Tips for Stealth Overnight Parking and Building a Stealth Vehicle

The Wanderer

Observer
For those that aren't familiar with the term, "Stealth Camping" is about a vehicle that is not as it appears. It is not about breaking any laws or regulations, just about being unseen and unnoticed for your advantage.

Check out my full time box van camper that I live in full time:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...e-is-my-simple-custom-GMC-Cube-Van-conversion

I have been living on the road for over 3 years now and came back from a trip up the Can-Am Alaska Hwy to Fairbanks, AK last year.

There are times on the road, after a long day, where you just want to pull off somewhere and sleep for the night without having to find a camping ground or pay for for an RV park. They wont even accept my vehicle and in fact most expedition type vehicles in many RV parks. They want the 50-100K motor homes.

I have spent many, many nights in Walmart parking lots, Targets, truck stops, Home Depots, casino parking lots, even just on a side street in some small town.

When I talk about "Stealth", I don't mean hiding, I mean being unseen and unnoticed. Just so it's understood, I'm not hiding from anyone or breaking any laws. I am just keeping a "low profile" and staying unseen. I intentionally left my truck looking like a plain commercial rental moving truck. From the outside it looks like any one of thousnds of plain, work trucks you see around the country every day.

Take a look at my truck:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91848136@N05/sets/

I have had police pull up right next to me at night. I was sure that I was about to get hassled, but they were just using my truck as a hiding place to watch the road for speeders and had no idea that I was sleeping inside.

I haven't seen any posts here ExPo about this topic, maybe others can share their views and ideas. I understand that this approach is not right for everyone, but many will find it useful.

Peace
 
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The Wanderer

Observer
So, why do it?

- Cost. I get very tired paying for a parking place for the night when all I want is a few hours rest in peace.

- Convenience. There are places everywhere without having to find a campground or RV park when you are already tired.

- Being a rebel. Yes, I admit it. I like the idea of being different. Not breaking any laws, just doing what others say is not allowed.

Where to park?

Don't try to hide! They will find you! I guarantee it. I like a place in plain sight, just unnoticed. I like to park under a steet or parking lot lamp post so everyone can see me, but no one notices just another old work truck.

The more people around the better! Yes, it can be noisy at times, especially on a weekend or a holiday night. But, there is safety in numbers.

I like to park in some truck stops. Yes, the trucks are noisy. But they watch out for each other. I carry ear plugs or listen to music early in the evening, then crash. Usually, restaurant on sight, bathrooms 24 hours, showers at many. A few food or health supplies.

One of my all time favorite places are casino parking lots. Yes, they have RV parks there also, but I just park for free in the general parking area near the back. Usually food is reasonably priced. Open 24 years. Clean bathrooms. Many offer free beer and drinks if you just put a few bucks in a slot machine! 24 hour security at night. Big and well lit parking lots. They are all over the U.S. now. Great!

Well, please add your ideas and remarks if you find this thread useful.

Peace
 
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The Wanderer

Observer
What kind of vehicles make the best "stealth" vehicles?

By far the best is a standard white van. They are literally everywhere and used in the millions by construction people, commercial companies and just everyday personal use.

School buses, even though they are a great expedition base vehicle, stick out like a sore thumb when it comes to stealth. They still have that old "hippie" stigma I'm afraid.

Mini vans are perfect also. Just have a limited amount of room without being seen by others. It isn't that easy to stay inside with the curtains closed and door shut for long. In my cube van I can stand up and walk around inside if I need to. But, this is a great stealth vehicle.

Medium duty trucks and box trucks are great. They are just a little frowned on in smaller parking lots or shopping centers.

Converted ambulances are great if left plain and look like a construction truck on the outside..

Things that stick out and EVERYONE takes notice of:

Bikes, motorcycles or canoes/kayaks on the vehicle. Running an external generator. Custom paint or decals. Flashy paint or fancy rims. Satellite dishes on the roof.

Unusual type vehicles from other countries or custom built. I'm NOT saying that this is a bad thing, just not very stealthy.

Please understand. I am NOT saying that this approach is right for everyone! But, many like to travel without a huge expense of paying for campgrounds or RV parks. They are getting EXPENSIVE. Even state and national parks are getting outrageous. I would rather travel where I want, sleep for free and then eat good food.

The choice is yours, of course.

Peace
 
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The Wanderer

Observer
For example, this week I have been stealth camping in a large strip shopping area near Ocala, FL staying out of the cold weather up north. I am currently parked in front of a Target store. I am inside right now at their Starbucks Coffee shop having a coffee using their free wi-fi. I parked last night next to a local store's box truck that they use for deliveries, under a parking lot lamp post.

I don't use my own truck pottie so I don't have to worry about emptying it. I use local public bathrooms. I keep a pee bottle in the truck and empty it in the bushes as required or carry it in to the store in my backpack and empty it in their public toilet.

I usually spend the day window shopping through the stores. Go for lunch at some cheaper place (Five Guys Burgers) and then cook at night in my truck. I get in my truck early, close the black curtains so no one knows I'm there and I'm home for the evening. I then surf the web or watch a movie on my laptop.

This lifestyle works for me at this point in my life. After a week or so, I move on down the road.

Peace
 

The Wanderer

Observer
To be honest, in my 3 years of full time traveling around the U.S., I have only paid for a campground a handful of times. I find it disgusting that state and national parks now charge so much for campsites where you are packed in side by side like cattle, have to listen to some person's music half the night and smell their smouldering campfire with plastic cups in it.

When all I really want to do is to just sleep for the night and then go enjoy the sights. I don't need a generator, a satellite TV,, a golf cart or a stereo system. Just peace and quiet and a safe place to sleep.
 
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The Wanderer

Observer
So, what makes a stealth vehicle?

- First Glance. - What people notice first. Especially the local cops. Toys hung all over the outside of the vehicle. This is a sure give away that this is an RV in disguise. Plus, it is a temptation to stupid local thieves.

- Looking cheap is good. - Not dirty or nasty, but cheap. If the vehicle looks used, older or a commercial truck, then few take notice. NOTE: I am not talking about dirty or junky. I don't want to be viewed as a bum or as homeless. I keep my truck clean, well maintained and in great shape. Any body damage is repaired or replaced quickly. Tires are maintained. I keep my truck washed and waxed. What I mean here is not worth trying to break into or steal.

- Keep your opinions to yourself.
- I don't have any signs or bumper stickers on my truck. I am not into advertising my views to the public. I am a private person and I prefer to keep my views and opinions private and personal.

- Looking like everyone else around you. - As I said, in front of everyone, but unseen... In this instance, looking different is not a good thing.

- What you personally look like. - Yes, for better or worse people take note of other people. If you are dirty, smell or have long greasy hair, people will watch you and take note of you. I'm not trying to fool anyone, but I like to keep my truck clean and maintained and to do the same for my own appearance and personal hygiene. I keep my hair short to help me keep it clean. I bathe (sponge bathe with wash cloth) daily. I wash my clothes often and keep the inside of my camper clean and the bed made. If I am hassled by the local cop, I want to appear as a traveller and not a bum.

I'm NOT making judgements here, just how others will view you.

Just my personal opinions.

Peace
 
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The Wanderer

Observer
Why would I want to be unseen and unnoticed? Many of those on this site WANT our vehicles noticed! That is why we built them.

Some reasons are:

- Cost. Cheap way to live and to travel.

- Flexibility. Stop when I want, where I want, and not to follow anyone else's rules.

- Safety without paying for it. Not having to be in some protected RV park to feel safe. Learning to feel safe by being unnoticed by others.

- Fight conformity. To refuse to pay ridiculous fees for terrible campsites with little privacy or comforts.

Again, just my views.
 
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The Wanderer

Observer
Well, enough for now. This concept can be taken to many levels. It's up to you as to how important this is to you.

Let's hear from others travelling the world this way. Let me know what you think. I am not asking anyone to travel this way. These are just some ideas to consider.

The choice is yours. Variety is life is a great thing in my view.

Enjoy your adventures on the road!

Peace
 
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The Wanderer

Observer
Places where I have parked for free. NOTE! I am NOT saying parking is allowed at some of these. These are only some of the places that I have tried. Use your own judgement.

Of course Walmart - "Wally World" Most travellers have parked here at one time or another. It gets pretty noisy at night sometimes with kids using it as a race track. There are better places.

Sam's Club - I like these because they are a members only store. I bought a year membership ($40) so I could get some supplies and use their bathrooms. Much quieter than Walmart.

Home Depot - Since my box van looks just like a commercial contractor's van, no one ever takes notice of me.

Lowe's - Same as Home Depot. Great!

Target Stores - Nice stores. Never a hassle parking here.

Most strip shopping centers. I usually look for other local box trucks parked here and park near them.

Rest Areas - I usually only stay overnight if I have to. I lock myself in. Close my curtains and just sleep. I don't wander around here at night.

Truck Stops - Again, I get in early and try and find me a place away from the big rigs. I do my chores early and I don't wander around after dark. Another good place to just stop and sleep free. For my truck, no one even notices me. NOISY though. You were warned. *smile*

Motel parking lots. Careful here! This can be construed as trespassing! Many have security cameras and towing warnings. But, if I'm tired and need a place to just crash, I will sometimes chance it. Try to pick one with a restaurant right next door. They may think you are just having dinner and won't suspect you. Your choice.

I avoid church parking lots like the plague. For some reason, the Christians seem very protective of their church parking lots and will call the cops in a heartbeat...

Local city streets. As long as your rig isn't too big, it is complete legal in most towns to park overnight. NOTE. Watch for "No Parking Overnight" signs though.

You guys I'm sure can add to this list. This was just a few.
 

wannaby

Adventurer
reply

I have been tossing this idea around for awile the wife thinks I am crazy and will never do it have to get rid of some other junk first and mayby even build something that can do double duty deliverys or roadtrips.I am thinking something like this as a base.I too would like to see more of anybody else that have the same thoughts and any good websites for buying cube vans thx.
 

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The Wanderer

Observer
I have been tossing this idea around for awile the wife thinks I am crazy and will never do it have to get rid of some other junk first and mayby even build something that can do double duty deliverys or roadtrips.I am thinking something like this as a base.I too would like to see more of anybody else that have the same thoughts and any good websites for buying cube vans thx.

Penske sells this same truck quite cheap used (no wind screen), unless you would rather buy new. I just can't afford it new myself.
 
stealth

I've spent several nights in my van parked in small town police dept. parking lots. nobody ever said anything or even noticed me.
 

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