Stealth Parking with/without Signage

[Skyquest]

<p>Hi<br /><br />Does anyone here use signs on their vans? I had signs (magnetic) which had a company name and then "Utility Services" with a 1-888 number from a website that allows you to own a toll free number with answering capabilities built into the site for a few dollars a month. (I was actually doing utility work).</p><p><br />When I used the signs I could could pretty much go anywhere without a problem and was never questioned.</p><p><br />One day I forgot to put the signs on and was parked next to a walking path and stream and it was not even 10 minutes before the police were called and came looking in the van. The police asked questions about me being there mostly because my vans tags were out of state. I had stopped at that same place before in the van with the signs on nothing ever happened.</p><p>If people see a name and telephone number on a van they seem to feel more at ease than a plain white van. To much Criminal Minds viewing if you ask me.</p>

 

[Pikachu711]

<p>Another possibility is to create a "Google Voice" telephone number. I have a Google voice number that stores calls made to that number on the google webpage.</p><p>The setup is free and once you have a number it's yours until you delete the number. It's not the same as a toll-free number but using "google voice" you will have a working telephone number if someone calls it to check you out.</p><p>The other benefit of using google voice is that you can see who has called you by accessing the website.</p><p>Hopefully this will help you.</p>

 

[VanTrekker]

I have signs made up with a picture of tools.&nbsp; They read "Farm and City Handyman Service" and there is a phone number.&nbsp; I never had any problem using them.&nbsp; One time at Joy Springs park a guy laughed about me fishing and pointed at the signs.<br /><br />I have not used the signs&nbsp;for some time.&nbsp; These days I've been carrying the bike rack and bike on the back of the&nbsp;van so the handyman signs wouldn't make as much sense.&nbsp; <br /><br />I've designed some new signs that have a picture of Iowa in the background and they say...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>Team Trekker</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bicycle Support Vehicle</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"Please share the road"</em></strong></div><br /><br />I'll probably order them for&nbsp;use in 2013.&nbsp; Since many of my camping destinations are close to Anytime Fitness, I'm camping there from time to time.&nbsp; A bike support vehicle would look great next to a gym!<br /><br />VT

 

[peacetara]

I've never thought about signs.&nbsp; I've just been parking in residential neighborhoods near apartment buildings, and never had any trouble (so far).&nbsp; I'm now in a big white van instead of my tiny minivan.&nbsp; I'm sure I stick out a little more in this giant van. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />I'll have to think about doing such a thing, tho most of my travels will hopefully keep me on BLM /National forest land now, and not city dwelling.<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Hey google voice is pretty cool.&nbsp; Signed up and got a number in my hometown i can give to family back there <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; <br /><br />I was thinking i'd do the sign thing myself but was wondering how to handle a phoney number, but this is a good free option.&nbsp;&nbsp; Maybe get a few numbers/signs with local numbers for the areas you haunt a lot <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Seraphim]

Ive always wondered about the sign bit - would it attract the attention of those who break in expecting to find tools to steal?

 

[VanTrekker]

Seraphim,<br /><br />I think you have a valid point.&nbsp; The times when I've used the handyman signs, I've been with the van.&nbsp; Signs might very well increase your chances of people trying to break in but it depends greatly on where you park... In Iowa, as long as there is a little light, most places are very safe in comparison to some of the larger cities in other states - cities&nbsp;such as Chicago or Los Angeles.<br /><br />So far I've been lucky... No break-ins, no police contacts, etc.&nbsp; I'm pretty picky about where I park and don't do stealth too often.

 

[Skyquest]

<p>Signs have a great variety which hopefully is used to the stealth advantage.<br /><br />"Weather Tracker"<br />Mobile Weather Data Collection<br /><br />"Radioactive Transport"<br />Do Not Approach&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />"DDS Security Services"<br />(not going to rob this van)<br /><br />Wildlife Research Services<br />(for out in the wild)<br /><br />Gas Utility Services</p>

 

[VanTrekker]

Based on this thread, I got off my butt and changed the design a little and ordered a pair of these magnets.&nbsp; They won't be used much in the winter but during the warmer months will come in handy, along with the bike rack...<br /><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiNE7TIjqUk/UGQds2id9OI/AAAAAAAAC4k/bKD8dwTjNpM/s320/Team+Trekker+Sign.jpg" alt="" />

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Thats really cool <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[ParadiseParrot]

It is. Cops wont have to ask you what you are doing...its on the sign!!!!

 

[Salida Scarlett]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Ha! That is very sneaky, oops, I mean stealthy! Doesn't look like it's holding a full cargo of illegal aliens. </span>

 

[mad*sparrow]

Wow, love that sign. Ive been trying to think of an obscure yet reassuring sign. A couple of names Ive thought about using:
Yago Enterprise Surveying
O3 Green Technologies

I have some variations on those Im also considering but what do y'all think?

 

[Guest]

I think you guys are on to something. Back in the day, in Eugene, OR, I lived in a Mertro stepvan for a spell. I would drive to and park on the UofO campus and wear a white hard hat and coveralls and carry a clipboard as I walked around and scavenged food at the student union and took showers at the gym....<br /><br />I was considering a sign but didn't have enough extra money to have it made or painted on the rig...<br />I was considering:<br /><br />Ragged Edge Research and Development Co.<br /><br />Since that is what my life was.<br /><br />bri

 

[angeli]

Oh dear,<br /><br />The name of my little business is: &nbsp;The Rose and Herb. &nbsp;<br /><br />Really.<br /><br />I'm thinking I shouldn't advertise 'Herb' on the side of the van.<br /><br />Thoughts?<br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Guest]

Thoughts? <br /><br />Uh Oh...OK, you could get licensed to sell "herb" in places like Montana, California, legally and make tons....You may want to check out the gun thread and hire one of our armed members as a guard though....<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Or just not worry about it (as long as you don't have the picture of Ziggy on it), you have a totally legitimate business, something most of the posters probably don't have....<br /><br />Bri