Is a Cargo Van a good or bad idea in terms of stealth?

[PastTense]

Let me set up a scene for your comments

A Ladder , a sign that has a phone number for a business.. open to suggestions of best business.

No, I don't think you want your vehicle to be distinctive. Because if it is distinctive people will remember it. And someone will ask: Why is Joe's Plumbing van always parked here? If it is totally bland, people won't remember that it is this specific vehicle that was parked here--or if it is another one which is vaguely similar.

My next door neighbor owns an old cargo van which sits in front of his house--they are not uncommon.

 

[Blue]

Well I got a problem there then, my van has a big awkward high top, its not a camper high top but it is a conversion hightop and stops my van from looking completely "ordinary" if anything it looks like a disabled access van, but it dosent look "questionable" which is the way I always feel when I see an older windowless van, or a white van with dark windows (I wonder who's doing the survailance) yeah I'm probably a bit paranoid but is it just me or does everybody feel like that when they see older cargos?

 

[Unchained]

I don't. Then again, I live in SoCal 'horse country', and it seems like every third or fourth vehicle on the road is a van of some kind- many of them white, cargo or both. Unless they are in truly craptastic shape or in some other way unusual, they pass completely under my radar. A mid nineties GMC or Dodge doesn't even register, although one from the 80s might.

 

[Blue]

what this says...

http://voices.yahoo.com/living-mini-van-economical-stealth-van-dweller-1424709.html

 

[wagoneer]

A windowless van with a bubble gets my attention lotta room inside to delve into, a window van with a bubble looks like someone is using it as a living space especially with a big panel on top. Keep it clean first impressions of a vehicle means a lot and telling about your state of being.

 

[Unchained]

what this says...

I think people would notice a 'soccer Mom' minivan hooked to a homemade trailer even more than they would a plain, full sized van, but that's probably just me.

 

[Blue]

Yeah the trailer is too much, I mean I understand the reasoning and am tempted right now... I can pack all I need into a minivan... but then its gonna be pretty cramped... if I switched out some stuff... like putting the propane water heater, tools, camping gear, mini-workshop stuff all in a small two wheeled trailer... and only brought that out when I was going on extended trips away from home... yeah that would make sense... but if your really looking to full time stealth... I think not being able to fit into a single parking space is a really bad thing...

 

[SoulRaven]

Cargo van is one of the "stealthiest" vehicles to choose in my opinion for the size and mpg. You can blend in very well. You can even make it look like a business van with racks and ladders etc..., or even a sign for a business ( that may or may not exist )... Safety can only go so far... Don't make it look to enticing from any window to a prospective thief. The more boring the better...

Greetings!

Any time you park a cargo van in ANY neighborhood, somebodies calling the cops. They know your van doesn't belong there. They know which vans do and don't belong there.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

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I've actually noticed this. We recently bought a mid 90s Dodge for the business with the rounder front end than most 90s vans, and people look at it differently than the more pug or square nosed vans. Also, people look at a conversion or passenger van much differently than a cargo. The cargo may be easier to convert, but a conversion or passenger van may arouse less suspicion in a casual observer if you use a bit of stealth when blacking out the windows.

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The issue on that is attracting people that might want to break into your van thinking there will be tools to steal. In another thread, I half jokingly suggested, "Auntie Em's Yard Cleaning Service- They Poop 'Em, We Scoop 'Em!" I might have also suggested a diaper service.

The best business would be one that does not make thieves think there is something inside worth stealing.

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Greetings!

I was having bad trouble getting a step van I had broken into, so I put "Septic Tank Cleaning Service", "No Job Too Dirty". Solved that problem.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

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No, I don't think you want your vehicle to be distinctive. Because if it is distinctive people will remember it. And someone will ask: Why is Joe's Plumbing van always parked here? If it is totally bland, people won't remember that it is this specific vehicle that was parked here--or if it is another one which is vaguely similar.

My next door neighbor owns an old cargo van which sits in front of his house--they are not uncommon.

Greetings!

Any cargo van in any residential neighborhood will draw swift and negative attention, especially at night.

Same is true in commercial areas, the cops and guards know exactly what's normal and what's not. Unknown cargo van = possible thief.

However, I do know one who gets away with it in commercial areas, his says janitorial service on the side.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[akrvbob]

CamperVan-Man, I have to say in my 6 years of living in a city in a box van I never had the problems you describe. I think a cargo van has very good stealth and wouldn't hesitate to live in one if stealth as needed. A lot of differences in our experience is caused by the location, some places they are very strict and some not at all strict. It's impossible to generalize for every place and every situation.

One of the best places to park is in an area with many large apartment complex. A cargo van will not be noticed there although a step or box van might not do well. Another great place is 24 hour grocery stores. I worked in them all my life and there won't be any problem parking a cargo van in them. i worked with many guys who owned cargo vans and had them parked outside all night. It is extremely common.
Bob

 

[SoulRaven]

CamperVan-Man, I have to say in my 6 years of living in a city in a box van I never had the problems you describe. I think a cargo van has very good stealth and wouldn't hesitate to live in one if stealth as needed. A lot of differences in our experience is caused by the location, some places they are very strict and some not at all strict. It's impossible to generalize for every place and every situation.

One of the best places to park is in an area with many large apartment complex. A cargo van will not be noticed there although a step or box van might not do well. Another great place is 24 hour grocery stores. I worked in them all my life and there won't be any problem parking a cargo van in them. i worked with many guys who owned cargo vans and had them parked outside all night. It is extremely common.
Bob

Greetings Bob!

I agree that area can play a role, and what's going on in any given area at a time too. In this area, lately they seem to be having trouble with child abducters driving white cargo vans. Luckily, I don't think any of them have succeeded, but still that adds heightened awareness of cargo vans. Same for an old grey Mercedes sedan.

I think whether or not you have local plates might play a role too.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man