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Another one I might add, Interstate rest stops withing 50 miles of major cities. If you plan to catch a few hours of shut eye in the evening before continuing on, make sure your doors are locked and if someone knocks, DON'T ANSWER!!!
The warning about Death Valley applies to any desert area and not just to RVers. It gets HOT, services can be few and far between and there rarely is a cell signal.
@@caseysweat9449 , Much better. I can always carry enough coats and blankets to stay warm, but there is no escape from that deadly heat and high UV out there. And snow can provide you with water if you have means of treating it, but if you are stranded in the desert without water, you'll fold very quickly.
The worst experience we had in rv overnight was the Cracker Barrel in Albuquerque NM, used needles in the grass, a bus stop in the parking lot brought riff raff thru, one gunshot, got gas nearby in broad daylight, a whole group of presumably homeless young men surrounded our rv at a red light, gabbed passenger door handle, tried to mob us, I had to run the red light to shake em. KOA in Dallas/Ft Worth had a locked gate, and this was back in the 90s. I agree that some Walmart parking lots come alive at night, so much action all night long, can't sleep with noise and worry. I had another group of teens approach our rv in daytime in a Texas walmart
Common sense MUST come into play no matter where you are it can be dangerous if no forethought is used to the possibilities...THANK YOU for the feed back from your growing RV family.
Hello my name is Kristine. And I am currently traveling with my dog in a 2002 Chevy Tahoe and pulling a 1995 20 ft Kit Companion travel trailer. I recently traveled from my home base I Fresno CA and I arrived in a town in Arizona just across the state line. And I arrived at a truck stop late at night and noticed that there were some shady people there. I noticed a couple of people sitting in a small car and it smelled of Marijuana and there were some probably tweakers there as well. So I want to mention that some truck stops are not safe either. I also want to mention that I noticed that a lot of people are wanting to full time RV now with one of the big reasons is that it can be cheaper than buying a sticks and bricks home or renting an apartment. But I am also finding out that there are some towns and cities that don't want a lot of RV rs staying a long time at a RV Park or boodocking somewhere. Many people still think that people who live in RVs full time are trashy and are going cause trouble. So many places now are only allowing people to stay less than two weeks. I've noticed that this is becoming a common thing now and they may eventually ban long term stays all together and create very expensive and very fancy RV resorts that only very wealthy people can afford to stay there and working class people wouldn't be able to afford to stay there. That is something to think about and how can we do something about that if that ever happens?
Driven through Great Smoky Mountains many times. DRIVE SLOW ON LITTLE RIVER ROAD. If someone is behind you, pushing you to go faster, screw them. Use any pull offs if you can, but GO SLOW ON LITTLE RIVER ROAD. Trust me, there's a ton of traffic. If you are in a hurry, Smoky Mountains may not be for you.
We have learned in our 2 years of travel to find a place outside of the area you want to see, especially national parks. Driving our motorhome through these parks and any other places that are tourist traps is crazy. People walk in front of you, cut you off in their vehicles. I would much rather do it in our see the sites in our car and go home and get away from the noise and confusion to relax.
Great video! DON’T RV in Death Valley in the summer, people die from the extreme heat. Also Jasper National Park during the summer. There was a German family that died there in July a couple of years ago. They wanted to experience the SoCal desert heat, headed out on a trail and never made it back. Only the remains of the two adults were recovered. The car had no food or water and no evidence of water containers were found around the bodies. Thanks for sharing information on how to be safe. It’s always important to learn about an area before traveling there.
As the town I lived in was The Gateway to Death Valley, many European travelers came in the summer to experience the phenomenon of extreme heat, particularly Germans. I worked at the (only) bank, and we ALWAYS cautioned about the heat and urged water and snake precautions. When people are not accustomed to the vast remoteness, they assume help will be readily available. It’s not. Death Valley is amazing, but it earned its name.
I have to put the Smoky Mountains into perspective. I have been going there on family vacations since I was a kid in the 50's and now live in the area. The vast majority of deaths recorded in any National Park involve people doing stupid things. In the Great Smoky Mountains, a couple of those things include deliberately wandering off the well established trails and falling off steep drop offs, or just getting lost and dying from exposure. Then there are the visitors who ignore the park's most ardently prohibited practice of hand feeding the wild bears, and or violating a mother bear's zone of protectiveness between her and her cubs. These are just two of the well established and documented "don't do" rules that get violated every season by visitors. Sure, there are deaths not related in any way to human ignorance. Just recently, a young vacationer was killed when a storm caused a tree to fall on her family's tent. It's not the first time a visitor has been killed that way, and it could happen in just about any National Park. But those type of deaths are the exception, not the rule. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is probably safer than the St. Louis Gateway Arch National Park if you remember to pack some common sense before going there. And, yes, I have been to both. I have hiked extensively in the Smoky Mountains with many encounters with bears and always felt safe there. I was nervous walking from the parking garage to the arch in St. Louis. I trusted the bears because humans aren't on their menu. Can't say the same for the criminal element in St. Louis.
It's too bad my old St. Louis has become even worse than it was when I moved away 35 years ago. It still has a lot of beauty and interest, like the world's finest botanical garden, an excellent art museum, a great science center and zoo, and much lovely architecture. But the crime makes my current home, Chicago, look like Mayberry compared. Chicago is very safe if you stay on the north side and downtown, where most of the population lives, and if you approach the city from the north or northwest. But if you're approaching from the south or southwest, you have to take the Dan Ryan, Stevenson, or Eisenhower expressways, which go through the dodgiest neighborhoods in the city. Chi is really two cities- one is practically paradise while the other is no place you want to be.
1) Death Valley National Park & associated areas, 2) Smokey Mountain NP, 3) East St. Louis, MO., 4) New Orleans, LA., 5) Detroit, MI., 6) Walmart? Any big box store location can be dangerous but it also depends on the area. Some are very safe. Don't blame Walmart - it's sometimes the criminal element that these stores and parking areas attract.
Back in 1951, my family pulled a trailer east over the mountains into Las Vegas. The temperature at midnight at the top of the mountain was 108. By ascending the mountain at midnight and driving slow, we made it up and over the mountain without trouble. However, many cars passed us on the way up. We ended up passing them where they had pulled over because they were overheated.
I remember driving through death valley after i got out of the Marines back in 98 It was 115 degrees Fahrenheit I was driving a 1981 toyota hi lux 4×4 with a clogged radiator and the night before it had a leaking head gasket that I replaced and the truck was lifted with 36 inch mud tires towing a trailer full of parts and tools It ran hot but just kept on going up and down the big steep grades Made it all the way to Massachusetts with out ever braking down Oh what a feeling 😆
I must say I was shocked when you mentioned the Smokies (that’s what we locals call them). I feel safer here than anywhere, but it is home. And I’m not driving a big rig like yours. I hope you didn’t scare people away😊 We think this is a piece of heaven.
I was also shocked over the Smokies. However I think she meant wrecks driving over the mountains in the RV. We were just there in June and I could not believe the people that drove their RV over the mountain from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee. We love it up there.
Stockton Ca! Ranked amongst the most dangerous. Unfortunately, it’s my hometown & big reason why I’ll be leaving, hitting the road. Guaranteed at least one murder a day, multiple murders are commonplace along with robberies, burglaries and rampant vagrancy and homelessness yes, in the good areas! Tent cities amass our common thoroughfares. Do not go out alone after dark.
I have to agree with Debbie. Stockton born and raised but left 20 years ago because we saw this coming. I refuse to visit even though I’ve still got lots family and friends there.
Sad to say the most unsafe we have ever felt in a Camp Ground was in Olympic National Park in the South Beach Campground, vagrants and homeless had taken over this campground and even while we were there the police had to be called on a cult group who had set up a group campsite and were sacrificing small animals, I can’t make this up it was terrible we couldn’t believe it was happening inside a NP but it was we left the very next day without hesitation.
I lived next to Death Valley, on the Nevada side. Furnace Creek Resort offered us free golf during the summer! Lol! Being from the desert Southwest, a lot of your precautions are second nature to us (like NEVER leaving our house without water). We are also accustomed to traveling outside cellular service, so prepare accordingly. People who don’t respect the heat and steep road grades at their own peril. You did an excellent job of pointing these things out. I’d like to add: medical care is not close-by-and not easily contacted. AND….rattlesnakes abound. They stay in the cool shaded places. They are not a horrible threat as they avoid humans, but they must be considered as tourists poke around or seek relief in shade.
There are some great places to camp within an hour of St Louis. Not just in Missouri, but in Illinois too (just not East St Louis, which is in Illinois) Carlyle Lake (the largest man made lake in Illinois) has many campgrounds from State Park, Corps of Engineers, and private. We love Eldon Hazlett. Just an hour away. There are so many family friendly things to do in St Louis also. The Zoo, The Science Center, and the Art Museum are all free. There is also the Magic House, City Museum, Botanical Gardens, and Forest Park itself. Then you have over in Illinois Cahokia Mounds, Fort De Chartes in Prairie Du Rocher, IL. Plus so much more.
Thanks for sharing. This was very informative and entertaining. We camped in some crazy places traveling across the country. Most city areas have really high crime rates. A lot of the information is public for people to know before they travel to the area. We were at a Campground in Pennsylvania and heard gun fire. Some places Boondocking we walked over shell casing. New York City area you have to be careful too. The bloopers had me laughing. The horse flies are bad. They don’t leave you alone lol. Thanks for sharing.
I have stayed at a number of Walmarts over the years and for the most part were fine but I will never stay the Walmart in Cortez CO ever again. Not even crazy about the town itself.
I live a little way outside of Atlanta Georgia in a fairly nice area, but I won't go to either of the Walmart's near my house after dark! During the daytime I feel very safe at either store, although I prefer to drive seven miles north to another store that is less busy, and I have less noise/action to try to take in and filter through.
I find Death Valley to be the safest place to go to and camp. Just not in the summer. Love doing the trails in my Jeep. Humans are the most dangerous animals of all.
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We were going to the KOA on the other side of I-44 in Pacific MO. Got turned around and ended up at the Jellystone Park. That’s not an easy place to get around in, but Yogi Bear came out during our turn around. If we hadn’t had such a long day, we’d have stayed. The kids were absolutely delighted 😀
St Louis was scary enough when I moved away in 1987 because I was sick of getting mugged and then told by the police that if I didn't like the crime, move. I moved to Chicago and have been a happy camper since. Contrary to what you hear in the media, it is mostly very safe- 95% of the mayhem in this city takes place in a few extremely troubled south and west side neighborhoods. That said, you must enter the city from the north or northwest highways to avoid these areas. If you're coming from the south or southwest, you end up on the Stevenson, Eisenhower, or Dany Ryan expressways, which run through very unsavory areas. To be safe, take the "grand circle tour"- get on i-294 northbound and then take the Kennedy (i-90) into the city. This means many additional miles but it's the safe way.
Good info, wife and I have started the process of finding our RV that we want and fits our needs. Love the channel, really good info for beginners like ourselves. I’m very mechanical with automotive and trucks, but a lot of the info you give out. We haven’t thought of. Thanks
St Louis isn't that bad. Just stay out of North county and the city limits and it's not bad. I've lived here my whole life and work in some if the worst neighborhoods in the area. Babler state park in Wildwood is a nice place to stay to come here too
You really had to tell people not to camp in East St. Louis? Does anyone recall the original Vacation movie where they took the wrong off-ramp into East St. Louis? The characterization of that place has not changed, maybe its gotten worse! The places you mentioned nearby (i.e., St. Charles) are safer because they are basically distant 'burbs but really, if I'm looking for a place to camp, I'm gonna be waiting till I'm about 50 miles outside of the St. Louis metro area!
There is a wonderful KOA campground in Eureka, MO, located outside of St Louis. It's down the street from Six Flaggs extremely nice and safe. Same with the State Park in Wildwood all safe and nice.
Add Fayetville to your list, was woken in early am buy gunshot, someone tried to rob McDonalds that was next to us (Cracker Barrel) nothing like dead body laying in street to help you decide if you want to stay around for breakfast, as Chevy Chase said in Xmas vacation movie, “roll ‘em up “ we prefer HH, Cracker Barrel on travels days, otherwise KOA campgrounds are are usual go to. Enjoy your videos! 😎
While I Liked the video, and always like your vids, this was a little over-dramatic. There are always bad places and so just point out that some of these areas have had potential issues for Rvers, and here are your suggestions to make the travel to these areas better for the RVers. St Louis you did, but others seemed less informative. Just my thoughts. Safe travels.
You always have great to watch but sorry I have to suggest give up selling the life insurance it diminishes your great attributes with camping ideas and tips! I tend to leave sites as soon as the sell begins !
From the sierras down to death valley is a test track for car before they are released. Brutal up and down conditions they play tricks or your depth perception, and I don’t wear glasses. Then the desert heat can be brutal and most times of the year, very lonely.
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You've been doing this for 5 years ? You should already know, talk to truckers on the road and get your best information about areas, especially around big cities
First of all its is spelled Smoky Mts. not Smokey. Since 1934 there had been 500 facilities of those 170 auto accidents. In the last 10 years only 37 auto accidents. Don't think it is true that Smoky Mts is the 2nd most dangerous
I know it seems hard to believe that the Smokies are so dangerous to drive in. Hiking is another matter though. People go out totally unprepared in shorts and no water and get lost on a little 3-5 mile hike and then die overnight due to the cold. Remember the lady from Michigan who got lost from the parking lot at Clingman’s Dome.
curious, I'm not even aware of any campgrounds in the St. Louis city area - there used to be one, but I think it got converted to a tiny house village for the homeless. I think you can park at the casino in East St. Louis. But are there others? I always thought going way outside the city proper was, truly, the only option there.... ???
Stay the H out of E. St. Louis!!! There is NO place safe in E St Louis. Half the time the police and fire dept aren't even at work because they didn't get their last paychecks. St. Louis is awful, but E St. Louis is infinitely worse. Bypass it completely.
Hi, I just found your wonderful channel and subscribed😀. Thanks for the video! You are so kind to give advice to help people. Looking at you on this video, I'm wondering if you are experiencing high blood pressure. Please get it checked. Thanks and all the best!
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Smoky moumtains narrow roads . There was a park estispark stanly hotel . If you havent been there must go. If you go to this park your next door neigjbor you can litteraly jump on there roof . Otherside of you they can jump on your roof . Dangerus parking your rig
We were not comfortable in Shreveport La at a Planet Fitness parking lot. Showered, ate then tried to sleep. Just felt off no issues through. Left hours earlier than wanted but wasn't sleeping anyway.
I’d be careful at Big Bend National park during the summer. A lot of RVers left when it hit 120. Also, know your insects as cow killers and giant centipedes are plentiful.
Oh, and one of our favorite campgrounds is at St Louis at The World of Fun resort, roller coaster, camppsite perfect and level,beautiful lawns, clean clean, clean!
i do not have a wife or kids so a total loss there to me. i have the "dot" on my dl. but when i die the state gets whats left of me, as they have taken so much already.
One of the most over looked unsafe place is New Mexico.Because of a huge drug problem violent crime rate is double the National average.Breaking Bad movie is not all fictional.Beautiful,but keep your head on a swivel.
People in the Midwest are learning the hard way. Many state park grounds in small town areas are not completely fenced, one road entrance in and out, but accessible by water at many points. Rest stops in many states are setting time limits for parking, RV and otherwise. Be sure you are aware and know your surroundings. Many travel centers and shopping plazas are posted as time limited unless you pay for a designated RV or truck overnight space.
The statistics for St. Louis are misleading. St. Louis is an Independent City and not part of a county. And because they cannot annex adjoining towns and unincorporated areas, their boundary has not changed in many decades. The older parts of the city can be pretty bad. But no worse than the older parts of most large cities. The Metro area should be used for the comparison mot just the city. I travel full time and I am cautious where I stop all over the country. The places I have had the most issues (although not deadly issues) have been State Wildlife Areas. Mainly because they are poorly managed and are wide open. Lots of trash (concern for flat tires) and people driving through at all hours.
Glad you raised the comment of St. Louis ! I was enjoying this video until she spoke so bad about the city! I grew up in the STL area and it has it’s problems like other cities ! I kind of felt they need to camp only in places like she mentioned she felt safe in and that would be Montana , Idaho,or maybe Nebraska! I think now days there are problems all over the USA so to just point out Urban areas is somewhat disappointing. Just visit where you feel comfortable and stop bashing !
@@ronniesmith7540 I was raised in Kirkwood. Lots of safe places to camp an hour or so from the city. Johnson Sut Ins State Park is great in the Summer. A really nice place to visit when people come to the area is the Cahokia Mounds across the river. It is a World Heritage Site and close.
@@edwardwelsch1693 yes I know Kirkwood also ! I used to go to Cahokia mounds also and my favorite place was to go fishing at Horseshoe lake in Pontoon Beach. I go back to the STL area at least twice a year to visit my siblings who are in Illinois and Mo. I miss the fishing and the outdoor activities.
Yes, thank you for speaking up for the misrepresentation of the STL stats. Lived there for 10 years and worked in East Saint Louis. Wonderful town and the people are as real as they come, in general. I also love Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta.
What sane person would drive their rv , or any car for that matter, to Death Valley in the summer? For heaven’s sake, do at least some basic research and check the temperature of your destination. This is serious business, folks. If you break down out there you could die. Wait for winter.
@@GratefulGlamper Thanks for the reply. I may try it out here in a couple of weeks. It's gated with night security. I'll let you know how it goes...if I make it out alive haha!
@@mariefrancepiche5910 I just spent the last three days there. It was fantastic!! Shelly, Scott and the whole staff were just wonderful. The pool area, bathrooms/showers, were great. Half of the LG laundry machines were out of service but...well, that's LG for ya. I love that it was super small....51 spots or so. Everyone was super nice. Lots of international travelers. Great experience!
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I feel like I was click dated into watching a commercial on life insurance not interested in ever watching another one of your videos
Another one I might add, Interstate rest stops withing 50 miles of major cities. If you plan to catch a few hours of shut eye in the evening before continuing on, make sure your doors are locked and if someone knocks, DON'T ANSWER!!!
The warning about Death Valley applies to any desert area and not just to RVers. It gets HOT, services can be few and far between and there rarely is a cell signal.
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Go to death Valley in winter time you’ll have a good time
What about Winter time? Is that better?
Hence the name "Death Valley."
@@caseysweat9449 , Much better. I can always carry enough coats and blankets to stay warm, but there is no escape from that deadly heat and high UV out there. And snow can provide you with water if you have means of treating it, but if you are stranded in the desert without water, you'll fold very quickly.
The worst experience we had in rv overnight was the Cracker Barrel in Albuquerque NM, used needles in the grass, a bus stop in the parking lot brought riff raff thru, one gunshot, got gas nearby in broad daylight, a whole group of presumably homeless young men surrounded our rv at a red light, gabbed passenger door handle, tried to mob us, I had to run the red light to shake em. KOA in Dallas/Ft Worth had a locked gate, and this was back in the 90s. I agree that some Walmart parking lots come alive at night, so much action all night long, can't sleep with noise and worry. I had another group of teens approach our rv in daytime in a Texas walmart
I’m curious to know what part of town you were in in DFW? Would you mind sharing?
Common sense MUST come into play no matter where you are it can be dangerous if no forethought is used to the possibilities...THANK YOU for the feed back from your growing RV family.
Thanks for watching
Hello my name is Kristine. And I am currently traveling with my dog in a 2002 Chevy Tahoe and pulling a 1995 20 ft Kit Companion travel trailer. I recently traveled from my home base I Fresno CA and I arrived in a town in Arizona just across the state line. And I arrived at a truck stop late at night and noticed that there were some shady people there. I noticed a couple of people sitting in a small car and it smelled of Marijuana and there were some probably tweakers there as well. So I want to mention that some truck stops are not safe either. I also want to mention that I noticed that a lot of people are wanting to full time RV now with one of the big reasons is that it can be cheaper than buying a sticks and bricks home or renting an apartment. But I am also finding out that there are some towns and cities that don't want a lot of RV rs staying a long time at a RV Park or boodocking somewhere. Many people still think that people who live in RVs full time are trashy and are going cause trouble. So many places now are only allowing people to stay less than two weeks. I've noticed that this is becoming a common thing now and they may eventually ban long term stays all together and create very expensive and very fancy RV resorts that only very wealthy people can afford to stay there and working class people wouldn't be able to afford to stay there. That is something to think about and how can we do something about that if that ever happens?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Driven through Great Smoky Mountains many times. DRIVE SLOW ON LITTLE RIVER ROAD. If someone is behind you, pushing you to go faster, screw them. Use any pull offs if you can, but GO SLOW ON LITTLE RIVER ROAD. Trust me, there's a ton of traffic. If you are in a hurry, Smoky Mountains may not be for you.
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Yes they have deadly crashes every year there with people running off the road. Worst thing is the groups of bikers trying to make you nervous.
O. bummer, here I was thinking it was the distracting view. 😔🤦
We have learned in our 2 years of travel to find a place outside of the area you want to see, especially national parks. Driving our motorhome through these parks and any other places that are tourist traps is crazy. People walk in front of you, cut you off in their vehicles. I would much rather do it in our see the sites in our car and go home and get away from the noise and confusion to relax.
Great video! DON’T RV in Death Valley in the summer, people die from the extreme heat. Also Jasper National Park during the summer. There was a German family that died there in July a couple of years ago. They wanted to experience the SoCal desert heat, headed out on a trail and never made it back. Only the remains of the two adults were recovered. The car had no food or water and no evidence of water containers were found around the bodies. Thanks for sharing information on how to be safe. It’s always important to learn about an area before traveling there.
Great tip - thanks for sharing
Joshua tree 🙂
As the town I lived in was The Gateway to Death Valley, many European travelers came in the summer to experience the phenomenon of extreme heat, particularly Germans. I worked at the (only) bank, and we ALWAYS cautioned about the heat and urged water and snake precautions. When people are not accustomed to the vast remoteness, they assume help will be readily available. It’s not. Death Valley is amazing, but it earned its name.
I have to put the Smoky Mountains into perspective. I have been going there on family vacations since I was a kid in the 50's and now live in the area. The vast majority of deaths recorded in any National Park involve people doing stupid things. In the Great Smoky Mountains, a couple of those things include deliberately wandering off the well established trails and falling off steep drop offs, or just getting lost and dying from exposure. Then there are the visitors who ignore the park's most ardently prohibited practice of hand feeding the wild bears, and or violating a mother bear's zone of protectiveness between her and her cubs. These are just two of the well established and documented "don't do" rules that get violated every season by visitors. Sure, there are deaths not related in any way to human ignorance. Just recently, a young vacationer was killed when a storm caused a tree to fall on her family's tent. It's not the first time a visitor has been killed that way, and it could happen in just about any National Park. But those type of deaths are the exception, not the rule. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is probably safer than the St. Louis Gateway Arch National Park if you remember to pack some common sense before going there. And, yes, I have been to both. I have hiked extensively in the Smoky Mountains with many encounters with bears and always felt safe there. I was nervous walking from the parking garage to the arch in St. Louis. I trusted the bears because humans aren't on their menu. Can't say the same for the criminal element in St. Louis.
It's too bad my old St. Louis has become even worse than it was when I moved away 35 years ago. It still has a lot of beauty and interest, like the world's finest botanical garden, an excellent art museum, a great science center and zoo, and much lovely architecture. But the crime makes my current home, Chicago, look like Mayberry compared. Chicago is very safe if you stay on the north side and downtown, where most of the population lives, and if you approach the city from the north or northwest. But if you're approaching from the south or southwest, you have to take the Dan Ryan, Stevenson, or Eisenhower expressways, which go through the dodgiest neighborhoods in the city. Chi is really two cities- one is practically paradise while the other is no place you want to be.
1) Death Valley National Park & associated areas, 2) Smokey Mountain NP, 3) East St. Louis, MO., 4) New Orleans, LA., 5) Detroit, MI., 6) Walmart? Any big box store location can be dangerous but it also depends on the area. Some are very safe. Don't blame Walmart - it's sometimes the criminal element that these stores and parking areas attract.
Back in 1951, my family pulled a trailer east over the mountains into Las Vegas. The temperature at midnight at the top of the mountain was 108. By ascending the mountain at midnight and driving slow, we made it up and over the mountain without trouble. However, many cars passed us on the way up. We ended up passing them where they had pulled over because they were overheated.
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I remember driving through death valley after i got out of the Marines back in 98
It was 115 degrees Fahrenheit
I was driving a 1981 toyota hi lux 4×4 with a clogged radiator and the night before it had a leaking head gasket that I replaced and the truck was lifted with 36 inch mud tires towing a trailer full of parts and tools
It ran hot but just kept on going up and down the big steep grades
Made it all the way to
Massachusetts with out ever braking down
Oh what a feeling 😆
I must say I was shocked when you mentioned the Smokies (that’s what we locals call them). I feel safer here than anywhere, but it is home. And I’m not driving a big rig like yours. I hope you didn’t scare people away😊 We think this is a piece of heaven.
I was also shocked over the Smokies. However I think she meant wrecks driving over the mountains in the RV. We were just there in June and I could not believe the people that drove their RV over the mountain from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee. We love it up there.
Stockton Ca! Ranked amongst the most dangerous. Unfortunately, it’s my hometown & big reason why I’ll be leaving, hitting the road. Guaranteed at least one murder a day, multiple murders are commonplace along with robberies, burglaries and rampant vagrancy and homelessness yes, in the good areas! Tent cities amass our common thoroughfares. Do not go out alone after dark.
Yikes! Thanks for sharing
I have to agree with Debbie. Stockton born and raised but left 20 years ago because we saw this coming. I refuse to visit even though I’ve still got lots family and friends there.
Yes I also live n Bay area an Stockton is I lived there I am n Livermore now much safer better
I drove semi female alone 26 years, common sense- rest areas, truck stops, pulling over on an on or exit ramp
Thank you for the information you put out to those who like to RV…
Sad to say the most unsafe we have ever felt in a Camp Ground was in Olympic National Park in the South Beach Campground, vagrants and homeless had taken over this campground and even while we were there the police had to be called on a cult group who had set up a group campsite and were sacrificing small animals, I can’t make this up it was terrible we couldn’t believe it was happening inside a NP but it was we left the very next day without hesitation.
Super sad 😞
I lived next to Death Valley, on the Nevada side. Furnace Creek Resort offered us free golf during the summer! Lol! Being from the desert Southwest, a lot of your precautions are second nature to us (like NEVER leaving our house without water). We are also accustomed to traveling outside cellular service, so prepare accordingly. People who don’t respect the heat and steep road grades at their own peril. You did an excellent job of pointing these things out. I’d like to add: medical care is not close-by-and not easily contacted. AND….rattlesnakes abound. They stay in the cool shaded places. They are not a horrible threat as they avoid humans, but they must be considered as tourists poke around or seek relief in shade.
Great things to think about and be aware of, thanks for the comment
There are some great places to camp within an hour of St Louis. Not just in Missouri, but in Illinois too (just not East St Louis, which is in Illinois) Carlyle Lake (the largest man made lake in Illinois) has many campgrounds from State Park, Corps of Engineers, and private. We love Eldon Hazlett. Just an hour away. There are so many family friendly things to do in St Louis also. The Zoo, The Science Center, and the Art Museum are all free. There is also the Magic House, City Museum, Botanical Gardens, and Forest Park itself. Then you have over in Illinois Cahokia Mounds, Fort De Chartes in Prairie Du Rocher, IL. Plus so much more.
If a campground packs em in tight….i never go back..space for all..what do we want…….space.
We, too, stayed at the Wayne County Fairgrounds and felt very safe. Nice.
Thanks for sharing. This was very informative and entertaining. We camped in some crazy places traveling across the country. Most city areas have really high crime rates. A lot of the information is public for people to know before they travel to the area. We were at a Campground in Pennsylvania and heard gun fire. Some places Boondocking we walked over shell casing. New York City area you have to be careful too. The bloopers had me laughing. The horse flies are bad. They don’t leave you alone lol. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing
Missouri the show me the way out state!!!
😂
Me and my family have always Rv for many years in st Louis and new Orleans and we never had any problems and felt very safe
I have stayed at a number of Walmarts over the years and for the most part were fine but I will never stay the Walmart in Cortez CO ever again. Not even crazy about the town itself.
I live a little way outside of Atlanta Georgia in a fairly nice area, but I won't go to either of the Walmart's near my house after dark! During the daytime I feel very safe at either store, although I prefer to drive seven miles north to another store that is less busy, and I have less noise/action to try to take in and filter through.
Camping near crime, what a concept and this is where we're at today. So sad : (
Smoky mtns. Must have some Beautiful scenery. 😳
My camper has gun ports and tactical gear. I’ll park where I want and they will like me …or…..,we can play that other game
You can camp near me any time!
You guys do such a great job... God bless! 🇺🇸
Thank you!
Glocks make ya feel a lot safer.
So do Sigs.
@@margaretbowen867 We just got a Tac 14. Haven't tried that bad boy yet..
S/W M&P 9
Thank you!
I find Death Valley to be the safest place to go to and camp. Just not in the summer. Love doing the trails in my Jeep. Humans are the most dangerous animals of all.
Learned how to drive in the smokies lol
Me too!
Why the life insurance infomercial - no skip ad button.
We really appreciate being able to partner with companies we believe in. You can always use the 15 second advance button if you’d like. Thanks for watching
Very timely vlog. All fragrances attract bugs, not just perfumes. Congrats on 80k subs👍🤗
Thank you and thanks for watching
We were going to the KOA on the other side of I-44 in Pacific MO. Got turned around and ended up at the Jellystone Park. That’s not an easy place to get around in, but Yogi Bear came out during our turn around. If we hadn’t had such a long day, we’d have stayed.
The kids were absolutely delighted 😀
What a fun memory
St Louis was scary enough when I moved away in 1987 because I was sick of getting mugged and then told by the police that if I didn't like the crime, move. I moved to Chicago and have been a happy camper since. Contrary to what you hear in the media, it is mostly very safe- 95% of the mayhem in this city takes place in a few extremely troubled south and west side neighborhoods. That said, you must enter the city from the north or northwest highways to avoid these areas. If you're coming from the south or southwest, you end up on the Stevenson, Eisenhower, or Dany Ryan expressways, which run through very unsavory areas. To be safe, take the "grand circle tour"- get on i-294 northbound and then take the Kennedy (i-90) into the city. This means many additional miles but it's the safe way.
The bloops were hilarious 🤣 Love the video! Those do sound like pretty dangerous places!
Thanks for watching- safe travels!
“The song of their people..” 🤣
definitely Wal Mart! stayed in an Orlando suburb one time...never again, anywhere
Plus they have every thing you need .
Good info, wife and I have started the process of finding our RV that we want and fits our needs. Love the channel, really good info for beginners like ourselves. I’m very mechanical with automotive and trucks, but a lot of the info you give out. We haven’t thought of.
Thanks
Thanks for watching and best wishes in your future journeys.
St Louis isn't that bad. Just stay out of North county and the city limits and it's not bad. I've lived here my whole life and work in some if the worst neighborhoods in the area. Babler state park in Wildwood is a nice place to stay to come here too
Good to know, thanks for sharing
Dr. Babler State Park is a great park but getting an electric site is getting a lot harder. They usually have basic sites available, though.
Ok, tip, use a screened pop up toilet screen for these outdoor shots! They are attracted to your breath sweat.👍🏻😳🦗🐞🦂🕸🐛🐌
You really had to tell people not to camp in East St. Louis? Does anyone recall the original Vacation movie where they took the wrong off-ramp into East St. Louis? The characterization of that place has not changed, maybe its gotten worse! The places you mentioned nearby (i.e., St. Charles) are safer because they are basically distant 'burbs but really, if I'm looking for a place to camp, I'm gonna be waiting till I'm about 50 miles outside of the St. Louis metro area!
There is a wonderful KOA campground in Eureka, MO, located outside of St Louis. It's down the street from Six Flaggs extremely nice and safe. Same with the State Park in Wildwood all safe and nice.
You have a great radio voice.
Thanks!
Add Fayetville to your list, was woken in early am buy gunshot, someone tried to rob McDonalds that was next to us (Cracker Barrel) nothing like dead body laying in street to help you decide if you want to stay around for breakfast, as Chevy Chase said in Xmas vacation movie, “roll ‘em up “ we prefer HH, Cracker Barrel on travels days, otherwise KOA campgrounds are are usual go to. Enjoy your videos! 😎
Thanks for watching and sharing
While I Liked the video, and always like your vids, this was a little over-dramatic. There are always bad places and so just point out that some of these areas have had potential issues for Rvers, and here are your suggestions to make the travel to these areas better for the RVers. St Louis you did, but others seemed less informative. Just my thoughts. Safe travels.
Thanks for the feedback and for watching
Ad for policygenius…what is this “RV glamping w/ Ben Shapiro” 🤣
😂
You always have great to watch but sorry I have to suggest give up selling the life insurance it diminishes your great attributes with camping ideas and tips! I tend to leave sites as soon as the sell begins !
Thanks for the feedback
I agree ... on that topic way too long. It may pay well ... but honestly, we're not here for the "commercials".
Hey, Just passed your rig right outside of Philly while we were scoping out that KOA! Welcome to the area!
Thank you!
I live by Sundermeyer! There’s also Lakeside Park nearby.
👍🏻
There are some R
Vs that have to add better disc brakes for those times where the grade is very steep. 👍🇺🇸💜☮️
I do love your end video comments! Weigh too funny lol
From the sierras down to death valley is a test track for car before they are released. Brutal up and down conditions they play tricks or your depth perception, and I don’t wear glasses. Then the desert heat can be brutal and most times of the year, very lonely.
I don’t like the insurance commercial. Not why I watched.
Thanks for your feedback. We really appreciate being able to have sponsorships with business we believe in. It helps us off set the production costs of being able to make videos week in and week out.
Yup
You've been doing this for 5 years ?
You should already know, talk to truckers on the road and get your best information about areas, especially around big cities
First of all its is spelled Smoky Mts. not Smokey. Since 1934 there had been 500 facilities of those 170 auto accidents. In the last 10 years only 37 auto accidents. Don't think it is true that Smoky Mts is the 2nd most dangerous
I know it seems hard to believe that the Smokies are so dangerous to drive in. Hiking is another matter though. People go out totally unprepared in shorts and no water and get lost on a little 3-5 mile hike and then die overnight due to the cold. Remember the lady from Michigan who got lost from the parking lot at Clingman’s Dome.
To me, this info felt geared to frighten people so the life insurance pitch would stand out. Disappointing to me as a new subscriber.
Love that shirt! Love our SnapPads. ;-) Great video. Thanks!
Thanks!
This is bs .i drove for Walmart for 14 years and I slept in the parking lot’s everywhere.and I haven’t had any problems..
curious, I'm not even aware of any campgrounds in the St. Louis city area - there used to be one, but I think it got converted to a tiny house village for the homeless. I think you can park at the casino in East St. Louis. But are there others? I always thought going way outside the city proper was, truly, the only option there.... ???
Stay the H out of E. St. Louis!!! There is NO place safe in E St Louis. Half the time the police and fire dept aren't even at work because they didn't get their last paychecks. St. Louis is awful, but E St. Louis is infinitely worse. Bypass it completely.
Hi, I just found your wonderful channel and subscribed😀. Thanks for the video! You are so kind to give advice to help people. Looking at you on this video, I'm wondering if you are experiencing high blood pressure. Please get it checked. Thanks and all the best!
Thanks for watching
even more sad is your talk about death insurance is it is a ad for a web site selling the stuff.
We personally carry life insurance and have seen first hand the hardship that comes when there is an unexpected death and no life insurance to help out the surviving spouse and children. We are happy to share about products or services we PERSONALLY use and find helpful. Thanks for watching
Death valley CA. Has the 7 HOTTEST
Days Every recorded in the world.🔥
😲
Thanks!
Loved it. Things I needed to know.
Smoky moumtains narrow roads . There was a park estispark stanly hotel . If you havent been there must go. If you go to this park your next door neigjbor you can litteraly jump on there roof . Otherside of you they can jump on your roof . Dangerus parking your rig
Good to know! Thanks for sharing
We were not comfortable in Shreveport La at a Planet Fitness parking lot. Showered, ate then tried to sleep. Just felt off no issues through. Left hours earlier than wanted but wasn't sleeping anyway.
Always gotta follow your gut when you don’t feel peace about a situation. Thanks for watching
I’d be careful at Big Bend National park during the summer. A lot of RVers left when it hit 120. Also, know your insects as cow killers and giant centipedes are plentiful.
Thanks for the tip!
OMG I just came across your channel I love it I’m binge watching
💙
Oh, and one of our favorite campgrounds is at St Louis at The World of Fun resort, roller coaster, camppsite perfect and level,beautiful lawns, clean clean, clean!
Good to know, thanks for sharing!
Great info. Where the video about Detroit? Cheers!
Here is a link: ua-cam.com/video/Xrz5NuSO0Ec/v-deo.html thanks for watching
Thank you....good information.....I do love your bloopers!
Thanks for watching
Visiting Gangland is now a tourist attraction who knew
Watching now, thank you our doing this!!
👍🏻
I don't even drive through st louis in my "government black" suburban while armed.
i do not have a wife or kids so a total loss there to me. i have the "dot" on my dl. but when i die the state gets whats left of me, as they have taken so much already.
Hello I new to trailer life an I am in need of repair my bathtub that has a couple holes do u have any video on repair for bathroom thank u
Thank you for the great information!!
Awesome info 🥰
Thank you!
thx for sharing. B safe out there!!
Thanks for watching!
You should add dates you experienced places 😉
Thanks for the suggestion
Yikes!
Hide in your closet! Run for your life! LOL
When talking about life insurance please don't forget to insure your children
What is the point of buying life insurance for kids? Almost no logical reason.
For adults supporting others it can be a worthwhile expenditure.
Great tips!👍🏻😊
I am lucky to never have to go to any city again.
Do you guys have anything good to say about RVing?
Yep! Watch some of our other videos
Yeah. Stay away from big cities and you will be fine.
Hey y’all
Hi!
One of the most over looked unsafe place is New Mexico.Because of a huge drug problem violent crime rate is double the National average.Breaking Bad movie is not all fictional.Beautiful,but keep your head on a swivel.
Good to know - thanks for sharing
It would be nice to have a CC that covers many states.
Bloopers... cuz people love to see other people mess up! :-) :-)
😂
Any state or federal campgrounds are not safe
People in the Midwest are learning the hard way. Many state park grounds in small town areas are not completely fenced, one road entrance in and out, but accessible by water at many points. Rest stops in many states are setting time limits for parking, RV and otherwise. Be sure you are aware and know your surroundings. Many travel centers and shopping plazas are posted as time limited unless you pay for a designated RV or truck overnight space.
The statistics for St. Louis are misleading. St. Louis is an Independent City and not part of a county. And because they cannot annex adjoining towns and unincorporated areas, their boundary has not changed in many decades. The older parts of the city can be pretty bad. But no worse than the older parts of most large cities. The Metro area should be used for the comparison mot just the city. I travel full time and I am cautious where I stop all over the country. The places I have had the most issues (although not deadly issues) have been State Wildlife Areas. Mainly because they are poorly managed and are wide open. Lots of trash (concern for flat tires) and people driving through at all hours.
Thanks for sharing
Glad you raised the comment of St. Louis ! I was enjoying this video until she spoke so bad about the city! I grew up in the STL area and it has it’s problems like other cities ! I kind of felt they need to camp only in places like she mentioned she felt safe in and that would be Montana , Idaho,or maybe Nebraska! I think now days there are problems all over the USA so to just point out Urban areas is somewhat disappointing. Just visit where you feel comfortable and stop bashing !
@@ronniesmith7540 I was raised in Kirkwood. Lots of safe places to camp an hour or so from the city. Johnson Sut Ins State Park is great in the Summer. A really nice place to visit when people come to the area is the Cahokia Mounds across the river. It is a World Heritage Site and close.
@@edwardwelsch1693 yes I know Kirkwood also ! I used to go to Cahokia mounds also and my favorite place was to go fishing at Horseshoe lake in Pontoon Beach. I go back to the STL area at least twice a year to visit my siblings who are in Illinois and Mo. I miss the fishing and the outdoor activities.
Yes, thank you for speaking up for the misrepresentation of the STL stats. Lived there for 10 years and worked in East Saint Louis. Wonderful town and the people are as real as they come, in general. I also love Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta.
Is harvest hosts also good for sleeping in your car?
They do not allow car camping as they cannot provide bathrooms, etc. So they only allow
Self contained RV’s, vans, etc
Death Valley LOL, sorry but living in Vegas you spend most of your RV life in Death Valley,
What sane person would drive their rv , or any car for that matter, to Death Valley in the summer? For heaven’s sake, do at least some basic research and check the temperature of your destination. This is serious business, folks. If you break down out there you could die. Wait for winter.
Alot of people that are living in there cars. Can afford LIFE insurance.
Scary…
You guys have to much fun I hope to see you on the road
💙
I like Walmart out 20 and only one
Charity - any chance you were able to lay eyes on the French Quarter RV Park about a dozen blocks northwest of Cafe Du Monde?
We didn’t unfortunately.
@@GratefulGlamper Thanks for the reply. I may try it out here in a couple of weeks. It's gated with night security. I'll let you know how it goes...if I make it out alive haha!
It is a great campground if you can get in.
@@mariefrancepiche5910 Thank you so much for the reply! I think I may give it a try.
@@mariefrancepiche5910 I just spent the last three days there. It was fantastic!! Shelly, Scott and the whole staff were just wonderful. The pool area, bathrooms/showers, were great. Half of the LG laundry machines were out of service but...well, that's LG for ya. I love that it was super small....51 spots or so. Everyone was super nice. Lots of international travelers. Great experience!