Getting around the "white cargo van = lucrative breakin" thing

We all know that the standard white cargo vans are attractive prey to folks looking for expensive tools and equipment they can steal and sell. So I'm just wondering about some possible strategies for defusing this expectation, such as:
1. Buying a non-white van (although they seem relatively rare, and mechanical soundness is Job 1)
2. Painting a white van a different color (which costs thousands)
3. Adding distinctly personal decals such as cartoon characters, other pop-culture imagery etc. that a commercial van would never have (at the risk of making your vehicle more recognizable and therefore less stealthy: "Hey, that same Calvin and Hobbes fan keeps parking here....")

What do you think? Or is it a non-issue?

Umm park in a different/safer location………

Sayin
intjonny

I would be more concerned about any other color than white getting 10 degrees hotter in summer sun than someone thinking a white van would be better to break into. Lol!!!

bullfrog ! said:

I would be more concerned about any other color than white getting 10 degrees hotter in summer sun than someone thinking a white van would be better to break into. Lol!!!

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Paint so white it is predicted to replace air conditioning:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/inno...-someday-replace-air-conditioning-180977560/#

Wonder if it is on the market. The article is from 2021.

More about that paint: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/rel...-is-here-and-its-the-coolest.-literally..html

I have Beware Of The Dog sign in my window....and I'm thinking about buying a tape recording of a dog barking (Amazon)

Small magnetic signs for the front doors that indicate "Diaper Service". Hang an air freshener over the dash too.

You are unfortunately under the misconception of why vehicles in cities get broken into. Vans and cars are not wanted just for what you carry inside them. They are wanted for the basic components that can be stripped out of them and resold. Vin numbers are traceable and can put a thief in jail. Wiring harnesses, interior panels, etc are not easily traceable. You might get the van back but it will have been found stripped out of components and it can't be driven. The thieves do not care what color you paint it or what decals you put on it.

ganchanRV said:

So I'm just wondering about some possible strategies for defusing this expectation

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We had a whole thread about business logos you could paint on the side. Some were quite good! Stuff like:

Diaper Cleaning Service.
Mobile Infectious Disease Lab.
Rabies Control.
Python Rescue. Rattlesnake Rescue. Tarantula Rescue.

user 22017 said:

Wonder if it is on the market. The article is from 2021.

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Ordinary white paint already reflects nearly all solar rays... that's why it looks white. Other features like durability are more important than getting 3% more of the sun reflected.

It's not going to "replace AC"... or make any difference that a person would notice.

eDJ_ said:

Small magnetic signs for the front doors that indicate "Diaper Service". Hang an air freshener over the dash too.

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I LOVE IT!!! ...Thanks
I'm going to use it:
Dukey -Poo
24 hour Dirty Diaper Service

With the Beware Of The Dog sign I might have people calling the cops on me for locking up a 'dog' in a hot van.

Put a very large, double dog dish on the ground by the front door with a bit of water in one side and a few crumbs in the other.

"Mobile Covid Testing Lab".

Just kidding.....sorta.

I find that avoiding caffeine helps a lot.
It prevents all that anxiety caused by knowing that owning a white van automatically puts you into a high risk category of getting broken into. Do not deluge yourself that it is just the contents they are after, the cargo Van itself is often the real target. Owning a high mileage “mommy van” will not make you into a target.

ganchanRV said:

We all know that the standard white cargo vans are attractive prey to folks looking for expensive tools and equipment they can steal and sell. So I'm just wondering about some possible strategies for defusing this expectation, such as:
1. Buying a non-white van (although they seem relatively rare, and mechanical soundness is Job 1)
2. Painting a white van a different color (which costs thousands)
3. Adding distinctly personal decals such as cartoon characters, other pop-culture imagery etc. that a commercial van would never have (at the risk of making your vehicle more recognizable and therefore less stealthy: "Hey, that same Calvin and Hobbes fan keeps parking here....")

What do you think? Or is it a non-issue?

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Painting a white van a different does NOT cost thousands.. I've seen a guy at Walmart start spray painting his truck right next to me and he was acting so erratic that I just upped and left only for him to tailgate me and pass me 5 min down the road.

Personally if I had a full size van (I have a minivan) I would go with spray paint and I would build a military camo design. Like the one below..

Likely may open a whole new can of worms with perception from the community and make you stand out more.

Also what are you doing most of the time that you are trying to address? If your parking at places and leaving your van consider decals that imply roadway traffic study work.. if your sitting at the park, well make decals that imply wildlife research ie Endandered specicies wildlife restoration organization ect ect.

If you travel from state to state then you need a general name that implies your a contractor.

It does seem a bit weird to go through all this trouble but it's kinda a genius idea.. I mean who is going to call the cops on the white van with a "Endangered Wildlife Restoration Organization" decals on the side. Plus what motivation would there be to break into it if they can't see anything. Most robbers look for opportunity and for the most reward. Most people don't store valuables in cars anymore... I've made a point to start looking into cars myself to gauge how I compare and I was pretty shocked to see empty care after empty car after empty car!

Brake in's can be inevitable.. also having a storage locker and or a safety deposit box at a safe place as well can ensure documents are kept even safer! If you are THIS uncomfortable with keeping your things in your white van consider these options as well..

For me when I became a miminislit I started to work about my things far less! Having a storage locker helps me as well. Plus having my data store online via Google vs on my desktop is also amazing option too!

Take all the steps you need to secure your belongings and make sure you have less belongings holding you back so you can get back to enjoying life and living better!


https://live.staticflickr.com/7442/16402830291_e72afc2c15_b.jpg

I would be very, very hesitant to put signage on a van indicating you are a contractor. Contractor equals a van loaded with power tools which equal easy to sell items for quick cash. Stick to something generic such as uniform laundry service. There is not any significant value in dirty and what is basically cheap, ugly clothing with business logos on them.

maki2 said:

I would be very, very hesitant to put signage on a van indicating you are a contractor. Contractor equals a van loaded with power tools which equal easy to sell items for quick cash. Stick to something generic such as uniform laundry service. There is not any significant value in dirty and what is basically cheap, ugly clothing with business logos on them.

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Another consideration is being identified as commercial vehicles open a whole new batch of limitations like National Parks or parking in residential areas or streets at night in certain areas.

rruff said:

Ordinary white paint already reflects nearly all solar rays... that's why it looks white. Other features like durability are more important than getting 3% more of the sun reflected.

It's not going to "replace AC"... or make any difference that a person would notice.

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Yes, it is iavailable now. I have a friend in NM that did the roof of a cargo box apartment with it. He claims a noticable difference as soon as you walk in - 105 outside vs 85 inside.

Fortunately the data stored inside a laptop does not take up extra space inside a van other than the laptop itself.

Walt said:

Yes, it is iavailable now. I have a friend in NM that did the roof of a cargo box apartment with it. He claims a noticable difference as soon as you walk in - 105 outside vs 85 inside.

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It's impossible for that to be a steady state condition... only happens if it cooled down over night and hasn't warmed up yet. Thermal mass and insulation, not a "magic paint".

maki2 said:

I would be very, very hesitant to put signage on a van indicating you are a contractor. Contractor equals a van loaded with power tools which equal easy to sell items for quick cash. Stick to something generic such as uniform laundry service. There is not any significant value in dirty and what is basically cheap, ugly clothing with business logos on them.

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I was just thinking of different signage indicating nothing of value.
Perhaps something like:
GoodWilly Used Clothing Pickup.
Dirty Dee's Fresh Dirt for Gardens
You get the picture.
I think I may get several different signs.
I like the statement about hanging out in low crime areas the best.
Being a Nomad you can just about live in the wealthiest neighborhoods undetected.