Safety While Traveling Full Time (Car Camping/Living)

Is it safe to live and travel out of your car? I dive into my thoughts about safety on the road as I approach my 1 year anniversary living and camping out of my Honda CRV full time!

Thank you so much for watching!

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What Do We Travel In?
2004 Honda CRV

How Long Have We Been Nomadic?
Since August 2020

Why Did You Move Into The Honda?

What About The Bathroom/Showers?

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**As of Spring 2022 I am not currently planning on/organizing any meetups out on the road, please respect my privacy and refrain from asking to meet up and my current location in the US (Thanks!)**

[Kathy-zxbu]

My daughter and I were tent camping in a state campground (Arkansas). In the middle of the night, we had to grab everything and leave because of some men camping in the same area. They were inappropriate and would not leave us alone. We ended up driving all the way back home (6 hours away). Things do happen and women do need to be careful.

[india]

When my son was about ten, before mobile phones, our car broke down. This really nice man stopped and offered to drive us to the local garage. He seemed so kind. So I politely thanked him and said no. He went off like a guided rocket! Calling me names, abusing me etc. did he think I was going to change my mind? My son and I very quickly left. To this day I truly believe that had we got into that car we would have ended up in a shallow grave

[adamlee]

As a trucker; CONFIDENCE IS KEY!! If you show others that you’re confident and not timid, people will be less likely to mess with you.

Definitely follow your gut as well; the only time I felt unsafe was when I ran out of time on my clock and had to shut down in a shady truckstop in Dallas. I locked all the doors, used my seatbelts (a loading strap is good too) to reinforce the doors in case someone picked the lock, and blacked out all of my windows with my shades. People were knocking on my doors all night, but had zero chance of getting in unless they broke a window; and if they decided to scale up my truck to do it and broke through, I’d be sitting there waiting for them with a crowbar or hammer.

Remember that where you rest your head at night is your home, and with any home you take the additional steps needed in order to protect your home and yourself inside. Most Criminals are opportunists, and choose to commit crimes that are easy pickings with the least chance of confrontation and suspicion. If they see that they have to do all of this work trying to get in a vehicle you reinforced; they’re going to easily get noticed, so they’ll be less likely to try and do anything.

Do carry mace or pepper spray; however one trick most female truckers use is carry wasp spray as it can go a distance with a straight stream to prevent yourself from being affected if someone with bad intentions is approaching you; ultimately giving you the ability to make a clean getaway. Also have a secondary use of protection within arms reach just in case; anything can really be used as a weapon, crowbar, hammer, hell even a simple letter opener! Just make sure it’s accessible to you the moment they pass your vehicle’s threshold so you can defend yourself.

[sj-gwwq]

Just wanted to say thank you for your no-nonsense video on this subject. As I become an empty nester the road is calling my name more and more; so many of the videos show cars that are so piled up with cargo, so expensively (and often stupidly) decked out they just scream "LOOK AT ME, A WOMAN TRAVELING ALONE, AREN'T I CUTE?" I just want to get up the nerve to branch out a few hours from home on the weekends and see the things I want to see in simple safety and comfort with my little dog. Your points were spot on. These fancy car and van conversions look like a lot of trouble to operate, set up and take down with clutter all over the ground outside. Like you, I want to be able to climb in to the driver seat and leave on a moment's notice. I see builds where they have to fold up the front seats and I'd already decided anything I set up will always, always, maintain the driver seat in proper driving position for a fast escape. Anyway, thanks for the reminders that yes, a person would be a fool to try breaking into a blacked out car at night, and in reality, the risk of that attempt is actually very, very low. Happy travels!

[serenityjewel]

Great video. I've dated many thieves in my lifetime and I've been a paralegal for criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors and you're right - thieves either need to know what they're going to get ahead of time before they risk arrest or there needs to be a low risk of capture for them to do a fishing expedition. Locking your doors and placing ALL VALUABLES, even change, out of sight will significantly decrease your risk of having your car broken into. To decrease your risk of physical harm, I suggest removing things in sight that suggest you're a woman (I actually removed my Golden Girls and flower stickers off the back of my car), not exiting your vehicle for any reason once you arrive there (do everything you need to do before you get there), and if you don't mind having stickers on your vehicle, have ones that suggest you're not going to be an easy target. Criminals are not trying to fight for their life in the commission of a crime. A good NRA sticker, second amendment right sticker, or military sticker will go a long way to discouraging a criminal from picking you as their next target. So will a video surveillance sticker. Always trusting your instincts, keeping a low profile, locking your doors, hiding your valuables, staying out of high crime areas, not advertising you're a woman, and not looking like an easy mark are solid ways to deter crime. Of course some crime are just random so nothing will 100% keep any of us safe. All we can do is our best and deal with everything else as it comes.

[nevercomply]

I have been attacked years ago and now I always carry my protection everywhere I go. I live in my RV and i love my life out on the road. I'm a trucker and it is awesome to see all the beautiful places. Stay safe out there and safe travels

[ec-kjyp]

You gave some really good and insightful information about safety that I haven't seen other people mention. Staying non-confrontational is an important one, as well as making sure there is nothing on the outside of your vehicle that is very polarizing. I also like the information about not thinking everyone is out to get you - I will still think everyone is out to get me 😄and keep my head on a swivel, but the majority of the time people are going about their business just like you are. Women are definitely a target, and there are people who are out there looking for an opportunity to hurt someone, so safety is critical. Being prepared, and trusting your gut instinct will go a long way in keeping us safe out there.

[BeRightBack]

Whoa... speaking of weather... my brothers, my mom, my kids and I all went on a long road trip with many sight seeing stops along the way. We were driving in 3 different vehicles. One brother decided to take a little side trip and got a little lost, so he stopped at a closed gas station/Walmart center to look at the map. He said he couldn't figure out which way to go, but he suddenly got a strong feeling that he just go. So he turned back onto the highway and took off. About 15 minutes later, he was fiddling with the radio and suddenly a breaking news report came on. It said the gas station and Walmart he was just at just got destroyed by a level 5 tornado 🌪 😳. It turned out that the highway he randomly chose and the direction he took got him out of the tornadoes path, and ironically, put him on the right track to getting back to civilization.

[sandratorchia]

I seen a couple of your videos. Now I have subscribed. Your are both intelligent and “camp smart.” I am 79 and just beginning to think about camping in my car. I am going out for an overnight in two weeks. Thank you.

[karipiazza]

You have great advice!! I want to travel this way so bad. I don’t have the money for a van or RV. So it’s car living me and my dog. Small dog. I have a Nissan Sentra so kinda small but I’m 5’3” so I can get the blow Up car bed to sleep on. I figure my trunk will be my closet, kitchen, bathroom and extras. You made me feel much better about this. I’m 58 and have been dreaming of this for over 5 years. Thankyou sweetheart. It would be nice to run into you on the road.Thankyou for this video ♥️this is lady from California 😘✌🏼♥️

[donnasmith]

Just wanted to let you know that You always have great advice!

[seanjohnson]

I have never camped. I have driven by myself over the U.S. west of the Mississippi over the past 40 years. After social media became a thing I was like you in that I never said when I was leaving, where I stopped, or when I was returning until a few days after the event.
Most of the time I also have traveled with a dog. My current one is great. I once was so tired on a road trip I pulled into a convenience store a long a major highway that had a huge parking lot. I parked within sight of the store but far enough away my dog wouldn’t bark at the people going in and out. However I knew he would bark if any got closer than 20 feet from me. I locked the doors and was able to take a quick 20 minute nap (I did sleep with one eye open). That quick nap was enough to last me till I arrived at my destination. Without I would have fallen asleep at the wheel.

[cindychurch]

Always park where you can just drive straight out, without backing up. You don't want anyone to be able to block you in.

[robync]

This was REALLY helpful! My daughter and I are planning a summer-long circle around the country in 2023-where we plan to sleep in sites like you do. THANK YOU!

[kajellio]

I did a long solo road trip with a lot of camping and so many friends worried about me. There was only one place that freaked me out; I trusted my gut and left in the middle of the night. Other than that one night it was all amazing!

[patriciabardell]

My uncle was a marine when I was 11/12 he made a point to teach me about protecting myself cause I was the oldest of for girls THE biggest lesson was if you act like a victim You will be a victim. 2nd rule always pay attention to your instincts.

[christinesteen]

I agree with going with your gut feeling 100% that's what it's there for. And the rest of your advice makes perfect sense. Thanks for the tips. Good luck on your travels Brooke and Pippa 🥰

[danielle]

Always put safety first in any situation. Doesn’t matter where you are and if it’s even a block away from your home, be mindful.
Watch Terry Vaughan! He is a marine commando and has great tips on safety, especially for women. Things like a tactical flashlight and how they are useful for many things!
Not everyone is out to get you, but with a few things in your mind you could stay safe. This message is not just aimed at Brooke, it’s for everyone who might need it.
But I agree, the chances of you being attacked in the woods are much less and if you do come across situations leave immediately. Don’t wait it out, trust your gut. If it feels off, leave.
And think about safety beforehand.

[woodsandcreek]

Thank you for your guidance, and quelling my safety fears. It never occured to me that potential thieves don't know who you are or what you are capable of doing to them.

[BuddhaPepper]

Wow! I just found your channel today and I feel like I learned more from 4 or 5 of your videos than I have watching other channels for a few months!! I love your straight forward and practical advice! I hope to start part time car camping this summer and I think your channel will help me a lot, thank you! 💕