Dog Trainer
Richmond Mi.
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Joined: 08/17/2006
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Well the should I stay in a rest area topic was recently posted again. As always each time this comes up there are a number of yes and no votes for doing and not doing it. I hear about someone that knew someone that was robbed or otherwise accosted at a Rest area. What is your real experience if any with any bad thing that has happened at a rest area. My worst experience was at a rest area just inside either WV or NC there is a little casino right at the rest area parking area. A group of truckers were gathered around and playing some version of a scam one of the truckers had supposedly hit a big win and was giving money away but to get it you had to play along somehow. I forget all the specifics but it looked and smelled like a scam from the start so I stayed completely away. That was in the middle of the day. I have stayed in several rest areas for 4-8 hrs at a time with no bad accidents. I will only stay in those where there are others around and never only by myself. I Tend to think that rest areas in general are no less safe than any other parking lot. The responses here may change my mind.
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tandkj
Full timer
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Joined: 08/04/2003
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Never had any problems.
Tis another fine day to serve in and for the glory of the Corps. Every day is a holiday and every meal a feast.
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cpmath
New York
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Joined: 07/17/2007
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Give it a rest. Rest areas are as safe as your driveway if you live in a good neighborhood.
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mockturtle
WA
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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There have been a couple of murders at rest stops here in the NW. I don't think either of them had to do with RVs but the the perpetrators were strangers to the victims.
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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We have stayed in a few rest areas that were like resorts complete with security guards, but most of the those have been State Welcome Centers. The one at the LA state line on I-10, before the hurricane took it out, even invited us to wash our MH at the dump area.
Then we have stopped at other rest areas that had "I am out of gas" beggars knocking on the door as soon as we stopped. Needless to say, we didn't stay there. We rarely stay in rest areas anymore do to truck traffic and we enjoy having our slides out without the risk of them being knocked off.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
09 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
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Clieb
Carlsbad, NM
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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When traveling its my favorite place to stay.
During the day we get out take the dog for a walk, visit with people and don't really worry too much. At night we lock things up and keep to ourselves.
Burgulars don't want to break in to a home where they know someone is there and quite possibly armed.
If you are going to open your door to a stranger in the middle of the night then its probally not safe for you to stay in a rest area.
If someone asks you for help, help them by calling the police.
If you see a drunk, or a gang, or a drunken gang, lock the door and drive off.
I especially like rest areas on Turnpikes or toll roads, no thief or mugger wants to operate on a closed road with limited access and security at every access point.
An RV'r is someone driving a $300,000.00 Motorhome pulling a $40,000.00 car and looking for a free place to park.
2002 Itasca Horizon 36'
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blackf3504dr
Leesburg , FL. .Lake
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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As an over the road trucker for thirty + years and an avid traveler with the motor home we have stayed in our fair share of rest areas. I can't say we ever ran into any serious problems besides the occasional "working girl" or panhandler. Like any place you must be aware of your surroundings and I would suggest that women never go to the restroom building alone. Don't open the door to anyone even if they say they are a police officer if you don't see a marked police cruiser and some ID (through a window).
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The Texan
Home: Idaho - Location: Texas
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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We use rest areas and wayside pullouts 95% of the time when traveling from point A to point B. We have only been approached 2X in over 20 years of using rest areas, once by a "family" who said they were out of gas and needed money and the other time by a rent a cop, who said we could not park there for more than 15 minutes. The "family" drove off as soon as the 1st LEO drove in.....LOL. I told the rent a cop to call for a Trooper, as I was staying for a few hours and I would discuss the time limit with a Trooper. He went back to his car and we never saw him exit it again, while we were parked there. We have had hookers knock on the door in truck stops and drunks beat on the door in retail parking lots, so we try and not stop at either one, if we have a choice.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
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Where the wheels are stopped
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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I have never had a problem in a rest area, no matter if it was on an Interstate or a 2 lane highway.
I often wonder, how do these folks who seem to be SO concerned with "safety" ever manage to leave home? It is, after all, a very unsafe world out there, folks. Learn to deal with it!
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 275,000 Miles
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
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"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
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stugpanzer
Illinois
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Joined: 06/19/2006
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I don't stay in rest areas mostly because by the time I want to stay, late at night, they are full! I have stayed at a Walmart parking lot or two, but the same safety rules apply!
2004 Damon Intruder 369W Workhorse Chassis
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