Safety in Travel

[edvanland]

Years ago it was brought up that when you stopped at night in a rest stop or other places it was advised to start your MH or bus up and move it a foot or so before you got out.  Seems like at that time some of the bad guys would get under the rig and when you stepped out would grab your ankles and put you on the ground and then they had you.  Not a bad idea.  I also travel armed with pistol and shot gun, that way I don't have to be a good shot.
ED
MCI 7

[gumpy]

So you're saying some genius robber is going to crawl under your 15 ton vehicle during the night, and lay there waiting for maybe hours in hope that you might step out in the morning rather than simply drive off?  I've never heard of this ever happening, and I seriously doubt that even crooks are that stupid, though there are some pretty stupid crooks out there.

Many years ago, I was approached at a rest area outside Yuma at about 2:30 in the morning by someone claiming his oil light had come on in his car and he wanted me to come to the other side of the rest area and look at it. Oddly, I was the only truck there, and my partner was asleep in the sleeper. I refused to go and told him to use the phone to call someone out of Yuma to come look at it. I often wonder if he really did need help or if I would have become a victim. Mixed feelings, but I'm still alive.

[HighTechRedneck]

My RTS rides low enough that I don't think they could crawl under it, but if they were skinny and stupid and did manage to get under it, they would be in deep doo.  Right now my airbags go flat in about 8 hours due to a slow leak in the system that I have to track down and fix.  I think within two hours they would have a problem.

[ChuckMC8]

when the guy grabbed my ankles, it would scare me so bad that he would be be hit with my secret weapon......

[Len Silva]

Just be sure you drop the leveling jacks or airbags before you go out.  Don't open the door until the screaming stops.

Len

[H3Jim]

Sounds like an old wives tale or worse.  Lets see, they get you on the ground and then they have you?  Not only are they also on the ground, but they are under your rig.  I'd not want to be in their position. I think I'd worry more about loosing air in a tire than that...

[jjrbus]

You dont belive crooks are that stupid!!!!!!  Watch COPS sometime.  How about the guy on CNN this morning. He called 911 becuse they would not let him into  a club. It turns out he was too drunk and  when the police came he got arrested for having drugs on him!!!!! Makes me feel like we should be going to "Mensa" meetings.
 If someone knocks on my door, I do not open the door but open a window. After my last enconter I also keep the camera handy and will snap a picture of who is knocking!!

[Gary '79 5C]

Although Edvanland's scenario is unlikely, I believe that it is a very good example of being aware of your surroundings and take nothing for granted. As the writer said in Yuma, you like to assist, but not with your life.
I work in the most deadly city in the US, or second when Detroit beats Camden NJ out, and you need to be aware.

Nothing everyone already knows....

thanks Edvanland,
Gary Pasternak

[Barn Owl]

Instead of moving it, just deflate the air bags and squish the bad guy. 

[Barn Owl]

Oops……Guess I need to read the other replies before I post…..Good minds think alike.