Safety & Security

Choose Safe Parking Spots 

Always choose safe parking spots. You have to be uber aware of your surroundings when picking a place to park overnight. Always arrive during daylight, if possible. Avoid isolated areas and these might not be as safe.

If you are parking in a city:

·       Look for well-lit areas – some people don’t like the light but for safety reasons light is good.

·       Always park in the direction of your escape. Back into parking spaces.

·       Find your space before it gets dark – know where you are going to go.

·       Be aware of your surroundings.

·       Look for no overnight parking signs.

·       Be discrete and trust your instincts.

If you are parking in a remote area, make sure you take note of the roads while driving, so you can navigate your way out at night, if you need to.

Lock Your Doors and Windows 

Always lock your doors and windows when you're inside your van sleeping or when you leave it unattended. Sometimes we are forgetful or feel comfortable in an area, but for some, everything you own is in your van.

Use blackout curtains. Be aware, when it is dark outside, any uncovered areas will show any light you have on inside. This is especially important when stealth camping. 

Don’t open the door for ANYONE you don’t know.

There may be some remote areas where you feel comfortable leaving a door open or leaving a window down but be aware of the risks. Is there wildlife in the area? You would hate to wake up to a raccoon pilfering through your van.

Keep Your Valuables Hidden 

Another important tip is to keep your valuables hidden. Don't leave expensive items in plain sight, as this can attract unwanted attention. Use hidden storage compartments or lockboxes to keep your belongings secure.  Cover items up or put your black-out window covering up.

If you have a hitch on your van, you can use a Hitch Safe to hide money, credit cards or even a spare key.

TIP: Have a fake wallet with a couple expired credit cards and a small amount of cash inside. If someone threateningly approaches your vehicle while driving or while you’re stopped at a light and asks for all your money or your wallet, they will likely leave once you give this to them and then you aren’t out your actual wallet.

Stay Connected and Share Your Location

Staying connected with friends and family is crucial for your safety and puts your family at ease. Share your travel plans and current location with someone you trust. This way, they'll know where you are and can check in on you regularly.  Life 360 is a good app for this and it’s free.

Know where you are. What is the name of the city and the county you are in? If you have to call 911 or if there is a weather emergency, the county you are in is important to know.

If you are in an area without cell service, tell someone when they will hear from you next. Then if they do not hear from you by the appointed time, they know something is wrong. 

Self-Defense and Personal Safety

Consider taking a self-defense class and carrying personal safety items like pepper spray or a personal alarm. There are many devices available for personal safety. You even have one on your key fob. You can always press your panic button to draw attention if you are in danger. 

Trust your instincts. If a place doesn't feel safe, move on to another location.

Be aware of appearances. You don’t want to look like a tourist. Try to blend in and not draw attention to yourself.  

Be careful who and where you ask for directions. Who is overhearing your conversation? Lots of people are curious about van life and may ask to see inside your van. While this can be completely harmless, be aware of who else is watching. If someone sees you are in a campervan, it might be wise to move locations for the overnight. If strangers are asking too many questions or asking about where you will travel next, it’s okay to tell them incorrect information. Don’t post on social media where you are or pictures from locations until you have traveled far beyond that place.

Don’t advertise you’re a campervan. Collecting stickers from the places you have been might be fun, but don’t put them on the outside of your van.

Have an exit plan for emergencies. Always plan ahead with an exit plan. Can you get to your front seat quickly? What if you are blocked in?  When the situation happens it’s too late to spend time coming up with a plan, so you have to think about it ahead of time. What would you do? There may not be a good solution, but you don’t want to act impulsively.

Have a designated spot for your keys. Always, always keep your keys in the same spot. Always.

Have a way to use the bathroom inside your van. You never want to leave your van, alone, in the middle of the night to use a restroom. Make sure you have a portable toilet or some sort of way to use the bathroom in your van. 

Keep your phone charged. If you don’t have a power source in your van, make sure you have a portable phone charger and make sure it works.

Have a motion sensor light outside your van. In some locations you might want to have motion sensor light. They don’t have to be mounted, they can be scattered around the ground at night or placed on the top of your van. Light and being seen is usually a good deterrent. 

Add roadside assistance to your auto insurance policy. If your auto insurance doesn’t have a roadside assistance program available, there are several other options for coverage, like AAA.

Never drive with under a quarter tank of gas. You never know how far it is to get to the next gas station and you don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you run out.

If you’re camping and get the knock, you have the right to record an interaction with police but do so with discretion. If you’re alone, you can set your phone or camera on the dash to record or call someone you trust and have them listen in.

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