First advice: Never trust people in this game.
Just because they let you join and give you items doesn't mean they will always help. You can get killed and removed from faction after a week when you bring lots of ore and free stuff for faction and there is nothing to prevent this. Just keep a secret tent and never show it to people.
Dear God, who do stuff like this? Never heard of such a gangs. However the idea of having your private tent is worthy, so remember that, keep ur own stuff away from others, do not lead anyone to your tent.
Second advice: Stay away from crafting. Sell 40 fruit for a mauser and some ammo, kill a raider to get a jacket and a desert eagle and you can kill more if your ammo ends. No waiting for ore, no thieves in workbenches and more experience earned this way.
I did not agree with above as I love to craft. And with crafted items you are sure that they will not explode so often as the one looted in encounters. And what's the profit of wearing a jacket from rider? The armor for sure should be in good condition, but armors looted from critters mostly are not, so either you have to be careful with killing (no burst mode, nades, critticals hits or granades if critter has low hp) or just make yourself armor to be sure is new and protect you well.
