Dwelling in a teardrop

[Garrettwolf]

Is it possible to " stealth camp " in a teardrop? Boondocking would be easy , but what about in the general city area?

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[hepcat]

In my opinion, and that's all you're going to get here are opinions, it's not possible to "stealth camp" in any kind of travel trailer, or in a motorhome with a towed.

You might be able to get away easier in a van or B-van motorhome, but the truth is that the concept of "stealth camping" and the definition of "stealth" is all in your head. Any vehicle being used as a sleeping unit is readily recognizable if you're looking for such things. So, all you're doing by "stealth camping" is trying to blend in to avoid notice by folks who don't really care anyway.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Anyone who sees a vehicle with a teardrop trailer is going to fall into one of two categories:

Someone who has no idea what it is, and might even be curious enough to stop and take a good look at it.

Someone who knows EXACTLY what it is, and who will immediately suspect there could be someone in there.  He may, or may not CARE, but he will know you're there.

If you need stealth - assuming that's possible, which is often debated here - you would be far better off buying a small cargo trailer, say a 4 or 5 foot by 8 foot model.  Most people wouldn't expect there to be someone living inside that.

 

[Garrettwolf]

I am not really looking for stealth, but just curious if it was possible to dwell that way.

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[Ballenxj]

For the most part I have to agree, there won't be much stealth with that. Most people know what they are. What city do you plan on camping in?
You might get away with staying in parking lots of stores that are open 24 hrs. If you are going to be in cities that have gaming, try casino parking lots, preferably not too close to the casino. It would be advisable to let security know you are there first. They may, or may not be good with that, depending on the casino.
BTW, is that your project, or a picture off the net?

 

[Garrettwolf]

My project, just getting started on it. Thanks for the advice. Was just curious if dwelling would work in a teardrop.

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[Optimistic Paranoid]

To my mind, the big thing about teardrops is that you have to stand around outside to cook.  That makes them something for camping, not for living in.  Your mileage may vary, of course.

 

[Ballenxj]

My project, just getting started on it. Thanks for the advice. Was just curious if dwelling would work in a teardrop.

COOL! I'll bet you can do it, just not real stealthy. Once you get past people knowing you're there, you'll be OK.
As an aside, you can let us know how it works out.

 

[rvwandering]

I agree with the previous comments.

  We spend a lot of time in cities and with our small class C we are not stealthy so we stay in places where we are welcome to stay - Walmarts and casinos - or just places where no one really pays much attention to us such as big box home improvement stores. It is very rare to get a knock on the door.

 We don't like parking on the street because the pavement almost always slants toward the curb, it's noisy and more likely to cause unwanted attention but it's is possible. Tioga George fulltimed for years in a class C and often parked on the street. Now he has a small trailer and parks on the street with it too.  Greg from Sock Monkey Trekkers made a map with all of George's camp spots marked. Map

Your trailer build looks great!

 

[Stymie]

I say go on with build, use ingenuity for parking.  be... smart...
good luck

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

Her name/YouTube channel doesn't come to mind at the moment (will post when I remember); ... but there is a woman living in a series of teardrop trailers (first one stolen, trashed, recovered) for the past couple years(?) so it can be done if stealth is not your priority.

 

[Blanch]

To be stealth in an obvious sleeping vehicle is to pull into a spot after dark and go right to sleep. Early in the morning you get out of bed and drive off. I have done this with a 30 ft travel trailer. It is daylight hours and activity like walking around the trailer that gets attention. Just being parked with no movement and I have found no one pays attention. Of course, when my dogs get upset and start barking, we are pretty obvious.

Park in a blue collar neighborhood and on the side of a property, never where folks looking out their front door or windows are looking right at you.


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[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

The name of the woman I was thinking of is Mandy Lea --- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoFHEO6rBwJbZad4ax8ZxOQ

 

[frater secessus]

You could urban stealth camp with it if you hid the teardrop inside a box truck.

 

[SoulRaven]

You may already be a member, if not, http://tnttt.com/ is a great resource for teardrops and tiny trailers. There are probably at least 4 full-timers in teardrops and this thread is the most recent and I link in my thread on the subject: http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68135 Full-timing can be done in a teardrop. Stealth? Hiding in full view? I don't know about that, but boondocking for sure.

You teardrop build does look great! Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[Garrettwolf]

You may already be a member, if not, http://tnttt.com/ is a great resource for teardrops and tiny trailers. There are probably at least 4 full-timers in teardrops and this thread is the most recent and I link in my thread on the subject: http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68135 Full-timing can be done in a teardrop. Stealth? Hiding in full view? I don't know about that, but boondocking for sure.

You teardrop build does look great! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks!!! I just joined that site,

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[karl]

Son and I traveled with a Toyo pickup w/ a cap and a teardrop- it was good in that each of us had our space, but it was anything but stealthy.....it seemed to attract everyone's attention. We had locals driving through even remote sites to see the rig, and toooo many visitors at times.

It was fun to camp with like minded campers at times, but I sold the TD and much prefer a van for both camping and long term living.

Glad I tried it, just too much of a loner to be on display.

 

[Urban Fisher]

I think those tear drops are cool! I was considering one myself. But instead I bought a minivan. My rational was that if I took all the seats out (of the back of the van) it is basically like a small truck with a tear drop camper already attached. The back of my minivan is about the size of a small tear drop camper, however much stealthier and I can go from the front to the back without leaving the vehicle.

 

[Garrettwolf]

I think those tear drops are cool! I was considering one myself. But instead I bought a minivan. My rational was that if I took all the seats out (of the back of the van) it is basically like a small truck with a tear drop camper already attached. The back of my minivan is about the size of a small tear drop camper, however much stealthier and I can go from the front to the back without leaving the vehicle.

I have all the same thinking, my thing was I always wanted to build a td. Just to do it , I am enjoying it right now. If I was going to full time like I'd like to, I would most assuredly get a van , mini or full.

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[LoupGarou]

Looks like a fun project. There's something to be said about having the ability to stand up to put your pants on.