"dry camping" BLM lands and other remote spots / security

I don't really know how to respond to this because it used to be not a problem. But now I just don't know. Between the economy, trailer thieves and tweekers I just don't know what is safe any more. I do a lot of "dry camping" on BLM land and have never had a trailer out there that I had more than a couple of grand into. I would never leave something like the 57 Shasta or the 58 Deville that I restored out there unattended for very long. Maybe not at all. 

That is exactly where I want to be. Just looking at that photo makes me feel like I can breath easier.
Thanks.

Still want to know if there is a consensus regarding firearms while traveling? Personally, I never have wanted one or felt that I needed one. I recently had a bad experience with a loaded semi-automatic Mauser that I found in a lockbox in my recently deceased cousin's house. Learn from me!

This is a funny story, sort of:

My cousin was very ill and on all kinds of prescribed narcotics. When we got the call from ER that he'd passed away I went to his house  (in the city) to get rid of anything that might be of value. He had a wheelchair ramp in front of the house so it was obvious that someone lived there with compromised health issues. He also had an understandable distrust of "the system" and I found huge stashes of cash hidden all over the place. Finally, I found a lockbox in a closet, but no key.  So without even thinking about it I took the narcotics, cash and lockbox and put them in my car. Drove home at 70 MPH.
VERY LUCKY that I didn't get pulled over for speeding! "Golly officer, you see.........."

When I got home I picked the lock and opened the box...more cash and a handgun with a bunch of hollow nosed bullets. So like any good daddy, I wanted my home to be safe until I could figure out how to properly get rid of the gun. So like a dumb--- I tried to remove the clip (watched a Youtube video first). BOOM! I didn't realize that there was still one bullet in the chamber and somehow while handling the damn thing I hit the trigger and blew out the glass slider on my deck! Next morning I went to the local police station with the narcotics, ammunition and handgun. "I want to get rid of this stuff, it belonged to my cousin who just died" Officer at window tells me I shouldn't have the gun in my possession without a license to carry!

I "borrowed" the $350 it cost to replace the slider from my cousin.

One of the few problems that I have had while dry camping is not of the two legged type. And it's also one of the reasons that I like to tent camp so much.... BEARS... You can't leave even a trace of food in your car, your tent or your camper or the bears will break in and tear your car, tent or camper to pieces. Even a candy wrapper is enough for them to become interested so when I'm camping in places like that I take all my food and trash with me when I leave camp. The only time I tow a trailer is when I'm staying in a controlled camp site where there are no bears like this one...

Turbo… my sentiments exactly regarding safety in remote areas.  I live in northern NM and in the spring I plan on doing a bunch of camping like you describe.  Overnight excursions from my home, with trailer as base camp for some hiking and climbing.  In fact I'm currently customizing my '60 Mobile Scout to be optimized for more extended dry/off grid camping.  If you enjoy this kind of camping with your TT, I hope you've discovered this app called "The Ultimate U.S. Public Campground Project". There is also a website here with the same information: www.ultimatecampgrounds.com.  It is without question the best guide to all of these remote and very special places to tow your trailer and hang out in nature… including BLM and many, many other types of public sites.

Good luck with your back roads camping and protect yourself and your trailer in a realistic way.  As many here are implying, it's good to be prepared, but really think it through and consider what you're willing to take on in terms of protection of both yourself and your property.

I would never even consider using my gun against a bear. It would just make him mad. I have bear spray and bear sense for that. But I did have to shoot at a mountain lion once who was about to attack my dog. The only thing I worry about with bears is leaving my camper with the smell of food in it for the bears to tear up. My gun is mostly for the cats and the two legged animals.

You're welcome.  If you have a smart phone, get the app.  It works really well and does a good job of connecting you to other information outside of the app.  If you don't have a smart phone, apps like these are a good reason to get one  .  The app/website is actually information contributed and updated by folks like us who like visiting public campgrounds.  So the database is updated very regularly.