Stealth of Van versus Truck Camper: Does it matter?

[ascii_man]

a truck with a camper is a little different type of animal to find parking spots for...

I have been influenced by your views that "stealth" is largely folly, since "they always know".  So if stealth doesn't matter and truck campers fit better into a standard parking spot than many vans (e.g., extended vans) and they're a more familiar / mainstream choice (plenty of people use truck campers recreationally), wouldn't your logic lead to the conclusion that a truck camper be almost better than a van?

I really don't know.  I do know that I got police attention just taking a nap in my (nice) car in a strip mall parking lot for a couple of hours in the evening.  Now granted, I was parked beside the building rather than in a spot (the shopping center had a high vacancy rate) both for quiet and so that I could face into the setting sun with my reflector.  Still, it definitely has given me pause about the feasibility of vehicle dwelling (I have since realized that private property is to be avoided, of course).

Another reason for my question is that I've looked at some parking ordinances.  I figure that being unregistered, uninsured, or illegally parked is going to cause problems with cops regardless of the legality of sleeping in the vehicle.  I found one city that places a 2 hour limit on oversized vehicles (including over 6'6" tall, which includes most low-roof vans), but specifically exempts truck campers.

Very interested in hearing from veterans.  Especially those with experience in the East & Midwest.

 

[SoulRaven]

I have been influenced by your views that "stealth" is largely folly, since "they always know".  So if stealth doesn't matter and truck campers fit better into a standard parking spot than many vans (e.g., extended vans) and they're a more familiar / mainstream choice (plenty of people use truck campers recreationally), wouldn't your logic lead to the conclusion that a truck camper be almost better than a van?

I really don't know.  I do know that I got police attention just taking a nap in my (nice) car in a strip mall parking lot for a couple of hours in the evening.  Now granted, I was parked beside the building rather than in a spot (the shopping center had a high vacancy rate) both for quiet and so that I could face into the setting sun with my reflector.  Still, it definitely has given me pause about the feasibility of vehicle dwelling (I have since realized that private property is to be avoided, of course).

Another reason for my question is that I've looked at some parking ordinances.  I figure that being unregistered, uninsured, or illegally parked is going to cause problems with cops regardless of the legality of sleeping in the vehicle.  I found one city that places a 2 hour limit on oversized vehicles (including over 6'6" tall, which includes most low-roof vans), but specifically exempts truck campers.

Very interested in hearing from veterans.  Especially those with experience in the East & Midwest.

The problem I see with truck campers has nothing to do with stealth, but rather local ordinances that may prohibit RV parking on the street.

I have seen people with both Class A's & C's get ticketed for just parking on the street, not having anything to do with them living in them.  I just don't know what side of the line a pickup & camper would fall on, but I would do some research into it just to be safe.

There may be some other people here who can give you some first hand experience in this area.

Good Luck!

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You might find this article interesting:

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-lifestyle/stealth-camping-with-a-truck-camper/

Regards
John

 

[BradKW]

Half-measures avail you nothing...go big    

 

[Canine]

Oh man.Not telling anyone else how to live,but I don't want to spend my life sneaking around and hiding.

 

[ascii_man]

You might find this article interesting:

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-lifestyle/stealth-camping-with-a-truck-camper/

Regards
John

Thanks; I have read that article several times: I almost included it, but I don't quite know what to make of it. He uses the word "stealth", but he's anything but. And worse, by having such a large camper and adding a trailer, he's taking up multiple spots, which is against my theory here. But apparently he makes it work (sometimes on private property): I think it works because he's probably a) in the West b) constantly on the move and c) keeping to fairly low-density areas. I would like the ability to go to populated places and orbit the same general area for a while, even though I move my rig every night.

 

[ascii_man]

Oh man.Not telling anyone else how to live,but I don't want to spend my life sneaking around and hiding.

Well, as the title indicates, my initial plan was for a stealthy van, but I'm thinking of openly using a truck camper.

I posted this (and just about everything I post) in a truth-seeking, problem-solving spirit; don't worry about my feelings or being "supportive": think of it like a board meeting or engineering design review.

Can please you elaborate on what you do recommend?

 

[rvwandering]

I think in the truck camper article he's using the term stealth a little differently than we normally do. I believe that his aim is to look like he is visiting someone in the neighborhood and not sleeping in his camper.

Our little class C is not stealthy at all so when we visit cities we usually take the easy route by staying in big box stores, casino lots and occasionally truck stops. If we're planning on staying for a week or more we rotate spots. Most of the time nobody cares since they think we are just visiting. Large cities in popular tourists destinations are the hardest places to find a good spot. Small towns in the Midwest are the easiest. We've only been asked to move a handful of times in over twenty years.

We don't normally stay on the street but we have successfully stayed on a residential street in Seattle while visiting our daughter (the neighborhood has gotten busier and this spot is not longer available to us) and on a side street by my mother's apartment building in Texas. Near apartment buildings or in industrial areas are very good spots.

 

[Patrick46]

I really like his set-up! Nice rig!

 

[ascii_man]

I think in the truck camper article he's using the term stealth a little differently than we normally do. I believe that his aim is to look like he is visiting someone in the neighborhood and not sleeping in his camper.

Our little class C is not stealthy at all so when we visit cities we usually take the easy route by staying in big box stores, casino lots and occasionally truck stops. If we're planning on staying for a week or more we rotate spots. Most of the time nobody cares since they think we are just visiting. Large cities in popular tourists destinations are the hardest places to find a good spot. Small towns in the Midwest are the easiest. We've only been asked to move a handful of times in over twenty years.

We don't normally stay on the street but we have successfully stayed on a residential street in Seattle while visiting our daughter  (the neighborhood has gotten busier and this spot is not longer available to us) and on a side street by my mother's apartment building in Texas. Near apartment buildings or in industrial areas are very good spots.

Thanks for the clarification.

As silly as this probably is, for me the part of town is as important as going to different towns and states.  I think he has to rent a spot now, but this Rialta dweller kind of set the dream for me many years ago:

You can live wherever you want and can move for free whenever you want. I park on the street across from my favorite restaurant, right in one of the expensive areas of Austin. If I still went to clubs downtown, I'd park in the middle of downtown for the weekend and walk a block or two to go home at the end of the night.
http://tynan.com/living-in-a-small-rv-introduction

This guy has a very obvious DIY truck camper (especially with the roof hinge up and the Tyvek flapping). It's smaller and lacking in amenities compared to an Alaskan. But given that he's in a Ford Ranger (an unusually short vehicle), he can easily fit in parking spots even with his two-skateboard "backyard".
http://uncletravelingjoe.com/

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Oh man.Not telling anyone else how to live,but I don't want to spend my life sneaking around and hiding.

But, Bob, how will you be able to feel like you are an "outlaw" or a "rebel" if you are not "hiding from the authorities"?

Regards
John

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I think it works because he's probably a) in the West b) constantly on the move and c) keeping to fairly low-density areas. 

Plus, being a retired cop, I suspect he's got some magic credentials he can show any cops that question him, and then they all go out and hit the donut shop together . . .

Regards
John

 

[ascii_man]

Plus, being a retired cop, I suspect he's got some magic credentials he can show any cops that question him, and then they all go out and hit the donut shop together . . .

That's an excellent point.

Noelle Marie's ex, Vince, didn't want to get a Florida plate for his minivan, so he took the Colorado front plate from their (now her?) Sprinter and parked at a Hampton Inn or some other nice hotel.  Luckily, the previous owner of his minivan had an Army sticker on it: the LEO questioned him about his service and let him off with a warning.

I obviously don't have those magic credentials.

Mods: The man in question is a Public Figure due to his YouTube presence and I am repeating story that he has released for unlimited worldwide public distribution over the Internet

 

[rvwandering]

Uncle Joe Has a great setup! It's so unstealth that it disarms people and makes them smile.

I agree that the part of town is an important factor. We like to park for the day near attractions like parks, trails, museums, etc. and then walk around to see everything. Most of the time we can find cheap or free parking on the street. After spending the day exploring we head to Walmart or a similar location.

If you like to visit clubs you might try asking if you can stay in their lot overnight. We have friends who ask if they can stay in resturant lots overnight because they want to have a few drinks with dinner and don't want to drive afterwards.

 

[ascii_man]

I agree that the part of town is an important factor. We like to park for the day near attractions like parks, trails, museums, etc. and then walk around to see everything. Most of the time we can find cheap or free parking on the street. After spending the day exploring we head to Walmart or a similar location.

Hmm...interesting strategy. I still place value on not being restricted to big box locations.

If you like to visit clubs you might try asking if you can stay in their lot overnight. We have friends who ask if they can stay in resturant lots overnight because they want to have a few drinks with dinner and don't want to drive afterwards.

Another good tip. But to clarify, I haven't been to a club in a really long time, and in any case, I'd prefer not to be beholden to one establishment or forced to have an expensive restaurant meal every night.

I do appreciate these suggestions; they're good to keep in my toolbox.

Mobile living is such a niche lifestyle; I wonder how many people have actually tried doing both.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Half-measures avail you nothing...go big    

Judging by the 'deck', he's stuck in place.  A couple of bridges in places I drive would handily remove his roof.

This guy has a very obvious DIY truck camper (especially with the roof hinge up and the Tyvek flapping).  It's smaller and lacking in amenities compared to an Alaskan.  But given that he's in a Ford Ranger (an unusually short vehicle), he can easily fit in parking spots even with his two-skateboard "backyard".
http://uncletravelingjoe.com/

Something doesn't make sense.  Wood is heavy.  And uncletravelingjoe built this thing out of wood with 2 X 4 framing.  On a Ford Ranger  :huh:  Sucker must weigh a ton.  Hope he has done more than upgrade the suspension (like brakes and tires).

-- Spiff

 

[skyl4rk]

The big difference between a pickup camper and a camper van is the ability to get out of bed, walk to the drivers seat and drive away. The van can leave a parking spot without drawing any attention to itself. This is a minor advantage to the van.

I drive a class b which is not at all stealthy, and I park where ever I think I can get a good nights sleep. It has to be a legal parking space. I don't care about stealth. I prefer quiet places, such as Lowe's where the store closes at night and where there is wifi coming out of the building. But we have slept across the street from a brewpub with no problem. Public lots in tourist town downtowns, Wal Marts, public parks which allow overnight parking, all with no problems, from Michigan to California.

I think that stealth is not necessary except in certain areas, perhaps if one were to live and work, staying in one city or neighborhood. Being secretive might cause more problems and suspicions than openly overnighting.

 

[ascii_man]

Thanks skyl4rk

The big difference between a pickup camper and a camper van is the ability to get out of bed, walk to the drivers seat and drive away.  The van can leave a parking spot without drawing any attention to itself.  This is a minor advantage to the van.

Yup; it seems like not a dealbreaker for me. I also might figure out a way to shimmy through the cab window: it appears to be technically feasible. I am more concerned with going to bed at night than leaving in the morning.

My concerns about Class B's have to do with a) my personal issues finding an affordable one without pets and b) fitting a "tall person compatible" bed, kitchenette, and rudimentary plumbing into something that can park in a standard spot (19' 6" in one town I measured: a regular Chevy Express would fit, but an extended would NOT).

I drive a class b which is not at all stealthy, and I park where ever I think I can get a good nights sleep.  It has to be a legal parking space.  I don't care about stealth.  I prefer quiet places, such as Lowe's where the store closes at night and where there is wifi coming out of the building.  But we have slept across the street from a brewpub with no problem.  Public lots in tourist town downtowns, Wal Marts, public parks which allow overnight parking, all with no problems, from Michigan to California.  

And the $30,000 question (cost of a used Class B or new truck camper) is: Do you think you could do this as easily in an Alaskan truck camper?

I think that stealth is not necessary except in certain areas, perhaps if one were to live and work, staying in one city or neighborhood.  Being secretive might cause more problems and suspicions than openly overnighting.

I would like the option of being non-nomadic. I might visit the same few cities frequently on weekends. I do have a job and am not planning to retire for a long time. A year ago, I wanted to be secretive; now I plan to be discrete and non-obnoxious.

Another wrinkle is that I probably would use air conditioning a few months of the year. That's generally not very stealthy in any vehicle.

 

[skyl4rk]

A pickup with a camper would work. If money is an issue, a used high top van with a simple build out is a good way to go. Class b's are a way to get out there without a long build out time and with some (unnecessary) luxuries.