Are you a female RV or motorhome enthusiast? Planning on hitting the open road and immersing yourself in the world of van living? An incredible adventure awaits. Let us help you stay safe on your travels. As a solo female traveler, safety is of paramount importance. Check out our top safety tips for solo female van life.
Top Safety Tips for Solo Female Van Life
Are you a solo female van life explorer? Of, maybe you’re just about to set out on your first adventure. Either way, personal safety is paramount. Whether you’re an experienced RV or motorhome traveler or a relative newbie to van living, you must consider how you’ll stay safe on the open road. This guide will help you do just that. With some key tips on how to protect yourself and stay safe, here’s how to stay safe on the road as a solo female van life enthusiast.
- Plan Your Route Carefully
- Choosing Your Campsite
- Good Vehicle Maintenance
- Communication – Stay Connected
- Lock Your Doors & Windows
- Use an Indoor Toilet
- Always Have Access to Driver’s Seat
- Carry an Alarm
- Use Blinds or Curtains
1: Plan Your Route Carefully
The number one tip for staying safe on the road is to plan your trip carefully. As a solo female traveler, you should research your route and overnight stops.
• Research Overnight Locations
Plan to stay only at well-known, secure campsites and RV parks. Check online reviews for feedback and listen to what your fellow travelers are saying. Only choose an overnight location you feel comfortable with.
• Arrive During Daylight Hours
It’s best to arrive at your overnight location during daylight hours. By planning your route and choosing a suitable departure time you can avoid rolling up after dark. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the location during daylight hours.
• Emergency Contacts
Look up and save emergency contact numbers for the area you are staying. It’s best to have these saved in your phone before you need them. That way you can put a call through quickly if something unexpected happens.
• Share Your Itinerary
Share your itinerary with friends and family. Let them know how long you intend to stay in each location. And, make regular contact to let them know how you’re getting on. That way, someone always knows where you are.
2: Choose Your Campsite Carefully
Choosing a safe and secure campsite is one of the best ways of staying safe as a solo female traveler. Spend some time doing a little research, choose campsites that offer overnight lighting, and avoid locations in isolated areas.
• Research Campsites
Do a little online research before choosing an RV campsite. What are the van life community saying about it? Stick to reputable forms and review sites. And, reach out to fellow adventurers if you need a little more information.
• Avoid Isolated Areas
Do not park your vehicle in an isolated area of the campsite. Badly lit and isolated areas of campsites and RV parks should be avoided. Try and arrive during daylight hours.
• Park Near Other Vehicles
For safety, it’s best to park in a location where other vehicles have already parked. This way you’ve got fellow travelers nearby. If there are no other RVs or motorhomes you should park near an office or security hit.
3: Good Vehicle Maintenance
As a solo female traveler, good vehicle maintenance is essential. The last thing you want to happen is for your vehicle to break down and become stranded by the roadside in an unknown area.
• Vehicle Service
The best way to ensure your vehicle is in good shape is to have it serviced by a professional mechanic. This will cover all the basics and make sure everything is ticking over nicely.
• Check Your Tires
Take a look at your tires. Are they in good health? There’s no point setting out on a road adventure if your tires are in bad shape. Make sure air pressure and threads are as they should be.
• Check Your Fluids
What about all the essential vehicle fluids? It’s time to inspect your oil, coolant liquid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. All these need to be topped up and ready to go. Running out of any one of these will lead to problems and put a stop to your journey.
• Check Your Lights
And, check your lights. Are they working properly? A blub can be easily replaced when you have a mechanic or garage nearby. Not so easy when you’re off-grid or traveling in the wilderness. Top tip, take some replacement bulbs with you in case of an emergency.
4: Communication – Stay Connected
Another key safety tip for solo travelers is communication. Make sure you stay connected. Effective communication keeps you in contact with the outside world and gives you the reassurance you need to rest easy when you’re off the beaten track.
• Mobile Phone
The easiest way to stay in contact is with a reliable mobile phone. Make sure you keep it charged up. And, pack a portable charger or power bank as a backup. This way you can keep your phone running even if you haven’t access to an electrical socket.
• Network Coverage
What about network coverage? Many locations suffer from poor network coverage. Even worse, many have none. Especially when you venture off the beaten track and begin exploring remote areas. Research network coverage for the areas you intend to travel to before setting off.
• GPS & Satellite Phones
GPS is a great way of tracking your location and plotting your route. It’s an excellent tool to help prevent you from getting lost. Most GPS devices work without the need for a mobile network signal. And, a satellite phone can be used when your regular phone loses coverage.
5: Lock Your Doors & Windows
Always lock up. This means locking your doors AND windows. Lock up when you leave the vehicle and when you are inside. Double-check check everything is secure before going to bed. For additional security, you can have deadbolts and security bars added to your van or motorhome. And, keep a set of keys on you at all times. Consider adding motion sensor vehicles to the outside of your vehicle. They are a great way of deterring unwanted visitors.
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6: Use an Indoor Toilet
An indoor toilet is a great way of eliminating nighttime trips to the campsite toilet facilities. Even if you just have a vessel you can use to pee into, it is a great bonus. However, composting toilets are the ultimate for van life.It removes the need to venture outside in the dark. Great news if you’re parked up in an unfamiliar location.
You’ll need to keep the toilet clean and stocked with all the necessary supplies. Then, you can empty it and visit the regular restroom facilities during daylight hours.
7: Always Have Access to Driver’s Seat
Another top tip for solo female van life safety is to always have access to the driver’s seat. This means, if something unexpected happens, you can start the vehicle without having to climb outside. You’ll be able to get on the road and leave the location in moments if you decide to do so. Also, always park your vehicle in a location that allows you to pull forward or backward. This way you can’t get boxed in.
8: Carry an Alarm
Have you considered carrying an alarm? A personal alarm is a great option for a solo female traveler. Once activated they emit an ultra loud sound, attract attention, and deter a would-be attacker. Keep the alarm easily accessible. You can wear it on a keychain or around your neck so you have it nearby at all times. Choose a device that has a decibel output greater than 100 decibels and has a long battery life.
9: Use Blinds or Curtains
Privacy curtains or blinds are an absolute essential for solo female travelers. They provide comfort, privacy, and safety when you’re out on the open road. If your RV, van, or motorhome doesn’t already come with curtains or blinds – get them installed.
They are a cheap and effective safety feature you can add to your can. And, they can be closed day or night – whenever you want some privacy and wish to keep prying eyes out, just close your curtains. And, that’s it. your up to speed with the top safety tips for solo female van life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosa Montero
- B.S. Environmental Science
- Avid Explorer & Globe Trotter
Rosa is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she delved into the world of green energy and environmental science. Originally from sunny Fresno, California, she moved to Arizona to study. Rosa is the proud owner of a vintage VW camper van. Her trusty companion on countless adventures.
She has a deep passion for clean energy and a love for protecting our planet. Rosa immerses herself in nature through long hikes in Arizona’s famous parks. Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona Red Rock Country are two of her favorites.
When not exploring on foot, she enjoys cycling. Rosa’s enthusiasm for fighting climate change and safeguarding Mother Earth shines through in her work for RV Solar Power Hub.
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