RE: [VAL] Re: flat tire-safety

["Tom" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We do carry those folding red triangles and an amber blinking strobe light
that plugs into the lighter socket.   On the rear bumper of our Airstream we
also have the red/white safety reflective tape that you see on the rear of
tractor trailer rigs.  Yes, we need to be seen far enough away that oncoming
drivers can begin to maneuver around us when we are on the side.  

On a side note -- if you are unfortunate enough to break down in a bad part
of town in a city like Miami, FL you will consider yourself "lucky!" it no
one decides to stop and help themselves to your emergency warning equipment
if placed "too far" to the rear of your rig.  My FIL had a flat tire once
when on an expressway near the airport in Miami, he was on the inside lane
so he had to pull off into the emergency lane next to the concrete wall.  He
took the spare tire out of his trunk and placed it about 25 yards behind his
car but still in the emergency lane as a "warning" to traffic that was
ZOOMING! by him while he jacked the car up.  Don't you know that some
wannabe thief STOPPED and actually picked up his tire!  When my FIL saw him
do this he ran back and yelled at him, "What the Hell do you think you are
doing with MY tire?"  The thief told my FIL, "Oh, I was just going to bring
it to you, that's all." Right!  If my FIL hadn't done what he did he would
have had NO spare tire as the thief would have driven off down the road
never to be seen again!  Today, I would probably let the thief take my tire
rather than risk getting shot in an argument with people like that.  What a
sorry state some of our cities have turned into for unfortunate travelers
today.

I like the idea of a burning flare.  Let them steal THAT!

Tom
WBCCI 5303