Camping and travel safety

Another good point in regards to the guy with a 44 magnum.  All should be aware that those around you may be armed.  In 2010 (I think) a law was passed that allows licensed gun owners to carry weapons in National Parks* ( make that a big "*")Let's not go into the subject of wether or not an individual should carry a weapon.   IMHO we are all adults and have already made the decision in the matter.  There are strong opinions on both sides of this issue.  This forum is probably not the best place to discuss the subject.  However, my point in bringing up the subject is to remind you of the above and perhaps touch on some thoughts for those that do carry when out and about Podding.For example, in the National Parks (above), a licensed owner may carry but, they are subject to the firearm laws of that State in which the Park resides (along with other restrictions).  Being uninformed, your efforts to keep yourself safe from the bad guys may land you in deep trouble with the good guys. If you do travel with a weapon, please take the time to do some legal research and know your responsibilities in each State that you may visit or pass thru.While driver's licenses are accepted by all States, firearm licenses are not.  Some States "honor" licenses from other States, others do not.  You gotta do your homework.Also, like driver's licenses, as with gun licenses, they don't usually require a person to pass an I.Q. test in order to get one.  In both cases, you'll encounter the very good, the very bad, and everything in between.  It may be something to keep in mind.    

An important thing to look into is towing safety - weight limits of each axle, the limit of the vehicle itself, the trailer, the total combination, the hitch system, the ball itself, and the tongue.  Safety chains, breakaway cable, max rated pressure in the tires (trailer and TV), check the fluids in the TV.

Then safety when backing - verbal and visual signals, rules (if I can't see my wife in my mirrors I stop moving until I do), a walk-through of the site before backing up.

Safety at alternative campsites on the road, like Wal-Marts, Cabela's, truck stops.  Stay with the crowd if there are already campers there when you arrive.  Stay in the lights.  If at all possible keep the tongue jack and stabilizers up and your keys on the counter so if you need to get out of Dodge quickly the driver can jump in the TV and go (leaving everyone else locked in the camper until you are in a safe area).  In an emergency you can still move with the jack and stabs down, just understand that they will be ruined.

I like the idea of keys on the counter.  I always put my keys, wallet and maybe another thing or 2 in the same place every night, within arms reach,  so that I can get to them quickly - even without the lights on.  I don't need lights because I KNOW where they are.  It could be a criminal or the camper is on fire or the camp host pounding on the door to warn of an approaching tornado.  I want to be able to react quickly.  I may not have the benefit of time to fumble around looking for this stuff.

Not sure if your "attack cats" can do that, Tim.   My attack cats would be the first to go up to them and lick them.

Oh P.S. the pods wall wont stop a .44 magnum, or a .22, get youself a good short pump shotgun. 12 gauge is better but a 20 does a good job. number 6 or 7.5 shot is good for close range, the 7.5 wont go through a normal house wall, probably will go through the pod, the long and short is as I tell Donna , "I would rather have it and never need it that to need it and not have it" and another thing old Sgt Guy Schroeder used to tell me "I would rather have 12 men try me than 6 men carry me" thats good advise from a retired Indiana State Police Sgt and a former 101 first airborne Trooper.