Will be "Car-Dwelling" Soon in Tucson, AZ

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

Hello Everyone,

I've been a member of this group for a few years and have posted somewhat regularly in the group so I have a good general knowledge on how to survive living in a vehicle. In the very near future I will be moving out of my apartment and am considering moving into my car here in Tucson, AZ. I drive a 1991 Ford Crown Victoria in good condition so I'm not too concerned about mechanical issues. The driver's seat fully reclines so I have a decent platform for hopefully a decent nights sleep.

As I've already mentioned my biggest issue is the daily peronsal hygiene rituals. I've already checked out some local health clubs that have a low initial membership fee and a $10.00 per month fee. So I've already solved my biggest issue. That was my biggest concern. But the limitation with this membership is that I must visit this one gym which is open 24-hours a day. So I have one problem resolved.

My next issue is places to park during the evening hours to get a decent night sleep. I know of a few places I have seen in my daily travels where truckers park within 5 minutes of the city. I can go there and hopefully have minimal law enforcement knocks on my car door in the middle of the night.

My only major concern is the heat of Tucson, AZ. It can get somewhat warm here so I have to try and make the best of a bad situation. I know a great deal from reading the forums on doing everything from how to store food, bathroom needs, etc. Now I have to put all that knowledge I've learned into practice so this will be a new challenge for me.

My only other option is to go the "shelter" option and I would do so reluctantly. I would rather attempt to put the knowledge I've learned from being a member of this group in practice. It's time to put my car-dwelling survival skill to the test! It will be challenge but I think I'm up to it.

Well, that's a brief description of my current circumstances. Any comments or suggestions to help me during this transition? I would appreciate any input on my new adventure here in Tucson.

Thanks again!

rvpopeye · Jun 6, 2015

What color is the car and do you have to stay in the city or can you "head to the hills"?

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

rvpopeye said:
What color is the car and do you have to stay in the city or can you "head to the hills"?

The car thankfully is white! The best color to reflect the heat. I can't "head for the hills" yet as I don't have enough cash to survive long term. If I live frugally and budget carefully I know that my biggest expense will be gas for the car. The health club initial fee is $19.99 + $10.00 per month membership fee. This in not a major financial burden yet. My best option from reading out forums is to work when I can & where I can and build up enough cash to move to a higher altitude as I've seen Bob do all the time. But for the time being I'll have a limited amount of cash to live as best I can while I'm here in Tucson.

I can readily access the internet through the library so that problem is resolved. I've already had a small inverter for a/c power for my 110 volt appliances in the car & a spare battery for 12-volt lighting. Using this spare battery I won't discharge the primary car battery. I have a few 12-volt led lights that use very little battery power. I can always charge the smaller 12-volt battery using the car charging system. I also have a few solar lights that I've been using here in the apartment that provide adequate lighting for basic functions that don't require a great deal of light.

I'm already assembling some water containers to put in the car when I move out of the apartment next Tuesday. I don't plan on keeping any frozen food in car in a cooler since it does get rather warm here in the southwest. I seriously doubt I can keep anything cold in this heat. I'll have to store dry goods like breads, spreads, etc. and anything that doesn't require refrigeration.

I know that this is more information than you asked but it will give you some idea of the planning that I have been doing so far. I'm going into this with my eyes open. I'm aware that I'm not in an ideal location but if I can stay out of the heat most of the day in a/c cooled buildings I can survive the warmest part of the day.

Thanks for your reply!

Optimistic Paranoid · Jun 6, 2015

Pikachu711 said:
My only major concern is the heat of Tucson, AZ. It can get somewhat warm here so I have to try and make the best of a bad situation.

Wow. I don't handle heat well, so I wouldn't even ATTEMPT to pull something like that off. You're staying in Tucson because of a job?

Two things come to immediate mind.

1: Will you have any kind of house battery that will allow you to run a 12 volt fan overnight? And if so, how will you recharge it? Will you be driving enough every day so you can recharge off the alternator and not need to get involved with solar?

2: Keeping the windows rolled down while you sleep. I figure you could attach insect screening to the outside of the doors with magnets to keep the bugs out. But having your windows rolled down presents MASSIVE security problems, ESPECIALLY while you are sound asleep. Yet I don't see how you will be able to sleep with all the heat trapped inside with the windows rolled up. It's a puzzle, and I have no answers to offer you. Sorry.

Regards
John

ps: Good Luck!

Suanne · Jun 6, 2015

My biggest concern for living out of my car in the Tucson area would be the heat. But, if you already live there, I'm not saying anything that you don't already know.

When I was visiting the Tucson area in the winter of last year, I stayed in the Casino Del Sol parking lot for a couple of nights. That could give you another option in addition to where truckers park.

cyndi · Jun 6, 2015

Whoa! Tucson in the summer heat! If I remember correctly you lived in Vegas. Why not go north?

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

Optimistic Paranoid said:
Wow. I don't handle heat well, so I wouldn't even ATTEMPT to pull something like that off. You're staying in Tucson because of a job?

Two things come to immediate mind.

1: Will you have any kind of house battery that will allow you to run a 12 volt fan overnight? And if so, how will you recharge it? Will you be driving enough every day so you can recharge off the alternator and not need to get involved with solar?

2: Keeping the windows rolled down while you sleep. I figure you could attach insect screening to the outside of the doors with magnets to keep the bugs out. But having your windows rolled down presents MASSIVE security problems, ESPECIALLY while you are sound asleep. Yet I don't see how you will be able to sleep with all the heat trapped inside with the windows rolled up. It's a puzzle, and I have no answers to offer you. Sorry.

Regards
John

ps: Good Luck!

So far I don't have enough cash to leave Tucson for "greener pastures" as it were. I've been looking for work here in Tucson for a while now so I have few possible jobs lined up. Now I'm waiting for interview results and the final decision from a few potential employers.

I will be driving the car daily so charging the 12-volt motorcycle battery will not be a problem. The battery will fit under my hood and mount to an area that holds the battery in place. I've added a 12-volt lighter receptacle to the battery for my lighting when not being charged by the car alternator. I don't have any items that draw a great deal of power so if I use the battery for lighting I should be fine. But, I'll use my solar lights more often than not. The LED light uses very little power when I do use them. The fan is something I have to look into as well. Getting that cross ventilation will be an issue. I'll be looking for more locations as I travel around town as need be. But, I've going to be using my multiple solar lights whenever possible! I'll only be using the 12-volt motorcycle battery very infrequently. It may just power the 12-volt fan. I'll probably have to rethink this option with a 2nd car battery since the fan will draw more voltage than I'm anticipating.

I'll have to experiment with how low the car windows can be to get adequate cross ventilation for heat removal and cross ventilation to get a decent nights sleep. It will be trial & error.

Also, before I moved to Tucson I used to live Las Vegas, NV. I'm fully acclimated to the heat so it doesn't bother me that much. I used to have to work in the 100+ degree temps 8 hours a day. I know that the heat will be an issue but I'll see how I handle it while I'm sleeping. I need to find some locations that are off the beaten path with some degree of privacy as best I can. Thankfully there are not a great deal of insect issues here Tucson. It's a dry heat so there aren't a great deal of insects that live well in this environment.

Thanks for your suggestions & comments. They are greatly appreciated.

I'll take any kind of luck as I can get at this point!

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

vandella said:
Whoa! Tucson in the summer heat! If I remember correctly you lived in Vegas. Why not go north?

Yes, you are right that I used to live in Las Vegas. But I would still be in the same circumstances. I would still be living out of my car and have to deal with same issues involved regardless. Also returning to Las Vegas I would have to start all over again looking for work. So whether I do that here in Tucson or back in Las Vegas I would be in the same circumstances. I'm going to try and make a go of it here in Tucson. Once I'm hired by an employer I can move into a sticks'n'bricks building again until the cooler months of the year. Until then I have make the best of my living situation.

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

Suanne said:
My biggest concern for living out of my car in the Tucson area would be the heat. But, if you already live there, I'm not saying anything that you don't already know.

When I was visiting the Tucson area in the winter of last year, I stayed in the Casino Del Sol parking lot for a couple of nights. That could give you another option in addition to where truckers park.

There are some areas off of Valencia Road driving in an easterly direction where semis park each night. If I get far enough from their rigs I shouldn't have too much of an issue sleeping. I will be keep the Casino Del Sol in mind for a possible location here in town. I haven't checked out the major Walmart store in town yet but that is on list. If they allow overnight parking and arrive late & leave early I should be fine. My car always looks clean and blends in with other vehicles very well. I may spend a night now & again there as well.

Thanks for you suggestions!

cyndi · Jun 6, 2015

Tucson is not very overnight friendly. NOt to say you can't be stealthy. but I don't think you'll be overnighting at Walmart or any of the big box stores. The Only reason the casinos allow it is that it's Native land and not subject to state, city or county laws.

ZoNiE · Jun 6, 2015

There is another post here where a campground in Mt Lemmon is looking for a host. You're gonna melt in tucson in the summer. go to higher elevation.

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

cyndi said:
Tucson is not very overnight friendly. NOt to say you can't be stealthy. but I don't think you'll be overnighting at Walmart or any of the big box stores. The Only reason the casinos allow it is that it's Native land and not subject to state, city or county laws.

I've never been to the casino but I may visit there to check their parking situation. As to Tucson not being overnight friendly, that's a real possibility. I'll have to start seeing if there are other options if that is that case. I still don't know the situation at the primary Walmart but if it is the case I'll be looking for alternative locations off the beaten path. I suspect that you're correct. My car does have AZ plates so it does blend in with other local vehicles. I do have that working to my benefit. I have a few roads that have areas I've traveled in the past while sightseeing here in Tucson.

I know that there is no "ideal" place to park at night. I'll have see how it goes from day to day.

Thanks for your input Cyndi. They are greatly appreciated!

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

ZoNiE said:
There is another post here where a campground in Mt Lemmon is looking for a host. You're gonna melt in tucson in the summer. go to higher elevation.

Thanks for that great suggestion! I will check that out. As much as I say I'm acclimated to the heat I'm not kidding myself either. It will be a challenge but I've got to give it my best effort with all the resources our group has provided me. Going to a higher elevation is something I would never turn down! Makes perfect sense.

ZoNiE · Jun 6, 2015

That job will fill fast. I'd call or drive up today if I were you. You may not even qualify, I don't know what qualifies one or not, but worth making the contact. I live in Phoenix. I'm acclimated, But I wouldn't even consider living here in a car.

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

ZoNiE said:
That job will fill fast. I'd call or drive up today if I were you. You may not even qualify, I don't know what qualifies one or not, but worth making the contact. I live in Phoenix. I'm acclimated, But I wouldn't even consider living here in a car.

I just checked out the requirements for a camp host at AZ sites. I would most likely qualify since I worked in hotels 14+ years (aka hospitality industry) so this job does match the skills I used many years. This would be right along with the job requirements I've done already done over the years.

Thanks for your suggestion!

ZoNiE · Jun 6, 2015

Pikachu711 said:
I just checked out the requirements for a camp host at AZ sites. I would most likely qualify since I worked in hotels 14+ years (aka hospitality industry) so this job does match the skills I used many years. This would be right along with the job requirements I've done already done over the years.

Thanks for your suggestion!

Go for it. Good luck. you may need to buy a tent...

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

ZoNiE said:
Go for it. Good luck. you may need to buy a tent...

Oddly enough I already have a tent! I'm a camper at heart and have a full camping setup as well. The one thing I did keep is my tent, sleeping bag, canteens, mess kits, etc. You never know when you may want to "get out of dodge" so I have a camping kit ready to go.

Thanks again!

John_Camping · Jun 6, 2015

Look around the local 24 hour stores and in nearby lots late evening or early morning. Look for lots where RV's are parked or you see cars/vans using blankets and towels as curtains. If they aren't being disturbed that's probably a place you'll be fine.

Pikachu711 · Jun 6, 2015

John_Camping said:
Look around the local 24 hour stores and in nearby lots late evening or early morning. Look for lots where RV's are parked or you see cars/vans using blankets and towels as curtains. If they aren't being disturbed that's probably a place you'll be fine.

I'll be checking out the local Walmart for the darkest material as well. The darker the better. I can try to make some impromptu curtains to cover the windows of the car as well. l'm fairly handy with needle & thread so I'm going to see what I can make with a minimum of difficulty. I've seen quite a few videos where people have done a fairly good job blacking out the vehicle.

I have a few dark colored towels I know would be excellent blinds to give me some degree of privacy. I'll primarily be using some solar lights that I've arranged in such a way that they provide just enough light to function but not too much light to give me away. I'm going to be doing my best to blend in wherever I parked. Thankfully the car is white like the white cargo vans most vandwellers own.

I'll be arriving late and leaving early to avoid being noticed.

akrvbob · Jun 6, 2015

Freecampsites.net is your friend!! Check this out:

http://freecampsites.net/#!(32.16863792635911-110.9644889831543)

Snyder hill is 10 minutes out of town and is free BLM land. It has good internet, cell and TV. If you get there in the evening and leave early the BLM will never know you are there.
Bob

Will be "Car-Dwelling" Soon in Tucson, AZ

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