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Old 02-11-2017, 05:26 PM   #1
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What about bears & canvas sides of the pop top?

Here's something I haven't thought about yet, but perhaps I should...

When camping in bear country, what about the canvas sides of my pop-top? Should I not be opening my top when I think there might be bears around?

One thought of mine is that perhaps bears wouldn't think of climbing all the way up there. They wouldn't necessarily guess the vehicle was softer up top than the metal they first encounter at ground level.

I just poked around Expedition Portal and I found this thread about Roof Top Tents, which have a similar concern. But I know people use these all the time camping in lion country in Africa.

Bear safety in RTT's and soft sided campers/tents - Expedition Portal

Anyone here have worries about their van and bears?

-- Geoff

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Old 02-11-2017, 05:44 PM   #2
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There are a few posts on it. Here is one:
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ars-17214.html

Myself I've never had an issue. I do keep the food inside the vehicle. Generally if I leave the van in camp while I'm off on a side trip, I lower the top. Damn things in Yosemite valley are clever and are exposed to people, unlike those in the backcountry.
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Old 06-04-2017, 08:59 PM   #3
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There is campground in Alberta that does not allow soft sided campers in because of bear issues . Grizzly and black.
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Old 06-05-2017, 06:09 AM   #4
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Our van is designed for outside cooking. We do no prepare food in the van. In bear country we also do not consume food in the van.
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Old 06-11-2017, 09:15 AM   #5
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Just camped at Yosemite Upper Pines this month. Ranger said they had two individual black bear car break-ins this year. The bears were rewarded with food for thier efforts. They tag them for electronic tracking and use a three strikes you're out rule. The park ranger also said a new requirement is coming for use of locks on RV refrigerators.
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Old 06-11-2017, 05:06 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joey2cool View Post
...The park ranger also said a new requirement is coming for use of locks on RV refrigerators.
So a bear breaks into a locked RV, and they think a lock on a fridge door is going to make a difference?


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Old 06-12-2017, 10:57 AM   #7
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So a bear breaks into a locked RV, and they think a lock on a fridge door is going to make a difference?
I suspect the idea is, that a lock will make it less likely for such a break in to result in the bear getting food. AKA positive re-enforcement for the behavior that we don't want.

But yeah, seems pretty crazy.
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Old 06-12-2017, 12:05 PM   #8
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Perhaps they are referring to the bear proof ice chests that are becoming more and more available to the public? At least on my Yeti there's a spot for pad locks and I was told they must be locked in place for the ice chest to be left out.
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Old 06-12-2017, 12:17 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joey2cool View Post
Just camped at Yosemite Upper Pines this month. Ranger said they had two individual black bear car break-ins this year. The bears were rewarded with food for thier efforts. They tag them for electronic tracking and use a three strikes you're out rule. The park ranger also said a new requirement is coming for use of locks on RV refrigerators.
They tag the bears or the people? Jk.

Personally I think its silly to punish a bear for breaking into vehicles. I'm sure some body left a Twinkie on the dash and the bear just wanted to try it.
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Old 06-12-2017, 03:20 PM   #10
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I recently booked a campsite in Lake Louise CG in Banff National Park. They have two different campgrounds: one for "soft-sided units" and one for "hard-sided units." We're in the soft-side one, and apparently they have an electric fence around the whole CG to keep out critters! First time I've heard of that.

https://www.banfflakelouise.com/acco...ground-trailer
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