Smith & Wesson Tin Sign (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_771506_-1_757876_757837_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N)

One of these will help, affixed to the caravan or tent

JC

Sleeping with a pump action shotty will help - nearly pulled one out when camping at the junction of the Yalwal and Shoalhaven Rivers 35 years ago - in those days you could get away with a little bit of protection.

I guess these days a sign is about all you can get away with.

[Jeff]

I asked the same question two years ago when I did a big trip and got similar answers. We tried the populated camp sites and the quiet bush and had no problems.

Jeff

:rocket:

[LandyAndy]

What are the rules in regards to carrying a firearm in the campertrailer,just in case,saying its legally licsenced in WA????
Andrew

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I asked Mrs Pedro about this very question Andy,,
and received such a reply its never been mentioned again!:eek:

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Product: Protected by Smith & Wesson Tin Sign (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_771506_-1_757876_757837_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N)

One of these will help, affixed to the caravan or tent

JCNice idea, but how do you get the Smith & Wesson handcuffs on the intruders if they have a knife?

[123rover50]

Nice idea, but how do you get the Smith & Wesson handcuffs on the intruders if they have a knife?

Shoot them first:D

[The ho har's]

We have never had a problem, have camped all over Aus in some really nice spots, as previously stated there are usually others camped there if it is nice, and some friendly folk to chat to:D

Mrs hh:angel:

[justinc]

Nice idea, but how do you get the Smith & Wesson handcuffs on the intruders if they have a knife?

I guess handcuffs aren't required if the intruder/s have lead poisoning....

JC

[DoubleChevron]

Gee's ... there's some fanciful ideas of protecting themselves in that thread. Dunno about you guys, but I couldn't be less worried about being attacked by a baseball bat or axe inside a caravan. Pick the most uncluttered area of your caravan and see how you go swinging that axe/baseball bat .... If you reckon you have that sussed, now try it when your in bed under the covers. Even a little tomahawk will be of little use.

Knives however .... they scare me bigtime.... If someone pulled a knife on me .... if I couldn't run easily ... I'd be attacking like my life depended on it .... as it probably does. I always have a pocket knife/multi-tool either on my belt or in my pocket. I'd NEVER use it for self defense. The likely hood of being able to extract if for self defence would be remote "hang on mate, hold off an hitting me .... Gimme a chance to get my multi-tool out and try and extract the knife from the depths of it". Now if you do have time to grab a knife... Hows a murder charge sound? It wouldn't take much to kill with a knife.

Why does anyone want or need any form of "protection" ... gee's if you have some druggo try and swipe your stuff.... Let them, why would you want to confront someone off there head on drugs.

We live in Australia ... Assaults are pretty much unheard of ... and are usually domestic... Or groups of kids out trying to beat the crap out of each while drinking.

I don't even see something like a rifle being much good for self defense ... You wake up and find someone in your caravan. What is the likely hood you could extract something as unwieldy as a rifle in a contained space before the attackers on you. Then your grappling for a gun .... and it'll probably get used 'cos each person is scared the other will get it .... and use it.

seeya,
Shane L.

[stallie]

We left Alice at lunchtime heading northbound with the mrs three kids and camper. We slowed for Barrow Creek and decided to keep driving and bush camp. using the HEMA 1:250 topo, I found a side track that lead 100m down to and along the station boundary fence, so we headed down there and poped up the camper at dusk, basically out if sight of the road.

The mrs wandered off just after dinner to answer a call of nature and coming back remarked at the size of the (obviously cow) femur and tib/fib lying on the ground near the tent.

Dryly I remarked, "Yes this is where that Falconio guy went missing."

The Mrs hadn't made any Barrow Creek connections to that point and didn't sleep a wink that night. :angel:

[Homestar]

We left Alice at lunchtime heading northbound with the mrs three kids and camper. We slowed for Barrow Creek and decided to keep driving and bush camp. using the HEMA 1:250 topo, I found a side track that lead 100m down to and along the station boundary fence, so we headed down there and poped up the camper at dusk, basically out if sight of the road.

The mrs wandered off just after dinner to answer a call of nature and coming back remarked at the size of the (obviously cow) femur and tib/fib lying on the ground near the tent.

Dryly I remarked, "Yes this is where that Falconio guy went missing."

The Mrs hadn't made any Barrow Creek connections to that point and didn't sleep a wink that night. :angel:


That's just evil...:D

[AndyG]

If I was worried about camp security, I would pack the two Rotties and the Cattle dog, very protective about THEIR car.

[Bearman]

I always carry a peacemaker when on my outback trips and thankfully have never needed it but the answer is always to camp far enough off the road that you cant be seen by passing traffic. Remember that your flickering campfire is visible from a long distance in the dark.

[DiscoMick]

Only problems we've ever had have been in caravan parks.

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