Rolling Solo: Tips for Traveling Alone, by Alice Zyetz
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Alice
Zyetz and Jaimie Hall have
been RVing fulltime with their husbands
for more than ten years each. Together
they have published two books on the
RV Lifestyle: Your Rig
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Start with a reliable rig and keep it that way.
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Buy the size rig you feel you can handle.
Traveling: Getting there safely
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Plan your route ahead of time. Write out the turns
on a sheet of paper and have handy.
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Have a backup plan in case your engine doesn't start and you
think your battery might be dead or dying. Carry jumper cables.
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Have a good emergency service plan like Good Sam or AAA.
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Have a cell phone with you. A used cell phone that has been
activated but has no service will work for 911 calls.
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Keep your fuel tank at least half full.
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Pull over if you feel tired or not fully alert.
Arriving at a Campsite
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Stop well before dark and choose carefully where you'll park
for the night, especially if you do not stay in an RV park.
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Lock your doors whether in or out of the rig including while
you're traveling.
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Anticipate problems. Think about how you will get out of a
location before you drive in. Think of how you would handle
situations like someone following you (go to a police station)
or deliberately causing an accident (keep honking your horn
to get noticed).
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Carry ID when you leave the rig. Write down your rig's location
and description to carry along with your ID. If you have a
pet, indicate that there is a pet inside the rig too.
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Trust your instincts.
Personal Safety
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Always have a flashlight and extra batteries.
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Keep the keys in the ignition, ready to leave in a moment.
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Explore the weapon/no weapon debate. If you decide to carry
a weapon or even something like Mace, get the proper training
and practice regularly. Most police officers advise that if
you do not have the personality to use a weapon in a life-threatening
situation, you are better off without one.
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Create the illusion of another person. Outside the rig, place
an old, well-worn pair of men's boots, a large dog bowl, and
a heavy dog chain when parked in other than an RV park. When
you leave the rig, stick your head back inside and yell, "Hey
honey, get a good nap. I'll be back soon."
Conclusion
> In general, use four of your senses as a warning system. Whenever something is suspicious (a different sound, a different smell, a different look, a different feel), stop and investigate. Make it second nature so you don't have to dwell on safety issues and can enjoy the freedom and lure of the open road.
Alice Zyetz
March 8, 2004
(Links updated December 4, 2021, RTA)
