Stealthing with removable Decals

[tx2sturgis]

I don't like Koolaid.

I admire independent thought, and rejecting dogma when it doesn't suit.

I think you should paint it soylent green and put 'Bio-Hazard' and 'Zombie Apocalypse Response Vehicle' stickers all over it!

'GhostBusters!' would also be a hit!

How about 'Sally's Sailboat Fuel'....or 'Donna's Diesel Sparkplugs', maybe 'Tina's Turtlefeathers'...

Whimsical stuff can be interchanged with serious wording, when needed.

How about the word 'FISH'...we've all seen that word printed on the trailer doors of refrigerated trucks...whether they have fresh fish on them or not. Some of our semi-trailers had a GI-NORMOUS cheeseburger graphic on the side...trust me...there were NO cheeseburgers in those dry-vans.

With all due respect to the nay-sayers, there just aren't any graphics or 'ad cops' out there. 

Just don't put the word 'POLICE' on your van...cuz that WILL get you in trouble!

 

[QinReno]

I was actually suggesting that she doesn't need to drink the Koolaid, but my comment was not written very well. We all get to make our own decisions, which is how it should be.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I mainly park in front of apartments or light industrial. 3 years full-time in the city and no knocks. I live in a 2012 Chevy Express cargo van. As long you are careful about where you park and move often you should be fine without decals.

 

[closeanuf]

I worked for Schwans driving one of those food trucks.  I asked why the word "FISH" was on the truck and the answer was so the Texas Game Warden could pull you over and check your official paperwork.  What is interesting is that in the state of Texas you will see the State Police sign painted on the back of game warden trucks.  They are also federalized so they can cross state lines if needed.

I do like the family decals on the back window.  You might tie a dog leash to the trailer hitch while you are at it.  (Chevy Chase)

I also like the numbers on the fender or rear door.  If someone asks tell them it's your wedding anniversary and you don't want to forget it.
My last wedding date was 666.  June 6, 1986  (true story)

 

[QinReno]

My last wedding date was 666.  June 6, 1986  (true story)

Funny you should mentioned that. My real-life email address (not used around here) ends in 333, so reality wouldn't be so obvious. Only half-bad, after all.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I worked for Schwans driving one of those food trucks.  I asked why the word "FISH" was on the truck and the answer was so the Texas Game Warden could pull you over and check your official paperwork.  

I'd hate to derail the thread on this, but it's a 'law' dating back to the 80's (I think) to help prevent non-indigenous fish species (and their eggs) from ending up in distant rivers and streams, especially after a truck wreck. The idea was that first responders wont just fling open a trailer door when a truck is laying sideways after it ran off a road into a riverbed or lake, stream, soggy bar-ditch, wetlands, whatever. 

Often it appears on trailers that have ZERO fresh fish on-board, but nobody enforces this like they do when haz-mat placards are displayed when there is no actual haz-mat on board, which IS a violation of federal law.

 

[John61CT]

I think you'll find the "stealth problem" to not be a big deal, if you just follow the guidelines frequently discussed here.

And if you're violating them even an Invisibility Tarp won't help.

Put your creativity to use solving your real problems, as they actually arise.

IOW yoo tink too mutt

 

[GreyWulf]

This is actually a great idea as most of you say stickers and decals are remembered by almost everyone so if you're constantly switching them out with different stickers and different decals that might work they might just say oh that's not the same van, nowadays there are so many vehicles that look alike the only way to tell them apart are distinctive features like stickers and magnets so yeah I think I will try this I will let you know how it goes.

 

[bullfrog]

Just don't put any pictures of ice cream products on a white van, kids will be knocking!

 

[GreyWulf]

Well yeah bullfrog that's common sense, don't use anything, that's going to stand out and draw attention to yourself.

 

[John61CT]

So this would not be helpful?

 

[RowanFae]

So this would not be helpful?

That is so perfect!  If you gotta drive a pervmobile - might as well own it.

 

[QinReno]

Being a very naive guy, I didn't even know that white vans have a bad reputation, until I bought mine and brought it back to the apartment complex. Then the theretofore friendly 20-something gal who lives downstairs duly informed me, and she wouldn't speak to me for 6-months after that. Oh well, I always get blamed for everything. (John is not being helpful, he doesn't drive a van .

 

[GreyWulf]

Yep white Vans have a very bad reputation my first van was a white Astro cargo van I had the cops called on me so many times when I was in that van I will never buy another white cargo van again.

 

[Free Spirit]

How about a big sign, "Ask me about Jesus"? That would keep almost everyone away. Sadly.

 

[Sepudo]

I have a removable magnet, that denotes a business that I have used on occasion when parked in densely populated affluent areas. It has served me well.

Think, Crime Scene Decontamination Unit...no think of the opposite, something nonthreatening.

In all other situations, I have not had any issues hiding in plain sight.

IMO, it has to do with the overall look of the van; is it an rv, does it have stuff hanging from it, is it clean, etc...address those things up front and worry less in the future.

happy stealthing!

 

[Beetle]

VistaPrint sells magnetic signs that you design.

 

[WanderingBiker]

Been in the sign industry since 1974,  started out hand lettering, in 1993 went to computerized vinyl cutting... I have added custom cabinets to my Toy Hauler to hold my vinyl cutter, laminator, and T-shirt heat press...  So I will be doing custom, (while you wait) signs on the road...

if you would like more info... private message me...

jT
The American Wander...

 

[[email protected]]

I love the idea, though I’ll never stealth in a town. I thought of a similar idea, using magnetic mobile business sign. Guess I am rethinking the wisdom of having a large “steal your face”, Greatful Dead sticker in my rear window.

 

[MrNoodly]

Why bother making them removable? Is there a time or place you'd need the van blank?