a question of stealth

[IanC]

I guess I have always been a toe the line sort of a guy - probably more because it's the best way to be left alone. People talk about what to do if you get stopped by the police, and it's like a foreign language. Apart from 2 speeding tickets in my 59 years I have never been stopped.

So, with that in mind, when I  read about 'stealth' and  'flying under the radar ' it seems like it would be an uncomfortable existence. I suppose that there is no other option than to grab a few hours of sleep in a rest area for example, but a long term living arrangement of always anticipating a knock on the window must feel like being an unwanted gypsy. That is something I honestly fear.

Apart from the folks who are working city van dwellers, what do you think the percentage of time you spend looking for a  spot where you don't draw attention? In my fantasy planning of life on the road I envision researching a route of two week - to a month of boondocking stays within a day's drive and work my way around the country that way, eliminating stealth as much as possible. Does that even sound realistic?

My idea of a free existence would be to be able to avoid the possibility of confrontation (go along to get along ), which is why I'm asking.

 

[rvwandering]

As long as you don't have to be in a city for long periods of time you'll won't have much of a problem finding places to stay. Stick to public land for stays of a week or more. For shorter stays and if you want to spend time in a city use Walmart and casino lots. But there are places where it's hard to visit without paying for a campground. Popular tourist areas in the north east and  parts of Florida come to mind.

 We've been traveling fulltime, very unstealthy,  for over 20 years and I can count on one hand the number of times we've been asked to leave a parking lot, always very politely and only once by the police. We've never had to leave a public land boondocking spot.

 I use a variety of websites to find places. Here are a few that I use often.
https://freecampsites.net/usa/
http://publiclands.org/
http://www.casinocamper.com/rv-parking-locations
[url=http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm]http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm[/url]

 I also use google satellite view a lot to find potential boondocking spots in the forests and on BLM land. You'll develop a sense of what might make a good spot after awhile. It really takes very little time. Your plan is very realistic!

 

[skyl4rk]

90% of the reason people go stealthy is because of fear in their own minds. If you boondock for a while, you can get used to it and reduce or eliminate the internal fear. Then you can stop where you feel comfortable and just sleep.

The reality is that very few people will mess with you. We had no bad situations in 3 months with an obvious non-stealthy class b van. When the paranoia fades away in your own mind, you can boondock with good feelings towards all people.

 

[highdesertranger]

out west at least, if you stay away from the big cities it's not something to worry about. highdesertranger

 

[USExplorer]

Since I came out West, I often pick prominent camping locations on public land, with a wide open vista. No need or desire to hide. Back East, I quickly got sick of Walmart camping, so I would try to find a place out in the country where my presence would not cause offense. But no police officer will drive past a car with an out of state license plate parked off the shoulder of a rural road late at night and not stop to check it out.

Of all the times I've had a cop knock on my window, in only one case was it the dreaded 3 am knock and being told to move on, as I was camped on posted private property unawares. Every time, the officers were polite, even supporting. The places where police dislike van dwellers are places that are already overrun with them (much of coastal California). There, you are unwanted, and have to blend in well.

Most American police outside these regions are friendly to travelers who do not flagrantly violate a law. After all, travelers are a revenue source for local businesses. They do not like the idea of a new van dweller settling down in their town, though. It is these home-bums that have to play the cat and mouse game anywhere.

 

[Cheli]

The reason for stealth concern is exactly what skyl4rk said, fear. For some reason I have safety while sleeping a van as basically my only fear about hitting the road.

I want to go with the flow and stay a couple days here, a couple weeks there or whatever I feel like. If I'm enjoying a location I'll stay for a bit, but once my feet get itchy I'll move on.

I guess my reason for this fear is not knowing the areas that I'll be traveling through and what if I end up in a bad area of town without knowing it. Again, my biggest fear, as a solo female traveler, is waking up disoriented and confused to find some dude halfway in my van to rob me. I think I would have a stroke. hahaha I want to travel the entire country so much of that will include city areas and I won't know where to park for the night. I don't think it will be as big a fear to me once I reach out west where there is more BLM's and safer places to boondock.

I'm sure my fears aren't valid, for the most part, but until I get out there for a bit and get comfortable and hone my sixth sense.......it's my only reason for thinking I need to be in a stealth vehicle.

Great question though and I look forward to hear what others have to add.

 

[TMG51]

The places where police dislike van dwellers are places that are already overrun with them (much of coastal California). There, you are unwanted, and have to blend in well.

I agree with your distinction between east/west perspective, but I still disagree that it's necessary to blend in. I've been right on coastal California for 10+ weeks, I don't blend in at all, and it hasn't been a problem. I'm sure if I began looking dirty or disrespectful it would become a problem. I would rather hide in plain sight.

 

[IanC]

I can see I need to head out West - pronto - not passing 'go' or collecting anything. I'm in Massachusetts where the concept of living on wide open spaces is pretty much foreign. Can't wait to see the kind of country ya'll are enjoying.

 

[Damian Rolling]

I am on the road and each day have to scope out where I am going to spend the night. I am used to it and it usually does not take long.

I’ve had two nocturnal visits from the police: both happened in my first month in the van.  

The first time I was in the parking lot of a supermarket that had gone out of business. Officers were polite. After the standard questions and license check they said it was okay for me to stay where I was (I chose to leave anyway).

The second time I was in the parking lot of a multiplex theater. I arrived after the last show ended. Officers said I had to leave, but gave me directions to the nearest interstate rest area and said I could sleep there. They were polite and left after running a check on my license.

These happened nine months ago; no other police encounters since.

Before becoming a van dweller I did a lot of research (forums, blogs, etc.) and learned many people have had a nocturnal visit, but it is rare for anyone to get into trouble.

In fact, the only instance I can find where someone got into trouble just for sleeping in their vehicle happened in Key West in 2013 (where in 2012 sleeping in a vehicle was outlawed except in campgrounds). The guy in question was issued a citation and a summons. Here is a link to the story: http://keysnews.com/node/54335

I think it is important to note according to the report the guy was given SIX separate warnings from police before getting the citation and summons.

Damian

 

[Cheli]

I can see I need to head out West - pronto - not passing 'go' or collecting anything. I'm in Massachusetts where the concept of living on wide open spaces is pretty much foreign. Can't wait to see the kind of country ya'll are enjoying.

Hello neighbor.....I'm in Mass too.  I also plan on heading out West, tired of the rat race around here.  hahaha