A simple stealth touch on a plain, white van:

[Staying Put]

An inexpensive hard hat sitting on the dash in the front window.<br><br>To be honest, what I saw was (wow, "saw was", a palindrome) a work van because of the name on the sides, but I thought that if somebody saw a hardhat in the window they would likely think it was a work van.&nbsp; Kind of sell the stealth if that's what you're dong.

 

[mockturtle]

Good thinkin!&nbsp; Both the hard hat and the palindrome.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

That is a good idea.... wonder if it would work with... "a Toyota" &lt;&lt; Palindrome) truck with topper.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br><br>Really is a good idea!!

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Put some numbers on the driver side rear door with a letter first. Must be straight and level.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[David]

Hard hat is a good idea, but wont help you at night. &nbsp;If you are stealthing in cities, then get some magnet signs made up that have a generic "cleaning" or "janitorial" service name &amp; logo on them. <br><br>With that you can easily park at most business complexes and even some big box stores, long as there isn't 24/hr security.&nbsp;I used to run a cleaning service and I used to go into random businesses all the time in the middle of the night. Never once did I ever get hassled by the cops because I looked legit.<br><br>Many big box stores have cleaning contractors that get locked in at night. Think Target for example, although Target randomly has their security work at night to keep the cleaners from having sticky fingers. However lots of other industrial buildings and office complexes always have cleaning crews in them late at nights.<br><br>The more ironic thing is if the cops get used to seeing your van in places like that they wont even think twice..&nbsp;

 

[Staying Put]

No, a hard hat wouldn't work if it was completely dark, but there's not a lot of places around near businesses or on city streets with street lights are so dark that a hard hat could not be seen setting on the dash.&nbsp; Yes, magnetic signs would also be an additional good touch, but also be more to explain if it came to that point.<br><br>Having worked for many years as a security guard at a civic center I learned that people who act or proceed like they belong often go unquestioned.&nbsp; I'd assume the same would work for stealth parking as well--that if you look like you belong you will go largely unquestioned.<br><br>The hard hat was just a casual suggestion based upon something I had seen that morning and not a totally convincing hard sell that the van is a work van.&nbsp; In a pinch you could even use the hard hat to keep your head dry if you were out in the rain.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Well.... I thought it was a really good idea, Wemble. Thanks for posting it!

 

[creationode]

I USED to put one of my 2 hard hats on a hook I attached to the caged pass through, in my white cargo van.&nbsp; I also draped a reflective construction vest over the passenger seat.<br><br>After months of dong this, I have changed my method, and I have yet to be bothered.&nbsp; I park almost exclusively in big box parking lots...<br><br>I was doing waste management (riding on dump trucks and working the levers) for a nearby city, and found some unique items in the bins.<br><br>The hard hats were two of the items amongst many, but one of the best was a custom fitted, local business hat, that actually looks very nice.&nbsp; I have since laundered the hat.&nbsp; The hat has the brand of a local energy company all over it, and is VERY legit looking.&nbsp; When my hair is unkempt, and I am feeling a bit...above the radar...I stick it on backwards, and go about my tasks.<br><br>I ALWAYS leave the hat either on the dash, like I am...proud of my company (this is a pretty common practive amongst construction/utility workers in my area)...or I set it on my little passenger seat tool/item/stealth prop/milk crate set up.&nbsp; It tends to cover my Husky nylon pouch coin purse, or wallet, whichever needs to be covered at that time.&nbsp; I am certain this helps anybody that might shine a flashlight into my van...<br><br>The Hard Hat on the Dash, is a litttttttttttle bit too obvious.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have honestly NEVER seen a legit hard hat on a dashboard, on any work vehicle.&nbsp; The employees almost ALWAYS have the hard hat...on the passenger seat, attached to a racking system in the BACK of the van near the rear cargo doors, or they PARK the vehicle in a fenced, secure, contractor parking lot.&nbsp; <br><br>I have paid VERY MUCH attention to my local area, and I blend right in.&nbsp; Having the magnets...is really a 50/50 thing.&nbsp; There are MANY (latino) workers in my area, that drive unmarked, white, cargo vans.&nbsp; They personally own these vans, and use them for...WORK.<br><br>I probably live in one of the best areas in the country for WCV vanning.<br><br>But the hard hat, on the dash...is just too obvious.&nbsp; Put it on the passenger seat, and put a reflective vest draped somewhere in the cab.&nbsp; Even get a crapped out pair of boots, and put them on the passenger floor.&nbsp; IF you are knocked on at night, just claim you are part of whatever local construction project is happening in your vincinity.&nbsp; It really helps to actually KNOW what project that would be.<br><br>Nothing beats familiarity with your area.&nbsp; Most cops are tolerant.

 

[creationode]

And Wemble...on a related note, I vainly attempted to stealth sleep in a gigantic parking lot, attached to the Starbucks I had spent an evening session in...I left at 10pm, and I suppose the last employee had left at around 11pm...there was an adjacent oriental buffet, tha had cars in the it's parking lot. <br><br>When I had entered the van to sleep, there were a good amount of other cars spread out in the parking lot.&nbsp; I knew when I pulled into the lot, that it was going to be a gamble.&nbsp; I was ready to explain my 'drunken night out, being a local fixer, could not drive safely' ploy.<br><br>At around 11pm, WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING A BUCKET POOP MIND YOU, I heard an aggressive knock on the passenger window...my bowels froze, I hastily replaced my poopset, and waited for some more knocking...the knocking was much stronger then, and appeared on the cargo passenger side, indicating the knocker was very much aware of my presence...<br><br>So, I just pulled up my pants, threw on an already placed tank top, said 'Hold on', then proceeded to the front passenger seat, opened the door, got out, closed it, and greeted the...<br><br>Older, white, male security officer, with a taser on his hip.&nbsp; Not a cop.<br><br>Already, I was in the clear.&nbsp; I did not let him get a word out.<br><br>I went ahead and told him 'I was trying not to drive because I was too tired'.<br><br>He said, 'You can't park here.&nbsp; It's a private parking lot.'<br><br>I said, 'I though it was SAFE.&nbsp; I saw lots of cars.'<br><br>He said, 'Those are the customers of the restaurant (buffet).'<br><br>I said, 'Oh. Where could I park then?'<br><br>He said, 'Walmart. It is open 24 hours.'<br><br>Although the exact Wally he was referrin to was NOT a good sleep spot due to an abnormally vigilant security person.<br><br>He never once indicated any type of aggression or desire to make it worse for me.<br><br>I took control of the conversation and just showed my best attitude.<br><br>Albeit, I was wearing booty shorts and a tank top, and probably looked like a totally homeless person in a van...<br><br>Situation averted.&nbsp; Confidence increased.&nbsp; Mission: Success!

 

[DollarJoe67]

The hard hat idea sent my mind whirling.&nbsp; Great idea if you are stealthing as an industrial worker.&nbsp; I'd say anything placed in open sight to camoflage your vehicle in the locale is a good idea.&nbsp; Near the beach?...sunscreen, towels, sandals, surf wax.&nbsp; Going rural?...camo pants and flourecent hunter's hat.&nbsp; Local sports teams' merchandise (I'm thinking high school), parking stickers/permits (expired or not).&nbsp; Basically, low value items which may catch an eye but not a second glance seem like a good idea to me.&nbsp;

 

[Staying Put]

The hard hat idea was just a simple suggestion based on something I saw and certainly not the be-all and end-all of successful stealth camping---that's it.&nbsp; It was just a simple touch and doesn't really require the doing it correctly or perfectly&nbsp;or doing it at all attention it has received.&nbsp; I saw it and posted about it without churning it over in my mind for a day without&nbsp;trying to figure if it was a great idea.<br><br>Ironically, the white van I saw with this hard hat in the window was in the parking lot of a bank before it opened in the morning and just 3 blocks from the police station.