Two words...........Smith & Wesson.... Don't be a victim! I'm a retired cop, 30 years on the job. I NEVER travel, or camp without a firearm loaded and within easy reach, accompanied by a small but powerfull tactical LED flashlight. Not a "Home Depot" special, but an actual tactical light like a "Surefire" or some such. Spend some money and get a good light and a good quality firearm, it's money well spent. I mean how much is your life or your lovedone's life worth...several hundred bucks at least I'm thinkin'. Also, keep a less lethal on hand also, i.e. a Taser or Pepper Spray (a good one, easy to use and very effective is the "Pepper Blaster" by Kimber Arms-Amazon about $40). ALWAYS lock your door. NEVER go outside until you know who's out there, and NEVER, EVER, open your door to a stranger, I don't care what kind of tale they've got. What about states that are not firearm friendly you ask? I don't go there. There's only two or three, and they are of no interest to me. One additional word of advice. PRACTICE with your weapon once in a while. It's a perishable skill. In the dark and under stress, it's all about muscle memory and familularity with your weapon of choice.
SIDE NOTES: RV WALLS ARE THIN!. Be carefull handling your firearm and consider where your bullet is going to go if you do, God forbid, ever have to fire it. One of the least expensive, safest (trailer walls), easiest for novices, and effective home defense firearms is a short barreled shotgun with like #7&1/2 or #8 Dove & Quail birshot load(not buckshot). But back to the handgun thing....if you'll spend some time and obtain your Florida, Utah, and Nevada CCW permits, you're good in 33 states. You don't have to be a resident of either. Florida and Utah can be obtained thru the mail, but Nevada you actually have to go there to get it done. More information can be obtained on-line. Also, Canada is a very anti-gun country. They will totally spaz out and tear your RV or vehicle apart if they think you've got a firearm hidden somewhere, particularly a handgun. Soooo...either don't go there (my first choice and made easier by the price of fuel), don't take your gun(not a good choice), don't tell them you have a gun(could be BIG risk), or take a shotgun and go thru the hassle of getting a pre-travel permit thru their consulate before you go. Your incident was a valuable lesson, i.e. like how vulnerable you can be when you are un-armed, and, that lesson was not too expensive......this time. Safe travels