Who would believe a man would purposely be throwing rocks at your RV window?
A stray rock getting flipped up from a passing vehicle is a real bummer. It can not only ruin your windshield but your week as well.
However, knowing the rock struck your windshield due to someone throwing it? That’s a whole new level of bizarre. Curious? We’ve got the details below.
Let’s dig in!
The Rock Throwing News Story
Pete and Sandi MacLachlan were driving on Highway 101, about 10 miles south of Salinas/Monterey. Out of the corner of Pete’s eye, he spotted a man crouched down behind a car near the highway. A moment later, as Pete and Sandi are cruising along at 55 MPH, a rock slams into their windshield.
It took them a few seconds to realize what had happened and then another second or two to realize that it wasn’t an accident.
Thankfully, Pete and Sandi were using a dashcam and were able to pull over to review the footage. The footage was able to confirm their suspicions.
It was no accident.
The man behind the car hurled a rock at their RV as they traveled down the highway. The couple turned their footage over to the California Highway Patrol for them to begin their investigation.
Law enforcement used their footage to apprehend the rock-throwing suspect later.
Tips To Protect Yourself (And Your RV)
No matter what life, or a person, throws at your RV, you want to make sure you’re protected. Let’s look at a couple of ways to protect yourself and your RV from while on the road.
Always Have a Dashcam
Having an unbiased set of eyes when an accident occurs is the best way to protect you and your RV from rock-throwing or other dangers. It helps avoid any he-said-she-said arguing that might arise between the two parties involved, and law enforcement can see the incident for themselves.
A dashcam is an excellent resource for rare incidents like Pete and Sandi’s and everyday incidents on the highway.
YouTube is full of videos that show how even if you’re not the one involved in the accident, a dashcam can still be helpful.
Having footage of the incident can help settle court cases and insurance claims and take the stress off proving your case.
Make Sure You Have RV Insurance
A lot of people think insurance is a waste of money until they need to use it. There are ways for you to save a few bucks on your policy. While your premium may cost less, however, you’re also sacrificing in coverage. Make sure before you hit the road that you know what’s covered under your policy.
RV insurance, especially if you’re using your RV full-time, is a whole different ball game than regular insurance on your vehicle.
When you’re RVing, you likely carry expensive items in your RV and possibly even a bulk of what you own.
If you live in your RV, you’ll need a place to stay should a repair require your RV to sit in the shop for days, weeks, or possibly even months. Make sure your insurance policy will cover you should you need to use it!
Please note: If you live full time in an RV it may be challenging to find an insurer. Don’t give up the search though, there are a few companies out there who will insure full time RV living.
Dashcam Options For Your RV
We think protecting yourself and your RV while on the road is a wise choice, whether from rock-throwing people, drunk drivers, or other unsafe situations. Luckily, we have a few options for you to consider.
Garmin Dash Cam 20
The Garmin Dash Cam 20 records in WVGA, 720p, or 1080p video. The Garmin Dash Cam 20 mounts to your vehicle’s windshield and records on a continuous loop, which would be excellent for catching anyone throwing rocks at your RV. It comes with a 4 GB microSD card but has a max capacity of 32 GB.
The 2.3-inch LCD allows the user to playback and review footage. Users can also insert the microSD card into a computer to review footage as well. Reviewing footage on a computer allows users to access the latitude, longitude, date, time, speed, and direction of travel.
The Garmin Dash Cam 20 also includes a G-Sensor that can detect hard braking or a collision and automatically preserves a complete record of the event. This unit was released in January of 2014 but is still a popular choice among drivers at $250.
Rove R2-4K RV Dash Cam
The Rove R2-4k RV Dash Cam records in 4k, or Ultra-HD. In addition, it has a 150-degree ultra-wide lens viewing angle that captures the entire scene. This also could be a benefit for catching events on the side of the road. Using the built-in WiFi allows the user to view and manage recordings from their iOS or Android device.
The built-in GPS records driving location and speed. The GPS history syncs with Google Maps for a very detailed view. The Rove R2-4K RV does not come with a memory card but has a max capacity of 512 GB. This dashcam will cost $70-$85 but packs quite a punch for its price.
Why This Rock Throwing Story Matters
Safety is of the utmost importance whether you’re on a cross-country trip or traveling to or from a local camping adventure. While a dashcam won’t prevent an incident like Pete and Sandi’s rock-throwing man from happening, it will help catch those responsible.
Having dashcam footage can be tremendous support should you need evidence for a lawsuit, police investigation, or insurance claim.
Because many RVers are towing expensive RVs with expensive trucks, they’re easy targets for those trying to make a quick buck on a bogus insurance claim. You want to make sure that you’re protecting yourself physically and financially from a lawsuit.
Pete and Sandi were able to catch the person responsible for their broken windshield, and we hope you’ll have video evidence should you experience a similar situation.
People Throwing Rocks at Your RV Can be Caught
Using a dashcam while driving is becoming more prevalent, especially in larger cities. Much like insurance, you never know when you’re going to need it. When you do, such as if a man throws a rock at your RV, you’ll be glad you have it. Has a dashcam helped you already?
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